LOGINIt had been two weeks since I moved into his house, and we hadn't gotten as close as I wanted us to. We ate together and watched a movie whenever he had time, but that was all. We were practically strangers living under the same roof, and despite how many times I tried to get him to open up to me, it was to no avail. He got the things I needed: a phone, a laptop, and school supplies, and gave me enough daily allowance that would cover a year's rent if I decided to stay alone, but that wasn't what I wanted. I needed him to touch me like he touched that woman, and to make me come undone for him. I fucking needed more. Since that night, he stopped bringing women over, and I had masturbated countless times to that one night that it wasn't enough anymore. I started watching porn on the phone, but that only made me crave his touch more than anything else. Which was why I became daring. Azeem left early this morning for a meeting. I don't even know his occupation, but if it was enough to
Azeem returned very late. I had just had dinner when he came home. I was in the sitting room, trying to find a good channel to watch some movies from before I called it a night, when I heard the front door open. I shot to my feet immediately and hurried to the door.“Welcome!”He almost threw down his briefcase in shock. He blinked, and for a few seconds he looked as if he didn't recognise me, before his lips broke into a smile. “Nina?”“Welcome home.” I grinned at him and walked closer to take the briefcase from him. “How was work?”“It was….” He trailed off, blinking. “What are you putting on?”Confused, I glanced down, only for my cheeks to darken in embarrassment. After my late bath, I had thrown on just a pair of short shorts and a V-neck polo. There was no bra, so I wasn't wearing one.“Nothing,” I said quickly, clutching the briefcase to my chest like a shield. “Just… Regular clothes. I found them in the closet, so…” I trailed off. He stared at me. At my legs, mostly, then dra
I had a restless sleep that night because I dreamt of him. For the first time since Dad died, my dreams changed. Now, I wasn't scared of Mum and wasn't seeing her chasing me in the dream with her belt. Now, my dreams were filled with the naked body of the man who took me in. Yawning, I walked downstairs into the kitchen. I had woken up after another restless dream, to the smell of something sweet. Azeem was in the kitchen when I showed up. He turned immediately and smiled. “Good morning.”My heart lunged into my throat. Has he always been this handsome? I knew he was good-looking, but this morning, he looked better than yesterday. He stood at the stove in nothing but his boxers, and I couldn't stop seeing him naked. The way he'd moved last night. The way his hips had driven into her. The way she'd moaned his name, loud enough that I'd heard it through the cracks under the door. “Good morning,” I muttered, taking a seat on the stool near the kitchen island. “How was your night? I
NINATrue to his promise, Azeem took me home that night after he signed some paperwork. He must be a public figure if they trusted him that fast. The ride back was quiet, and I liked it. This way, I could finally think. Not that I did much of that. I was more focused on the man next to me to properly think about anything.He drove with one hand on the wheel, eyes fixed on the road, but I could feel his attention on me, anyway. Like I was a puzzle he hadn’t finished reading. His house was a big one. Two stories, stone and glass, sitting back from the street behind a tall gate that opened for us without him pressing a button. The driveway was empty except for a black SUV. The house looked expensive, but simple. He got out and came around to open my door before I could. “Come on. You’re not sleeping in the car," he joked, and I smiled, feeling my stomach flip again. He let me inside the house, up the stairs and down the hallway, without giving me the chance to look around. “This
Azeem looked taken aback by my response. He exchanged glances with the nurse before focusing on me, his face scrunched up in confusion. “You don't have any other relatives? None you can stay with until you can stand on your feet?”I shook my head.If I didn't find him handsome, the rephrased question would have offended me.“We can put her in the system until —”“I don't want that!” I interrupted the nurse. My eyes narrowed at her, teeth gritted in annoyance. Who was she to chirp in? Doesn't she have anything to do aside from poking her nose in matters that have nothing to do with her?Azeem let out a deep breath. He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck, and looked towards the window, as if he was seeking help from a deity.“Okay, what do you want?” He asked at last, returning his gaze to my face. His eyes softened.“I want to stay with you,” I blurted out before I could stop my mouth from running. My eyes grew wide the second those words left my lips.“Hell no!” the nurse yelled.
After that, it was a series of police officers coming in to ask questions, and the greatest news I'd ever had was given to me. That woman had been taken. According to them, she would be tested for mental issues. If positive, she would be locked in a mental facility forever or until she's healed.By evening, I was done with all the meetings. The always-smiling nurse showed up with dinner, the same way she did with breakfast and lunch, and I asked the same question I'd asked all morning. “Where was the man who brought me here?”They had told me he stepped out to take a smoke when I woke up, and I wondered how long that smoke would take, forever, possibly.She smiled. “He'll be back. We haven't seen him since he left. He paid for your meals and promised to return after taking a smoke.” She placed my drink in front of me. “Eat up. The doctor will be here shortly to check on you.”I nodded and ate my food dutifully. For the first time since Dad died, I was finally being treated like a hum







