Rina could hardly believe the turn of events. Only moments ago, she was staring at the abyss of despair, and now, here she was, safe in Zayn’s arms, her tormentor taken away in cuffs.
“You… you planned all this?” she asked, pulling back to look at his face.
Zayn gave her a faint smile. “Not entirely. I just followed my instincts. When I couldn’t reach you, I knew something was wrong. It wasn’t hard to figure out where you’d be after I saw Kayla snooping around your office.”
Rina shuddered. The thought of Kayla scheming against her, watching her every move, sent chills down her spine. “I owe you my life,” she said softly, her voice trembling.
“You owe me nothing, Rina,” Zayn replied firmly. “You’ve endured so much. All I want is for you to feel safe and loved. I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
Rina’s heart swelled with a mix of gratitude and affection.
That night, after Rina returned home, she went straight into the bathroom, her body weighed down by exhaustion and her mind a swirl of emotions. She turned on the shower, letting the warm water cascade over her, hoping it would wash away the lingering tension from the past few days.
But as the steam rose and enveloped her, her thoughts began to wander. She replayed the harrowing moments of her kidnapping, the fear that gripped her when she thought she wouldn’t make it out alive. She remembered the venom in Kayla’s voice, the sharp edge of her threats, and the cold realization that her life could have ended in that dark room.
And yet, in the middle of all that chaos, her mind had clung to one thought. Not her career, not her friends, not even the unfairness of her situation-just Zayn. The fear of never seeing him again, of never hearing his calm, steady voice or feeling his reassuring presence, had been her greatest torment.
She frowned, leaning against the cool tiles of the bathroom wall. Why had her thoughts been so fixated on him? It wasn’t just gratitude for saving her; it was something deeper, something she hadn’t allowed herself to fully acknowledge until now.
Her chest tightened as the realization dawned on her, clear as day. She had fallen for Zayn.
The thought sent a rush of warmth through her, mingled with a tinge of fear. How had this happened? When had this happened? Was it the way he always seemed to know what she needed, even before she said it? The way his eyes softened when he looked at her, or the steady resolve in his voice when he promised to keep her safe?
Rina turned off the shower and stepped out, wrapping herself in a towel as she stared at her reflection in the foggy mirror. Her eyes searched her own face, as if the answer would be there
Meanwhile, Zayn waited for minutes, his patience wearing thin. He glanced at the clock and frowned. Rina had been in the bathroom for a while, and though he didn’t want to intrude, he was starting to worry.
Unable to resist any longer, he stood and made his way to the bathroom door. He hesitated for a moment, his knuckles hovering over the door. Just as he was about to knock, the door swung open.
Rina stepped out abruptly, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders, her towel loosely wrapped around her body. The sudden proximity caught them both off guard, and they bumped into each other.
“Oh!” Rina gasped, her eyes widening as she looked up at him.
Zayn reached out instinctively to steady her, his hands gripping her arms lightly. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft but tinged with concern.
“I’m fine,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. The tension that had been building between them for weeks, unspoken yet palpable, finally came to a head. Zayn’s gaze flickered to her lips, and before he could stop himself, he leaned in.
Rina’s breath hitched, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, meeting him halfway. The kiss started slow, tentative, as if they were both testing the waters, but it quickly deepened. Zayn’s hand moved to cup her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek, while his other hand found her waist, pulling her closer.
The towel she had wrapped around her slipped slightly, but neither of them seemed to notice. They stumbled backward, the heat between them growing, until they found themselves in her bedroom.
Zayn gently laid her on the bed, his movements tender yet filled with urgency. He looked down at her, his expression a mix of passion and adoration. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
Rina nodded, her fingers trailing up his chest. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
That was all the confirmation he needed. Zayn kissed her again, his lips moving with a mix of hunger and reverence. They made love that night, their connection deepening with every touch, every whispered word. Zayn was attentive, taking his time to show her how much she meant to him, and Rina responded with equal fervor, giving herself to him completely.
The hours slipped by, the night turning into early morning. They lay tangled in each other’s arms, their breaths mingling, the room filled with a peaceful silence.
Half-asleep, Rina rested her head on Zayn’s chest, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his skin. “Zayn,” she murmured, her voice drowsy but sincere.
“Hmm?” he replied, his fingers gently combing through her hair.
“I think…I think I’m in love with you,” she confessed, her words soft but carrying the weight of truth.
Zayn froze, his hand stilling in her hair. His heart skipped a beat as her words registered. He pulled back slightly to look at her, but her eyes were already closed, her breathing evening out as sleep claimed her.
For a moment, Zayn just stared at her, his mind racing. He hadn’t expected those words from her.
Love? That was against the rule of their contract.