Don't give up on me.

THIRTY FOUR

Johum spent next few hours with the duo making cookies which was strange and cute at the same time. She didn't remember Zayan being this friendly towards Rüya before, he loved his daughter but he was always just so strict. And she thought he would ignore her like he usually did but Johum was surprised when he included her in the conversation as well as the activites— like mixing the batter or preparing the icing for cookies.

They broke a few things but it was by accident and Rüya was quite enjoying herself with her father. She told Johum that they do it all the time and her dad made the best cookies ever and she wouldn't be able to eat any other kind of cookies once she had his. Johum smiled and pinched her cheeks.

They were icing the heart shaped cookies and Johum decided to help them out. Rüya had blue icing on her cookies while Johum had pink one. Zayan guided Rüya how to do it.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Asked Rüya with mouthful of cookies while Zayan placed the plates on their original place.

"I am sure your father doesn't make that amazing cookies," Johum decided to tease the little girl. Rüya stopped chewing and looked at her with icing covering her lips and chin.

"He does! He's the best but what would you know." Johum couldn't believe the little shit smirked at her. She really was an image of her father and was going to be a clever girl.

"Okay, let's just test it." Johum winked, picking up a pink colored cookie and biting in to it. She tried not to moan at the taste because Rüya was right, he did make amazing cookies. Johum swallowed the cookies and then wiped her mouth, "Fine you're right."

"Told ya, ain't nobody hates his motherfuckin' cookies." Rüya smirked and picked another cookie. Johum choked on the cookie and started coughing like there was no tomorrow. Tears came in to her eyes and her ribs hurt as she laughed and coughed at the same time. When she calmed down, she looked at Zayan who was looking pissed with his glare fixated on poor kid. Rüya looked guiltily at her father and jumped down the chair.

"What did I tell you?" Uh, huh. He was using that tone with her. The tone he used with Johum when she acted like a brat. Guess he was used to brats in his life. Johum scowled at herself after the thought. She decided to watch the interesting argument between father and daughter and to be honest, Rüya needed to know that it was not okay to use such words but she had been in Atesh's company so it was no surprise.

"Sorry. I slipped." Rüya mumbled.

"Fine, no cookies or any dessert for you for a week. Now leave." He pointed towards the kitchen's door. Rüya looked at him with wide innocent eyes and sad pout but Zayan only raised an eyebrow.

"But-"

"Out Rüya. You can't act like a brat all the time. Leave." Rüya glared at him, stomped her feet and walked out of the kitchen with her shoulders slumped. Johum slipped back on the counter that she was sitting on and looked at him. His eyes suddenly flickered to her and with a dangerous glint, he stalked towards her like a tiger with that cunning look.

Her eyes widened and she slipped back, her back touching the wall. Her hands became clammy and heart started beating in a weird manner. Now she was accustomed to these feelings whenever he was around and yes— she had acknowledged that she had feelings for him, but what she felt wasn't entirely positive.

She decided to make a run for door and tried to jump down the counter when he trapped her within his arms, placing them on counter on her either side. Johum looked at him and shivered. He was up to something. She knew she shouldn't be scared of him but she started feeling claustrophobic and started panicking.

It was just a day ago that she had found herself in lion's den. She didn't see Zayan's face anymore, it was Domenico's. His sharp eyes fixed on her face filled with white rage. Her cheek where he had backhanded her started stinging horribly, her ribs hurt, her neck burned where he had left his mark. He eyes darted back and forth, searching for a way to get out.