<p>Later, after their guests had left, Husna bumped into him again.</p><p>“Where’s my card?” Bilal asked, his tone sharp.</p><p>She looked at him, feigning innocence. “Me?”</p><p>He clicked his tongue impatiently. “Yes, you.”</p><p>She put on her best confused expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”</p><p>Bilal’s face darkened. “I’m not playing with you. Give me my card, or we’ll both be here all night.”</p><p>She pouted. “I swear, Sir, I didn’t see it.”</p><p>His patience snapped. He slapped her lightly. “Stupid. You always think everything is a joke.”</p><p>Tears welled up in her eyes as she sank to the floor, sobbing.</p><p>“Get out! I don’t want noise,” he snapped.</p><p>She cried even louder. Furious, he stormed toward her, grabbed her chin, and lifted her face.</p><p>“I said, shut up,” he growled. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”</p><p>When she kept crying, he slapped her again, making her wail louder.</p><p>Grinning wickedly, he grabbed her by the face, forcing her to look at him. “You want to cry? I can make you cry harder.”</p><p>In a swift move, he bit down on her tongue playfully.</p><p>She yelped in pain and shoved him off.</p><p>He chuckled darkly. “Are you going to keep crying?”</p><p>She glared at him. He glared back.</p><p>“Who are you glaring at?” he taunted. “Look at your eyes—like an owl’s.”</p><p>She pouted. “God gave me these eyes, not some oversized fool.”</p><p>Her boldness made him laugh. He lifted her chin again. “Husna, I’ve never met anyone as cheeky as you. Why are you so rude?”</p><p>“If you had no skills, I would’ve thrown you out by now.”</p><p>She suddenly fell silent. Concerned, he touched her face and realized she wasn’t breathing properly. Panicked, he grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and sprinkled it on her face.</p><p>She gasped, blinking awake.</p><p>“Where are you going?” he asked as she got up.</p><p>“To my room,” she muttered without looking at him.</p><p>He didn’t stop her, but he felt oddly irritated.</p><p>Lying down on his bed, he muttered to himself, She’ll regret this tomorrow. I don’t know what’s wrong with that girl. Maybe she’s cursed.</p><p>Still, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.</p><p>Scowling, he muttered, I have to teach her respect.</p><p>Even after a long time, sleep refused to come.</p><p>Frustrated, he sighed. Asmau Husna. That girl is impossible.</p><p>With that last thought, he finally drifted off.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
