Stay With Me

Chapter 8: The Confession

Chapter 8: The Confession

They came back from Dubai. Things were different.

Zayan was quieter. He worked late. He avoided her eyes.

Ayesha hated it. She missed the way he looked at her in that hotel room. Like she mattered.

One week later.

Ayesha was sick. High fever. She collapsed in the kitchen.

When she woke up, she was in her bed. Zayan was sitting next to her, holding a wet towel to her forehead.

His tie was loose. Hair messy. He looked tired. And worried.

"You're awake," he said softly.

"What are you doing here?" she croaked.

"Taking care of you. Who else will?" He tried to joke but his voice broke.

She stared at him. "Why do you care? It's just a contract, right?"

Zayan went still. His jaw clenched.

"Is it?" he whispered.

He stood up and walked to the window. His back was to her.

"When Hamza touched you at the store, I wanted to kill him. When you grabbed my shirt during the storm, I didn't sleep for 2 days. When you were sick just now, I was scared."

He turned around. His grey eyes were raw. Honest.

"I told you it was a mistake. I lied. The kiss wasn't a mistake, Ayesha. Liking you... that's the mistake."

Ayesha's heart stopped. Tears fell.

"Then why are you pushing me away?" she asked.

"Because in 6 months this contract ends. And I don't want to break you when I have to let you go."

He walked out, leaving her crying.

But this time, he didn't go to his study.

He went to the garden and punched the wall until his knuckles bled.