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| Cruel Lover - Part Three. |
The Harsh Lover: Part Three
They say a coincidence is better than a thousand appointments, while others believe that coincidences are divine encounters between two destined individuals. There is no such thing as a mere coincidence; it is rather fate orchestrating events for ease, and some coincidences are among the most beautiful things that happen to us.
Maryam called her manager and requested that he hire Shaghaf, but the only available position was as a tea and coffee server. Maryam went up to the rooftop to tell Shaghaf about the job and encountered Seham.
Maryam: How are you, Auntie? How’s everything?
Seham: Alhamdulillah, I’m fine.
Maryam: You don’t look well, Auntie.
Seham: Shaghaf has been distant with me lately, and I don’t know why.
Maryam knew why but couldn’t tell her. She knew Seham was innocent, just like Shaghaf, but Shaghaf blamed her for separating her from her father.
Maryam: I don’t know, Auntie, but I’ll ask her for you.
Seham: Thank you, dear.
Maryam: Shushu! Where are you?
Shaghaf: Where would I be? Wandering in my palace? No, I’m in my dingy room.
Maryam (laughing): Sometimes, what you hate is actually good for you.
Shaghaf: What brings you here?
Maryam: I came to tell you about a job.
Shaghaf: They accepted me?
Maryam: Yes, but it’s to make tea and coffee and such.
Shaghaf: So, basically, a lousy job.
Maryam: Lord, give me patience with this trouble. Tomorrow morning, we’ll go together, okay?
Shaghaf: Fine.
The next morning, Maryam and Shaghaf went to the office.
Maryam: Look, Shushu, this is our humble office.
Shaghaf: It’s very nice.
Shaghaf entered the manager’s office and sat in his swivel chair.
Shaghaf: Look how I’m spinning in it!
Maryam (laughing): You’re such a clown; what can we do?
Shaghaf: But honestly, doesn’t it suit me?
A voice interrupted from behind them: “To be honest, it’s missing a piece of you.”
Both of them were startled by the voice.
Maryam: Mr. Hatem, I’m sorry. This is the girl who will work with us on orders. She’s a bit silly; we’re really sorry.
Shaghaf: Why are you apologizing? Nothing happened, right?
Hatem smiled at this little doll: “No, nothing happened at all.”
Maryam: Don’t encourage her, Mr. Hatem. Let’s go, Shaghaf; I’ll show you your spot.
Hatem watched this girl named Shaghaf. She truly looked like a doll, with her curly hair, beautiful eyes, and playful personality.
In the kitchen:
Maryam: How could you talk to him like that?
Shaghaf: What did I even say? This is just my nature; I can’t stay quiet or flatter anyone.
Maryam: Look, Mr. Hatem might be lenient, but his partner, Mr. Hossam, is a whole different story. He hates all women.
Shaghaf (laughing): Really? Now I’m even more eager to meet him.
Maryam: He’ll fire you at your first mistake.
Shaghaf: God help us.
Later, Hossam arrived at the office. The business was a design firm that Hossam and Hatem had started together, with only a few employees: Maryam, Soha, Asmaa, her husband Mohammed, and now Shaghaf.
Hossam: Good morning.
Hatem: Morning of light and happiness.
Hossam: Why are you so cheerful this morning?
Hatem: Nothing, we just hired someone new who will bring joy to this dull place.
Hossam: Who are you talking about?
Hatem: Wait and see.
Hatem called Maryam: “Please send us two coffees.”
Maryam: “Right away, sir.”
Hatem hung up. “I’ll introduce you to Barbie in Wonderland.”
Hossam: I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Hatem: Just wait.
Five minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
Hatem: Come in.
Shaghaf entered with the coffee. Hossam was taken aback by this girl, who indeed resembled a doll.
Hossam: Who are you?
Hatem: Relax, Hossam; this is the girl Maryam told us about.
Hossam: She didn’t say she was this young.
Shaghaf: Young? I’m Maryam’s age! Just because I can’t design like her doesn’t mean I’m a kid.
Hossam: You better be careful, girl.
Shaghaf: I’m not scared of you, sir.
Hatem burst out laughing. “You’re really something else, Shaghaf.”
Continuation of The Harsh Lover: Part Three
Hossam (irritated): Hatem, don’t encourage her. She’s just here to do her job—nothing more, nothing less.
Shaghaf (grinning): Sir, your coffee is getting cold. If you’re not going to drink it, I’ll gladly take it.
Hossam (sharply): No one invited you to join us, so stay out of it.
Hatem (chuckling): Relax, Hossam. She’s just a kid having some fun.
Shaghaf (playfully): I told you, I’m not a kid. I graduated from university, but life’s expenses forced me to take this job.
Hossam stared at her with disbelief. “You graduated? Which university accepted someone with this much attitude?”
Shaghaf (smirking): The same one that produces people who are too serious for their own good.
Hatem couldn’t hold back his laughter, while Hossam clenched his fists in frustration.
Hatem (grinning): I like her, Hossam. She’s exactly what we need around here—someone to lighten the mood.
Hossam: Lighten the mood? Or drive us insane?
Later that day, as Shaghaf explored the office, she bumped into Adam, a tall and well-dressed man entering the building.
Adam: Watch where you’re going.
Shaghaf: Watch where you’re going! Who are you, barging in like you own the place?
Adam (amused): And who are you, little miss, acting like you’re in charge?
Shaghaf (defiantly): I’m the one making sure things run smoothly around here. Now, who are you?
Before Adam could reply, Hossam and Hatem appeared.
Hossam (sternly): Adam! You didn’t mention you were coming today.
Hatem (surprised): What brings you here, Adam?
Adam smirked at the two men. “I came to discuss something important. But first, who’s this fiery little one?”
Hossam (frustrated): She’s just a server, Adam. Don’t pay her any attention.
Adam (laughing): A server with a lot of fire, it seems. I like her spirit.
Shaghaf glared at Hossam. “At least someone around here appreciates me.”
Hossam: One more word out of you, and you’re fired!
Adam (calmly): Relax, Hossam. She’s harmless.
As the day went on, Shaghaf found herself drawn to Adam’s kind demeanor, which starkly contrasted with Hossam’s coldness. She couldn’t help but wonder why he was there and what his connection to the two business partners was. Little did she know, Adam’s presence would soon unravel secrets that would change everything—secrets that tied them all together in ways she couldn’t yet imagine.
But one thing was certain: life in this office was about to get much more complicated for Shaghaf.
Continuation of The Harsh Lover: Part Four
Hossam (angrily): Not scared of me, huh? Let’s see how long that lasts.
Shaghaf (calmly): As long as I’m doing my job, I don’t see why I should be afraid.
Hatem couldn’t stop smiling at the boldness of this new employee. Shaghaf was clearly unlike anyone Hossam had dealt with before, and that was precisely why she intrigued him—though he’d never admit it.
Back in the kitchen, Maryam was waiting anxiously for Shaghaf.
Maryam: How did it go?
Shaghaf (grinning): Oh, you were right. Mr. Hossam is a real piece of work. But don’t worry, I’ll manage.
Maryam: Shaghaf, please don’t provoke him. He’s not just grumpy—he has the power to fire you.
Shaghaf (rolling her eyes): If he fires me, I’ll survive. Life doesn’t revolve around his approval.
Maryam: You’re impossible.
As the days went by, Shaghaf settled into her role. Despite her initial reluctance, she found herself strangely enjoying the lively energy of the office. Hatem was always kind and approachable, while Hossam, though cold and stern, couldn’t seem to stop noticing her. His gaze lingered longer than he’d like whenever she entered the room, much to his own frustration.
One afternoon, as Shaghaf was cleaning up after lunch, she overheard a heated conversation in Hossam’s office.
Hossam (angrily): Why didn’t anyone consult me before hiring her?
Hatem: Relax, Hossam. She’s not designing the future of the company; she’s just serving tea and coffee.
Hossam: That’s not the point! We don’t need distractions here.
Hatem (grinning): Admit it. She’s not the problem—you are.
Hossam: What’s that supposed to mean?
Hatem: You’re afraid because she’s not like the others. She doesn’t cower before you. And deep down, you can’t stand that someone isn’t intimidated by your tough act.
Meanwhile, Shaghaf couldn’t help but smirk as she walked away. “So, Mr. Hossam doesn’t like distractions, huh? Let’s see how much I can distract him without even trying,” she thought to herself.
The next morning, Shaghaf arrived at the office earlier than usual. She decided to prepare coffee for the team as a peace offering—though she had her own mischievous reasons.
When she knocked on Hossam’s office door, he barely looked up.
Hossam: What do you want now?
Shaghaf (sweetly): Just bringing you coffee, sir.
He raised an eyebrow, suspicious of her sudden kindness.
Hossam: What’s in it?
Shaghaf (pretending to be offended): Just coffee, sir. Unless you’d like me to add a sprinkle of happiness to brighten your mood.
Hossam: Spare me the theatrics.
But as she walked out, he couldn’t help but notice the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air, and it unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
One evening, as the team was wrapping up for the day, Hossam found himself alone in the office. He glanced at the desk where Shaghaf often sat during her breaks. A small notebook was left open, filled with doodles and handwritten notes.
Curiosity got the better of him. He picked it up and began flipping through the pages. Among the scribbles were little poems and phrases, some funny, some heartfelt. One line caught his eye: “Sometimes, the coldest hearts are the ones most in need of warmth.”
He closed the notebook, his mind racing. For the first time in years, Hossam felt something he couldn’t quite name—a crack in the icy wall he’d built around himself.
And he hated it.
But as much as Hossam tried to ignore it, fate wasn’t done orchestrating its plans for him and the spirited Shaghaf.
But as much as Hossam tried to ignore it, fate wasn’t done orchestrating its plans for him and the spirited Shaghaf.
The following days at the office were anything but ordinary. While Hatem found Shaghaf’s antics amusing, Hossam’s patience was tested every time she walked into the room. Her witty remarks, unfiltered honesty, and inability to take anything too seriously clashed with his stern and no-nonsense demeanor.
One day, as Hossam reviewed a client’s design file, he noticed several glaring errors.
Hossam: Maryam, who worked on this?
Before Maryam could respond, Shaghaf appeared in the doorway, holding a tray of tea.
Shaghaf: Oh, that’s mine! But don’t blame Maryam; I’m still learning.
Hossam looked at her, incredulous. “You? Why were you even touching it?”
Shaghaf (grinning): I was curious. You know, curiosity is a sign of intelligence.
Hossam: And reckless curiosity is a sign of trouble.
Shaghaf: Well, trouble and I are old friends.
Hatem, who had been silently observing, couldn’t help but laugh. “Hossam, you’re outmatched. Just let her be.”
Hossam: This isn’t a playground, Hatem. She needs to focus on her job.
Shaghaf: Oh, don’t worry, Mr. Hossam. I make excellent tea. Shall I add some sugar to yours, or are you naturally sweet enough?
Hossam glared at her, but Hatem nearly fell off his chair laughing.
Despite the tension, Shaghaf’s lively presence began to have an unintended effect on the office. Her cheerfulness was contagious, and even the quietest employees found themselves smiling more often. Yet, Hossam remained resistant, maintaining his distance and his stern facade.
One evening, as the office was closing, Hossam stayed behind to finalize a major project. Lost in his work, he didn’t notice someone entering until a mug of steaming coffee appeared on his desk.
Hossam (without looking up): I didn’t ask for coffee.
Shaghaf: I know. But you look like you could use it.
Hossam finally looked at her. For a moment, her usual mischievous grin was replaced by a softer, more thoughtful expression.
Hossam: Why are you still here?
Shaghaf: Maryam left her phone, and I offered to drop it off. But I saw the light on and thought I’d check on you.
Hossam: I don’t need checking on.
Shaghaf: Of course not. You’re Mr. Hossam, the indestructible. But even indestructible people need a break sometimes.
Before he could respond, she walked away, leaving him with the coffee—and a lot to think about.
As the days passed, Hossam found it harder to keep his distance. He started noticing the little things: how Shaghaf went out of her way to help others, how she treated everyone with kindness despite her playful teasing, and how she carried a deep resilience beneath her carefree exterior.
Hossam couldn’t explain it, but something about her unnerved him. Perhaps it was because she reminded him of what he had tried so hard to shut out—warmth, spontaneity, and the vulnerability of opening oneself to others.
Meanwhile, Shaghaf found herself increasingly curious about the enigmatic Hossam. Beneath his gruff demeanor, she sensed a man who carried unspoken burdens. She decided she would uncover the story behind his walls, even if it meant driving him crazy in the process.
Little did they both know, their fates were already intertwined, and the threads were tightening with every passing day.
