With Huzaifa's downfall echoing across the financial world, Saad found himself in a position of unmatched dominance in the market. His investments were soaring, and he had effectively outmaneuvered his rival. The media buzzed with stories of Saad's brilliance, calling him the new face of trading success. On the surface, everything looked perfect—but beneath, the battle within Saad's heart was far from over.
The next morning, Saad met Zara for coffee, as he had planned. Sitting across from her in the quiet café, Saad felt a pang of nostalgia. Zara looked the same—calm, supportive, and full of understanding. She had always known how to connect with him on a deeper level.
"I heard about Huzaifa," Zara said, her voice gentle but knowing. "You handled it brilliantly, Saad. You've come a long way since the days we used to trade together."
Saad smiled, but there was a heaviness in his chest. "Thanks, Zara. It wasn't easy, but I knew I had to stay ahead of him. He's always been too focused on tearing others down instead of building himself up."
Zara nodded. "It's good to see you thriving. But... something seems off. Are you okay?"
Saad hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. He had been open with Zara in the past, but now, with Maya in his life, everything felt more complicated.
"It's just... a lot, you know? Work, life... everything's moving so fast," Saad said, deflecting slightly.
Zara's eyes searched his face. "Saad, you've always been honest with me. You know you can talk to me about anything."
Saad's heart raced. He felt torn between the emotional comfort Zara provided and the passion he had for Maya. It was becoming harder to ignore how drawn he was to both women. Before he could respond, his phone buzzed. It was a text from Maya.
Can't wait to see you tonight! Dinner at our favorite spot?
The timing was almost cruel. Saad slipped his phone back into his pocket, unsure of how to navigate the mess he was in.
After an awkward silence, Zara reached across the table, placing her hand on his. "Saad, whatever's going on, you'll figure it out. Just don't lose yourself in all of this success. Stay grounded."
Her words struck a chord. Saad thanked her for the talk and left, his mind swirling with uncertainty. The walk back to his car felt longer than usual, weighed down by the unresolved feelings pulling him in two directions.
That evening, Saad arrived at the restaurant to meet Maya. She was waiting at their usual table, dressed in a way that made Saad's heart skip a beat. She stood up to greet him with a warm smile, wrapping her arms around him.
"You seem distracted," Maya said after they sat down. "Are you okay? Is it work?"
Saad forced a smile. "Just a lot on my mind. But let's not talk about that right now. How was your day?"
Maya's face softened. "Busy, but good. I was thinking about us, Saad. We've been through so much together, and I'm so proud of you. I know you're under a lot of pressure, but I want you to know that I'm always here for you."
Her sincerity made Saad's heart ache. He didn't deserve her unwavering support, not when his mind kept drifting to Zara. Guilt gnawed at him as they ordered dinner, but he tried to push the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the present moment with Maya.
As the evening went on, Maya leaned in closer, resting her head on Saad's shoulder. "I've been thinking about the future," she said softly. "About us."
Saad's breath caught in his throat. He had always imagined a future with Maya, but now, with Zara back in his life, his feelings were tangled.
"I... I've been thinking about that too," Saad replied, unsure of how much to say.
Maya lifted her head and looked at him with those bright, loving eyes. "Do you see us... together? Building a life, maybe even a family someday?"
Her question was simple, but the weight of it felt crushing. Saad's heart pounded as he tried to find the right words. How could he answer when he wasn't even sure of his own feelings?
"I care about you, Maya," he began cautiously. "But I don't want to rush into anything. Things have been moving so fast with my career, and I just need time to think about everything."
Maya's smile faltered slightly, but she nodded. "I understand, Saad. I don't want to pressure you. Just know that I'm here, whenever you're ready."
The rest of the dinner was quiet, both of them lost in their own thoughts. As they left the restaurant, Maya kissed him goodnight, her touch lingering longer than usual, as if she sensed the distance between them.
That night, Saad couldn't sleep. He stared at the ceiling, torn between two incredible women—Maya, who had stood by him through thick and thin, and Zara, who had been a part of his past and now reawakened feelings he thought he had left behind.
Meanwhile, Huzaifa's defeat in the stock market had not gone unnoticed. News outlets were reporting the dramatic collapse of his investments, and rumors swirled that Huzaifa had fled the country to escape the scandal. Saad had won the financial battle, but inside, he felt like he was losing another, more personal one.
The next morning, Zain and Fahad showed up at Saad's apartment, excited about their weekend trip to the beach. Saad had promised them a getaway to celebrate their recent successes.
"Ready to hit the beach?" Zain asked, grinning.
Saad nodded, though his heart wasn't fully in it. The weekend would be a welcome distraction, but he knew that no matter how much fun they had, his real problems would still be waiting for him when they returned.
As they packed their bags into the car, Fahad nudged Saad. "Everything okay, man? You've been a bit off lately."
Saad forced a laugh. "Yeah, just a lot going on. I'll be fine."
But as they drove toward the beach, Saad knew that sooner or later, he'd have to confront his feelings—before his tangled emotions unraveled everything he had worked so hard to build.