Beyond the game

Jamal arrived at the upscale café a few minutes early. He wasn't sure why he had agreed to meet Selina so soon after their first encounter, but something about her intrigued him. She was confident, intelligent, and carried herself with a presence that demanded attention—not in an arrogant way, but in a way that made people take notice.

He adjusted his watch and glanced at the entrance just as Selina walked in. She was dressed in a chic yet simple outfit, her dark hair tied back in a sleek ponytail. She scanned the café briefly before spotting him and walking over with a small smile.

"You're early," she noted as she took a seat across from him.

Jamal smirked. "Good habit. I assume you're the punctual type too?"

"Of course," she said, signaling the waiter. "Time is money, after all."

The waiter approached, and they ordered their drinks—black coffee for Jamal, caramel macchiato for Selina.

"So, how's business?" she asked, leaning slightly forward.

Jamal shrugged. "Busy, as always. Some deals are going smoothly, others need more negotiation."

Selina chuckled. "That's how it is. People always want more than they should."

"Exactly," Jamal agreed.

Their conversation naturally shifted to industry talk—market trends, upcoming projects, and the unpredictability of investments. Selina was sharp and well-informed, and Jamal found himself genuinely enjoying the discussion.

Then, after a moment of silence, Selina changed the topic.

"Enough about business," she said, taking a sip of her drink. "Tell me about yourself. The man behind the businessman."

Jamal raised an eyebrow. "Not much to tell."

Selina tilted her head. "Oh, come on. You can't be all work, no life."

Jamal chuckled. "I have a life. Just not one that's particularly exciting."

"Really?" Selina leaned back, studying him. "No relationships, no special someone?"

Jamal hesitated for a second before shaking his head. "Not at the moment."

Selina observed him for a moment before smiling. "Interesting."

Jamal smirked. "What about you?"

Selina exhaled lightly. "No one at the moment either. But…" She hesitated for a beat, then smirked. "There's someone I find interesting."

Jamal lifted an eyebrow. "Oh? Should I be curious?"

Selina laughed softly. "Maybe. Maybe not."

Jamal chuckled, shaking his head. "You're not easy to read."

"Good," she said playfully. "Mystery keeps things interesting."

She took another sip of her coffee before adding, "Actually, I don't usually go out for coffee. Not really my thing."

Jamal raised a brow. "Oh? So, what changed?"

Selina smiled. "I guess I've found it interesting lately. Been doing it more often with my sister-in-law."

Jamal blinked. "Sister-in-law?"

Selina nodded. "Yeah. She's really honest and sincere. I think you'd like her."

Jamal felt a strange unease settle in his stomach. "What's her name?"

"Azra," Selina answered casually, stirring her drink. "She's—"

Jamal's grip on his cup tightened. His mind froze for a second. Azra?

Azra?

He tried to keep his expression neutral, but inside, his thoughts were racing. Was it the same Azra? The one he had always cared about? The one he thought he still had a chance with?

He cleared his throat. "That's... interesting."

Selina glanced at him, her sharp gaze catching the slight shift in his demeanor. "You okay?"

Jamal forced a chuckle. "Yeah. Just remembered something I need to take care of."

He checked his watch, pretending to be in a rush. "I should get going."

Selina raised an eyebrow but didn't press. "Alright. But next time, no sudden exits."

Jamal smirked, though his heart wasn't in it. "Deal."

As soon as he stepped out of the café, he pulled out his phone and dialed Rahma's number.

"Rahma, tell me something," he said the moment she answered. "Azra... she's in a relationship, isn't she?"

There was silence on the other end before Rahma sighed. "So, you finally heard."

Jamal felt his heart sink. "Who?"

"Yuzarsif," Rahma admitted. "They're together."

Jamal closed his eyes briefly, exhaling sharply.

So it was true.

Azra's heart already belonged to someone else.

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