In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
'Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our beloved Prophet and Master Muhammad (s.a.s), all his blessed descendents and noble companions.'
- Aameen.
For Our Love...
Chapter One
The Heartless Hero
Please take note that this work, FOL... has been added under the Mature category. To portray obscenity is not the motive; rather this story covers different people's lives. And Allaah SWT is Ever-Watchful of our hearts and deeds.
London, U.K.
"Let's halt and make it a night," purred Angel, her smouldering glance making her blatant invitation unmistakable. "Shall we go to my apartment?"
The man to whom it was addressed raised a pierced blonde brow, his mouth quirking into a highly attractive one-sided grin. Angel's heart dipped.
"Yes," He murmured slowly, "That's perfect." Angel, instead of crowing in satisfaction, frowned at him.
For the handsome George Benedict had not replied to her but rather he was muttering to the costumes before him, his dark blue eyes scanning idly yet not missing an inch of any dress.
A model turned fashion designer Angel had met him some months back and they had got on nicely, but only recently she had decided that George would have her for his girlfriend, no matter to what length she went to achieve it.
Not far from these two – a large group of tall, thin models were sitting in a state of utter exhaustion. Their chatter and gossip was low-toned, while their eyes rested upon the couple in front of them. Now no longer on the catwalk platform, they had dropped their carefully schooled expression of poise and nonchalance, making their faces appear not surprisingly uniform.
Hearing Angel's words some sniggered while some others had rolled their eyes. A red haired model though, flashed a look of hatred at Angel, her jealousy obvious. Angel, oblivious and feeling superior from the paid models continued with her insinuating efforts.
"You're not looking at me," she managed to blurt out the words accusingly instead of whining like a kid.
George paused, the digital pen resting on the Tab in which he was entering the final effects or changes of his creations.
At Angel's words, he turned sideways and deliberately swept her from head to toe in a long, lazy glance of appreciation. She met his gaze with shining, triumphant eyes.
"Enough?" He asked, amused but not bored.
Her lips curled invitingly.
"I still have much to finish ... your show darling," George pointed out, his attention back on his Tablet; "got over yesterday, and it was a success."
"Mine is tomorrow," He remarked mildly eyes twinkling in suppressed humour, waiting for his confrère's reaction.
And it came. Angel bristled. The models close by giggled. Forgetting her flirting, she said bitterly,
"Yes, all the important shows begin tomorrow! Isn't that what you're trying to say?"
George sighed, the sigh of a long-suffering man.
"I merely said I have work to complete, why do you women always twist my words?" Yet he turned from her, passing a hand over his lips to hide the growing smile. His glance fell upon his models. He casually winked, and they dissolved into laughter.
Angel stared moodily at his back before muttering, "I think I would better go."
Never a man to press his luck unwisely, George remained quiet.
She started to walk away when he called, "Angel?"
She halted, glowering.
"Reserve me a dance for FB huh?"
Her temper vanishing, she smiled slowly. Then coming back again, kissed him deeply pressing close to him.
"I will," she promised before finally leaving.
"Don't tell me it was one of you who allowed her in here tonight?" George eyed his models with a threatening eye.
They only shrugged, failing to hide their grins.
"It was Steve."
George swore.
"Are you really going to dance with her at the Fashion Ball?" One of the models asked curiously.
"I hope not." His reply was absent-minded, his mind back to his clothes.
"George, you're heartless!" Another girl declared happily.
His mouth tilted up, making her heart flutter.
"What do you want me to do with the way they keep falling all over me? Be grateful?" The blue eyes laughed.
"He's not only heartless but also vain." The red haired model drawled her opinion, yet looked at him possessively.
George pretended not to notice saying breezily, "Enough; pack up everyone, we'll defame my character another time," He smiled, gesturing them all to leave.
Being tired to the very bones, they were brisk in leaving, not wasting even a minute unnecessarily.
"And tomorrow, I want you all to be here at exactly six!" His voice announced sharply at parting.
Mostly charming and always the first to joke and ease situations, they all knew that when it came to work, George was a tough taskmaster. Yet they were grateful they had him as their manager and not some others who were not even worth mentioning.
The last to go out was Mona the red-haired model whom he had hired recently.
For a moment, George stood looking after her as she reluctantly left the studio. He knew she had a big crush on him. It did not move him, for the new ones all became a little crazy about him. It would wear off soon –he knew that too. He could take advantage of her now if he wished, she was a beauty alright but he did not want to face her claws if things turned ugly later.
His thoughts went to Angel, and he frowned recalling her behaviour... their relationship was an on and off thing, he knew she wanted him to be her boyfriend but the more days went by, the more clingy she became... though she was a good designer, he had to admit that.
Your face, m'boy, as long as you have that face with those eyes and smile...his favourite uncle had remarked long ago. But everything seemed to have become somewhat monotonous now and for a moment, George wondered whether he was indeed heartless.
Once he had been flattered with the attention he received from women, be they fifteen or fifty, they all fell for him. They still do. Yet now, there came moments when he felt nothing... he wondered whether he should have accepted Angel's proposal for the night but then he thought of his own apartment and the bottle that always awaited him faithfully at the end of a long day. Feeling comforted for a moment, he pushed the irritating numbness further inside his mind, gave a final critical glance at his creations, tucked his Tab and laptop inside his backpack, then locked the studio and went whistling into the night.
*****
A/N :)
Yes this is the same story of Sophia and George but with a lot of editing and yes we'll meet other Eternal Ishq characters here in shaa Allaah, like Maryam, Ahmed (Alex)and Humaira. As said before, these would be short but frequent updates in shaa Allaah.
And with His Fazal, I would be updating IHL very soon. Until then, remember in Duas.
With Duas and Salaam,
abdurRahman (Gudi :))