32 ??Just another day??

LEIA

I woke up to the smell of smoking. A series of coughs worked their way out of me and I barely stopped myself from glaring at Ammar. He sat, shirt crumpled, shorts ridden up, on the edge of the bed, working on his laptop.

"Can you go out please?" I rasped, fixing up my hair a little.

He looked back at me for a second then went back to his work. A minute later he said, "I stopped."

"Spray some perfume."

I'd told him a million times how harmful passive smoking was and he was being so disrespectful doing it like this in my room. Couldn't he go outside?

"Get up and do it yourself."

I fell back against my pillow, aggravated. My eyes flew open when I remembered what today was. I quickly grabbed my phone from the side table, checking for messages.

There were none.

I made a disappointed sound and Ammar stared at me, eyes flicking down to my phone. I quickly put it away, pretending to go back to sleep.

"I know you're awake," he said. "You're not going to school today, Leia. We're moving in to our new house."

I clenched my hands under the sheets. I debated going back to sleep but the smell was killing me. If I had to get up to spray, I might as well talk to Ammar.

I sat up and first of all gathered my hair, tying them all into a massive bun at the base of my neck. "Can we please talk?"

"Hmm?" He didn't turn back.

I knew just the way to handle him. Grudgingly, I removed the scrunchie from my hair, letting it fall into waves past my shoulders. For a second, I felt guilty. I was going to get divorced and knowingly I was showing him myself like this.

I remembered the text Zayn had sent to me last night. I had tried to stay upstairs with my parents as long as I could but I had to return to my room at some point and well . . . Ammar was here. So we did sleep together. Not like that. But . . . well. Never mind.

I sat beside Ammar and finally he tossed me a glance, eyes falling to my hair. Then up. Why did I feel the need to run away? I knew why. He had treated so bad for so long.

Not anymore.

But I had to be smart if I wanted him out of my life forever.

"Just one more day? Please, Ammar. I'll do as you say after that."

His eyes roved over my face, a hunter looking at his meal. I scooted back a little.

"Please," I repeated. "Just today. I need that much."

His eyes narrowed.

I placed my hand over his leg, sweating profusely. Wanting to pull my hand away. I felt so dirty. Felt so much like my mother at that moment. Wasn't this called manipulation?

Remember what he did to you, Leia.

He sighed. "Why do I think you're hiding something?" He searched my face. "I swear, Leia, I won't be nice if I find out you're doing something behind my back."

I swallowed my fear. "I'm not."

He stared for some time more then finally nodded. "Just today."

"Just today," I repeated, a relieved smile taking over my face.