She stood in front of his coat hanging on the hanger where he always placed it when he came to the office. She looked around, wanting to quickly take the key. After ensuring no one was around, she swiftly put her hand in the coat pocket, pulled out the key, and clenched it in her hand.

"What are you doing..." he said, standing behind her.

Her glasses almost fell to the ground, but she quickly caught them with her other hand and turned to look at him. He walked towards her, scrutinizing her from head to toe before shifting his gaze to his coat.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice slightly strained as he looked at her face. She lowered her head, and he continued to look at her intently before saying, "Are you trying to steal something?"

Her eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head.

"Then tell me, what are you doing with my coat?"

"Um... I came to give you the report I prepared, but I found you in the restroom, so I left it on the table. Then I saw something on your coat and came to remove it for you."

He paused, looking at her before letting out a long hiss and walking to his seat to sit down.

"Show it to me," he said, moving the mouse and placing his hand on it. She took advantage of his distraction to slip the key into her jacket pocket, then picked up the report and began explaining it to him. He continued working until she finished and fell silent. Then he looked up at her.

"I'm listening."

"That's all," she said.

"Is that all you could find?" he asked.

She nodded slightly.

"Come here," he said, continuing his work. She moved to his side and stood a little behind him.

"I want to see the results, show them to me."

"Okay!" she said, leaning slightly to show him. Her perfume wafted into his nose, causing mixed feelings. He shifted slightly so she wouldn't notice, but he still felt like moving closer to her.

"It's okay!" he said loudly. "Just go, send it to me by email, and I'll check it later."

"Okay... Thank you," she said, taking the report and heading out.

"Wait..." he said, and she turned back.

"Tell Kamal to bring me my tea."

"Okay, sir."

"And... don't wear strong perfume when you come to work."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me right! You may leave."

"Okay," she said quickly, leaving in a hurry.

After she left, he loosened his necktie and stood up, walking to his small fridge to get a cold drink.

"May I come in?" someone asked, peeking through the door without entering.

"You have a problem, you keep standing there," he said, putting down the water bottle and walking to his seat. The person entered, closed the door, and sat down, smiling.

"What's up?" he asked, looking at him.

"There's big news..."

"Like what?"

"Barrister Nasir Matawalle is out!"

"What!!!?" he exclaimed, standing up.

"Are you serious or joking?"

"I swear, I heard from a reliable source that he was released earlier last week, but the news hasn't spread because his people don't want it known. They want him to get special care."

"Alhamdulillah!" he said quietly, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes.

"What should we do now?" Kamal asked, seeing his silence. He opened his eyes, sat up straight, and said, "We need to find time to see him. I want to see him because he's the only one who knows what happened to Mom. He's the only one who can help me fulfill my goal."

"Do you think reopening the case won't be a problem? You know Daddy doesn't want it, and how many times have you gone to the prison to see him, but he refused? Do you think he'll listen to you now after not listening before?"

"I don't know..." he said, recalling his numerous visits to the prison, but Nasir always refused to have a long conversation.

"So what should we do now?"

"We'll go and see him. We won't give up until he agrees to talk to us. He's my only hope."

He paused and continued, "My whole life has been about waiting for this day. That's what keeps me going. I won't rest until I know what happened to Mommy. That's my promise. I will trace my mother's steps, even if it means..."

"Alright, alright. You have my support. May Allah reveal the truth about Mama."

"Amin, thank you," he said, imagining what would happen next. He sighed, stood up to get the key, and gave it to Kamal.

*** After leaving his office, she took her handbag from the table, removed her jacket, and left quickly. She stood on the street, calling on her phone while trying to stop a tricycle.

"Hello..." she said, getting into the tricycle after it stopped.

"Yes, I got it. I'm on my way."

Someone spoke on the other end, and she replied, "Okay, got it."

She hung up, checked the key again to ensure it was still there. After a short ride, they reached the neighborhood. She paid the driver, got out, and walked to the house.

She entered after the gate was opened for her. The house was the largest in the neighborhood. It was her second time there, but it felt like the first. She walked slowly, admiring the house until she reached the main part. She opened the door herself, entered, and greeted.

The woman was lounging on one of the sofas, holding a door remote. She had opened the door for her because she saw her coming.

"Rayhana..." she called her name, smiling. Rayhana returned the smile, greeted her politely, and handed her the key.

"Good! You've helped me a lot, just as I helped you. You've done a good deed, thank you very much."

"You're welcome, Aunty!" she said, smiling with satisfaction.

"What would you like to drink?"

"Nothing, I need to go back before he notices I'm gone."

"Okay! I'll call you, alright?"

"Okay." She stood up, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed out.

"Wait, let me go out with you. I need to go in your direction."

"Okay, thank you."

She sat back down while the woman went inside, leaving her phone on the armrest of the sofa where Rayhana was sitting. As she sat, the phone beeped, indicating a message. She glanced at it but looked away, continuing to admire the luxurious living room. Another message came in, and this time she couldn't look away. She read the message displayed on the phone.

"It's done, boss. The poison has been added. If Aryan drinks that tea, he's done for. Now that we have the key, make sure to remove all evidence. The girl will be caught with the poison case, and we'll have killed two birds with one stone!"

Her head spun with panic, and she stood up.

"I'm in trouble!" she exclaimed, clutching her chest.

"She used me? She lied to me to get the key? Everything she told me about him was a lie?"

"Tea? Oh my God." She said, her heart pounding.

"Oh Allah!!!"

She quickly turned and ran out of the living room. As she left, Hajiya Zeenat came out, surprised not to see her. She called her name, picked up her phone, and called the gate to ask. They said she had just left.

"Okay... Let her be," she said, putting her phones in her handbag and calling her maid, Harira.

**** The way she was running, you'd think she was a newly caught madwoman. She almost ran into every tricycle she saw. Finally, she found one and got in, panting. When they arrived, she threw money at the driver without checking the amount and ran into the building. She didn't know where she was stepping until she reached the reception. All the staff were standing, staring at her. She started shaking and quickly ran upstairs to his office. The door was open, unlike how it was usually closed. Voices were coming from inside, but she couldn't make out any words. She felt like her hearing was blocked. Her only goal was to get inside and ensure he hadn't drunk the tea. Everyone knew Aryan loved tea with mint and other aromatic herbs. Despite his distrust of everyone, he would drink the tea she made for him, but only after Kamal assured him it was safe. Her eyes fell on Kamal, who looked extremely distressed. She felt like her knees were cut off, and she collapsed, crying.

"I'm in trouble," she kept saying. Then she heard someone open the office door. Silence followed, except for her sobs and the loud hum of the air conditioner.