Chapter 74: Suspicion

She blinked, her lips parting to respond, but no sound came out. His gaze on her was

unwavering, making any confidence and courage in her disappear.

She fiddled nervously with her fingers, her gaze cast downward. “M-my room?” she

murmured, barely above a whisper.

“This is your room,” he declared, his tone final. The mirth in his eyes dissipated instantly,

replaced by a cold, unnegotiating expression.

Her lips trembled as she tried to form her next words. “But I-I can’t… here… one room, you…

I c-can’t,” she stammered, a deep frown settling on her delicate features. Worry clouded her

otherwise beautiful face.

A lop-sided smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but his eyes were devoid of humor. “You

can’t go away,” he gave his verdict. Then, as if catching himself, he added "Not now," he

murmured, almost too softly for her to hear.

“Please,” she beseeched, her voice trembling, “please let me go.” Her large, pleading eyes

searched his face for any sign of mercy. But she might as well have been looking at a stone

wall.

She saw him lying back in his prior position, paying no heed to her.

“Never,” he muttered under his breath. She couldn’t quite catch the word, but the tension in

his voice was unmistakable.

“Hunh?” she asked, her brows knitting together in confusion.

“Kuch nahi,” came his curt reply, his tone sharp and dismissive. “You’re not going

anywhere.”

(Nothing.)

Her lips parted in protest, but the words died in her throat as he shifted his posture. He

regarded her with an intensity that made her stomach twist, his gaze lingering a moment

too long. He wasn’t simply ignoring her; he was studying her, watching her every move.

Apparently, he had developed an infatuation or perhaps something far more dangerous for

the small girl sitting before him, wrapped up in her tulip-colored shawl.

A few moments later, he sat up abruptly. She watched him warily, assuming he was finished

with his rest.

Her body tensed as he stood and began walking toward her, each step deliberate and

unhurried.

When he reached her, he crouched slightly, tilting her face upward by perching her chin

between his fingers. The touch was firm yet oddly gentle. “Don’t step out without my

permission,” he commanded in a low whisper with his eyes penetrating in hers and soon he

disappeared out of the room.

That's when she released a breath and her anxiety came up. She had to inform Khaleda of

his next move. Retrieving the number Khaleda gave her in case of emergency, she dialed it

via telecom and it was answered.

Khaleda's hushed and breathless voice came from the other side, "he is coming for you. He

knows that there is a spy in this company,"

Khaleda was quick to respond, "ok, ok. I get it. Don't worry. I'll inform my officials,"

"And he ceased the money laundering too," she apprised and cautiously stole the glance of

the door.

"Ok. Great. I will look into this too. Why do you sound fretful? Calm down. Be normal,"

"Okay. I will. Please save me from him," Sheharzaad whispered desperately.

"Mind me asking, is that a landline?" Khaleda questioned.

"Yes. It is. A hotel's landline," came her nonchalant response when she heard horrified gasps

from the other sound of the phone, that had Sheharzaad go in panic.

"What happened?" she asked with paled face.

"Cut the call now. Now!"

"What happened?!" Sheharzaad cried out, "Am I going to be in trouble?" In the silent room,

her tremulous voice thundered.

On cue, the door opened and Shehryaar walked in. On their own accord, her eyes

broadened. The pumping organ in her chest was now beating in her throat. Irregularly and

unpredictably.

"I will talk to you later, Amna. Allah hafiz," she whispered in a hushed tone and placed the

receiver down. The subtly shivering of her hands didn't go unnoticed by him.

"Who?" he just asked.

"Amna," she replied, looking straight into his eyes, "she was missing me,"

He approached her with calm and collected steps. Her legs stood up on their own accord as

they both faced each other now.

His menacing and darkened aura surrounded her. The desperation and unpredictability

were evident in her eyes as she expected his response. Her eyes tried to search through his

eyes just to gauge what he had been thinking but all she came across was just darkness. All

she could figure out were two emotionless pits staring back at her.

Suddenly a smile, a devilish smile, popped on his lips as he moved his callous hand that was

previously stuffed in his pocket, and fixed her hair from her shoulder to her back.

Leaning down, he leveled his face with hers. “Have I done anything to you?” he asked, his

voice dangerously soft.

She shook her head immediately, her voice coming out in a hurried whisper. “No.”

“Then why do you shiver?” he pressed, his eyes narrowing.

Her throat bobbed up and down as she could only gulp in response. Her breathlessness

increased narrowing down to fretful whimpers.

“Hmm, Sheharzaad?” he prompted, his rich, throaty voice dripping with mockery.

“I-I thought I wasn’t allowed to… call,” she stammered, clutching at the first excuse that

came to mind.

Straightening up, he loomed over her, forcing her to take a step back. “Is that so?” His lips

quirked into a smirk. “My obedient girl.” He reached out, his fingers grazing her nose lightly

as if teasing her.

“Lay down and sleep,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. Without thinking,

she obeyed, climbing onto the bed and lying down. She barely registered his hands pulling

the blanket over her before his voice reached her ears, a low whisper that sent chills down

her spine.

“Don’t get so breathless, sweetheart. It just raises suspicion.” His words hung in the air,

heavy with implication. He straightened, adjusted the gun in his holster, and left the room.

She was now beginning to think she was in trouble. Deep, deep trouble. She had no idea

what she had gotten herself into.