They were finally alone. The anger on Zain's face slowly transformed into a mischievous smile. He signaled Kiyan, who was standing outside, to make sure no one entered.
Zain's Shirtless Avatar
Aanya, terrified, backed up against the wall. Without saying a word, Zain removed his wet coat and then slowly began unbuttoning his shirt.
Aanya (closing her eyes in panic):
"Y-You… what are you doing? This is a public washroom!"
Zain (revealing his shirtless, fit body):
"You're the one who spilled the soup, so you'll clean it, won't you, Mrs. Yan? Besides, everyone outside should think that I'm giving you a proper lesson."
Aanya's Imitation and Wink
Zain stepped extremely close to Aanya—so close that she could hear his heartbeat. Overwhelmed by fear and embarrassment, Aanya made a face exactly like the one she often made in anger whenever she looked at Zain.
Zain looked straight into her eyes and winked at her in the same teasing style she used to provoke him.
Zain (whispering near her ear):
"Did you really think you could hit me with chopsticks and I'd just let you go? Until I clean my shirt, you're not moving from here."
Aanya's Heart and Mind
Aanya froze. Her anger slowly melted into embarrassment. She became so distracted by Zain's muscles and his scent that she forgot how much she hated him.
Aanya (thinking):
"This bastard… he looks so handsome. No, Aanya! Don't fall for his devilish looks or those stupid six-pack abs. This is the same demon who turned your life into hell."
Zain stood shirtless in front of Aanya, ordering her to clean his shirt. Aanya, already broken inside because of her old wounds—the birthday incident—couldn't endure anymore.
Zain:
"What are you standing there for? Clean it."
Aanya (in a trembling voice):
"No… I won't. Do it yourself."
Zain (surprised, with authority):
"You're my wife. At least this much, you'll have to do."
Aanya's Fear and Tears
The moment Zain said the word "wife," a tear slipped down Aanya's cheek. She felt confused between the Zain from two months ago and this Zain who was now putting on an act. She remembered the day he had called her decorations "trash."
Aanya (crying):
"Wife? You only call me your wife when you need something from me or when you want to show off in front of others. Otherwise, for you I'm just a burden you plan to throw away after one year. Please… stop scaring me."
Zain's Anger and Pain
Seeing Aanya cry and hearing her words stirred something strange inside Zain. He felt angry—at himself and at her helplessness. In anger, he grabbed both her shoulders and pulled her toward him forcefully.
Zain (angrily, in a suppressed voice):
"Do you really think I'm doing all this just for show? Do you think I enjoy watching you cry?"
His grip on her shoulders was strong. He wanted to shout, but the fear in Aanya's eyes silenced him. He realized she was genuinely scared of him—and that realization pierced his heart.
An Unspoken Realization
Zain slowly loosened his grip. He felt Aanya's shoulders trembling. In the silence of the washroom, only the sound of her sobs echoed. Zain didn't know whether to hug her or apologize for the mistake he had made two months ago.
Zain clenched Aanya's shoulders with his strong fingers again. His anger wasn't truly directed at her, but at his past mistakes—mistakes he couldn't fix.
Zain (whispering angrily):
"You call me a 'bastard,' a 'villain'… and now you're scared of me too? Am I really that terrible to you?"
Aanya closed her eyes as her tears fell onto Zain's hands.
Aanya:
"Two months ago, when I decorated my heart for you, you crushed it under your feet. Why are you acting now? Do you want to drive me insane?"
Zain's anger slowly faded. He noticed Aanya's shoulders turning red from his grip. He immediately loosened his hold and pulled his hands back. He realized that asserting his "rights" was not giving her safety—it was reopening her wounds.
Zain's Regret
Zain picked up his shirt and wore it without cleaning it. He looked at their reflections in the mirror.
Zain (in a low, serious voice):
"Let's go outside. Your friends must be waiting. And… (after a pause) wipe your tears. I don't want the world to think the 'villain' actually won."
Aanya quickly wiped her tears and adjusted her glasses. Zain opened the door and signaled Kiyan to lighten the atmosphere before stepping out.
When they returned to the table, Huan Jing was shocked to see Zain's still-dirty shirt.
Huan Jing:
"Boss! The shirt is still dirty? Aanya, you didn't clean it?"
Zain (without looking at Aanya):
"No. Cleaning this was beyond her capability."
Zain (turning to Kiyan):
"Kiyan, drop Huan Jing, Kaiya, and Mr. Nan at their homes. I have some work."
Huan Jing found it strange but said nothing. She pulled Aanya aside and whispered softly.
Huan Jing:
"Aanya, are you okay? What happened to your face? Why do you look so scared and sad? That grumpy man didn't scold you too badly, did he?"
Aanya immediately hid her tears and forced a fake smile so her best friend wouldn't know the truth.
Aanya:
"No, Jing… soap got into my eyes in the washroom, that's why they're red. And the suit… he got a little angry, but it's fine now."
Huan Jing looked at her suspiciously but then placed a hand on her shoulder.
Huan Jing:
"Alright. Ride your scooty carefully. Don't stress too much. We'll meet at the office tomorrow and talk properly."
Aanya:
"Yes, see you tomorrow. Bye!"
Aanya watched Kiyan escort everyone toward the car. As she moved toward her scooty, searching for her keys, Zain suddenly grabbed her hand.
Zain:
"Kiyan will bring your scooty. You're coming with me in the car. That's my order, Mrs. Yan."
Zain blocked her path. His eyes still held intense anger mixed with regret.
Zain (roaring angrily):
"Don't you understand? I said you're coming with me!"
Aanya (trying to pull her hand away):
"No! I'll go on my scooty. I don't want to go anywhere with you. You can't order me around all the time!"
Zain's eyes turned red with fury. He hated being disobeyed—especially by Aanya. He pulled her so forcefully that she crashed straight into his chest.
Zain:
"Order? Aanya, you're my wife, and it's already 11 p.m. Do you really think I'll leave you alone like this? Get into the car quietly, or I'll pick you up and throw you inside!"
Aanya saw that Zain's patience was completely gone. She felt scared—she had never seen such a terrifying side of him before. Zain jerked the car door open and motioned for her to sit inside.
Aanya stomped her foot in anger but had no choice. She sat in the front seat and turned her face away. Zain slammed the door shut, got into the driver's seat, and drove off at high speed.
Inside the Car
The silence was so heavy that their breathing was audible. Tears welled up in Aanya's eyes again. Zain gripped the steering wheel so tightly that the veins on his hands were visible.
Suddenly, Zain slowed the car and took a deep breath.
Zain (in a slightly softer voice):
"Why do you always fight with me? Do you really think I want to harm you?"
The atmosphere inside the car was already tense, but when Mei Wei suddenly approached the car, Aanya's heart skipped a beat. She didn't want Mei Wei to see her inside Zain's car and create another drama, so she instantly jumped from the front seat to the back and hid.
Mei Wei, slightly unsteady from drinking, knocked on the window. There was a strange smile on her face.
Mei Wei (leaning toward Zain):
"Oh… Zain! You're here so late? Darling, I didn't bring my car, and I've had a little too much to drink… Will you drop me home, my darling?"
Zain angrily glanced at the back seat, where Aanya was covering her mouth, afraid even her breathing would be heard. He knew letting Mei Wei sit in the car would create trouble for Aanya, but people in the parking lot were watching.
Zain (coldly):
"Mei Wei, what are you doing here? And why did you drink so much?"
Mei Wei:
"Why are you angry with me? Come on, open the door. I'll sit in the front with you."
Zain hesitated. He noticed photographers lurking nearby. If news broke that he left Mei Wei alone on the street, it could damage the company's image.
Without saying anything, Zain opened the front seat door. Mei Wei happily got in and began praising his perfume, completely unaware that Aanya was trembling in anger and fear in the back seat.
Zain (starting the car):
"Fine. I'll drop you. But stay quiet."
From the back seat, Aanya shot Zain a murderous glare.
Aanya (thinking):
"Bastard! 'Darling'? You call me your wife and then let this witch sit in my seat? Tonight, when we get home, I'll finish you for sure!"