Chapter : 12 - Bleeding Jealousy.



So, am I supposed to scream or just faint right now? What on earth just happened to me? The way he called me "princess" so smoothly made my stomach do flips. I've never blushed at any nickname given to me by my loved ones, but when he said it in that deep voice, I felt my knees give way. If I hadn't tried to act bold, I'd probably be lying on the ground, weak from hearing his dangerously deep, ocean-like voice calling me "princess."

And the way he looked at me when I was talking to Sahil made my cheeks heat up for no reason. I'm sure he was incredibly jealous, but the craziest part is that my heart was actually loving his jealousy and his sternness.

And those shirt buttons... If he'd just let me, I'd have undone those remaining buttons and seen the most incredible view, his abs-no, shut up, Jasmine, control your wild thoughts; he's your boss now. But my stubborn heart just can't get over our encounter.

He didn't smile the entire ride, as my Rehan Qureshi, aka my boss, was busy being jealous. But I couldn't help noticing how his jaw clenched every time Sahil complimented me.

My feet might be heading toward my room, but I left my heart with him.

After getting inside, I closed the door and sat comfortably on my bed, opening the bag to see what "Mr. Angry Bird" gifted me as his apology. As I unwrapped the items, a smile crept onto my already blushing face. They were different kinds of chocolates. Not bad-kind of cute.

I never thought this angry man would think of giving me chocolates. I was engrossed in choosing which one to eat when my eyes landed on another packet. I opened it only laughed out loud.

Seriously, Qureshi, an antiseptic cream?

Does he think I'd use something to erase his touch? Yes! I will! How could he hold me so tightly?

Holding the cream, I walked to the mirror, turned slightly to get a clear view, and saw how red my skin had become from his jealous grip.

Umm, not too bad, but enough that I should apply the cream to soothe the irritation.

After placing the cream on the dressing table, I changed into comfortable red night suit. A few minutes later, I went near my bed and grabbed some chocolates and the cream, and made my way to the terrace because the room isn't the safe place of apply the cream as anytime the door can be burst open revealing two female beauties to take the gossip.

It was around 1:00 AM, so I quietly walked up, only to cover my mouth in shock, no I was wrong, terrace isn't a safer place too!

Front of me Aleena was applying the same antibiotic cream on her neck! I'm sure she didn't see me because she was still applying it, staring at the half-moon.

I walked up behind her.

"Did Mr Asad give you that cream?" I teased her from behind. She instantly turned to me, about to scream, but I covered her mouth.

"Calm down, Aleena-it's me," I whispered softly to her.

"You seriously scared me, Jasmine!" she whispered yelled, her breathing finally slowing down.

"What's this?" Aleena asked, seeing me holding the chocolates and the cream.

"Don't tell me even Rehan did-"

She interrupted before I could finish, so I cut her off with, "What do you mean even Rehan? Does that mean Mr Asad too?" I teased, watching her blush slightly before her expression changed from soft to stern.

"Don't even mention his name in front of me, Jasmine! You know what? Let's not talk about him. Actually, he's not even worth discussing. And he's so stubborn-he acts like a boss and expects me to listen to him. Do I look like a child to him, huh?" Aleena burst out, still applying the cream to her neck. I was confused; she claims not to want to talk about Asad, yet he's all she's talking about.

"What did he do?" I finally asked, watching her act like a kid.

"That Mafia has no manners. He kissed my neck, Jasmine! We're just engaged, and he's already ordering me around and expects me to obey him!" She burst out again.

"Then why didn't you stop him when he kissed your neck?" I asked her calmly.

"I..." Aleena stopped mid-sentence, looking up at the moon.

"Didn't you feel comfortable?" I asked, joining her to admire the moon.

"I did, but..." Before Aleena could finish, we heard footsteps approaching from the stairs.

I grabbed Aleena's hand, and we hid behind one of the couches, peeking out slowly to see who was coming up at this hour.

"This should work to hit the robber on the head," Aleena whispered, handing me a metal rod she found nearby.

"Aleena, do you really think a robber could get in here with all this security? Use your brain," I whispered, trying to sound brave, but deep down, I was scared too. What if they kidnapped us? My love story would be over before it even begins.

Just as we were both bracing ourselves to scream if anyone entered, we saw Ayesha strolling in casually, wearing a maroon nightgown. I looked at myself and Aleena in our loose night suits, and couldn't help but notice how mesmerizing Ayesha looked, even at this hour.

She stopped exactly where we'd been standing a minute ago, admiring the moon. Then, slowly, she took out some cream and started applying it to her earlobe.

"So it's true... Dr. Zaid really did it," I heard Aleena whisper beside me.

"What did Dr. Zaid do?" I asked, confused.

"He kissed her," Aleena finished, and I covered my mouth in shock.

"Then why is she applying cream to her earlobe?" I was even more confused plus my curiosity was on peak, why is she applying the cream on the wrong place, it should be her lips--

"Dr. Zaid kissed her earlobe, Jasmine," Aleena said, gently tapping my head and scolding me and fantasies of them doing something else came to an end.

"Fine! But when's their engagement?" A sudden wave of excitement filled me as I imagined them together.

"Let's just ask her," Aleena declared and stood up instantly.

"There are indeed too many mosquitoes here, right, Jasmine?" Aleena's sudden question left me confused, and Ayesha nearly screamed her life out when she noticed our presence.

"You crazy creatures, what on earth are you doing here?" Ayesha almost yelled, making us both cover our ears.

"Forget about us, just tell me, don't you think there are a lot of 'big mosquitoes' around here?" Aleena asked Ayesha again, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Ayesha's reaction was even more confusing as her cheeks turned crimson, perfectly matching her already deep red earlobes.

"Wait a minute, fill me in-what am I missing here? I feel like a third wheel," I said, feeling out of the loop.

"You're just too young to understand these things, Jasmine," Aleena teased, her face a mix of concern and playfulness as she emphasized the word "these." I couldn't help but feel embarrassed, especially thinking about the "things" I'd just been imagining about Rehan.

"I'm 26, for heaven's sake!" I declared, reminding them that I was their age too.

"Fine, we'll tell you later," Aleena said, then dragged both Ayesha and me to her room for a sleepover.

I jumped between them and was about to fall asleep when I realized I was still holding his cream and chocolates. Shifting over Aleena, who was lying on my right, I placed the cream next to two others-one belonging to Ayesha and the other to Aleena.

Seeing all three antibiotic creams together made me blush instantly, recalling each of our encounters.



"I hate her, and that's the truth", This is the only phrase I've been repeating since last night-Aleena Nasr can never be the woman I would crave. Yet here I am, still thinking about her while looking at her Instagram profile. Her face holds the most beautiful smile in the world, or at least the most beautiful I've seen in my life.

Her almond-shaped black eyes hold so many questions that it would be nearly impossible to uncover what lies behind them. Her sharp jawline mirrors her sharp mind. She looks nothing short of a model, though I doubt she'd ever pursue that; she'd likely walk out in a minute, not used to taking orders from anyone. She's the one who gives the orders, even to Asad Riaz-the man people fear to even mention. Yet here she was, her aura so commanding that people seemed to bow before she could even step forward.

I could see countless comments and thousands of likes on her posts. Her outfits perfectly match her bold, bossy personality-formal shirts, long skirts, blazers. Not a single dress in sight. And here I am, searching for what she wore yesterday, which was entirely different from her usual style. She's Indian, so naturally, it's some traditional Indian attire, but as an American with Indian parents, I still find it difficult to identify all the clothing styles.

"What are you up to now?" My bedroom door swung open, revealing Zaid walking towards me with steady steps, holding a stack of envelopes. His voice held a stern edge, pressing to know my next move.

"What do you mean? They're just invitation cards," I replied just as coldly, not daring to look at him as I kept my eyes on Aleena's pictures.

"So, Mr. Asad Riaz, who supposedly hates gatherings, is hosting a "small get-together" and inviting Aleena Nasr, huh?" Zaid's voice was even more serious now.

"So what? She's my fiancee after all," I said, zooming in on her photo and gazing at the delicate mole right above her soft, plush lips.

"You're not calling her over to insult her or anything, right?" Zaid's voice held genuine concern for Aleena, and I felt a surge of disgust. I couldn't stand to hear any man express such concern for her. A sudden rush coursed through my veins at his tone, especially when I'm the one who should be concerned for her.

"Let's discuss something else, Zaid." I smoothly shifted the topic before he could say anything else about her that would rile me up even more.

"Invite Ayesha too," he stammered while setting the cards on my bed, then quickly exited the room. A small smile crept onto my lips, seeing how my best friend is completely taken with that woman.

Sometimes, I almost feel sorry for Zaid, still clinging to the faint hope that Dr. Ayesha Hayat would someday love him back. Yet I fear the day she learns the truth he's kept hidden for years.

I dressed in my suit, paired it with a matching tie, polished shoes, shaved my light beard, applied cologne, and finally slipped on my Rolex watch. Checking the time-9:00 a.m.-I thought of her and could already picture her shocked face when she sees me. I headed straight to 'Hoor'-their mansion.

I entered through the gates, handed my keys to the driver, and went straight inside, where Aleena's father was comfortably seated on the living room couch, talking on the phone and sipping his morning juice.

"Asad?" Uncle said as soon as he spotted me, standing up to greet me. "You're here this early? Is everything alright?" he asked with a concerned expression.

"Everything is absolutely fine. I was just passing by and thought of inviting you all to a small get-together at my resort," I said calmly, handing him the invitation card.

"That's very kind of you to invite us, dear, but I'm afraid we won't be able to make it. I just got a call, and my wife and I need to be elsewhere. But don't worry, Aleena will surely come," he assured me, taking the card and explaining his situation- I'd planned for him, so I could have her all to myself. Every second, every minute, every hour of hers belongs to me. I can't share her with anyone.

I faked a smile at Uncle and was about to leave when I heard her voice. I was fine until I also heard a man's laughter. Who is she with?

A sudden restlessness filled my heart as the laughter grew louder. She never laughs like that-she doesn't even smile with me, let alone laugh!

"Here's a drink for you, Asad. I'll call Aleena for you," Uncle said, handing me a glass of fresh orange juice and starting to walk away.

But I stopped him, saying, "I don't want to disturb her; I'll go to her instead. Where is she?" I asked sweetly, though my nerves were about to snap at the thought of seeing her with someone else.

"She's in the garden, to your right-"

I barely let Uncle finish before I was already on my way to see my fiancee.

I took steady steps, holding the half-empty glass of orange juice in my rough hand, feeling as though it might shatter any moment.

As I stepped out, my jaw clenched at the sight before me. That Taimur-her so-called friend-was holding her waist while talking to her. Anyone could see that Aleena was feeling extremely uncomfortable; her expression said it all, yet this idiot couldn't notice? But wait, why was he even here in the first place?

He said something stupid, still holding her waist, and this crazy woman awkwardly laughed at his words. Before I could move any closer, both of them turned to look at me. Aleena immediately covered her mouth with her hand, as if she were shocked. But why?

"A... Asad, your hand!" she stammered. I glanced down to see my hand covered in blood, small shards of glass embedded in my skin.

Without a second thought, I barged over to her and stood beside her, giving Taimur a look that could kill. I felt a burning urge to remove the hand that dared touch her. Her outfit annoyed me too-she was wearing a white shirt with a tank top over it that clung to her, fully covering her neck, and blue cargo jeans. Her hair was down, her natural skin glowing in the sunlight, making her look effortlessly gorgeous. But I wished she'd worn something that exposed her neck so this so-called friend of hers could see exactly who she belonged to.

An impulse to kiss her neck right there rose within me, just to make sure he knew she was off-limits.

"Aren't you going to welcome me, love? Are you too busy?" I asked smoothly, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her closer, more like taunting her.

"I'll see you later, Aleena," Taimur smiled at her, and I had to resist the urge to knock out his teeth. The audacity he had to even think he could have something that was already mine. "I hope you never meet her again," I muttered under my breath, glancing down to see Aleena's wide, worried eyes fixed on my bleeding right hand.

"You're insane, Asad!" she yelled, reaching out to grab my hand, but I jerked it away and walked towards the hall.

"Asad, stop acting like a child; this might hurt!" she called out, following me out of the house, her voice laced with genuine concern. I wanted to stop, but the pain in my hand was nothing compared to the ache I felt watching her smile with the one person I despise-her so-called best friend, Taimur.

I did a full background check on Taimur the moment I got home. He's a complete playboy who only chases his own desires, and he's fixated on Aleena. Thankfully, she hasn't given him any hope of a chance with her. Still, the fact she's friends with him and allows him near her-it's something I can't stand.

"Asad, at least let me bandage it for you," Aleena's soft voice echoed, stopping me in my tracks. I turned to face her, and just like that, all my anger faded. There was something about her beautiful face that erased everything else and calmed my raging nerves.

Her eyes held so many emotions, it was hard to tell what she was feeling. Was she worried about my injury? Or maybe mad that I'd pushed her away and refused her help?

"I'll bring the bandage out here-"

"Just be ready by 5:00 pm," I interrupted, "And bring your friends. I'll pick you up. Pack some clothes too. If you have any questions, ask your dad." I turned, opened my car door, gave her one last look, then slammed it shut and drove off toward the restaurant for my meeting with a business client.

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And here we go, dear readers! The moment you've been waiting for is finally here-the real dark romance begins in the next chapter!

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I'm thrilled to announce that these upcoming chapters will be longer, giving you plenty of time to immerse yourself in a world filled with raw emotions and heart-wrenching betrayal. The intense journey through jealousy, hate, and love is just around the corner.

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