HE lied down on the bed, his stomach full from the pizza he had just eaten with his wife. He faintly smiled, rubbing his toned belly for a brief second before tossing around to lie on his side.
Even though she hadn't said a word during dinner, his heart still pounded in his chest at the image of her finally sitting across from him while eating.
She was finally sharing food with him.
She finally agreed to eat with him.
No- even better. It was her idea.
His heart fluttered at the thought.
He inhaled with a smile, putting his two palms under his face to make himself more comfortable.
He closed his eyes, ready to fall asleep.
Finally. He was so exhausted.
Sleep came quicker than he thought. His eyes grew heavy. His muscles relaxed. Everything was perfect.
Until-
Tell all your friends that I'm crazy, and drive you mad. Tell them I'm such a stalker, a watcher, a psychopath. Tell them that you hate me, and dated me just for laughs-
The sound of a phone ringing echoed through his ears.
His wife's phone.
His ears perked up in interest and pure confusion, as he had no idea who would call at that time of the night. It was around ten o'clock after all.
He opened his eyes once again, ignoring how tired he was. He sat up straight on the king-sized bed, his breath hitching.
"Hey... Rajwan! Did you forget about me?" Her voice echoed through the hallway. She unlocked the door to her room and strolled outside, her bare feet soundless and warm against the cold tiles.
Rajwan?
He thought for a moment, frowning as he tried to remember.
Ah, yes! His brother-in-law.
"I know you can't, honey. I'm your sister after all."
His body clenched at how easily she talked to her brother. He had forgotten about how close she was to her family and her friends, and he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He wanted her to talk to him like that.
Meh. At least he was getting there. Slowly, but he was getting there.
"Oh, it's going good."
"Are you still treating him like shit?" Her brother asked, a sad smile forming over his handsome face.
"I don't know... I'm trying. I really am. But, I just can't bring myself to talk to him, let alone open up to him. You know?"
"Uh-huh. I mean, he's better though, at least than..."
She nodded, smiling while standing in the hallway. A little too close to her husband's room.
"I know. Way better. At least he doesn't hit me."
Hyunjin stood up from his bed and walked over to the door, standing by the doorframe in order to hear the conversation better.
"The bar is so low for men, like-" Rajwan rubbed his temple in sarcasm.
"I know! But hey, in his defense, I don't think I would've lasted a week in Saeed's house with this attitude. He would've killed me right away."
Mal giggled. However, Rajwan's face changed into a dark, angry frown.
"Hey- don't joke like that. You know I don't like that kind of things."
Mal's heart dropped in guilt. "Sorry, Rajwan. But, it's true though. He would've killed me."
Rajwan shook his head in distress. "I know. You don't have to remind me. I just-" he stopped for a second to think of a way to finish his sentence, "I don't think I can handle losing you. Our moms were right when they had to marry you to Hyunjin so that Saeed backs off."
She nodded sadly, glancing at her husband's door while ignoring the ache in her heart.
"He's perfect, Rajwan. He's not a murderer, or a rapist, and he understands boundries. He's cute too, but... I wish I had met him under better circumstances. And... He's still a man, Rajwan. You know how I didn't want to get married in the first place. I'm scared he'll turn out like Saeed."
Rajwan nodded in sympathy.
"Me too, to be honest. But, promise you will give him a chance, alright? He doesn't deserve to be treated this way. Maybe he won't be like Saeed after all."
She sighed and took a deep breath.
"I know. I promise."
The pair paused for a moment.
"Hey," Rajwan started, his voice a bit enthusiastic, "I heard you got the role in American Horror Stories. I bet Lauren got jealous, huh?"
Mal giggled. "Yes! I get to work with Sarah now. Lauren said that I got the role just because Sarah's our moms' girlfriend. But, hey, at least I don't get to work with her anymore."
"Good for you, Mal. I'm really proud of you." He sighed as he glanced at his phone screen, specifically at the clock. "Anyways. I have to go now, okay?"
The two siblings hung up not too far after. Mal sighed, relieved after talking with her brother, then turned to enter her room again.
Hyunjin stood by the door, waiting to see if there was anything more to say.
But there wasn't.
He inhaled and took slow steps towards his bed.
And even when he lied down in his place once again, the conversation kept replaying itself in his mind.
He couldn't find answers to the questions wandering in his mind whatsoever.
Who was Saeed?
And what did Mal mean by saying that he would've killed her after a week of staying together?
He thought for a moment.
Was Mal scared of him?
The question sent a chill down his spine.
He knew he would never hurt her. He thought to himself. So why didn't she trust him?
YOU ARE READING
𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 ✓
Romance❝Don't you dare talk about fair when I was the one forced to get married to you and fall in love with you, only for you to shatter my heart into pieces by sleeping with another woman!❞ She yelled as she shoved his clothes messily into his luggage. T...
