Waves of Questions

"So you fell for her at first sight?"

Kais leaned forward, his curiosity evident as he took a slow sip of the tea Kennedy had made. The sudden appearance of Kennedy in the middle of the interview had been unexpected, especially since I had requested her to leave early today. Kennedy, catching the tension, offered a polite smile and said, "I won't intrude, Mr. Ardel. I'm just here to hear the story, that's all."

I poured two spoonfuls of sugar into my tea, the granules falling like tiny snowflakes, and stirred slowly until they dissolved into the amber liquid. I met Kais's eager gaze and began, "No, I didn't fall for her at first sight. Not at all. But I was certainly enchanted by her presence. She was a stranger to me—someone who appreciated my painting for what it was, not for the man behind it."

Kais's eyes sparkled with interest as he listened, clearly drawn into the narrative. "And what was it about her that enchanted you?" he asked, his tone reflective.

I took a moment to savour the warmth of the tea before responding. "It was her genuine admiration for my work," I said, letting my thoughts drift back to that day. "She saw the art, not the artist, and that was something rare and precious. It was as if she connected with the essence of what I was trying to express, rather than being swayed by who I was."

"Why didn't Michael defend you in front of your father?" Kais asked, his voice edged with curiosity.

I let a soft smile touch my lips as I reclined against the plush sofa, letting my gaze drift to the dark, shadowed ceiling of my penthouse. Time always seemed to slow down when I was lost in thoughts of the past. "You see," I began, my voice steady and contemplative, "when someone truly understands the reasons behind another's actions, they don't question or demand justifications. Instead, they stand back, watching and trying to grasp the full picture."

I paused for a moment, collecting my thoughts. "Michael saw both sides of Arthur and Aubrey. He understood their complexities—things that others failed to see. His defence was a delicate balance, rooted in deep empathy. He approached them with love and care but was also mindful not to disrupt the fragile equilibrium between them. His support wasn't just about confrontation; it was about navigating their conflicts with a wisdom that avoided further fracturing their already tenuous relationships."

Kais's face lit up with a genuine smile, clearly satisfied with the answers I was providing. Just as he was about to pose another question, the sudden ring of the doorbell distracted us from our conversation. Kennedy, who had been sitting quietly on a stool in the kitchen and listening intently, sprang up with a nod. "I'll get the door," she said, heading towards the entrance.

The door swung open to reveal Hayat, her face bright with a joyful smile. "Kais! Aubrey!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm filling the room. She breezed past Kennedy and settled herself next to Kais with an air of familiarity.

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Kais's expression shifted to one of annoyance as he cast a scornful glance at her. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone dripping with irritation. His gaze suggested she was an unwelcome pest disrupting his carefully maintained environment.

Hayat, unfazed, shot a defiant look back at her older brother. "Why? I didn't see your name on the nameplate as I came in," she retorted, her voice laced with playful defiance. The tension between them crackled as Kais looked ready to strangle her with his bare hands.

Before the situation could escalate further, I intervened, stepping in to defuse the brewing conflict. "Alright, let's all calm down," I said, aiming to smooth over the interaction and restore a semblance of peace in the room.

For another two minutes, Kais and Hayat continued their intense exchange of glares, their eyes practically sparking with animosity. The charged silence between them was almost unbearable.

With a smirk that suggested she was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, Hayat added, "My, my! Is my brother angry because, for the first time in his life, a girl rejected him?" Her words were like a match tossed onto an already blazing fire, intensifying the confrontation.

Kais's eyes darkened to a stormy hue, his expression transforming into one of barely restrained fury. "I swear to God, Hayat. I. Will. Kill. You." He growled his voice a menacing whisper that held an edge of violence. It was clear he meant every word.

The notion of Kais facing rejection was almost unfathomable. Here was a man who seemed to be the living embodiment of a Greek god, possessing every attribute one might dream of—except perhaps his occasional psychopathic tendencies. The idea that a girl could turn him down was baffling, given his near-mythical allure and almost otherworldly charisma.

"Maybe you should introduce her to Aubrey," Hayat blurts out, her eyes widening the moment the words escape her lips. Instantly, her hand flies to her mouth, too late to stop the damage. Slowly... far too slowly, she turns to meet my gaze—my emerald eyes already fixed on her. "I'm so, so sorry! I didn't mean it," Hayat stammers, shrinking under the weight of my eyes.

"Please, don't say anything, Hayat," I said gently, hoping to stop her from apologizing for a harmless joke. But the moment I saw her flinch, I realized I had only made things worse, deepening her discomfort instead of easing it. A wave of regret washed over me—I should have chosen my words more carefully. Next time, I promised myself, I would be more mindful of how I speak to her.

"Yeah, shut up, sis," Kais adds with a chuckle, clearly enjoying the tension.

"Habibi, don't take it the wrong way," I say with a soft smile, adding a playful wink in Hayat's direction, hoping to ease the tension in the air. Her face softens, and I feel a wave of relief wash over me as she nods and returns a warm smile.

"Iidha ghamaz li 'ahad bihadhih altariqat faqad 'aqae fi alhubi," Kais quips, dramatically clutching his chest as if struck by love. Hayat rolls her eyes and smacks him lightly on the back of his neck, her laughter breaking through the moment.

"Ghabiun," I mutter, shaking my head with a grin.

Kais leans forward, his playful tone shifting slightly, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Alright then, let's move to the next question." His voice turns teasing, and he tilts his head with a grin. "Mr. Ardel, why did you think of making Ayah yours?"

His question hangs in the air, and I feel the weight of it. The room seems to pause as Hayat looks at me expectantly, her gaze soft but curious, waiting for my response. I draw in a breath, heart pounding as I prepare to answer.