The Billionaire's Past

CHAPTER 44

Atif's trauma manifested when he saw this kind of scenario. He still can't forget his experiences when

he was a little boy wandering out in the icy street of the city downtown.

Haya sees on Atif's face that he is somewhat afraid to go outside. She guesses that Atif still

remembers his experiences a long time ago.

Haya pat Atif shoulder and said;

"It's okay. You can stay here tonight. It’s dangerous to drive home when the weather is bad." Haya said

then smiled at Atif.

"Thank you." Atif said, trying to calm himself. He doesn't want to show his weakness even to Haya. Yes

he is still afraid of that kind of scenario. His fear manifests when winter comes.

But he never showed it to anyone.

What people see in him is that he is a man that isn't afraid of anything. That he fears nothing in spite of

his look of being gentle and sophisticated.

But he knew he couldn't really hide it from Haya.

Haya can read every move he makes.

Haya prepared him a place to sleep.

Then Haya gave back his phone.

Atif immediately opened his phone.

He checks if there is a message from his grandfather. Atif is not mistaken. He got a message from his

grandfather Haris.

"Atif where are you? The weather gets bad. It’s too dangerous staying outside." Haris message.

Atif replied to his grandfather text;

“Don’t worry grandfather. I’m safe. I will not go home tonight. I will sleep here at my friend's house.” Atif

replied.

Atif didn't notice that Haya is looking at him while he is texting his reply to his grandfather.

Haya thinks that maybe he is texting that lady who was calling a while ago.

Haya finds herself getting jealous but she ignores that feeling. She knew that she had no right to feel

that way.

Haya can't admit to herself that she felt attracted to Atif when they met again. But she will never

entertain that feeling. Being his friend is enough for her because she is afraid that if she expects more

than that she will only get hurt. And she doesn't want to feel such pain.

She knew Atif deserved a lady who has the same status in life as him and is the same age as him.

When Atif looked up from his phone he saw Haya looking at him.

Atif smile and said;

“Don’t get jealous this is not the lady who called a while ago. This is my grandfather". Atif said, showing

his phone to Haya.

"What?! I'm not!" Haya said.

Then throws the pillow she is holding on Atif's face.

“Use that. Go to sleep instead of teasing me. It's late at night. You should rest." Haya said.

Atif just catches the pillow and laughs.

"What's funny? Why are you laughing?!!" Haya asked.

"You cannot just deny the truth and lied. I know you are jealous. I can hardly believe that you don't." Atif

said to continue teasing Haya.

"Really? How did you know?!" Haya asked.

"Tell me honestly Haya if you're in love with me." Atif said while smiling instead of answering Haya's

question.

"Atif you're too much. I don't like that joke. Stop kidding before I get angry with you. If you continue I will

never talk to you again." Haya said in a serious tone.

Then Haya went to bed and hid herself under the blanket.

"I'm sorry Haya." Atif said, stopping himself from laughing. He knew Haya was annoyed at him.

Atif likes to tease her because she looks prettier when she gets annoyed.

"Don't pretend you're sorry. I know you're not." Haya answered.

"I mean it. I'm really sorry." Atif said.

Haya didn't answer anymore.

Atif wonders if she is still awake.

He didn't see her for she hid herself on a thick blanket.

"Haya, can we go out tomorrow? I just want to tour you around. There have been so many changes in

this city since you left." Atif said.

“I have some important things to do tomorrow. Maybe some other time." Haya said.

"Alright." Atif said

Then he lies down on the airbed setting on the floor to sleep.

Haya sleeps soundly while Atif is not.

Every time he closes his eyes the flashes of memory come into his mind.

The bad weather outside and Haya reminded him of his past. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

The night felt so cold that makes Atif remember the time when he was sleeping on the footbridge with

no roof and the snowflakes falling into him.

He keeps on tossing into his bed instead of sleeping because aside from remembering his past and he

is trying to overcome his trauma he is not comfortable sleeping in this kind of beddings.

The dawn is breaking when Atif falls asleep.

Its 5:00 am, Saturday

Haya wakes up from deep sleep because the alarm clock on Atif's cell phone rings.

She gets up lazy because she thought Atif was already awake and preparing to go home

But she frowned when she found out that Atif is still sleeping and didn't mind the alarm that he set.

Since Haya already got up she decided to cook breakfast.

The smell of onions and garlic coming from the food that Haya is cooking makes Atif wake up.

When Atif wakes up he sees Aliyah cooking breakfast.

He got up lazily from bed.

He feels back pain because the beddings he uses in sleeping is quite different from those he had at

home.

But it doesn't matter to him because he is with Haya.

When Haya noticed that Atif was already awake she prepared breakfast for two.

Then he invited Atif to eat breakfast.

“Good Morning. Since you are already awake, let's eat breakfast." Haya said.

“Alright." Atif said and smiled at Haya.

His white and beautiful teeth show when he smiles.

Haya can't deny the truth that Atif looks really attractive especially when he smiles.

She feels mesmerized whenever Atif smiles but she can ignore that feeling in an instant.

Though it is easy to pretend that she is not attracted to him, Haya knew that Atif is not a fool to

completely believe that.

Haya thinks that maybe Atif wants to know the truth that is why he is always teasing her.

But Haya is very good at pretending and determined not to show her real feelings to Atif.

Yes at first Haya thought that what she felt for Atif is just for a friend but her feelings changed when she

saw Atif again in person.

But Haya is always guarding her feelings because her past relationship experiences are not good and

she doesn't want to become a fool again.

For her it is better to choose to remain as Atif's friend rather than to expect more than that.

She fears that their friendship will just be ruined if she reveals her true feelings for Atif.

She is afraid that it's against all odds if she continues to feel this way to Atif.

Against all odds because Haya knew that their status in life is different.

She doesn't belong to the society where he belongs. Atif belongs to a wealthy clan. In his young age he

is a billionaire while she has nothing compared to Atif.

In addition to that their age gap is more than half a decade. Atif is just in his early 20's while she is

already a 30 year old woman. Nearly an old maid.

Because of that thought Haya's determination to leave Atif grew intense. She will leave before Atif

learns about his real feelings for him. She will leave before it's too late.

Haya is so afraid to be rejected. She is too afraid that Atif will not like her more than a friend.

She remember the day when they are chatting; those days that she still didn't regain her memory; the

days when Atif met her at social media using the name Aliyah; the day when she revealed that she was

slowly falling for him; she remember what Atif said to her that she is just mistaken and Atif just insist

that they can still remain just friends.

Because of that Haya doesn't like to take risks again to show that she likes Atif more than just friends.

She is determined to leave him again

Atif notices that Haya is in deep thoughts while they are eating breakfast.

Atif wants to know what her problem is so he clears her throat first then asks her.

“Haya what's wrong?" Atif asked while staring at Haya.

Haya just frowned and shrugs her shoulder and said;

"Nothing." Haya answered.

“I know there is. What are you thinking of? You can always tell me your problem. I'm here to listen and

help you." Atif said.

Haya looks straight to Atif's eyes. And her look made Atif a little bit uncomfortable but he just smiled

and met Haya's eyes.

"Atif from now on my problems are none of your business. I'm old enough to handle it. So mind your

own business." Haya said.

Atif is a little bit embarrassed because of what Haya said but he just laughed and said;

“I can't do that Haya." Atif said.

“And why not?" Haya asked and frowned.

“Because you're my friend." Atif said.

Haya laughed softly and shook her head.

She knew that she cannot stop Atif from helping her solve her problems.

Haya wanted to shout these words to Atif . "If you only knew that you are my problem." But Haya

stopped herself from doing so instead she said.

“Okay. Fine. If you want to help go back here this afternoon. Accompany me to my father's house. I just

want to see him to let him know that I'm alive. I knew I cannot hide the truth from them. Sooner or later

they will find who I am. I knew Seth is following me. I can't hide from them no more. I have no choice

but to face my old life here again." Haya said irritably.

“Okay. Your wish is my command." Atif said gladly.

Atif finished eating his breakfast then prepared to go home.

As usual Haya accompanied him outside going to where his car was parked.

The sunshine shines brightly when they go outside the apartment but the trace of the snow storm last

night is still visible.

Atif wipes some snowflakes which are still on the roof of his car while talking to Haya.

“Haya I'll be back in the afternoon." Atif said.

“Alright." Haya said.

After cleaning his car Atif gets near to Haya.

Haya didn't expect the next move of Atif.

Atif hug her and kiss her forehead, then said;

“Bye Haya." Atif said.

Then he gets inside his car and starts the engine. He waves his hand to Haya to signal that he will go

and he drives away.

Haya was left startled and speechless.