ZAID

I sat on the hallway couch, still in my suit, waiting for Inaya. The ticking of the clock echoed in the silence of the mansion. It was evening, and the golden light filtering through the tall windows cast a warm glow over the marble floor. My eyes flicked to the clock; it was 5 PM. The sudden crunch of gravel outside snapped my attention back as the car halted in front of the mansion.