Zara sat in the dining room, a steaming mug of coffee cradled in her hands, the quiet rustle of turning pages filling the air as she lost herself in her book.
The shrill ring of the telephone broke her calm. With a sigh, she reached over and picked it up.
"Hello? Who is this?" she asked, her tone polite but curious.
"I'm your client," a sharp voice replied — Areej, disguising her voice. "I need you to meet me at the central mall right away. If you don't arrive in five minutes, I'll leave. I'm far too punctual to wait."
Zara's eyes widened. "Oh — no, I'm just about to leave. Please, just be patient!" she said quickly.
The line went dead. From somewhere nearby, laughter erupted.
"What did I tell you? I'd get her, and I did!" Areej's voice rang with playful mischief as she hung up her end of the line. "Now hurry up and come to my house," she said to the friend beside her.