Stay With Me

Chapter 2: The First Night In His Mansion

Chapter 2: The First Night in His Mansion

The black car stopped in front of gates taller than her house.

Ayesha got out, holding her one small bag. The mansion in front of her had lights, fountains, and 10 cars in the driveway.

A butler opened the door. "Welcome Mrs. Khan."

Mrs. Khan. The word felt fake on her tongue.

Inside was marble, chandeliers, and silence. Too much silence. It echoed.

"Mr. Khan is in his study. He said not to disturb him." The maid showed her to a huge bedroom with white sheets and a view of the city.

The bed was bigger than her whole room back home. But it felt empty and cold.

She sat there for hours. 10 PM. 11 PM. 12 AM.

At midnight, she heard footsteps in the hall.

The door opened without a knock. Zayan stood there in a black shirt, sleeves rolled up, tie loose, holding two glasses of wine. He looked tired. And dangerous.

He looked at her sitting on his bed. "Can't sleep?"

She shook her head. "This doesn't feel real. Any of it."

He walked in and put one glass on her table. He didn't drink his. "Nothing about this is real, Ayesha. Remember the contract. 1 year. Then we walk away."

His voice was ice.

He was about to leave when his phone rang. The screen said "Mom". He answered, and his whole face went cold.

"Yes? ... She's here. My wife."

Ayesha's heart stopped. Wife. He said it out loud.

Zayan ended the call and looked at her. Grey eyes, no emotion. "That was my mother. There's a family dinner tomorrow night. And you... you better act like you love me. Or the contract is broken."

He left, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

Ayesha sat on the giant bed, alone in a giant house, married to a stranger.

The contract had just begun. And it was going to be hell.