Chapter 32: Chapter 32

“Where have you been?” She asked as soon as he was back. She had been so restless inside the new place. He had left her there alone for hours. It was already getting dark outside.

She was sitting on the kitchen counter while thinking what to do when he finally returned. She abruptly stepped down from the counter.

He placed a bag on the kitchen counter beside her, not even looking at her once. He seemed to be avoiding having eye-contact with her. But why? Was he still mad at her? It should be her who should be mad, she thought with annoyance.

“I brought some Chinese food. You should have your dinner. I already ate.” He said giving her a brief glance and disappeared like a passing wind into his room.

She was baffled. What the hell was his problem? He had been the one to say such hurtful things to her and raise his voice at her earlier, but now, he was being an ass. She did not deserve that.

She looked at the bag which consisted her food. Finally, he remembered that she was alone and hungry, and she needed something to eat. She quickly opened the bag and fished the box out. He had brought her some Manchurian and rice with coke. And it was warm enough for her to eat right away.

Without wasting another minute, she dug in. She did not want to touch the food he brought. He made it seem like he was doing her a favour that he spoke a word or two while completely avoiding her at the same time. She thought to save her ego for some other time though. Right then, she needed food in her system. At the wedding, she was so nervous and anxious that she could not eat properly. She also did not have breakfast in the morning. She was starving!

She was done with the dinner and got up to wash the dishes. There was a dishwasher placed there, but she did not want to use that for a plate, a glass, and a spoon. Besides, she did not know how to use it as they never had one at their home. She quickly washed the dishes, and started to make herself herbal tea. She saw the jar earlier while exploring the kitchen as she was bored to no end. She had eaten so much, so she needed it. It helped her so much with indigestion.

She made herself a cup and thought to make him one as well. Although she was still mad, she had to return his favor as he had brought her food. She doubted if he liked it, but why else would it be there if he didn’t?

She made another cup and thought to bring that to his room. He had closed his door and was inside.

He was behaving so strangely. He was always so hard to figure out, but he was being extra strange that day. She thought he would ask her if she was okay in there as it was part of common ethics. Not that she needed him asking her that, but still. One would do that if there was a guest in the house.

She knocked and heard a sigh. After a moment, she heard a faint ‘come in’. She felt like his secretary bringing her tea and all.

She opened the door with one hand while the other was holding the cup.

She saw him lying on the bed face-down. He saw her with hooded eyes as she entered. He sat up on his bed.

“Do you need anything?” He asked in a curt voice—the expression seemed even curter…if that was even a word.

‘I don’t need you. You need me.’ She wanted to voice out her bitter opinion, but she held back.

“I was making myself some tea, so I brought some for you as well.” She cleared her throat and offered him the cup. He looked at her for a moment seemingly thinking about something when he shook his head before taking the cup from her hand.

“Thank you. You may go now.” He said dismissing her like she was some kind of an inferior being.

“I know when to stay and when to go. You don’t have to tell me.” She spat as her patience was worn out. He had been tasting her patience for the whole day.

There she was trying to be nice, and he was behaving so rudely. She could not understand what the hell his problem was.

She saw him taking a deep breath before releasing it, “I don’t want to argue. Go and sleep.” He turned away from her and lied on his bed, indirectly telling her to get out.

She was fuming while clenching her fists. She wanted to go and slam the door, but that would not give her the satisfaction she desired.

“Don’t say or do things that will result into arguments then.” She fired letting out a satisfied smirk. If he did not want to argue, he should not provoke others. She made sure he understood that.

After making sure that her point was heard loud and clear, she thought to leave. As soon as she turned around and reached his door, he grabbed her wrist and turned her around forcefully. Her head spun at the sudden motion.

She felt him so close to her as she came to her senses. He was holding her by placing his hand on her back and other hand holding her wrist. Her whole body was almost touching his whole body.

Her eyes widened at the proximity. She could even feel how hard and strong his body was.

“Let me go.” She could not believe he would do something like that.

He was glaring down at her. To think that she was such a small person, and her personality was the complete opposite. Her presence demanded to be felt wherever she went.

And those eyes…even when he wanted to act mad, he was being hugely affected. Without even intending for it, her image in the bathroom flashed before his eyes again. He had been trying so hard to forget it. But damn, he could not!

And there she was provoking him. If she knew what was going through his head at that moment, she would have jumped at least ten feet away from him. At that moment though, she felt so confused, so fiery, so beautiful.

He was lost in her eyes and her smell. She smelled like strawberries—fresh and sweet. Her face was devoid of any makeup. She looked so innocent and so captivating at the same time.

“Let me go! What the hell, Thomas?” She yelled with anger as he tightened his grip around her and leaned down in a daze. Now, their bodies were plastered together. His lips were so close to hers that she felt like another inch closer, and they would be kissing.

She was breathing heavily and her heart was racing. She had never been in such a proximity with anyone except, well…when Joe tried to manhandle her. It was scaring her. He was scaring her.

He saw the fear in her eyes. He was so tempted to place his lips over hers and hold her tempting body for a little longer, but he got a grip on time. He released her and stood at a feet’s distance.

He remembered the fact again that he had unintentionally snuck up on her when she was completely unaware. He was hit with guilt again.

If he were to tell her about it, the hell would be let loose. She would not forgive him. But he could not hide it either. He was feeling an intense guilt.

‘The fuck? It was not your fault. You did not know she would be there taking a shower. Stop blaming yourself. And what if you saw her naked? It was not like it was the first time you have seen a woman naked!’ His inner voice yelled out at him.

It was funny to think that he had seen countless women, but he never felt such a feeling. Damn! He was the biggest playboy the earth could ever witness. He would have seduced anyone if he wanted them although he did not need to. Everyone came running towards him with just a glance thrown their way.

Why was he behaving like that when it came to her? They had included it in the contract that they could not have physical intimacy except when it was required of them in public—like hugging, touching hands or in extreme cases, kissing. She seemed so adamant of those conditions, and he had also assured her that it would not happen.

But now, he was having such weird feelings and thoughts about her. It should not happen! He could not have such thoughts about her.

She left the room quickly without a second glance. Her heart was still racing as she closed the door of her room and leaned against it.

‘Was he like Joe? Was he trying to take advantage of me?’ She thought with horror.

He did not seem like that. He was annoying and irritating and so full of himself, but he never gave the negative vibes like a pervert or something.

‘Why did he behave like that though? What had gotten into him?’ She thought trying to calm herself down.