Stay With Me

Chapter 5: The Kiss

Chapter 5: The Kiss

It was raining.

Power went out in the mansion. The whole place was dark except for candles.

Ayesha was scared of thunder. She sat on the stairs, hugging her knees.

Footsteps. Zayan. He was in a white shirt, hair messy, no tie. He looked human for once.

"Can't sleep?" he asked, sitting next to her. Not too close.

"Storms scare me," she admitted.

He didn't answer. He just handed her a blanket. Their fingers brushed.

The thunder cracked. Ayesha jumped and without thinking, grabbed his arm.

Zayan looked down at her. In the candlelight, his grey eyes looked softer.

"You don't have to be strong all the time," he whispered.

"Neither do you," she whispered back.

The air got heavy.

Before she could think, Zayan leaned in. His hand came up to her face. Warm. Gentle.

And he kissed her.

Soft. Slow. Not like a contract. Like he meant it.

3 seconds. 5 seconds.

He pulled back like he was burned. Stood up instantly.

"Forget that happened," he said, voice rough. "It was a mistake."

He walked away, leaving her with a racing heart and wet lips.

A mistake?

Then why was her heart still pounding?

And why did he kiss her like that?

The contract said no love.

But it was too late.