Shorty said it's been a long time

When it feel wrong,

she make it feel right

When I blow dro, she keep the light

Gas pack on go, opps know

it's on sight, yeah

And she peepin' the eyes low

A phone call woke Taahir up to inform him of this momentous happening.

A dumbfounded Parvez said through the phone, "It was unbelievable. Without any warning, 001 hacked through our new security system. They took down other companies' products as well. They even released a calling card to the top 50 hackers in our City, saying he would take on any of them. I heard the news through the grapevines and asked him for a challenge, guess what happened?"

Taahir spoke into his Bluetooth earphone as he slowly put on his shirt, "He got you beat, left, right, and center?" There was mounting interest in his voice.

"He sure did. The biggest issue is he had me served in just half an hour!" Parvez declared as he felt shame rushing to his face. The fact that he was taken out in less than 30 minutes proved how big of a monster his opponent was!

One thing was for sure, it was the best hacker Parvez had ever encountered. Actually, that might not be true. He had met another hacker that was equally crazy in his life, and that person was Taahir Rahman.

Adding insult to injury, Taahir added jokingly, "Are you sure you're not lying to me? Telling me it was 30 minutes when it was actually 10."

"CEO, is that how you treat your friend?" Parvez feigned offense. He considered closing his phone.

In the end, he only laughed. "Well, can't say I feel bad losing to him, he was one crazy genius. However, it would appear that this 001 was in need of money. He wasted no time for small talks after taking my bet money, so after our one-on-one, I left him a message with your company's name. As long as he's willing to come work for us, I promised him that we will pay him any salary that he wants. I hope you don't mind me borrowing your company's name. I had to act quickly lest he get snatched up by our competitors."

Taahir replied, "Of course I don't. We need talent like this 001."

"Remember you owe me a meal if he does say yes."

"Fine... Talk to you later."

Taahir came off the conversation with a thought, who is this 001? A new character to the scene and after such a hub-bub, the only thing they were looking for was something as menial as money?

Regardless of his intention, Taahir was going to try his best to pull this 001 over to his company. As the saying goes, it takes one to know one. In his case, it took one to appreciate one.

Taahir had to meet this 001 in person. The fact that there was another hacker as talented as he was in the world made his mouth curved involuntarily up into a smile.

***

At breakfast, Tahseen felt something was different about his father.

"Daddy, you seem happy today, did something good happen?" Tahseen peeked out from behind his bowl and stared at his father.

The Rahman couple too turned their heads towards Taahir. He was a taciturn person, who faced the world with one expression, it was that of indifference. Therefore, it was hard to tell when he was happy or sad.

Only his close families could pick up on the non-verbal cues that allowed them to discern his mood.

"Tahseen is correct. But that something good did not happen yet, it's going to happen later today. Your father is accompanying Rosa to go try out her wedding dress so of course he's happy," Mrs. Haseena explained.

Taahir said in way of a question, "Wedding dress?"

It was obvious that this was not the source of his happiness.

Mrs. Haseena tutted with a frown, "Don't tell me you've forgotten about this completely?"

He most definitely did. Taahir shrugged and said, "When will this be?"

"After you finish your breakfast, go fetch Rosa and take her to the bridal shop. After the fitting, the two of you can enjoy a lunch together," his mother suggested with smile. She was more than glad to encourage the two youngsters to have a little quality time.

Taahir frowned but nodded slightly, "Sure."

He wasn't one to have lots of opinions in terms of relationships, he was more than willing to leave everything to his parent's arrangements.

Just like how he listened to his father about marrying Tahera, he was going to obey his mother's wishes to marry Rosa. Neither of them knew Taahir treated his marriage as a mission, it was fine as long as it was completed.

He only set score by his family and he didn't consider his future wife part of it so he was indifferent to whoever it would be. Other than his family, there was only one other thing that could pique his interest and that was computer science.

He fascinated by anything computer-related. Even when he was beside Rosa, all he had in his mind was 001.

"Taahir, what are you thinking? You've been exceptionally quiet since the dress fitting," Rosa asked.

Taahir snapped out his reverie and lightly offered, "Oh, it's nothing important."

"Tell me, I want to help if I can," Rosa continued, hoping to draw the conversation out.

Taahir simply tossed her a bone, "It's about Tahseen. He said he wasn't feeling well this morning, I'm just worried about him."

To be fair, Taahir wasn't completely lying because Tahseen did mention he was feeling under the weather...

However, Taahir knew he was throwing a tantrum because his father was leaving him to go dress fitting with Rosa...

Dissatisfaction crossed Rosa's face temporarily when she realized Taahir treated her with less importance than his ex's child. She had worked hard to make him love her but all he cared about was that son of his!

Then again, she consoled herself, it was good that he was family orientated. She planned to have many children by his name. Then, Tahseen would be nothing but a distant memory.

"Don't worry, Tahseen has so many people looking after him. I'm sure he'll be fine," Rosa comforted with a smile, afraid that Taahir would ditch their lunch to go home to his son.

To prevent Taahir from dwelling on the subject, she said, "Taahir, I received no updates about Tahera after our encounter that day. I worry about her and, by the way, have you told Tahseen about her?"

Speaking of Tahera, Taahir too became a little interested in her latest update.

"I didn't bring her up in front of Tahseen, it's still too soon. Actually, I've been far too busy lately to bring myself up to date on her current situation. Since we have some free time now, why don't we pay her a visit?" Taahir decided suddenly, giving Rosa quite a shock.

"You want to visit her now?"

"Why not? I have something I need to give her and if I'm not mistaken, she lives nearby."

Nadir who sat in front quickly added, "CEO is right. Miss Tahera's residence is close by, it's only 10 minutes away."

"Then it's decided, we shall pay her a visit."

"Yes, sir." Came the reply as Nadir turned the steering wheel towards Tahera's house.

Rosa choked on her words. Things were definitely not going down the path she was planning. Weren't they supposed to go for a romantic lunch? Why should they pay that hussy, Tahera, a visit‽

Plus, based on Taahir's exchange with his assistant, it sounded like he already had prior contact with that ex-wife of his, or else how would he know where she lived. The thought that both of them had something going on behind her back grated on Rosa's nerves.

She was confident that the present Tahera was no longer worthy competition but she still felt threatened. Since that hussy had decided to bow out of the competition, why didn't she move her *ss further away!

She had to make an appearance when her marriage to Taahir was so close to fruition! She'd better not stand in her way or Rosa swore she would give her hell!

However, very quickly, Rosa realized her fears and worries were unfounded. The place where Tahera called home was... obviously meant for beggars.

Rosa had never seen a worse residence. Suffocated with a disgusting smell, the place was grimy and dirty. She kept a wide berth from its residents for fear of infection.

The anxiety that she felt in the car immediately turned into joy when she saw the place Tahera lived. If not for Taahir's insistence, she wouldn't be caught dead in this area.

She was, however, willing to make an exception to shove her victory down Tahera's throat.

She clutched Taahir's arms and said with exaggerated worry, "Taahir, are you sure Tahera lives here? How does she do it? If I was her, I would work extra hard to not end up here."

She meant, it was due to Tahera's own degeneration that she still lived there.

Her disdain towards Tahera grew. She found herself foolish for having reservations against her. The woman was definitely not worth her time.

Taahir frowned. He didn't expect Tahera to live in such squalor either. He would have to make sure she accepted his alimony this time. He couldn't let her continue living like this.

The pair was led, wordlessly, by Nadir to Tahera's apartment.

"CEO, this is their place," Nadirsaid with respect.

"Knock on it," ordered Taahir.

Nadir knocked on the door politely but there was no response.

Rosa finally lost her patience, she didn't want to stay there anymore so she said, "Taahir, maybe they're not home. No matter what you want to give her. I'm sure you can mail it to her."

"Who are you looking for?" Suddenly, a man from a few doors away asked cautiously.

Nadir looked his away and enquired politely, "I'm sorry, sir but do you know where the Hussain family is? Why there is no one to answer the door?"

"Oh, you're looking for them. Your timing is not so good, something happened so I suspect they're all at the hospital now."

The party was startled, Taahir asked, "What happened?"

The man proceeded to explain everything that had happened yesterday.

Taahir was shocked to discover that such a thing had happened. He knew Rahim Hussain's health hadn't been good lately so this didn't bode well for him.

Furthermore, it was likely that his family didn't have the money to pay his medical bills. It was all the more reason for him to pass the alimony to Tahera.

Taahir told Nadir immediately that they had to go to the hospital. Rosa didn't have any comment this time, she followed obediently.

Needless to say, it was not compelled by the kindness of her heart. She could still remember clearly the last time they stumbled into Tahera.

Tahera's shame-faced and flustered look when she noticed them before she ran away with her tail between her legs still brought her immense satisfaction.

She would smile every time she pulled up the image in her mind. Now that dumb woman had found herself in a worse condition, she definitely didn't want them to see her.

However, Tahera had no choice but swallow the little pride that she still had to accept their charity this time.

Rosa almost laughed out loud envisioning the look of shame and defeat on Tahera's face. What she wouldn't give to join them at the hospital.

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