THE RED DRESS AND THE TRUTH.
My heart dropped as I stared through the glass.
There on the balcony, Ameer stood with a tall, slim woman in a red dress. The woman leaned forward and kissed him softly on the check. Ameer didn't push her away. He didn't even flinch.
My hand clenched at her side.
She stepped outside."Am I interrupting something?" Ameer turned quickly. The woman took a step back, blinking in surprise.
Nia, Ameer said. His voice is calm,
"this isn't what it looks like"
"Oh really?" I snapped. Because from here, it looks like you're kissing another woman…while your wife stands inside, trying to clean up your family's mess!
The woman smirked. " Relax. It was just a greeting".
"Who are you?"
The woman stepped forward confidently. My name is Tamara. I am Ameer's ex.
My stomach twisted.
"I didn't know exes were still invited into private homes" I said bitterly.
Ameer stepped between us.
"That's enough. Tamara comes to talk business".
Then why didn't you go to the office? I snapped my eyes burning.
I turned and walked back inside.
Ameer found me later in the bedroom, arms crossed staring at the wall.
"She came to discuss a silent partnership in one of our companies, "he said."
"I don't care".
I didn't know she was going to kiss me.
You didn't stop her!
Ameer sighed, you're acting like I cheated.
You did worse. You lied again. You brought her into our home.
He looked tired. Tamara's father owns a share in one of our banks. If we lose his support now, we risk everything.
I stood. Then maybe you should marry her instead.
"I married you because I had too"
His words sliced through the air. My voice cracked. Then don't expect loyalty from someone you only see as a tool.
I walked out, slamming the door behind me.
...…
The next day, I dressed in a simple hoodie and jeans. I left the house without telling anyone and went to the back of the old Bello factory, just as the mystery caller told me.
The place was quiet, the building had been shut down months ago. Weeds grew through cracks in the cement. The air smelled of dust and secrets.
I waited. Ten minutes passed.
Then I saw her…. an older woman in a navy blazer and a flat shoe, walking quickly with a folder clutched to her chest.
"You came alone?" The woman asked.
"Yes," I said. "Who are you?"
My name is Teresa. I was your father's secretary for five years.
My heart jumped. You said you have proof?
"I do," Teresa handed me the folder. "Everything is in there…bank records, emails, voice recordings. Your father was set up.
I flipped through the page.
"Set up" By who?
By someone inside the Hassan family.
I froze. "What"!
Teresa looked around nervously " I don't know who. But the money trail leads to someone close to them. Someone who benefited after the merger.
"You mean…. Someone used my father as a prawn?"
"Yes" They made it look like he was the one bribing officials. But he was following orders, he thought he was protecting the company.
My chest tightened. "Why didn't he say anything?"
He was going to. But then the documents disappeared. He thought Ameer leaked them, that's why he agreed to the marriage deal. He was desperate.
Tears filled my eyes. "And you have this proof all along?
I was scared. But now… you deserve to know the truth.
I clutched the folder to my chest just then, a loud crack echoed through the air.
Gunshot.
"She was followed, she was monitored. I said."
Teresa gasped, eyes wide. Blood bloomed across her chest.
I screamed as the woman collapsed at my feet.
I looked around. A man in a black hoodie stood at the far end of the avey, holding a gun.
He pointed it at her. And now his eyes got mine.
I ran so quick, before he could notice.
My legs burned as I dodge through old metal scraps, climbed over a broken fence, and ran into the road. Cars honked and a bus nearly hit me.
I didn't stop.
I didn't look back.
I clutched the folder. Still soaked in blood And I ran into a nearby shop.I waited for some time then I went to Lami house.
That night I sat in a hidden room in Liam's apartment.
Lami held a cup of hot tea. " You should go to the police".
"I can't," I whispered.
I don't know who to trust. What if the person behind this has people in the system?
Lami's eyes widened. "You think it's someone that powerful?"
I nodded, I need to be smart.
What about Ameer?
I looked away, I don't know anymore.
Lami touched my hand. " You still care"
"I hate him," but I also feel like… he's just as trapped as I am.
We sat in silence.
Then I opened the folder again. one name kept appearing in the emails. Kamal Hassan.
I whispered, who is Kamal?
Lami frowned. That Ameer's uncle, right?
"Yes" And he was the one who took over the finance department right after the merger.
Lami gasped. You think it's him?
I don't know. But I'm going to find out.
The next day, I returned home.
Ameer was in the study, pacing. "where were you?" He asked sharply.
"out"
Don't disappear like that again.
"I met Teresa"
He froze . " What?"
She gave me proof. Someone in your family set mine up.
Ameer's jaw clenched.What proof?
I handed him the blood stained folder.
He flipped through it, eyes scanning fast.
Then he stopped. Kamal..
"You know him?"
He's my father's younger brother. He always wanted control, then maybe he took it…by destroying both families.
Ameer closed the folder. This changes everything.
Suddenly, a loud bang came from downstairs.
Ameer rushed to the window.
"Police", he said. They surround the house.
My blood ran cold. "Why?"
Before he could answer, the front door burst open. Men in black suits stormed in.
"Nia Bello?" One shouted. You are under arrest for conspiracy and possession of stolen government documents.
Ameer stepped forward. " Wait! She's innocent"
But they pulled me away. I looked back at Ameer as they cuffed my wrists.
"Don't let them win,"I said.
They didn't stop, they dragged me into the waiting police car.
As it drove off, I kept my eyes on Ameer until I couldn't see him anymore .
Then he turned toward the gate…
Kamal Hassan was standing there. smiling.