The mafia king's forced Bride

Chapter 10: Morning After

Morning light came through the big windows.

Ayesha woke up first.

She was still in Zain's bed. Still wrapped in his jacket.

And Zain... was asleep on the couch.

For the first time, he didn't look like a Mafia King.

He looked tired. Young. Human.

Ayesha stared at him. Last night he hugged her.

"Just for tonight," he had said.

The door opened suddenly.

Zain shot up instantly, gun in hand. Then he saw it was just a maid with breakfast.

He put the gun down. His eyes met Ayesha's.

Awkward. So awkward.

"Breakfast," the maid said and left quickly.

Zain cleared his throat. "You... slept okay?"

Ayesha nodded, clutching the jacket. "Y-yes."

Silence again.

Zain stood up and walked to the door. "Come. We need to talk in my office."

In the office, Zain was back to being cold. Back to being boss.

"Sit," he ordered.

Ayesha sat. Her heart was pounding.

"About last night," Zain started. "It won't happen again."

Ayesha's heart broke a little. "Oh."

"I can't afford to have feelings," Zain said, not looking at her.

"It makes me weak. And I don't get weak for anyone."

Ayesha stood up. Tears in her eyes.

"I understand," she whispered. "Contract khatam hone tak me bas yahin rahungi."

She turned to leave.

"Wait," Zain said suddenly.

Ayesha stopped.

Zain walked to her and took her hand. He pressed something into her palm.

It was a key.

"My room," he said quietly. "If you get scared again at night... you have permission to come."

Then he walked away before she could answer.

Ayesha looked at the key in her hand and smiled through tears.

Maybe he wasn't as cold as he pretended.