" Are you hungry?"
Khalid glanced at the serenity of the environment.
He felt a surge of warmth inside him when he saw Cassidy's lips twist in a smile.
This smile brightened his pale face.
" I think I'm hungry," she yawned.
She rubbed her eyes in a childlike manner.
He thought it made her more endearing.
Infact, everything about her was endearing.
" You seem sleepy."
" I don't think I am sleepy."
" What would you love to eat?"
" Hmmmm, maybe some more Bolognese," she chortled.
He cupped her chin and teased her.
" I knew it.
" Maybe we should consider changing your name to Bolognese."
They both giggled.
" How about we place an order?"
He placed his hand into his pocket to pull out his phone.
" What if I make it myself?" she suggested.
" You can cook?"
" I know I can trust my culinary skills.
" What do you have in your kitchen?"
" I can't tell.
" I don't cook. How about we check the kitchen?"
He intertwined his fingers with hers and plodded towards the kitchen.
Cassidy confirmed the truth about his kitchen immediately she walked in.
Dust stuck to her hand when she brushed it over the cabinet.
Thankfully, there wasn't any cobweb.
She checked the refrigerator and smiled when she saw ingredients for the meal.
" Do you need anything else? I will get them from the nearby mall."
She shook her head.
Cassidy set to making the sauce for her pasta.
She pulled out the mushrooms and ham, and cut them into little bits.
" Hmmmm."
He glanced at her over those long lashes and licked his lips.
Those eyes!
They were her weakness now.
Khalid cupped her chin and pulled her closer.
Soon, the slow kiss quickly turned into a passionate and burning one.
He held her arms tightly.
Cassidy winced.
Khalid seemed to be enjoying it.
He had never wanted someone this badly.
Perhaps, it was lust.
But, he had felt something genuine for her that was beyond his explanation.
Deep down, he could feel this uncontrollable passion which consumed him.
She was gradually changing him and making him want to become a better person.
That was one sign he was sure and fast enough to grab.
Cassidy winced more.
She could feel something digging into her skin and it was burning.
Cassidy choked on her breath and pulled away slowly.
" Khalid, you're hurting me."
He pulled out from the kiss quickly and breathlessly.
He wasn't being the gentleman he was supposed to be.
No woman would love to be dishonoured in the worst ways.
" What's wrong?"
He held her arms.
Cassidy groaned uncontrollably.
She looked at her arms.
It burned.
" How did you get these wounds?"
Cassidy glanced at him.
" Your fingers, they..."
" I'm sorry... I really am... I didn't realize I was hurting you."
He loosened his grip on her arms.
" I'll apply some cream. Let's go to the room."
Cassidy hesitated.
" It isn't too bad. I can manage."
" I insist."
***
" It's going to sting," Khalid warned.
Cassidy winced and tried to touch her arm.
" You can't touch it. You've to let it heal," he instructed and held her hand.
Cassidy felt a tingling sensation run down her spine.
It didn't feel good.
This man squatting in front of her was doing so much to her, and the earlier she found a cure for it, the better for not just her but also him.
She was gradually losing control in his presence.
" I'm sorry I lost control," he apologized again, and broke the long awkward silence between them.
" I was supposed to be gentle with you," he trailed further.
Cassidy only stared at him, and surprisingly, she wasn't listening to him.
Something in her was itching to ask plenty questions that seemed rather odd or awkward.
Or even desperate.
She just couldn't help her curiosity.
Just what if?
Would he leave her when his long searched woman returns?
It would be late by then to continue her search for the other.
She shouldn't be missing such signs and writings on the wall.
What did fate have in store for them, especially her?
" What comes after love?" she asked unconsciously.
It had slid out of her mouth before she even had time to stop it.
What would he think of her?
Desperate?
A gold digger?
She had only been with him for two days and here she was being all too forward and impatient.
She only wanted to know and protect her heart too from this thing that seemed to spread like a virus.
" What?" he asked back.
Cassidy didn't want to speak again but with the attention he gave her, she was able to muster enough courage.
" Will there be something for me after us?" she asked again.
Deep down, she didn't think her heart was made to break any further.
She wanted to be sure he was going to catch her when she fell.
Or was she going to continue a solo dance?
Alone?
On her own?
The things she envisaged appeared terrible.
She felt her stomach knot when she saw a smile find its way on Khalid's face.
His eyes glistened.
" Cassidy."
He cupped her chin and made her look into his eyes that held promises.
" I always knew you even when I didn't know you. It doesn't make sense, but it does."
Cassidy blinked back tears that was on the verge of dropping on his face.
Why tears?
" I promise you that there will be a happy ever after love. There will be a happy ever after us."
His broad body covered hers in an embrace.
She gave him hope!