Next Morning, 9:00 a.m. ;

Room 1935, Kabul Serena Hotel, Afghanistan ;

"Why do you want to meet the Commander?", Aftaab Ali questioned the man sipping his morning coffee suspiciously. Abram Orlov had confessed to him, his original intent behind getting involved with him, barely two minutes prior to when they were supposed to sign their merger contracts. A name, that could change the entire foundation of his decision. A name, no one was ever to speak of. Abram Ali Fadhil.

"I don't think you will understand, Aftaab Bhai.", Abram waved his free hand in dismissal, "Let's just sign the papers."

"What's the rush? Not many people know about him.", Aftaab Ali insisted on sticking to the topic, "The contract can wait. This can't."

"Oh. Alright. Sure.", Abram Orlov's smile widened, as he nodded faintly at his and Aftaab Ali's alert security officers, gesturing them to leave. Only when the two men were left alone inside the room, did the man spoke up, "What do you want to know? Shoot me."

"Well... How do you know that Ahmed Ali Fadhil isn't some fictional character? After all, that's what everyone says. That he is a tale, a story. A person no one ever saw."

Abram Orlov shrugged nonchalantly, "Up till this point, you already know that I am known about Country X like the back of my hand. But I never told you how well connected I am with the underworld there. That's how I know that Commander Fadhil isn't just some folklore. He is the very source capable of intimidating even the mightiest of the soldiers over there, in fact!

"Apparently, Military Chief Rong has seen him before. During the five years of her Military Chief training. She'd even ordered a team of sketch artists right after she was sworn in as the rightful highest Military Authority of Country X.

"But despite all those efforts, even the 'oh-so-powerful' Rong Xinghe could never track him down. No wonder he is a legend."

Aftaab Ali furrowed his brows as he tried to recall something for a few seconds before he muttered under his breath, "When?", he asked.

"Hmm? Oh, you want to know when she met him. Over a few drinks with her PA, I got to know about it once. Ever heard the name 'Fatima'? The dancer? He said that she came across Commander Ahmed in Dubai when she was in that alias."

"Oh...that was her?", the man seemed to have remembered the incident. It almost made Abram suspect if Aftaab Ali was also there with Ahmed Ali Fadhil when the girl had come across him, back then.

"So... why do you want to meet him?"

"I don't know. I just feel so inspired by him, by his views. His opinions are so strong. The things he has done for the small community of Muslims, are just so commendable. There's no doubt that the Muslims need to be listened to too. I don't care about Modern thought processes and so-called religious equality. His agenda is clearly indestructible! We do need to establish fear in the hearts of millions if we seek respect from them. His thoughts are mind-blowing. And practical. So yeah, I do want to meet him. At least once in this lifetime.", Abram Orlov explained.

Aftaab Ali thought for roughly fifteen minutes after that. As much as his inner voice told him to shred the man in front of him to pieces, he couldn't deny the fact that this 'Albert Fedorov' could be a useful asset to him. This man had insider information about the army, after all. It would be such a waste, he contemplated. Not to mention, other than Zhi Xi, Rong Xinghe's brother, he was the only person who knew the stock market in the Country X, inside out.

Only if the man knew how 'well-associated' Abram Orlov was to the Military Chief of Country X.

"Alright then. We have a deal.", Aftaab Ali stood up from the couch, "But there's a very slim chance that you will be able to see the Commander. I won't-"

"I understand, Aftaab Bhai.", Abram Orlov pushed back his tousled blonde hair back as he smiled and shook hands with the man firmly, "I'll take my chances anyway."

____________________

11:00 a.m., Elite Saphire Penthouse ;

"You know what to do next, right?", the girl asked quietly on the phone.

"Yeah. I will handle it. Don't worry.", Abram Orlov replied, "Also, could you please tell David to not text me."

"What happened now?", Rong Xinghe rolled her eyes exhaustedly.

"He texted me a 'Bro! Do try this amazing Chicken Shawarma in Afghanistan. Once you savor that bad baby, you can die with no regrets!' Xinghe, I don't need this on a mission. Please!", the grown man was on the verge of crying.

"Oh God! I will talk to him."

"Thank you very much. I will go back to sleep now."

"Ok.", as the girl disconnected the call, the man sleeping beside her turned around, and opened his dark grey eyes lazily, "You slept at 6, Xinghe. Stop being so hard on yourself.", he said, "They were trainee officers for the position of Military Chief too, you know. They are perfectly capable of protecting themselves. Could you not freak out so much?"

"I know.", the girl sighed, as she looked out of the window, at the bright rays peeking from the enormously huge, dark clouds, "It's just... This mission is very important, Yuan. We cannot let anything go wrong.

"Anyway, I am sorry, I woke you up. Go back to sleep. Meanwhile, I'll make you something for breakfast. Pancakes? Or French Toast?"

"Bold of you to assume I am even letting you step into the Kitchen.", Xi Yuan shook his head, "Just tell the Butler whatever you want to eat. He will arrange it."

"Hey! Stop doing it, okay? I really want to cook.", the girl smacked the man's arm lightly as she pouted, naturally irritated.

"Fine.", the man smiled, "But I'll be there for surveillance. What if you cut your finger again?"

"Who told you that?", Rong Xinghe raised her brows, surprised.

"Your Bro Mo.", Xi Yuan answered honestly.

"That's it! You are never hanging out with any of them again.", the girl crossed her arms, "I don't care if you guys hate each other all your lives. But I am really not supporting this 'Let's reveal Xinghe's secrets' game that you guys are playing. I've never asked for this much bonding from you guys."

As he listened to the girl's childish complaints, Xi Yuan couldn't help but laugh heartily. A minute ago, she was speaking on the phone, ensuring her nation's safety. And in the blink of an eye, here she was, worrying about her brothers' relations with her fiance. One hell of a multitasker was what his woman was, he thought. What could he not give up to have this woman stand by his side for all their lives?!

Snaking his arms around her waist, the man pulled the girl in for a deep passionate kiss, and only when they were out of breaths, did he let her go.