The illegitimate daughter of a powerful businessman, she was sent to live with her six half-brothers after her father's sudden death.
The boys were born from privilege, pride, and perfectly manicured bloodlines. No one welcomed her. No one cared.
De...
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My lips curled in a gentle smile. Between a half-formed dream and the soft haze of morning, I felt fingers glide gently through my hair. The sensation felt so warm and soothing that I instinctively curled tighter into my blanket.
That feels nice, I thought sleepily.
The fingers moved from my hair to my forehead, brushing lightly across my skin. I scrunched my nose faintly but didn't open my eyes. It was not as good as the hair, though.
Then the touch traveled lower. Across the bridge of my nose. And then, inside?
Inside my nose. My eyes flew open.
"What the hell—?" I shot upright so fast, making my blanket tangle around my legs. The sudden movement made the person behind me jerk back as well.
I turned and came face-to-face with Kabeer.
He blinked at me like I was the insane one. "What?"
"What?" I echoed. "Why were you excavating my nose like it's an archaeological site?"
His face twisted in absolute horror. "Excuse me?" He immediately wiped his fingers on my shoulder.
I gasped, scooting away from him.
"Were you trying to poke my brain through my nostril to steal it because you lack one?" I demanded, rubbing my nose furiously.
"I think I slept while patting your head, and then my fingers lost the direction." He said innocently, "But now you are overreacting." His innocent face turned mean now. And giving me a full evil grin with deliberate audacity, he wiped his fingers again on my sleeve. "It came from your nose. It belongs to you. I'm returning it."
I shoved him hard. "Are you crazy?!" And got out of the bed.
He flopped backward onto the mattress, laughing, then rolled up to his feet with that insufferable smirk of his. "Oh, baby sister."
He began walking toward me slowly, holding his hand up in the air. "Don't worry," he said sweetly. "I just want to give you a good morning blessing."
I backed away instantly. "Stop right there."
He kept coming.
"Stop," I repeated. But he grinned wider. "Who's going to save you, hmm? My peanut-sized little menace?"
"I am not peanut-sized!"
"You are a pocket edition," he corrected. "Travel friendly. Limited storage. Low battery."
"I swear if you touch me—"
"What? You'll what?" He lunged forward.
I spotted the bathroom door behind me and ran like I was competing against Usain Bolt himself. In three seconds flat, I slammed the door shut and locked it.
