LET ME HATE YOU

File room

"Can I leave too?" Asmaira asked, seeing Talia packing her stuff.

"Amaan is still working. He asked you to stay back," Talia replied without looking up, continuing with her packing.

Asmaira's stomach grumbled audibly, making Talia pause her actions. Embarrassed, Asmaira was about to retreat when Talia offered her a container.

"It's a homemade sandwich. I had a lunch meeting, so I couldn't eat it. It should be fine since I kept it in the fridge. Or if you're not o—"

Asmaira quickly interrupted her, "No. I don't mind eating it."

With another low growl from her stomach, Asmaira sank onto a chair and opened the box. Amaan's unsettling behavior that morning had ruined her appetite, preventing her from eating breakfast. At lunchtime, the time constraint made it difficult for her to swallow. Being an introvert with severe social anxiety, she had hidden on the fire staircase. By the time she gathered the courage to navigate the cafeteria amidst curious stares, order food, and find a seat, her break was long over.

Hoping to at least have a proper dinner, she was waiting restlessly. However, seeing the clock strike ten in the evening, that hope dwindled. She devoured the sandwich greedily, an involuntary moan escaping her lips.

Clink!

Her head snapped up at the sound, and she saw Amaan staring at her, shattered pieces of a coffee mug lying on the floor. She quickly looked around for Talia, only to realize she was alone with her tormentor. Panicked that he might stop her from eating the sandwich, she took huge, hurried bites, stuffing the remaining sandwich into her mouth while still chewing and gaping at him.

Amaan, on the other hand, had been focused on creating a presentation for Salar and decided to get a coffee and take a short break. He froze the moment he heard Asmaira moan, and the mug slipped from his grasp. Something deep within him stirred and solidified upon hearing her sound of pleasure. With wide eyes behind her glasses and chipmunk cheeks, those delicate curves of her body, she seemed the very picture of innocence.

It was only when she started choking that he snapped out of his trance. His hand automatically shot out, but he stopped himself upon seeing her reaching for a nearby bottle of water. His eyebrows furrowed at the intensity of his unexpected reaction.

"Get me a coffee," he barked, turning as if to return to work. Yet, an instinct warned him that this was the wrong move.

Asmaira, who was about to leave, froze at his command. "Get out!"

She blinked, then flinched the next moment at his low growl, "Go! The driver will take you back."

Baffled, she could only stare at his retreating back. However, a low rumble from her stomach quickly prompted her to pack her things and hurry toward the exit. Just as Amaan said, a car was waiting for her in the driveway, and she sighed in relief as she slid into the back seat. She had braced herself for more trouble from Amaan but felt a flicker of gratitude toward him for once. At least now she could finally look forward to having a proper meal.

*****

The next morning, Asmaira woke up suddenly, gasping for air. Her body trembled, drenched in cold water. When she raised her widened eyes, she saw Amaan standing over her, holding what appeared to be an empty jug. She fumbled for her glasses with shaking hands and put them on, bracing herself for another act of cruelty.

"Good morning! Slept well?" Amaan asked, his mood clearly improved as he watched Asmaira coughing and sputtering.

He had been in a bitter mood about the previous night. After causing him such internal turmoil, she had slept peacefully while he returned to the room late. He'd wanted to ruin her slumber but felt too unsettled and distracted. He waited patiently until morning, and seeing her still deeply asleep, he couldn't resist pouring water on her to wake her up.