Chapter Twelve
Once Lily had been fed and bathed, Zoya left her in Mary's care and made her way to the room Farida Bi had prepared for her.
It was luxuriously furnished, the huge bed dominating the room with its array of brightly colored pillows and cushions, the floor softly carpeted with priceless antique rugs. There was a large wardrobe and dressing table and two doors, one leading to master suite bathroom, the other to another room which, Farida Bi had informed her earlier was Asad's suite.
Zoya tore her eyes away from the firmly closed door and moved across the room to the bank of windows, looking out over the beautiful view. A slight breeze disturbed the sheer curtains, carrying the scent of orange blossom and honeysuckle into the room.
There was the sound of a knock on the connecting door. She turned and issued the command to come in, her throat drying up when Asad stepped into the room. He was dressed casually, making him look comfortable and very homely.
My Abbu must be waiting for dinner,' he explained. Do you have everything you need?'
Yes.' She pointed to the dress Farida Bi had laid out earlier. I'm sorry, I won't be long. I wanted to
make sure Lily had settled first.'
I will wait for you in my suite. Knock when you are ready to go down. It will take you a while to find your way around the villa.'
Thank you.' She waited until he had closed the door behind him before she stepped out of her clothes, wishing she had time for a shower but deciding it wouldn't do to upset Asad's Abbu by turning up late for dinner. She made do with a quick splash at the basin and a touch of subtle make-up, tying her hair up with a clip in a casually arranged knot that revealed the length of her neck. The dress she had packed was one of Zoe's and for a change, it was elegantly simple.
She gave the connecting door a tentative knock and held her breath as she heard Asad's footsteps approach.
Ready?' he asked, his eyes sweeping over her with unmasked approval. She gave him a small nervous smile. Yes.'
The dining room was as sumptuously furnished as the rest of the villa. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, and the walls were adorned with priceless works of art as well as several gilt-edged mirrors that made the room seem even larger. The long dining table was set at one end for three people, the best of glass and silverware laid out in elegant style, with a fragrant arrangement of roses as a centerpiece.
Rashid Ahmad Khan was already seated at the end of the table, his dark brooding gaze boring into Zoya as soon as she stepped into the room with Asad by her side.
You are late, Asad,' he said in his language, his tone reproving. Have you not yet taught your wife how to be punctual?'
Asad held out the chair for Zoya as he met his Abbu's scowling look. It was not Zoya's fault that we are late,' he responded in his Abbu's tongue. I had to make several calls. It was I who kept Zoya waiting.'
Zoya sat down and waited until Asad was seated opposite before sending him a grateful glance.
He held her look for a long moment, a small shadow of puzzlement passing through his dark gaze as it rested on her.
Rashid muttered something under his breath and reached for his wineglass and took a deep draught of the rich red wine. Zoya saw Asad's eyes go to the glass in his Abbu's hand and the almost empty carafe nearby, the small frown between his brows deepening.
You have a very beautiful house, Mr. Khan,' she said to break the uncomfortable silence.
It will never become yours,' Rashid answered in English and beckoned to the hovering staff member to refill the carafe. It will go to Lily or if Asad has a son.' He switched back to Urdu and looked at Asad. 'Only after you divorce this wretched woman and marry a nice girl who match our standard.'
Zoya drew in a breath, her hands tightening in her lap in anger, her cheeks storming with colour.
What is between Zoya and me is between Zoya and me and no other,' Asad said with implacable calm. I would prefer it, Abbu, if you would refrain from insulting her in my presence. She is, after all, the mother of your only grandchild and surely deserves a bit of respect.'
Rashid's eyes flashed with fury. She is the reason your brother is dead! She must be made to pay.'
How?' Asad asked evenly. By taunting her whenever you get the chance? By twisting the knife of guilt all the time like you do to me?'
Zoya sat very still.
Rashid's glass thumped on the table so heavily that the chandelier above their heads tinkled along with the rest of the glasses on the table. He glared back at his son, his cheeks almost puce and his lips white-tipped.
It is true, is it not?' Asad continued in the same even tone. You have always blamed me for my Ammi's death because you do not want to face the truth of the role you played in it yourself.'
You were late.' Rashid's words were slurred. You killed her by being late!'
No, Abbu,' Asad insisted gently. You were the one who was late. Do you remember how I had to wait for you to turn up to sign the rest of the documents on the Global deal? You had been drinking. I had to wait for you to sober up before you signed.'
Zoya watched in anguish as the older man reached for his glass and downed the contents, his chin wobbling as if he was having trouble controlling his emotions.
It is easy to blame someone else rather than face the pain of the truth,' Asad continued on the tail end of a sigh, his tone gentle. Perhaps we are both to blame. I should not have covered up your drinking for as long as I did, but I only did it to protect my Ammi. I would do differently now that I know the price we all had to pay for my silence.'
Rashid pushed himself away from the table and gestured for the young man who had poured the drinks to wheel him from the room.
Asad got to his feet as a mark of respect as his Abbu left. Zoya stayed put, her throat raw with emotion at what Asad had had to deal with on top of his own grief.
Asad's eyes met hers across the width of the table. I am sorry you had to witness that.'
It's all right.' She looked down at the table rather than hold his gaze. I understand...you have no idea how much.'
There was a stretching silence.
Zoya hunted her brain for something to fill it but couldn't think of a thing to say. She was conscious of the weight of Asad's gaze, as if he was trying to solve some puzzle about her that had previously eluded him.
How long have you spoken my language?' he asked, bringing her startled gaze back to his.
...I studied it at school and university.'
And yet you did not think it necessary to inform me of this?' I had my reasons.'
Yes,' he said with a hint of resentment. So you no doubt can understand what was being said about you to use against me later. Is there anything else you have neglected to tell me about yourself that I should know?'
Zoya lowered her gaze. No.'
She heard him get to his feet, heard his approach, her breath halting when he took her chin between two fingers and turned her head to look at him.
Why do I get the distinct impression you are lying to me, Zoya?'
I"I don't know,' she answered lamely.
He tilted her chin even further so her skittering gaze had nowhere else to go but lock with his probing one. You are an intriguing woman, Zoya,' he said softly, the pad of his thumb stroking along the curve of her bottom lip. I wonder what other secrets those grey eyes of yours are hiding from me.'
Th-there are no secrets.' Her voice came out thinly. I don't have any secrets.'
His thumb moved back and forth until Zoya couldn't think straight. Her lips were buzzing with the need to feel the hard pressure of his.
He drew her slowly but inexorably to her feet and brought her up close to his body, his hands at her waist, his thighs brushing hers as his head came down.
A soft sigh escaped from her lips into the warm cavern of his mouth as it captured hers, her whole body singing with delight at being in his arms once more. She felt the thrusting probe of his tongue and began to melt inside and out, her legs weakening as she clung to him unashamedly. His hands slipped from her waist to her hips, bringing her even closer to his pulsing heat.
Asad dragged his mouth off hers and stepped back from her, his eyes glittering with desire. I told myself I would not touch you. After last night...'
She was saved from having to respond by the staff coming in with their entre. She resumed her seat, picked up her water glass and drank deeply, all the time doing her best to avoid Asad's dark watchful eyes.
She was relieved when the meal was finally over. They had eaten most of it in silence, only occasionally exchanging a comment or two over the various dishes that were brought out from time to time.
Asad got to his feet once the last of the plates were cleared and came around to Zoya's chair to escort her from the table. She got unsteadily to her feet and took his proffered arm as he led her from the room, while the nerves in her stomach fluttered frantically.
He opened the door of her suite for her and looked down at her, his expression unfathomable. I would like you to think about our marriage becoming a real one.'
Zoya stared back at him, her heart starting to beat so fast.
I want what is best for Lily and, in spite of what my brother told me, I now believe that you do too. That is why I feel it would be best if we conduct ourselves in a normal manner so as to give her the best possible environment in which to grow up. It would not be good for her to be around parents who bicker and snipe at each other all the time.' He gave her a soft smile as he reached out to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. I know you are still jet-lagged. I'll give you time to think about what I said. For Now go and sleep in peace.'
She didn't want to sleep in peace! She wanted to be with him, but how could she tell him that without revealing her true feelings?
Go on, sweetheart, ' he said when she didn't move. I am trying to be a gentleman here but you are not making it easy for me.'
I"I'm not?' She moistened her dry lips.
No, you are not. Go now while I still have the strength to resist you.'
Zoya turned and went into her room with dragging steps, the door closing softly behind her.
She wasn't so sure she liked the thought of Asad being able to resist her, especially when she had no such strength where he was concerned. But then he wasn't in love with her, she reminded herself painfully. He hated her even though he desired her, but he had decided to put that hatred aside for Lily's sake. How much more would he hate her if he ever found out who she really was?
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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