Arranged or love?

Chapter 15: I'm here for you

Hi guys, I know it's been ages since I last added a chapter and I am really sorry. Things have been crazy mad but hopefuly I'll be able to update more regularly. Hope you enjoy and don't forget to vote and comment!!!!!!!

Zubaida’s POV

My heart was jack hammering so fast it seemed as if it would beat straight out of my body, I could hear it in my head. His question made my stomach churn, the queasiness forced me look away and I waged a war with my emotions, battling to keep them at bay- to keep them beneath the surface so Adam couldn’t see my pain. A small part of me said to tell him, he would help but this notion was crushed instantly- I couldn’t face telling him my past because that would mean reliving each horrifying, heart wrenching, pain tormented moment. I wasn’t ready for that today. Another voice chimed up reminding me even though he was adopted, he was still Rehan’s brother- would he believe me?

“Zubaida” he pleaded, his voice was hoarse. It broke my heart. I squeezed my eyes shut as I let his voice wash away my fears, no! My conscious shouted, as I forced my self not bury myself in his strong arms. He didn’t need to know.

“I will tell you soon but not today” I whispered, opening my eyes I turned to look at him, the look on his face almost made me open my mouth and tell him everything. But once again something stopped me. He opened his mouth but I quickly cut in “I’ve had too much to deal with today, please don’t make me suffer anymore” I begged, my voice cracking, giving him an insight to the feelings I had forced down, shattering my façade. He searched my face for a long moment, then sighed and nodded his head. I sagged with relief.  But as I turned my head that relief was short-lived.

He was stood within my line of sight. Arms crossed, feet apart- like a predator ready to snatch its prey and funnily enough that prey was me. My stomach churned at the sight of him and the fear he had made me feel was rising up slowly, suffocating me within. Instinctively my hand reached out for a source of comfort, latching onto what ever I could find and in this case it was Adam’s hand. I felt him tense up beside me but as promised he didn’t ask me anything, taking a few deep, steadying hands I soothed the nervousness and raw fear seeping through my veins. I had to face him and tell him I wanted nothing to do with him, I wasn’t going to let what he did to me cripple me any longer- I had survived, I was a survivor and to hell with him.

Taking one last calming, deep breath I made my way out of the car, Adam did the same, coming over to my side, his hand made its way to my elbow and his touch made me feel safe, secure- protected. I looked at him and gave him a small smile and he smiled back- it was a heart stopping, knee wobbling smile leaving me completely and utterly dazed. Being so good looking should be a sin I thought as I turned my head and faced Rehan who was watching us with hawk-like eyes. I shuddered as his gaze landed on me and he smiled. Once upon a time his smile would have made me swoon, made me speechless now it made me want to bring up the contents of my stomach.

I walked over to him, repeating the mantra be strong, be strong, in my head.

“What do you want Rehan?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice strong and unwavering as I met his gaze. He stared at me, into my eyes, his gaze unwavering as a small smile had formed at the corner of his mouth. It made me want to slap him, but the pain he had caused me, made me maintain the distance between the two of us.

“I wanted to know why you said no” he replied, lodging his hands into his pockets, he cocked his head to the side as he waited for my response. The cheek of him, asking me why I said no! My mouth opened and closed. I was too stunned to speak as I watched him, my eyes narrowing with bewilderment. I wanted to pinch myself- how could he ask me that after everything he put me through. All the pain and suffering caused by him and he knew it yet he had the nerve to ask me why I said no. He cocked an eyebrow at me goading me to reply. I opened my mouth to retort but stopped remembering that Adam was witnessing all this.

“You know why I said no” I hissed, narrowing my eyes at him, my hands trembled as I battled within not to lash out as the pathetic excuse of a man stood in front of me. A man I once thought I loved. “Get out of my sight Rehan, or you will pay” I warned him as he shook his head at me. Why was he doing this now, what was he trying to achieve?

“I thought we had something special angel?” he muttered as he looked at me, his comment flooring me once again. I squeezed my eyes shut, struggling to stop the tears from falling at his words. He was messing with my mind and he knew it, oh God not again I pleaded. I would do anything to go back in time to undo the damage he caused- but I couldn’t, I had to struggle through every minute of my life remembering the pain he caused me. Today he stood before me without a care in the world, as he told me he thought we had something special. He broke his promise, his word, my trust, my heart and most importantly he broke me. He broke me into so many pieces that I was still gathering myself up and yet here he was again, stood in front of me, trying to break me once again.

“Why are you doing this to me, don’t you think you’ve put me through enough. I will never forgive you for what you did yet you dare to stand in front of me and say we had something special” I whispered. My voice shook. the tears flowed from my eyes and with them so did my pent up pain and anger. I flinched as a I felt a comforting hand on my back. It was Adam. He gave me a small reassuring smile before turning towards Rehan and fixing him with a formidable look.

“She told you no Rehan, so give it a rest and back off” he warned him, his other hand was clenched in a fist by his side, his knuckles white, and his stiff stance told me he was struggling to keep control of his anger.  Rehan glared back at Adam, his smile had vanished and was replaced with hostility. I felt trapped between the two and afraid as they glared at each, the tension as so thick it could have been cut with a knife. Rehan smirked at Adam then returned his gaze on me taking a step towards me. I flinched as he did and instinctively took a step back almost stumbling in my haste to create a distance between us. Adam quickly reached out to steady me, his reflexes lightening quick and after steadying me he moved in front of me. I sighed inwardly when he did, feeling safe and secure- he was the barrier between the two of us and I was grateful.

“I’m giving you one last warning Rehan, don’t make me do something I will regret. I don’t want to hurt you so back off!” Adam growled at Rehan making me wince. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end at his tone. It was aggressive and surprising. I had never seen this side to him before but a small spark ignited inside of me as I realised he was protecting me, warning his own brother to leave me alone. The damn butterflies had also made a return to my stomach as I stared at his broad back, I wanted to reach out and place a hand on his shoulder to reassure him I was okay and he needn't worry. But I stopped myself. The inner turmoil of confiding in him began again, if he really was as bad as his brother then he would’ve taken his side the voice inside me reminded me. I agreed with this but just as quickly that voice was supressed by another, reminding me that he was also a man, I was hurt by one I wouldn’t be able to bare being hurt by another.

My inner turmoil was cut short by the sounds of a car pulling up behind me, I was snapped out of my thoughts as the three of us turned to look at the new arrivals. I sighed as I saw my brothers getting out of the car and making their way towards me. They were here. I wasn’t alone. My protectors’ had arrived. 

Shit was about to go down. Uh oh.