Chapter 25 : New Morning, New Threats

Ava was stirred from her slumber by the gentle touch of morning sunlight filtering through the balcony's half-open curtains. She blinked, realizing she had forgotten to draw them closed the night before. She attempted to find a more comfortable position, but the sofa's short place made it nearly impossible. Frustration welled within her, and with a sigh, she decided to rise from the sofa and closed the curtains. 

However, as she turned away from the balcony, a sudden wave of weakness washed over her. She pressed her palm against her forehead and realized that she had a high fever. With a heavy sigh, she switched off the tube light that always stayed on at night. 

She glanced at Ibrahim who was peacefully asleep on the bed. She couldn't help but murmured, "This man doesn't even offer me the bed for one day. Every day I need to sleep on the sofa, and he sleeps on the bed. He doesn't even consider suggesting we switch places for a night. Never... Huh."

She shook her head and decided to go to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea, something warm to help sooth her fever. As she entered the kitchen, she saw Aliya and Aziza were busy preparing breakfast. 

When Aliya noticed Ava standing near the door, she asked, "Ava, why are you awake so early, especially on a Sunday?"

"I think I might have a fever, so I came to make some tea." Ava replied.

Aziza questioned, "Why are you making tea when you're unwell, daughter? Sit down. I will make it for you."

Aliya approached Ava and reached out to feel her forehead, "Oh no, Ava, you're burning up! You should go and rest in your room. Aziza will bring breakfast to you, and I'll call the doctor."

 "No, no need to call a doctor, I'll take some medicine, and I'll be fine." Ava replied. 

Aliya remained adamant, "No, dear Ava. You go and rest. I'll let you know when the doctor arrives."

Reluctantly, Ava nodded and went to her room.

After her morning shower, Ava emerged from the bathroom, her face gently patted dry with a towel. Just as she stepped out, a soft knock on the door caught her attention. She quickly went to open the door. 

To her surprise, Faisal stood on the other side, a food trolley laden with breakfast at his side. Ava asked, "Faisal?" 

Faisal nodded and gave a reassuring smile. "Good morning, Ava. I heard from Mother Aliya that you have a fever, so I thought I'd bring you some breakfast."

Ava's face brightened, and she stepped aside, inviting Faisal in. "Thank you, Faisal. Please, come in."

As Faisal entered, his eyes couldn't help but glance at the bed, where Ibrahim still lay sleeping. He commented, "Ibrahim hasn't woken up yet?"

Ava settled on the sofa, a cup of tea in her hand, and shook her head. "No, he's still sleeping."

Faisal walked over to Ibrahim, attempting to wake him. He called out, "Hey, dude, wake up." However, Ibrahim remained undisturbed by his efforts. Faisal tried again, "Ava has a fever; wake up, Boss."

The word "fever" cut through the fog of Ibrahim's slumber, and his eyes flew open. He sat up abruptly. "Fever?" He questioned in disbelief.

He glanced at Ava and noticed she's looking so pale. He rose from the bed and moved closer and reached out to touch her forehead. His fingers brushed against her skin, and Ava involuntarily closed her eyes.

Ibrahim's gaze remained fixed on her. "Why didn't you wake me up, Ava? You should have told me."

Ava let out a sigh, "Why should I have told you?"

Ibrahim was quick to respond, "I'm calling a doctor."

Faisal chimed in, "Mother Aliya has already called. The doctor will be here soon."

"Oh", Ibrahim nodded. 

Ava, holding a cup of tea in her hands, looked at Faisal with a request in her eyes. "Faisal, can you drive me to my apartment?"

Ibrahim had just sat on the bed. He furrowed his brow at her sudden request, "Why do you want to go?"

Ava looked at Ibrahim and asked, " Do I have to explain everything to you? Fine, It's Sunday, and Elara has the day off. And I want to meet him."

Faisal said, "Sure, Ava. I can...."

But before Faisal could finish, Ibrahim cut in abruptly. "Ava won't go anywhere. I'll call Elara, and you two can meet here."

Faisal and Ava both were taken a back by Ibrahim's words. Ava angrily asked, "Why can't I go? Elara is my brother. Can't I even meet my own brother?"

Ibrahim stood up and told, "Not now. 

When I think it's the right time, you can meet anyone you want. But for now, you're not going anywhere."

With those words, Ibrahim left the room, Faisal called after him, "Ibrahim, listen to me."

Left alone in the room, Ava's frustration and resentment reached a boiling point. She tightened her grip on the cup until it shattered. The sharp sound of breaking porcelain echoed through the room.

Faisal followed Ibrahim into the study. He expressed his worry, "It's not good, Ibrahim. Ava has only one family member, and you're not doing the right thing by keeping her away from him."

Inside the study, Ibrahim leaned against the mahogany desk, his gaze meeting Faisal's, "Rafi Ahmed is threatening me, Faisal. I can't take any risks now."

Faisal arched his one eyebrow, "Why is Rafi Ahmed a threat? What's going on, Ibrahim?"

Ibrahim sighed heavily, "Rafi's elder brother. I killed him years ago. Now, Rafi is after revenge."

"Revenge? Ibrahim, we need to do something about this. Ava can't be held hostage to your past actions." Faisal told. 

Running a hand through his hair, Ibrahim nodded in agreement. "I know, Faisal. I can't let Rafi harm Ava. But at the same time, I can't let him think I'm weak. It's a delicate balance."

As they were engrossed in their conversation, Samir entered the study, "What's going on, brothers?" He was looking so fresh in the morning in casual clothes. 

Ibrahim motioned for Samir to join them. "Sit down, Samir. We need to discuss something important."

Samir took a seat on a chair. He looked so confused. And Faisal explained what was going on. 

After Faisal's explanation. Ibrahim began, "Rafi's brother was a threat to us, and I had to eliminate him. Now, Rafi is seeking vengeance. He's not the kind to back down easily."

Samir pressed further, "What kind of threat is he posing, brother?"

"He's been targeting our businesses, trying to destabilize us. But now, he's escalating. He's threatening to harm those close to me, and Ava is unfortunately caught in the crossfire." Ibrahim revealed. 

Samir's eyes widened at the mention of Ava. "What does he want from Ava?"

Ibrahim clenched his jaw, his frustration evident. "He wants revenge for his brother's death. He believes I took everything from him, and now he's determined to take everything from me."

Samir's eyes narrowed in understanding. " We can't let him threaten our family."

Faisal suggested, "Perhaps it's time to involve the authorities." 

Ibrahim shook his head. "No, involving the authorities could expose too much. We need to handle this internally. This is a game of power. I have another plan." 

Both Samir and Faisal exchanged curious glances, and both asked, "What's your plan, Ibrahim?"

Ibrahim leaned forward. His gaze was intense. "I'll let Rafi think he has control. I'll let him attack me and Ava. But little does he know, it's a trap."

Faisal, surprised, questioned, "You're going to let him attack you and Ava? Isn't that too risky?"

But Ibrahim remained calm. He wasn't a man who got feared by other. "It's a calculated risk. Rafi needs to believe he's winning, that he has the upper hand. That's when he'll lower his guard."

Samir was still confused. He didn't like the idea that one woman from their house was going to be a victim. Though their world worked in a that way. He asked, "How will this work?"

A small, cunning smile played on Ibrahim's lips as he explained, "I'll make it seem like he's in control. Once he thinks he has us right where he wants us, I'll turn the tables on him."

In the midst of their conversation, Yasmeen, their maid, burst into the room, her breaths rapid and uneven. 

The trio turned their attention towards her. Samir asked, "What happened, Yasmeen? Why are you breathing so rapidly?"

Between her hurried breaths, Yasmeen managed to convey, "Ibrahim sir's room caught on fire. The... the room is locked. Ava ma'am is inside."