37. SLAP

"No offense Taliya, but what do you think you are doing?" Haroon grunted as if embarrassed for her actions.

"Murad-" she opened her mouth to say something but was unable to.

"He can die and that shouldn't affect you." His words burned something in Taliya as she raised her hand and strike against his cheek.

The sudden jerk of slap yanked his way to the left side as she fumed in anger.

"Who the hell are you, to talk to me like that? Stay in your limits Haroon." Muttering under her breath she storm out of the parking area with angry tears blurring her vision.

"Who he thinks he is?" She hissed and wiped her angry tear away harshly.

"You still like him." Haroon whispered under the dark sky making her stop in her tracks.

"No." She tried to let out the firm words but her lips shivered with vulnerability.

"Yet, you slapped me for him."

"Because, no one deserves the curse of death." She whispered under her breath and raked her hands through her hairs.

"C'mon, make yourself presentable. We have guests to attend." He sighed making Taliya rub her eyes more and saunter towards the washroom from the back door.

He stood there for a while, feeling the sting of the slap and shook his head. He shouldn't have said those words.

"Huh, who did this you?" The angry voice of Sofia wasn't familiar to him which startled him making him turn towards his right side.

He saw her running towards her and raise on her tiptoes to examine his face. Her fingers gently caressing his side profile. Haroon was always guarded, he didn't know why everytime it was unable to show his cold self to Sofia.

"Tell me, Mr. Hero. Who did this to you?"

"I did." Taliya announced making Sofia turn around from him and glare at her.

"First of, thank you for inviting me." She began with her voice dangerously low. Haroon was amused by her sudden anger. She looked cute to him.

"Second of all. You are nobody to hit him." She declared in her low voice making Taliya's eyebrows rise high.

"And who must be you to command me like that?" She questioned crossing her arms. She looked presentable now. Not her broken and messy self.

"The Sunshine Protector." Sofia declared the same attitude of Taliya.

"Who is Sunshine?" Haroon questioned looking between Taliya and Sofia.

"The man right behind me."

"Me?"

"Him?"

Taliya and Haroon questioned in sync with their loud voices startling Sofia.

"He is anybody but that." Taliya rolled her eyes and moved back leaving Haroon alone to deal with Sofia.

"Huh, she is scared of me." Sofia shrieked turning around catching Haroon off guard.

"Who?"

"Taliya." A proud look stood on her face as she searched for the beauty products in her bag.

He shook his head unable to argue about hoe Taliya would never be scared of a girl like her.

"Here, come."

She said pulling him down with the collar and applied the base carefully.

"Makeup isn't the best thing to apply for the slap print, but you have an event to continue and we can't afford everyone looking, no, not looking, but glaring at your face." She rambled off making Haroon engross in the way she was gently working on his cheek.

"Mhmm," he hummed taking in her dark brown almond eyes and oval face with plump cherry lips.

"And here it is all done." She patted lightly making him come out of his trance and nod at her in gratitude.

"Saying thanks doesn't hurts a tongue." She chided at him, threatening a smile on his face as he shook his head at her and muttered a small thanks under his breath.

That was the moment she realised how closed they were. The close proximity made her startle as she jumped back with her flustered face and heart thumping aloud. He gazed at her and walked leaving her all flustered.

~☆~

Taliya took a deep breath as she stepped out of the venue, the evening air cool against her skin. The afterparty had been a whirlwind of conversation and laughter, but now that it was over, exhaustion settled over her like a heavy blanket. She made her way to the hotel, her heels clicking softly on the pavement, the sounds of the city fading as she approached the quiet sanctuary of her temporary home.

Entering the hotel room, Taliya let the door click shut behind her with a sense of relief. She slipped off her shoes and headed straight for the bathroom, craving the solace of a hot shower. The steam enveloped her as she stepped under the spray, washing away the tension of the evening. She let the water cascade over her, feeling her muscles slowly unwind.

She didn't had any thoughts in her mind even if they were roaming like bullets. She just wanted to feel peace for a while.

After what felt like an eternity, she turned off the shower and wrapped herself in a plush towel. Padding softly across the room, she dressed in a comfortable nightgown and climbed into bed. The soft sheets and the rhythmic hum of the city outside lulled her into a sense of security. She closed her eyes, her body sinking into the mattress, and soon she was drifting off into a deep, peaceful sleep.

The room was dark when Taliya awoke with a start. Her heart was pounding, the sound of her own breathing loud in her ears. For a moment, she couldn't remember where she was, the disorientation adding to her growing sense of unease. She sat up, the room around her a shadowy blur. It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, and when they did, she felt a chill run down her spine.