Fati opened her eyes before dawn and found herself holding someone tightly. In the dark, she didn't know who it was, but she jumped back when she realized the body was bare. Suddenly, a strong hand pulled her back, and a deep voice whispered,
- Stay a little longer.
She recognized Jaguar's voice and pushed him away hard.
- What are you doing? How dare you?
She cried.
He laughed and said mockingly,
- All night you were clinging to me while I tried to push you away. Now that I let you hug me, you're angry?
Fati's face turned bright red. She was glad it was dark, but then he turned on the bedside lamp, exposing her blushing face. She looked away from his bare chest and snapped,
- Why don't you wear something to cover yourself when you sleep?
Jaguar pulled the blanket back calmly and said with a smile,
- But I'm still wearing my pajama pants. No need to panic!
Fati shouted, hiding her face,
- Go and cover yourself!
She ran toward the bathroom while hearing his loud laughter behind her.
- Fati, come back! It's too early to wake up,
He called out.
He stopped laughing when he realized she was truly angry.
- Come back,
He said softly.
- I won't talk to you or come near you. Just sleep for a few more hours.
She didn't answer and slammed the door shut. She was surprised to find that the door had been replaced yesterday. Jaguar had hidden his violent act by putting in a new door.
Suddenly, she realized she was still wearing her work clothes. He had kept his promise and hadn't touched her. She felt relieved but decided she needed to set clear rules for living together. When she walked out, she found him still in bed, without his shirt. She said firmly,
- Can we have a meeting?
He replied with his eyes closed,
- At this hour? I need to sleep
Fati realized Jaguar was enjoying this, but she wasn't. She grabbed a pen and paper and said,
- I'll wait for you in the living room.
He followed shortly, but he had only washed his face and was still shirtless. Fati stood up and snapped,
- Fine, I am leaving your house
She tried to walk past him to get her bag, but he suddenly lifted her into the air, his hands around her waist.
- Not before we agree,
He said firmly.
- Put me down!
She cried. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, making her whole body shiver:
- I said... not before we agree.
- Fine, fine! Just put me down,
She stuttered. As soon as he let go, she pulled away. She grabbed a thin fur blanket from the sofa and threw it at him.
- At least... don't show me your 'charms'
She said.
He looked at her with a smirk.
- So, you find my body charming?
She quickly replied,
- I didn't say that! Even if you had a big 'belly,' I would feel the same. I just don't want to look!
She sat down, waiting for him to wrap himself in the fur. He sat across from her, crossing his legs, waiting for her to speak.
Fati tried to take control.
- First... the rules are...
But Jaguar interrupted her coldly,
Who is Kylo?
The words froze in her throat. She remembered how he saw Kylo grab her hand and drive away yesterday. She answered defensively,
- He is the brother of my friend. I lived with their family.
Jaguar remained silent, waiting. He asked darkly,
- And how long have you known him?
- For six years,
She whispered. His eyes narrowed with hidden rage. Fati realized that if he got angry, he might hurt Kylo or his family, so she added quickly:
- I got a scholarship for medical school, and he happened to be visiting his family. He helped me with travel, university, and housing... nothing more! He treated me like a big brother, and we returned together a few days ago.
She struggled to catch her breath and added,
- Believe me... there is nothing between us.
Instead of exploding, he said calmly,
- Fine. Now it's your turn.
- What?
She asked, shocked. He threw the ball back to her, leaving her paralyzed and unable to speak after the shock of his reaction.
Fati looked at her paper and saw the word "Grandfather." She gathered her strength and asked firmly,
- How long will I stay here? I mean... when can I perform the surgery?
Jaguar looked at her with bored, angry eyes. She continued quickly,
- You said one week. Since two days have passed, there are five left. Should I put him on next week's surgery schedule?
- I don't remember setting a specific time,"
He replied coldly.
- I told you he is in critical condition and you agreed to a full week!
She snapped.
- Fine, fine,
He said calmly.
- But the week starts from today.
- Why do you change your rules every time?
She cried.
- You set conditions and then change them!
He asked mockingly,
- And when did I ever change my conditions before?
She wanted to remind him how he broke the three year contract in the past, but she realized it was useless.
- Fine, we start from today,
She said.
- Then write this down,
He commanded.
- The contract duration is one week, starting from today's date.
Fati wrote it down, fuming. But before she could speak her second condition, he interrupted again:
- And now... it's my turn to set a condition
- Wait,
Fati said.
- You already set your condition. I said five days, you said seven, and we agreed on your view.
Jaguar replied with a cold smirk,
- You set the condition, but you accepted my opinion. Now, it's time for my real condition.
- Fine, what is it?
She asked impatiently.
- No leaving without my permission
He answered, his eyes locking onto hers.
- And no meeting any men.
Fati smiled weakly; she knew exactly who he meant. She thought to herself, "One week without seeing Kylo is not a problem. I'll avoid him my way, as I always did." She wrote the condition down. Then Jaguar asked,
- And your condition?
She pointed her pen at his body under the fur blanket.
- My condition is that you don't dress like this in front of me! And also...
Before she could finish and ask to sleep in another room, he jumped in and said,
- Agree, and the third condition: you sleep in my bed, without me touching you.