Fury.

That was all I could see in the midst of a scandal that threatened to tear down my business in more ways than one. The devil's whispers begged me to pummel Gavlik with brute strength, to punish, to eliminate him from the face of the earth. My blood boiled at every word that escaped his lips, every threat he took so lightly.

Blinding my vision in a haze of anger, I slowly exhaled, reminding myself that evils lurked the world and they were nothing but smokeless fires, unable to burn me if I kept my cool. There was nothing in this dunya (world) that Allah could not resolve. Although the tendrils of indignation embraced me, the frigid glaze of rationality shook me.

The fumes of dishonesty chased after me, forcefully pushing me into the media's twisted chains as the hounds were released to silence me. Their barks rode over my helpless frame, overpowering me into a state of unclipped fear, which only heightened when I answered Gavlik's call.

"Good morning, Mr. Tarkan," his amused voice chirped. "Lovely day, isn't it?"

"No."

He chuckled. "Did the police come to arrest you yet?"

"If they did, would I be wasting my time talking to you?" I countered, jaw clenching.

"You make a compelling argument."

"Glad I could be of service," I remarked dryly, hating every minute that I spent talking to him. "What's the real reason you called?"

I spun in my office chair, facing the large window behind me and admiring the monstrous buildings that stood proudly beside mine. The tinted windows shimmered from across the road, business people running on their daily schedules as their bloodthirsty bosses did everything in their power to throw me off my throne. Gavlik was only the first one who came close to accomplishing the impossible.

"I've heard about your recent scandal. I must say I'm deeply disappointed in you, Mr. Tarkan. Harassing women is no feature of our business protocols, I mean-"

I cut him off. "Shut up, you lying rat."

"Excuse me?"

"You know exactly what you did, Gavlik. You threatened my business and that's a punishable offense in America. Paying innocent women to claim that I falsely groped them is a new low," I growled. "Tell me, is that a part of our business protocol?"

Silence.

"Go on, Gavlik. Tell me all the steps you took to ensure a fabricated story. Tell me how you begged these women to accuse me of such a heinous crime. Go on," I taunted, knuckles turning impossibly white from my grip. "Tell me the truth, Jared Gavlik."

"You harassed them. That is the truth."

"I've never touched a woman in my life until I married. I am a man of honor. It's a shame that I can't say the same about you," I spat out bitterly.

Again, he chuckled as if he regained his deceiving personality. "Me? Are you sure you know what you're talking about? It's almost the Muslim holy month and you're trying to get lucky with women left and right."

"I would never and you know that. You want my business that bad, Gavlik?" I questioned.

"I always get what I want, one way or the other, and there is nothing you can do to stop it."

Fire continued to fuel my every word, but Allah's warning rang like bells in my ears. I have to fight fire with water. I have to stay calm and in control. Muslims do not react with anger.

Deeply exhaling, I responded in a civil manner. "You have no idea the damage that you caused, the suffering you're willing to give to innocent people, the danger you posses to so many families."

"Oh, you mean yours?" he chuckled heartlessly. "I'm completely content with that."

I shook my head in disappointment. "No, Gavlik. You're destroying both our employees. This scandal will see the light of truth one of these days and the repercussions will hurt you more than it will affect me. Your family's business has to take the brutal price of your greed," I said with pity lacing my words.

His laughter rumbled through the phone. "How are you so sure that you'll get out of this scratch-free?"

"Because Allah is the the most fair and most just. Either in this life or the next, you will pay for all the damage that you caused."

"The only one who's going to pay is you in all those legal fees," he mocked.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair, a dulling ache settling in my brain. "Well, it appears we're at a stalemate," I said.

"It appears we are."

"If you won't confess to your lies here, then you will at court. I guarantee it."

"I'm not afraid of you, Mr. Tarkan," he laughed.

There was no pardoning of this behavior. My family and employees were my main priority, but the devil that lurked inside Gavlik steered him through disastrous attempts to steal a business that was free of constraints. He had threatened all those close to me, threatened my wife, threatened my position, and yet he still didn't heed any of my warnings.

My jaw clenched. "Well," I began lowly, "I'd start being afraid. I tried to be civil with you, Gavlik, yet you've thrown my mercy out the door."

"Oh?"

"This isn't a high school fight. This is the real world where our actions have consequences. I'd remember that if I were you," I whispered.

Before he could respond, I hung up, unwilling to hear whatever nonsense that came out of his filthy mouth.

Knock Knock.

"Come in."

Damon and Thomas strolled in through the door, smiles dropping as soon as they saw my frustrated expression. Quickly taking a seat across from me, Thomas eyed the phone in my hand, my tight grip, and the deep frown that coated my expression in distaste.

"Was that the Satanic Russian?" he asked, cerulean eyes shimmering with jest. "I hope you told him what Hell was."

"Thomas," warned Damon, giving our friend a stern look.

Thomas shrugged. "The man is the definition of evil. I have no regrets for anything that I said."

"As much as I want to agree," I began, hands clasping on my desk as I leaned against it, "I can't."

Damon raised a brow in question. "What happened?"

"He called to threaten me again," I sighed tiredly, "but I chose to be compassionate towards him."

"Did it work?" asked Thomas.

I shook my head.

Thomas and Damon exchanged glances with one another.

"He's trying to prove his worth by taking over all these businesses. The problem is that Gavlik is willing to take down anyone in his path as long as the final destination is a victory for him."

"Maybe we should leave this to Khalil," suggested Damon.

I tilted my head at him. "What?"

"You can't do anything to him without risking the future of your business. For now, this is your lawyer's job instead of yours. Jared will get what he deserves, but don't force a punishment on him without thinking rationally."

"He threatened my family, Damon," I said slowly. "I can't just let that go."

Damon sighed, standing and walking around my seat. Gently, he placed a hand on my shoulder, sea green eyes creating an ocean of empathy as he gazed into mine. "As a Muslim, we have to remember to keep our calm in fits of anger. Think rationally, Ibrahim," he said softly. "Don't let your emotions control you."

"What do you suggest I do?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Focus on running your business like normal. We could prove to people that you aren't a bad guy or the molester that the media paints you to be by paying more attention to your charity causes. It would convince Muslims to help you as well," he stated.

Thomas nodded in agreement. "We could start with Tasneem's fundraiser and rebuild the orphanage. You and I can talk to our investors to clear your name while Damon helps the girls set up. Leave the rest to the lawyer," he smiled.

Gazing at my friends, I realized that they were right. As a CEO, I had the responsibility to oversee the success of my business. Gavlik ran around circles, forcing those who were suspicious away from him, but little did he know that Tarkan Industries was about to launch our own counter-attack.

Not through endless threats or sneering remarks but through wisdom and generosity.

Heknowsyou.