Flawed Hearts [Preview]

Chapter IV: Not So Perfect

The next morning, Najmah couldn't sleep after fajr salah so she went out of the room and headed towards the the kitchen, tracing Lale's steps from the day before. She found Aslan perched on a stool sipping tea, a copy of the day's paper held in his left hand. He raised his head and their gaze met, his unreadable while hers was full of uncertainty.

She whirled around to head back where she came from when she froze, his husky voice sending shivers down her spine. "Come in, I don't bite."

His presence unnerved her and she wished more than anything he would leave the kitchen and let her gather her thoughts. On one hand, she could just leave like she intended to but she really needed the caffeine.

Shoulders sagged down in defeat, she walked towards the espresso machine and tried to turn it on, but all her attempts were futile as she had no idea how to operate it.

Aslan sensing her distress debated on whether to help her or leave her to it. Deciding on the former, he pushed the stool and got up, reaching the espresso machine with careful strides then turned it on.

"How do you take your coffee?" he queried, not looking at her.

"Weak," she whispered, looking at anyway but him. "With milk and lots of sugar, four cubes if you may, please."

"Sugar isn't good for the health," he shook his head then did as she said, adding cream as per her instructions, still marveled at how much sugar she consumed. He passed the mug to her before resuming his earlier position.

She picked up the mug then sat down, sipping it gently, avoiding his gaze. Awkward silence filled the room but she was okay with it as she had no idea what to say to him.

Aslan wanted to apologize for shouting at her the day before, but it'd be deflating to his ego and she was at fault, he hated it when people entered his studio and messed with his stuff.

"I'm...uhm...sorry ab...," he began, trying to find the right words to say. "I shouldn't have shouted at you."

"It's okay, I shouldn't have touched what wasn't mine," she replied quietly. "You owe me a dress though," she added under her breath but he heard her, he pretended he didn't and downed the rest of his tea.

"Am I interrupting something?" Lale mumbled, padding towards the espresso machine.

"No, not at all. I'm done here," Aslan replied, rising up to his feet.

"Good morning sis," Lale greeted sitting down on the stool Aslan vacated. "I can call you that right?"

"Yeah sure," Najmah nodded.

"Did you enjoy your first day here?" Lale yawned rubbing at her temple, focusing her gaze on Najmah.

"Yeah Alhamdulillah," she nodded again, dropping her mug on the table. “Didn't get any sleep?"

"I stayed up all night working on the dresses for my fashion line," Lale responded.

"You must be really tired," Najmah stated matter of fact.

"You have no idea," Lale shook her head. "It's taking more time than I have thought it would."

The chef came in and started to make breakfast after greeting the ladies, working in silence together with the other kitchen staffs not interrupting them. Only the clattering of pans and plates could be heard.

Lale and Najmah moved to the dining room where the rest of the family were already seated, eating. Afet's face scrunched up in disgust when her gaze met Najmah's though it didn't go unnoticed to Aslan but he shrugged it off.