Chapter 7

When Zoya returned to the room, she was glad to see him sitting up straight leaning against the headboard. What she wasn't glad to see was the frown that was spread across his handsome face.

"Mr. Khan? What is it? Are you hurting again? Should I-,"

"Enough, Ms. Farooqui."

Zoya fell silent almost immediately at his clipped tone, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

"Mr. Khan?"

"What have you done? What have you done? What haven't you done, Ms Farooqui?" He asked, ignoring the pain shooting up his arm.

"Mr. Kha-,"

"You are taking advantage of my hospitality, Ms. Farooqui, something that I don't appreciate. I gave you a home in an unknown place and yet you took advantage of me," he growled. Zoya felt her anger flare as her eyes snapped up to meet his.

"Mr. Kh-,"

"Why? Why did you do this to me?" He asked, cringing when severe bolts of pain darted through his arm.

"Just because I'm standing here quietly listening to you accuse me for something I haven't done doesn't mean that I will let you worsen your condition," Zoya said coolly reaching an arm out to him. He pulled away from her touch, which only caused Zoya to growl in anger and push him down onto the bed forcefully.

"Listen here and listen good. One more word out of your mouth and you will hope that you hadn't ever met me in your entire lifetime. You are injured and I promised Phuppi that I would take care of you until the doctor gives you thumbs up. Understood?" Zoya snapped. Asad glared up at her but she returned his glare equally.

"Yo-,"

"Ah ah ah, no more talking. Get back into bed and give that arm of yours some rest," Zoya said pulling the covers up, her tone softening as she gently placed his injured arm on a cushion.

"Why are you doing this?" Asad asked, having no idea why he was so exasperated.

"I saved you from that fire. It's my duty to make sure you're nursed back to health properly," Zoya said.

"You're not very fond of her, Ms. Farooqui. She's my best friend."

"Just because she's your best friend doesn't necessarily mean that she's my best friend too. Besides, if you want me to be nice to her, might just as well say sorry to me," Zoya said folding her arms in front of her chest. Asad raised his eyebrows at her.

"Sorry? For what exactly?" He asked. He saw a grim shadow pass over her face.

"Mr. Khan. You've always held me accountable for things that I haven't done. Always yell at me for my actions. I don't get it. Why don't you like me? All I know is that every time that I try to do something now, it's all about trying to impress you and to get your approval. Can't you just praise me for once?" She asked. Asad couldn't help it, he felt a sudden light-headedness at her words and the sincere accusation in her eyes prompted his next actions.

Zoya was surprised when his hand touched her cheek, her eyes flying up to meet his. Zoya swore that this man could switch moods faster than one could say Tutankhamen. Where a few seconds ago his eyes were filled with anger, they were now filled with an emotion that she couldn't name. Were she to take a wild guess she would probably bet on, dare she say it, desire. That was what she saw: pure, raw, unadulterated desire in the eyes of the man before her.

Asad was screaming on the inside. He wanted to hold her, to tell her that he approved of her, that he wouldn't change a single hair on her head, that he didn't give a damn about whether what she did was right or wrong. All that mattered was that he lo-. Asad froze as he realised what was going on in his mind. He didn't understand how the one person that annoyed him to wits end could have him fighting an internal battle.

"Just once, Mr. Khan. Just once favour me with praise. I don't care if you mean it or you don't, just praise me," Zoya murmured, her hands encompassing his and her lips pressing against his knuckles. Asad gently pushed a strand of hair away from her face and instinctively leaned forward and pressed his lips against her temple.

Zoya froze, her eyes going wide at the sensation of his lips against her skin. Her entire flesh burned from that sweet little act of such affection. As much as she tried to deny it, this man made her feel things that no one had ever made her feel. She could feel both hatred and extreme affection towards him.

"Look at me," he whispered as he pulled away slightly. Her doe like eyes, that he found himself loving all too much, turned to looks at him through long, thick lashes.

"Would you ever deceive me?" He asked, his gaze boring into her eyes. Zoya looked into those dark orbs, feeling them piercing through her and staring deep into her soul. She couldn't lie to him. She had to tell him.

"No," she whispered.

"Good," he whispered before dipping his head down towards her lips and...