ASYA SS||The tale of Dominance and submission' (Chap5:Pg23)18/4/1 - Page 3

Zoya's heart was pounding. The elevator arrives on the ground floor, and she came out as soon as the doors slide open. She raced towards the wide glass doors and came out of khan construction. She closed her eyes and took a deep, purifying breath, trying to recover herself. She felt herself got instantly attracted to Asad, No man has ever affected her the way Asad Ahmed khan has, and she don't know why.

Zoya moved towards her Car to leave for her home. While driving she starts to feel foolish and embarrassed as the interview replayed in her mind.

Zoya to herself : Surely, I'm over-reacting to something that's imaginary. Okay, so he's very attractive, confident, commanding, at ease with himself - but at the same time, he's arrogant, and for all his impeccable manners, he's dominating and cold. And I m sure he must be laughing at me by now...Wait why will he laugh or even remember me!...He is so busy and rich!..and I m anything but attractive...He wont remember me..and Neither we will meet ever again...So I should stop overthinking!

Zoya leaves for her home believing the interview went badly. Zoya consoles herself by thinking they will never meet again.

Zoya reached her Apartment and Humeira bombarded her with the question...

So how was it? Says Humeira...it was good says Zoya

Howz he? Asked humeira...He is qiute, Polite...intense...says Zoya..

Intense! I see adds Humeira ...Yeah!..He was quite clean ended Zoya...

humeira kept on looking at her only best friend all this while...Why r u looking at me like this says Zoya..Like what Zoe asked Humeira laughingly...Ohk says zoya and went to the kitchen to make something for herself to eat.. while Humeira kept on talking to her...

BTW why u wanted to ask him if he was gay or not? Asked Zoya...Because he never posed with a women for any pic says humeira laughing ...may be he wants to keep his private life private! Adds Zoya...

So now u r defending him Zoe said Humeira...(Zoya Rolled her Eyes on her) I m not defending him just sharing what I observed during the Interview with u says Zoya

So will ur Hot, clean 27 years old billionaire would like to pose for some stills for the article says Humeira reaching the kitchen counter taking the Sandwich zoya made for herself...

Love u Zoe says Humeira

(Zoya's POV)

We talk no more of asad ahmed khan that evening, much to my relief. Once we've eaten, I'm able to sit at the dining table with Humi and, while she works on her article, I work on my essay on Tess of the D'Urbervilles. By the time I finish, it's midnight, and Humi has long since gone to bed. I make my way to my room, exhausted, but pleased that I've accomplished so much for a Monday. That night I dream of dark places, bleak white cold floors, and gray eyes.

For the rest of the week, I throw myself into my studies and my part time job. Humi is busy too, compiling her last edition of her student magazine while also cramming for her finals. By Wednesday, she's much better, and I no longer have to endure the sight of her pink-flannel-withtoo-many-rabbits Pajama. I call my mom to check on her, but also so she can wish me luck for my final exams. She proceeds to tell me about her latest venture into candle making - my mother is all about new business ventures. Fundamentally she's bored and wants something to occupy her time, but she has the attention span of a goldfish. It'll be something new next week.

I was in the parking lot about to enter my Car to leave for my Job...when Jacob came

"Jacob! Great to see you!" I give him a quick hug.

Jacob is the first person I met when I arrived at WSU, looking as lost and lonely as I did.We recognized a kindred spirit in each of us that day, and we've been friends ever since. Joacob is studying engineering and is the first in his family to make it to college. He's pretty damn bright, but his real passion is photography. Jacob has a great eye for a good picture.

"I have news." He grins, his dark eyes twinkling.

"Don't tell me - you've managed not to get kicked out for another week," I tease, and he scowls playfully at me.

"The Portland Place Gallery is going to exhibit my photos next month."

"That's amazing - congratulations!" Delighted for him, I hug him again.

"Let's celebrate. I want you and humi to come to the opening but before that I want u to get time for me as I m giving treat to all my friends this weekend." Jacob looks intently at me. I flush. "Both of you, of course," he adds

Jacob and I are good friends, but I know deep down inside, he'd like to be more. He's cute and funny, but he's just not for me. He's more like the brother I never had. Humi often teases me that I'm missing the need-a-boyfriend gene, but the truth is - I just haven't met anyone who... well, whom I'm attracted to, even though part of me longs for those trembling knees, heart-in-my-mouth, butterflies-in-my-belly, sleepless nights. Sometimes I wonder if there's something wrong with me. Perhaps I've spent too long in the company of my literary romantic heroes, and consequently my ideals and expectations are far too high. But in reality, nobody's ever made me feel like that.

Until very recently, the unwelcome, still small voice of my subconscious whispers.

NO! I banish the thought immediately. I am not going there, not after that painful interview. I know I've dreamt about him most nights since then, but that's just to wash the awful experience from my system, surely? I wince at the memory and came back to reality n realized i m getting late to reach my job!

Jacob I will definitely come with Humi to celebrate this success of yours but I apologize I really have to go now. I m getting late for my job ...Jacob is a sweetheart he understood immediately and opened the door of the car for me..I thanked him and left to complete my next task in hand

Same day At the Hardware store

I'm sitting behind the counter engrossed in the task, checking catalogue numbers against the items we need and the items we've ordered, eyes flicking from the order book to the computer screen and back as I check the entries match. Then, for some reason, I glance up... and find myself locked in the bold gray gaze of Asad!.who's standing at the counter, staring at me intently.

Heart failure

"Ms Faroqui" what a pleasant surprise says Asad

Oh no what the hell is he doing here I said in my mind

Mr Khan' I whisper because that's all I can manage

i was in here in business..wanted to pick up few things he says by way of explaination.."its a pleasure to see u again Ms Farooqui" he adds

I shake my head to gather my wits. My heart is pounding and for some reason I'm blushing furiously under his gaze. I am utterly thrown by the sight of him standing before me.

"Zoya.My name is Zoya"..I mutter

He smiles. It is so disconcerting. Taking a deep breath, I put on my professional I've-worked-in-this-shop-for-years faade. I can do this.

There are a few items I need. To start with, I'd like some cable ties," he murmurs

Cable ties?

"We stock various lengths. Shall I show you?" I mutter, my voice soft and wavery.

"Please. Lead the way, Miss Farooqui," he says. I come out from behind the counter, but really I'm concentrating hard on not falling over my own feet. I'm so glad I decided to wear my best jeans this morning.

"After you," he murmurs... I blushed

He gazes at the selection of cable ties we stock. What on Earth is he going to do with those? I cannot picture him as a do-it-yourselfer at all. His fingers trail across the various packages displayed, and for some unknown reason, I have to look away. He bends and selects a packet.

"These will do," he says with his oh-so-secret smile,

"Is there anything else?" I asked

"I'd like some masking tape."

Masking tape?

"Are you redecorating?" The words are out before I can stop them. Surely he hires laborers or has staff to help him decorate?

"No, not redecorating," he says quickly then smirks, and I have the uncanny feeling that he's laughing at me.

Have you worked here long?" His voice is low, and he's gazing at me, Why the hell does he have this effect on me?

"Four years," I mutter as we reach our goal. To distract myself, I reach down and select the two widths of masking tape that we stock.

"I'll take that one," he says softly pointing to the wider tape, which I pass to him.

Our fingers brush very briefly, and the current is there again,

Anything else?" My voice is husky and breathy. His eyes widen slightly.

"Some rope, I think." His voice mirrors mine, husky.

"This way." I duck my head down to hide my recurring blush

I then move towards the cash counter holding the things he want...

"How's the article coming along?"...He's finally asked me a normal question, ... a question I can answer. "I'm not writing it, Humeira is. Miss Siddiqui my roommate, she's the writer. She's very happy with it. She's the editor of the magazine, I feel like I've come up for air - at last, a normal topic of conversation. "Her only concern is that she doesn't have any original photographs of you." I further told him

Asad raises an eyebrow.

What sort of photographs does she want?" I shake my head, because I just don't know."Well, I'm around. Tomorrow, perhaps... " he trails off.

ZOYA!!..I heard someone calling my name..and looked towards the entrance

Paul appeared at the store at the store..He is the brother of my boss

Er, excuse me for a moment, Mr. khan." Asad frowns as I turn away from him.

"Zoya, hi, it's so good to see you!" he gushes..."Hello Paul, how are you?.. Good. You're looking well, Zoya, really well." He grins as he examines me at arm's length. Then he releases me but keeps a possessive arm draped over my shoulder. I shuffle from foot to foot, embarrassed. It's good to see Paul, but he's always been over-familiar.

When I glance back towards Asad Ahmed khan, he's watching us like a hawk, He's changed from the weirdly attentive customer to someone else - someone cold and distant.

Paul, I'm with a customer...will catch up with u later...and went towards Asad

"Anything else, Mr Khan?"

"Just these items." His tone is clipped and cool. Damn... have I offended him?

I m staying in Heathman Hotel...Call me before time says Asad, handing over his card to me

I Looked at him nervously.. failing to understand what we meant

About the photographs Ms farooqui adds Asad.

OH!..Yeah I said smilingly

And with that he turns to leave then pauses. "Oh - and Zoya.I'm glad Miss Siddiqui couldn't do the interview." He smiles, then strides..leaving me a quivering mass of raging female hormones. I spend several minutes..Okay - I like him. There, I've admitted it to myself. I cannot hide from my feelings anymore. I've never felt like this before. I find him attractive, very attractive. But I sigh with bittersweet regret. It was just a coincidence, his coming here. But still!