"The Qadeer business's property, assets, employees, and wealth will now be signed off to Ali Ahmed Sheikh, with the authorization from his lawful wife- Anaya Abdul Abbassi or the sole beneficiary of Abdul Qadeer. This matter is now adjourned."

Ali stood up and fixed his coat, and felt his father pat his shoulder. This matter was finally off his plate and he couldn't be more relieved, the people quickly began to vacate, and before his father could talk to him- Ali began to leave the room, but before that, a man came in front of him and stopped him.

"How's this wife of yours doing?" He asked, almost pervertedly which bothered Ali a bit, until he realized who this man was.

"Last time I saw her, she was in a bit of a hurry. But that girl-" He took a deep breath.

"The things I'd do to her."

Ali clenched his jaw and stepped forward.

"When these thoughts enter your mind, remember the things I did to your men," Ali said, steadily putting his hands into his pocket, pushing his coat back to reveal the matte pistol that was tucked into his pants.

The man smirked at Ali and backed away from him raising his hands.

"I know what you're up to. I know exactly what this facade is, and I'm not letting you win." The man said.

"Usually I'm not a fan of jokes, but this one is exceptional." Ali replied.

Ali stepped forward and looked at him in the eye. His stare alone enough to show the man Ali's contempt towards him.

"You didn't seem to think of it as a joke when you came to save your little damsel from me."

"Oh, I did. Your attempts at succeeding me are nothing but pathetic, Noah. I figured after 25 years of practice perhaps you would've gotten better, but no."

"You have no idea what's coming. You killed twenty-three of my men, I'm going to fucking destroy you." Noah said.

"Good luck, pretty boy," Ali said, walking past Noah.

-

"Anaya?" Jameela said as she walked into Anaya's room, looking at her as Anaya turned her head to her left to finish her prayer.

"Yes?"

"Just wanted to talk to you."

Anaya stood up and folded the prayer mat Martha had given her, placing it on the ottoman. She joined Jameela and sat on the edge of the bed with her.

"What about?" She asked.

"Well... There is no saying how long we are to stay here." Jameela started.

Anaya looked down at her hands disappointed.

"You're so young, your life has been put to a pause. He took your father's money, I don't understand what's there left to do? I-I mean... is he going to kill us?"

"Amee!"

"I'm trying to be realistic, Anaya. God forbid he does something so vile, but-"

"Amee, don't you think I've thought about this already? I feel like I've been here for so long I don't even remember what I did before. I've talked about this to him multiple times, it's no use."

"Martha told me today was the last hearing. He's gained full authority of Abdul's business, and money. Maybe, Anaya... you should talk to him again."

"He told me to listen to him, that there were people after me."

"So? I mean, I understand the danger we are in, being involved with these people but that doesn't give him a reason to keep you here forever, why does he care about you if he's got the money?" Jameela said.

Anaya realized she had never asked him why he even bothered, from anyone's viewpoint no matter what happened to her. His case was solid, with all her signatures and consent.

At this point even if someone else is to kidnap her, it isn't Ali's matter anymore.

"I- don't know, Amee."

"Do you have feelings for him, Anaya?" Amee asked out of the blue.

"What! NO! Of course not! He-h-he- he's NO!"

"You just don't seem as riled up as you should be for a hostage, you're not trying to escape anymore, you don't even seem afraid."

"I've tried everything there was to try. I took every chance I had. There's no dodging him, he and his MEN, or whatever are everywhere. Plus, I'm not as scared anymore because you're here-"

"No. You're not scared because you trust him, Anaya."

"What! H-How? What're you on about?... How can I possibly trust HIM out all people?"

"Even if I'm here, it doesn't mean he can't hurt you. If he were to walk in this room right now with a gun to your head, I wouldn't be able to do anything. You're not scared anymore, because you know he won't hurt you like that." Amee said.

"I-" Anaya tried to argue, but nothing would come out.

"I-i, No. No, no. I do not trust him, and I will never trust him. He's a psycho who kidnapped me, and intimidated me, and let's not forget he killed my dad!"

"He didn't do that. That was Ali's father. Martha told me." Amee said.

"And? Amee! That's still his dad! and he has definitely murdered people before. How can you think I'll have feelings for a killer, let alone trust him!"

"Anaya. Look, again, I'm just telling you what I'm seeing about your behavior. I will never justify his actions. I'm just scared for you, and it bothers me that you're not feeling the same."

"Of course, I'm scared Amee. I realize what is happening to us. How our lives have been taken away. I just don't know if there is anything I can do anymore."

"Anaya, I think you just need to talk to him."

"I did talk to him Amee!, you told me that already."

"Even if you don't feel anything for him, I think he does for you."

"How?"

"Anaya, there's not one reason he has to keep you here. Yet, here you are. If he disliked you, he would've ordered his guards to kick you out the moment he gained his funds, but he didn't. There's something there, Anaya. I need you to find out what it is." She said.

Anaya sat still for a hot minute, just trying to process Jameela's words. Anaya had a hard time believing anyone especially a male, felt something even remotely sentimental towards her. She was always used to being alone, other than with Amee. Her friends from college disconnected with her the moment they graduated, and she had no siblings. Needless to say, Anaya was very sheltered, typically boring, keeping most of her emotions to herself, and figuring everything out on her own. She never encountered a man that would feel that way towards her, neither did she even wish to find one.

Anaya stood up and stared at the door, as she thought about Ali. His appearance running through her mind. His tall legs, his broad chest, and shoulders, his stubble, his defined jaw and cheeks, his intimidating brown eyes, his lips that always displayed that mean smirk, his perfectly styled hair, and his impeccable styling of clothes. This man was physically perfect.

Wait.

"Don't let his looks trick you Anaya." She thought.

He was supposed to let her go when everything was verified and done.

That's what he told her.

Anaya pulled the door open and saw one of the maids mopping the floor.

"Is Ali home?" She asked

"Yes. Mr. Sheikh just went up to his room."

"Thank you."

Anaya stepped up the stairs and walked down the hallway to the big double doors. She took a deep breath before she grabbed the doorknob, and knocked twice. No sound came. After seconds of waiting, Anaya pulled the door open and saw Ali standing there in front of the mirror taking off his watch.

"What a surprise." He said.

"When all of this is verified and done, I'll let you go," Anaya said.

"What?" He said turning around to her, taking off his tie.

"That's what you told me. You told me when my dad's wealth was assured to be yours, you'd let me go. Today was the last hearing, and from the looks of it, you got what you wanted. So WHY am I still here?" She spoke, unwaveringly.

"I told you. There are a lot of men after you, men who are much crueler than me."

"If the wealth is yours now, you have no business trying to keep me safe. If I were to die right this moment, the money you were after is still yours, and my dad is still dead! There's no other reason for me to stay, Ali."

Ali took a deep breath as if her saying his name was the finger that pressed a switch in his body, sending various sparks through his body.

She was right. He knew she was right, but he didn't want to let her go anymore.

Ali came closer to Anaya, and Anaya remained still. He walked right to her, and they looked at each other for a second, before all logic was thrown out the window, and Ali pulled her in by her waist colliding his lips with her.

Ali kissed her. Kissed her like he hadn't kissed any girl before, so tenderly yet so hungrily. As if it was a long thirst and he finally began to quench some of it.

Anaya's thoughts were blocked, this was her first shared intimacy, and she had fallen weak into the grasp of Ali, the way his hands moved up from her waist to her face, caressing her cheeks with his thumb as he kissed her. Her heart was beating so fast it was as if it'll fall out to the floor. This wasn't something she knew she wanted, but now that it was happening she didn't want it to stop.

Ali finally backed away, letting Anaya take a breath of Air. He put his forehead to hers.

"I never wait for a woman, but I'd wait a thousand years for those lips of yours," Ali said.

"What're you doing to me?" Anaya whispered.

"I'm keeping you, Anaya. I don't want you gone out of my sight."