Eiden quickly took a sip of the coffee, savoring the flavor before handing it over to Iliana. "Hey, your taste is good, but I think you could use a little more milk. Anyway, it's yours now."
Iliana frowned, pushing the cup back toward him. "No, it's yours. This coffee is tainted by an Archaeopteryx. I can't drink it since you've sipped from it; you're a na mahram for me."
Eiden's playful attitude shifted to annoyance. "Oh, poor lady! Girls would do anything to be with me, and here you are, turning down coffee just because I took a sip. Your religion is disgusting."
"Religion isn't disgusting, but someone like you truly is. You need to be treated before being let loose in the world. Now, let's head to the industry," Iliana shot back, her calm demeanor barely hiding her irritation.
Eiden chuckled as he followed her out of the company, driving closely behind her. "This girl is something else. I'll show her that her religion is nothing but a waste of time."
When they arrived at the pharmaceutical industry, Iliana addressed her team with determination. "We're working on a new medicine for cancer patients who are in desperate need. We have to finalize it before April so we can sell it to the Australian medical team, who will evaluate it before it reaches the clients." She meticulously checked the documents and handed them to Asma. "Asma, there can be no mistakes; the consequences would be serious."
"Understood, ma'am," Asma replied, her expression serious as she took the papers.
"Miss Green Chameleon, our company has officially teamed up with yours, and we're ready to support you fully. We'll be sharing the profits equally," Eiden said with a casual confidence, ruffling his hair as he leaned against his car, exuding a relaxed charm.
"Of course, Mr.Archaeopteryx," Iliana replied, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Seriously, can you not call me that? It's really getting on my nerves," Eiden said, his tone shifting slightly as he tried to maintain his composure.
"Then you should really stop with the Green Chameleon thing!" she shot back
Just then, the clock struck 1 AM, and the sound of the adhan echoed . Asma and Iliana immediately began to respond, their expressions turning serious and focused. Eiden, however, winced at the sound. "This noise is unbearable!" he exclaimed, rising from his seat in frustration. Without another word, he stepped out of the car as his assistant took the wheel, guiding them back to Iliana's company while Eiden tried to shake off the lingering annoyance.
"It seems I have seen Mr. Eiden somewhere," Asma murmured, her brow furrowed in concentration. "His face... I think I've seen him before." She turned to Mr Eiden , her eyes searching for confirmation. A flicker of unease danced in her gaze, a subtle tremor of uncertainty that spoke of a memory just out of reach.
As the adhan concluded, Iliana hurried to her company to perform her prayer. She stepped into her cabin, while Asma settled into her chair to finalize some queries from their last project.
Upon entering her cabin, Iliana noticed Eiden leaning against the doorframe, smirking at her. He raised an eyebrow, a look of mock confusion on his face. "You seem in quite a hurry, Green Chameleon."
"Just leave my cabin, Eiden. I need to offer my Salah," Iliana replied firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Ew, your religion is so oppressive," he scoffed, a laugh escaping his lips. "You have to bow down in front of someone. Can't you see how ironic that is?" He was about to light up a joint he had pulled from his pocket, a careless grin plastered on his face as he prepared to dismiss her devotion.
Iliana grabbed her sandal and tossed it onto Eiden's chair, causing his cigarette to tumble to the floor. "Mr. Archaeopteryx, our religion is not oppressive. Salah is what distinguishes Muslims from non-Muslims. It purifies us, brings us relief, and strengthens our connection with Allah, the Creator of the moon, the earth, and all of us. Can't we take a moment to thank Him? Also,Salah is a form of exercise that keeps us fit. Now, please get out."
Frustrated, Eiden stood up and stormed out of the cabin. Iliana quickly spread her prayer mat and began her Salah, but Eiden, unable to resist, peeked through the door. "Huh? This is just ridiculous. What's the point of bowing when you don't see God?"
Moments later, he barged back into Iliana's cabin, lighting up his joint. As he exhaled, a cloud of smoke enveloped Iliana, causing her to cough violently. Her eyes turned red, a reaction to the smoke that triggered her allergy, but she remained focused on her prayers, trying to ignore his provocation.
Eiden didn't care at all; he stepped onto Iliana's prayer mat with his shoes, carelessly letting them touch the delicate fabric. He kicked the tasbeeh that lay at the edge of the mat, breaking the beads and scattering them across the floor.
Once Iliana finished her Salah, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Leave my room right now, Eiden," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the chaos he had caused. Eiden just laughed, his amusement evident as he exited the room, leaving Iliana to collect the broken beads scattered around her.
With a heavy heart, she gathered the remnants of her tasbeeh and carefully folded her prayer mat. "Ya Allah" she whispered, seeking strength in the face of his disrespect. Afterward, she pulled out her allergy tablets, swallowing them quickly, hoping to alleviate the discomfort from the smoke that still lingered in the air.
Iliana made her way to the pharmaceutical industry site again, determined to see that everything was running smoothly. As she walked through the bustling area, she noticed everyone working hard. "Everyone is doing good, MashaAllah. May Allah protect you all," she said with a genuine smile, her heart swelling with pride. The workers responded with a chorus of "Ameen, Mam," their voices filled with appreciation.