*******

  As the car pulled away from the curb, Xanqer's gaze flicked to the window, where Meesha's waving figure disappeared from view. Davis's eyes met his in the rearview mirror, a hint of concern etched on his face.

  "Mr. Qren, the full moon is in 27 days," Davis said, his tone measured. "You still have time left–"

  Xanqer's voice cut through the air, cold and detached. "I'll kill her before then."

  Davis's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of hesitation danced in his eyes. "Sir, you should make sure you do it as soon as possible, to avoid any... complications."

  Xanqer's response was immediate, his words dripping with menace. "I'll do it tonight," he concluded. "I'll kill her when I return."

  ******

  Meesha watched as Xanqer's car disappeared from view, feeling a pang of disappointment that he had to leave. She wished he could stay home instead of going to his office.

  By afternoon, Meesha got dressed and ready for her photoshoot appointment. Kira arrived to pick her up, and Meesha spent the next few hours posing in front of cameras.

  After the photoshoot, Meesha returned home early, eager to see Xanqer when he came back. She waited patiently, and by 8 pm, she heard the sound of a car pulling up outside.

  Excited, Meesha stood up and opened the door. She saw Xanqer talking to Davis in front of his car. When he saw her, he said something to Davis before walking towards the house.

  Meesha felt a thrill of excitement at seeing Xanqer again. But as he approached, he barely glanced at her, his expression stoic as always. Meesha was used to his reserved nature, so she didn't let it faze her.

  "Welcome back," she said, smiling. "Come down for dinner when you're ready."

  No response.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Xanqer headed upstairs, his expression unchanging. Meesha waited for him to come down, and when he did, they sat down to dinner together.

  Meesha tried to start a conversation, but Xanqer seemed uninterested, responding with monosyllabic answers. Meesha didn't push the issue, instead focusing on her food.

  Meesha savored each bite of her dinner. Suddenly, she felt Xanqer's intense gaze on her. She looked up from her plate, and their eyes met. Xanqer's gaze was narrowed, his eyes gleaming with a sinister intent.

  Meesha's eyes drifted down to the table, and she saw the glint of a knife in Xanqer's hand. The blade was positioned mere inches from her neck, the edge glinting menacingly in the light. But Meesha didn't flinch, her expression remaining serene, with only a hint of curiosity.

  Xanqer's eyes seemed to bore into her skin, analyzing the delicate curve of her neck. He moved the knife, practicing the motion, his hand hovering mere millimeters from her skin. Meesha blinked three times, her voice innocent and unaffected. "Xanqer, what are you doing?"

  But Xanqer didn't respond, his eyes fixed on her neck, his gaze cold and calculating. He seemed to be savoring the moment, relishing the power he held over her life.

  After what felt like an eternity, Xanqer's gaze snapped back to Meesha's face. She sat there, her expression was tranquil, and her face lit up with a smile.

  Xanqer's eyebrow arched, his eyes narrowing in confusion. How could she remain so calm, so serene, when faced with death?

  Xanqer's face twisted into a snarl, his hand tightening around the knife. He leaned forward, raising the knife to strike.

  But Meesha's hands shot up, covering the side of her face. She giggled, peeking at Xanqer through her fingers. "Xanqer, you don't play 'Murderer and Victim' with a real knife."

  Xanqer's face froze, his hand still holding the knife mere inches from Meesha's neck. He seemed speechless, his eyes locked on Meesha's smiling face. Meesha's hands rose, and she reached out, collecting the knife from Xanqer's hand. Her smile never wavered, and Xanqer's eyes narrowed, his mind reeling with confusion.

  How could she be so... cheerful? So oblivious to the danger that had just passed? Xanqer's eyes locked onto Meesha's smile, his expression twisted into a scowl. He couldn't wait to erase that smile from her face.

  Xanqer's eyes narrowed, his voice low and menacing. "What's this 'Murderer and Victim' game?"

  Meesha's smile widened as she explained, "It's a game we used to play when we were kids. One person is the murderer, and the other is the victim. The murderer has to pretend to kill the victim, and the victim has to pretend to be scared."

  Xanqer's gaze intensified, his voice dripping with malice. "Let's play," he said, a cold, calculated smile on his face.

  Meesha's face lit up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yay! I'll go get my pretend knife."

  Xanqer's eyes narrowed as he watched her skip up the stairs, her laughter echoing through the hallway.

  Meesha returned with a pretend knife, her smile radiant. "Here's the knife."

  Xanqer's voice was low and deadly. "Good."

  Meesha smiled, feeling a surge of happiness. She felt happy that Xanqer was willing to play murderer and victim with her.

  She felt a flutter in her chest as Xanqer held her wrist, leading her to the living room. "I'm the murderer, and you're the victim."

  Meesha nodded enthusiastically, her heart racing with excitement.

  Xanqer's voice was commanding as he pointed towards the couch with the pretend knife. "Now lie down on the couch."

  Meesha pretended to be scared, her eyes wide with fear. She lay down on the couch, smiling at Xanqer.

  Xanqer looked at her smiling face and scoffed. His eyes seemed to gleam with malevolence as he played along. "Close your eyes so I can butcher you."

  Meesha's voice trembled, her eyes closing obediently. "Oh no! Please don't butcher me."

  Xanqer's voice was deadly, his words sending shivers down Meesha's spine. "I'll start with your hand."

  He went down on one knee next to her, switching the pretend knife with a real knife.

  He held her delicate wrist, his fingers wrapping around it like a vice.