[LATER THAT EVENING]

  Meesha stepped into her home, kicking off her sneakers by the door. The empty hallway greeted her, and she assumed Xanqer hadn't returned yet. As she turned the corner, a hand clamped around her neck, pushing her against the wall. Her eyes widened in fear, but as she looked up, she saw Xanqer's face inches from hers. Relief washed over her, thinking it was just him, not a thief.

  However, she failed to notice the deadly glint in Xanqer's eyes.

  Her heart skipped a beat as she gazed at his face inches from hers, her pulse racing with excitement.

  Xanqer slowly pulled out a knife from his pocket, raising it to strike. But as he looked at Meesha, he saw that her eyes were closed, her lips pouting. He froze, taken aback.

  Meesha leaned in closer, her face tilting upwards, expecting a kiss. Xanqer's eyes widened in surprise, and he recoiled, stunned. "What are you doing?" he asked sternly.

  Meesha's eyes snapped open, and her face flushed with embarrassment. She scratched the back of her head nervously. "I thought you were going to..." Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

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  Xanqer raised an eyebrow, his expression puzzled. "To what?"

  Meesha stammered, feeling a mix of disappointment and nervousness. "I-I thought we were going to..." She couldn't bring herself to say the words, glancing up at Xanqer before quickly fleeing the scene.

  Xanqer watched her disappear around the corner, his eyebrow still raised in confusion. What had she thought he was going to do? Didn't she see the knife in his hand, the intent to kill in his eyes?

  Xanqer's eyes locked onto the knife in his hand, his grip tightening. He wouldn't wait another day; he had to kill her tonight.

  Meesha, oblivious to the danger lurking nearby, ran into her room, slamming the door shut. She banged her head against the door, embarrassment washing over her. How could she have been so stupid to think Xanqer wanted to kiss her?

  That night, Meesha skipped dinner, feeling too humiliated to face Xanqer. She sat on her couch, lost in thought, until exhaustion took over, and she drifted off to sleep.

  Hours later, Xanqer silently opened Meesha's door, slipping inside with ease. He approached her sleeping form, the moonlight casting an ethereal glow on her peaceful face. Xanqer's hand tightened around the knife hilt as he gazed at Meesha.

  Just as he was about to strike, Meesha's eyes fluttered open, her gaze locking onto Xanqer's. She looked at him with half-closed eyes, her voice groggy. "What's going on?"

  Xanqer's menacing tone sent shivers down his own spine. "Can't you see that I want to kill you?"

  Meesha's response was unexpected – she laughed, a soft, sleepy sound. "Xanqer, stop making jokes. It's the middle of the night. I want to sleep." She added, her voice still laced with drowsiness, "And don't carry a knife around, you could hurt yourself."

  With that, Meesha's eyes drifted shut, and she fell back asleep, leaving Xanqer stunned. He wondered how she could sleep so peacefully, unaware of the danger that stood mere inches from her.

  Xanqer's gaze lingered on Meesha's serene face, and for the second time, he found himself unable to kill her. Maybe another day, he thought, his grip on the knife relaxing. But for now, he would spare her life, and let the mystery of her trusting nature continue to intrigue him.