Jealousy is indeed a disease that cannot be cured. And now, it's spreading within me, consuming every corner of my mind as I watch him chatting with his so-called colleague, Inaya.

This man has been ignoring me since morning-no messages, no calls, not even a single word. He just extended his hand, expecting me to melt at the gesture? Well, I might have, but no-he's in no mood to talk to me. I refused to hold his hand, and now he's punishing me by giving attention to people I can't even stand to look at.

My grip on the cold glass tightened, almost to the point of breaking, as I watched him smiling at her. She doesn't deserve that smile. Zaid Siddiqui, you've messed up badly. You wouldn't like it if I left a mark on your flawless face or over your earlobe.

Still holding the glass, I walked over to interrupt their little "friendly" chat.

"I hope you don't mind me talking to your friend, Dr. Zaid," I said, faking the brightest smile as I extended my hand toward Inaya, who didn't look thrilled to see me. I ignored Zaid but felt his presence beside me as I stood between them, shielding him from Inaya.

In front of us were fruit salads and various other delicious dishes, but the apples caught my attention. Picking up a slice, I offered it to Inaya, whose gaze was still fixed on Zaid.

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but I'd recommend you two apples a day to stay away from all doctors-including mine," I said, lacing my words with sweetness and a tight smile as I pushed the apple slice toward her mouth. She looked shocked, but I enjoyed her irritation; it was her punishment for being close to him.

Then, I turned to Zaid, giving him a sharp look. He can't speak to me but can smile at others?My thoughts were interrupted when I heard her annoying voice again.

"Zaid, your first two buttons are open-let me button them for you," Inaya said, her gaze fixed on me as she spoke. She stepped in front of me, moving even closer to him than before, and started fastening the buttons on Zaid's cream shirt.

To my surprise, he didn't even flinch and just stood there like a statue. Is he bored of me? If he is, then just say it instead of staying silent, Zaid! My heart cursed him for not moving aside as she buttoned his shirt. After everything that happened between us yesterday, I thought we were moving forward. But I was wrong-completely wrong about him. He doesn't love me. How amazing. He took what he wanted from me, and now he's found someone else who can satisfy him more.

Fighting the anger burning in my eyes, I stepped aside and walked over to a chair. I hadn't even realized when the glass in my hand shattered, covering my hand in deep red. My foolish heart thought he might come to comfort me, to ease my pain. Yes, I crave him. Just as the sky longs for the moon to come and brighten it with its light, I saw him as the light to my darkest nightmares. But I was wrong-he isn't my light anymore; he's my nightmare.

With droplets of blood still dripping onto the floor, I got lost in my own foolishness. Why doesn't it hurt? I didn't feel any pain from the glass embedded in my palm. Instead, my heart was aching from the memory of Inaya buttoning his shirt replaying in my mind.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Hayat?" My thoughts shattered as I heard his voice-the voice I'd been craving to hear all morning. His cologne filled the air, soothing my frayed nerves, and his presence, which I was so utterly used to, wrapped around me like a blanket.

Zaid Siddiqui was on his knees, holding my injured hand. His voice held so much concern that all my curses and negative thoughts about him disappeared in an instant.

"Are you crazy, cupcake? How can you be so careless about yourself? Let me treat this." He looked so worried, as if I were his entire world.

I gently pulled my hand from his grasp and sat up straight, trying to hide the emotions swirling inside me.

"Ayesha, now its not the time to get angry. You can lash out at me after I've treated your wounds," Zaid's voice was stern yet so calming that it somehow eased all the pain.

"It's not hurting," I tried to respond firmly, unwilling to melt so easily under his care.

"You'll be the death of me one day," he murmured, just loud enough for me to hear. And in an instant, he scooped me up into his arms. There weren't many people around, so no one noticed us, as everyone was busy with themselves. But my heart skipped a beat the moment my hand rested against his chest, and an undeniable warmth crept into my cheeks. I could feel myself blushing like a fool.

He held me tightly, not giving me a chance to protest as he carried me into the resort. Zaid's face was unreadable, deadly serious, while I was caught up in admiring his features, committing every detail to memory.

His sharp eyes were focused straight ahead, only briefly glancing at me before looking forward again as he turned left. His long, defined nose seemed perfectly sculpted, and his slight beard added a finishing touch to his flawless complexion. My gaze drifted to the small mole just behind his left ear, and a sudden urge to kiss it flooded my mind.

I almost gave in to the impulse, but before I could, he pushed the door open and closed it behind us with a loud thud.

Have mercy, hormones.

He slowly set me down on the bed, not giving me a single glance as he opened a drawer, took out the first aid box, and knelt down in front of me, taking my injured hand in his.

"Who did this to you, cupcake? Just tell me their name, and I'll make them regret it," Zaid's voice was filled with pain as he began applying ointment, his expression showing just how much he cared.

"It was me... I did this," I replied softly, trying to ignore the pain and focusing on him instead.

Zaid's hand stopped, and he looked up at me, his face a mix of anger, worry, and confusion, layered one after the other.

"You did this to yourself and didn't even think about me?" His voice held a note of complaint. Was he really this worried about me?

Before I could say anything, I noticed a tear slipping from his left eye. My heart shattered at the sight. Was I wrong? Why was he crying? Does he really care this much?

"Why, Ayesha? Why did you do this?" he asked, not calling me "cupcake" this time, and I knew he was truly hurt by my actions.

"It's not hurting, Zaid," I tried to reassure him.

"It hurts here, Ayesha," Zaid's voice was broken as he took my right hand and placed it over the left side of his chest, letting me feel his racing heartbeat.

"It's hurting here, badly. So much that it's making it hard to even treat your injury," he added, breaking eye contact and focusing on my hand.

I was speechless, overwhelmed by a flood of emotions. The fact that he cared so deeply, that he felt pain when I was hurt, filled me with a strange happiness.

I leaned my head down, lifting his chin gently. Zaid looked at me, confused, as I leaned closer to his left ear, planting a soft kiss on the mole beneath it.

Despite being the one to make the first move, I felt butterflies crashing in my stomach, and my cheeks betrayed me, heating up when my lips brushed his rough skin.

It was only a two-second kiss, but a forever moment that would live rent-free in my memory for a lifetime.

After succeeding to what my hormones urged me to do, I looked up at Zaid, who was once again expressionless, sitting unmoving in his place. Then, realization hit me: I shouldn't have done that!

"I'm sorry-"

"You did the right thing," Zaid cut me off, placing his hand over my mouth and gently pushing me back onto the bed, hovering over me while still holding my mouth. Even if he hadn't covered my mouth, I wouldn't have been able to speak; he was towering over me, and I felt small beneath his presence.

All my senses began to betray me at once.

My cheeks felt like they were on fire, and I wished I could pour ice over them to cool the burning sensation with each passing second. My heart was pounding so fast that I was sure he could hear it. My breath came in shallow gasps, but I forced myself to breathe, not wanting to miss the moment that was about to unfold, my eyes locked on him as if he were my only sustenance.

"Ayesha! You and your hormones..." I begged my thoughts not to spiral out of control, but what was I supposed to think in this situation, with us in such close proximity?

"Nervous, cupcake?" Zaid asked, his voice deep and dangerously seductive, only fueling my hormonal desires further.

Nervous? I would die if he didn't get off me.

"No!" I replied boldly, even though I knew I was utterly weak in front of him.

"Good," he smiled, and at that moment, I surrendered. I closed my eyes, ready to embrace whatever was coming from him.

Within seconds, I felt his touch on my neck. I slowly opened my eyes to see Zaid kissing my neck softly at first, but in an instant, his gentle touch turned rough.

I covered my mouth, trying to suppress any sound that threatened to escape; I felt like I was about to scream. His lips were intoxicating, and the way his beard brushed against my already flushed cheeks sent shivers down my spine. He leaned in closer, his face grazing my skin as he softly kissed my jaw before finally looking into my eyes.

Our gazes spoke volumes, conveying emotions my heart couldn't articulate. They urged us to act in ways my mind couldn't even fathom. His lips were tantalizingly close to mine, but my attention drifted to his shirt, and memories flooded my mind.

In a sudden burst of impulse, I yanked Zaid down onto the bed. I got up, grabbed a pair of scissors from the first aid kit, and hovered over him while still holding the pink scissors. Zaid was utterly confused, not even blinking as I approached him.

I brought the scissors close to his face, resting them on his jaw and trailing down to his shirt buttons, cutting both of them off. Then, I sliced straight down his cream shirt, which probably cost more than $10,000.

"This color doesn't suit you. Don't ever wear it again, and if you do, I'll tear it off and burn it in front of your eyes!" I glared at him, ready to get up, but Zaid grabbed my hand, pulling me back beneath him once more.

"Being this jealous isn't good for your health, cupcake. Why tear the shirt when you could tear me?" This man wouldn't let me leave in peace for even a second. His words were so sinful, yet I craved to hear more of them.

"I won't just tear you; I'll burn you alive if I see her with you again. Consider this your last warning, Dr. Zaid." My boldness returned, and Zaid smiled at my response.

"All yours anyway. Do whatever you want with me, but never hurt yourself. Instead, hurt me, but don't you dare hurt yourself, Cupcake. I won't hesitate to punish you in ways you would regret, even for just scratching yourself, Ms. Hayat." His voice carried a deep possessiveness with a slight hint of darkness as he stared at me.

Instead of responding, I leaned down and kissed his chest, which was covered by his men vest. My thoughts wandered-who told him to wear this? I could have enjoyed the view... Ayesha, your hormones again!

I stood up, straightened my posture and dress, glanced at my bandaged left hand, and gave one last look to Zaid, who was still lying on the bed with a bright smile plastered on his lips, lighting up his face.

"Enjoy the party, cupcake," he teased smoothly, making my cheeks flush once more at his words.

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