His Rose

Chapter 5

It had been an entire week since the incident at the dinner. Zaeem would call and text every day, Zaria would reply but only if she deemed necessary.

She knew Zaeem was slowly losing his patience with her, but who could blame her. Zaria's insecurities were resurfacing, and the ifs and what's never left her mind.

What if he got bored of Zaria and decided to leave?
What if he decided to keep a mistress for himself?
What if she wasn't good enough?

It was wrong if her to think so even though Zaeem explained that the other women were only flings in his past and nothing more, but Zaria stayed restless.

Despite the tough facade, Zaria put up in front of Tiffany she couldn't help but see the differences between herself and his past lover.

They were complete opposites, how could Zaeem leave a bombshell like Tiffany who looked like she walked out of a Vogue magazine to Zaria, who was a simple average everyday girl.

That thought made her stomach churn, despite the confidence she built up about herself, she could feel it crumbling down. She was as vulnerable as she was the day Adam left her after spitting venom words at her.

She was back to square one, the same 16-year old that had weight problems and tonnes of insecurities.

She would lay in bed mostly the past week, barely eat, and just paint. That's all she did now, paint.

"Zaria you've barely left your room in a week now, is everything ok sweetie," Zaria's mother asked, concerned over her daughter's behavior.

"Yes mama I'm fine," she lied, but her mother saw through her, but she didn't question further.

"Come on let's go out to the mall, and I'm not taking no for an answer," Zaria's mother pointed leaving no room for argument

Zaria signed, finished her painting, and headed for the door to leave.

After they roamed around they headed back home. As they pulled up into the drive way a black Maserati was parked, confused both mother and daughter exchanged looks, when they went inside Zaria's father stood there with files in his hand.

He looked up at his two girls and told them Zaeem had to drop something off. The second Zaria heard his name she excused herself and headed to her room, wanting to get away from her husband who she knew would demand answers for her unanswered texts and calls.

She went inside her room and locked the door, taking in a deep breath and momentarily closing her eyes.

She charged her phone and headed for her art room that was adjoined to her main room, it was a small room where she painted around.

She walked in and froze, a muscular frame of a tall man dressed in black shalwar kameez came into view, he had a phone in one hand and the other behind his back as he observed the paintings in the room.

Zaeem, she couldn't believe he was in her room. She cleared her throat and he turned around. His eyes were guarded but an impressed look on his face.

"I must say, this is so much better than what mom told me about," Zaeem said turning back around to look at the paintings.

Zaria walked up and stood next to him, as they looked at her completed paintings.

He then turned to the left side to inspect a painting that required a few touches but was almost finished by her. He looked at the painting for a while and looked back at her, an indescribable expression on his face.