Tahir made sure to lock his car before leaving and entering the building of the agency. Other agents filled the building, either carrying reports from missions, getting their lunch, or training. Among all of them, he managed to spot Mr. Latif in the crowd, reading something on a device.

He looked up and noticed Tahir standing across from him, "Tahir, how was the trip to Singapore?" He amusingly asked.

"It confirmed that Anisa is a target not our suspect," he replied.

"I heard about the shooting. Let's talk in the meeting room."

Mr. Latif guided both to the room where no one else was listening to the conversation. Certain information was classified and since Tahir's mission was directly related to the royals, no one but those who assigned and those related to the mission were to know information about it.

"The shooting happened towards midnight. I was getting a briefing from Saif and taking a walk around the hallway at the time. I made that mistake. But, the princess already knew certain safety protocol and was luckily laying down," Tahir explained.

"I bet Mr. Amin was the cause of those safety protocols," Mr. Latif added

"We evacuated to a safer building and I increased security from there. Before leaving, I made one last look at the crime scene and gathered evidence. We don't want this to get in the hands of the authorities. It was also a part of...my father's deed," he said.

Mr. Latif nodded, taking in full empathy.

"I found this," Tahir pulled out a plastic bag onto the table in front of them. Inside, there was a bullet.

"Why did you choose this bullet out of the many that were possibly fired that night?" Mr. Latif asked him.

"Because this one contained an engravement," Tahir said, "If you take a look, there are the initials A . A"

Mr. Latif took the bullet out of the bag and examined it, noticing the details Tahir spoke of.

"Interesting. This takes us a step further. We just need to trace the manufacturer of this bullet. It could take days because initials are common. If there was a logo, that'd be a different case," he explained.

Tahir nodded and Mr. Latif told him, "If your briefing is done, I'll get started on this. But, one question. Why do you think this bullet is among the others that didn't have initials on them?"

"I'm certain that the person who shot through the window isn't the one on the initials. But, the gun was supplied to them by the owner of the initials. It must've been the last bullet in the storage. I've seen instances like this where the authentic bullets get mixed up with replacements," Tahir explained and pointed to the bullet.

Mr. Latif nodded, "You never cease to impress me with your analysis."

With that, Tahir stood up from the chair and took out his phone to see the messages from Saif. Mr. Latif took notice with his conservative eyes and asked, "You left Saif to watch the princess?"

Tahir nodded in response as Mr. Latif chuckled, "He must be having a better time than he would, protecting the second princess."

Tahir scoffed in amusement. Despite how serious a situation can be, Mr. Latif would always find humor in anything.

After a last goodbye, he left the agency and drove back to the beach house. It didn't take long for him to arrive at the entrance to scan his card. After being granted access, he drove the car through the driveway and parked it before going inside.

He made it to the second floor where Anisa's room was. He saw Saif standing just outside the door and when he saw Tahir, he asked, "How was it?"

"Good. I briefed him on the situation and gave him the evidence," he responded, "How has she been doing?"

Saif looked at the door once more before looking back at Tahir.

"She wants me to think she's asleep but, she hasn't realized how loud paper can be, especially when it's being sorted and organized."

They both chuckled and Saif patted Tahir on the shoulder as he said, "I'll be taking my leave. I'm a call away if you need me."

Tahir nodded and watched him walk away before knocking on Anisa's door. She didn't respond and he took the silence as an answer and opened the door.

Upon entering, he saw her head turned to face him while she sat in the middle of papers, organized into a circle, surrounding her.

"Do you realize what time it is?" Tahir asked

Anisa turned to read the clock just on the wall across from her and looked back at Tahir.

"I couldn't sleep. Plus, I'm still in the process of getting rid of the pill addiction."

Tahir nodded slightly as he got closer to see the documents that filled her bed.

"These are all the papers Mr. Amin left, and some of them are what I gathered," she told him, "I've been trying to find a connection to get a step closer."

Tahir sighed and slowly started to pick the pile of papers up. Anisa scrunched her eyebrows in confusion and asked, "What are you doing?"

"You won't go anywhere by looking at these in the middle of the night," he said as he stacked the papers in his hand.

"How are you so sure?"

"Because I know you can't stop thinking about me which is what's causing you trouble with the actual problem — my father's case," he responded

Anisa was caught. How was he able to read her mind? Was it that obvious?

"I mean it, I really can't sleep," she tried to come up with an excuse.

"And it's because of that reason you can't sleep as well," he corrected her, picking up the last few pieces of paper.

He took the stack to the coffee table on the side of the room and walked back to where Anisa sat in the middle of the bed.

Tahir sat just on the edge as he looked at her and told her, "I shouldn't have told you about my past had I known I'd put you in this state. You haven't even slept since yesterday."

Anisa shook her head in disagreement, "No, I'm glad you did. It's brought me closer to you."

Tahir looked straight into her eyes after hearing that last sentence. He feared it and couldn't handle it, knowing that she'd be disappointed in the end.

"I'm not someone you should get close to," he said, "I only end up hurting those that do."

Anisa chuckled, "Do you remember I said the same thing to you in the beginning? It's funny how we're the same people, just with different stories."

Tahir scoffed from her statement, "Don't ever compare me to you."

"You know I'm right. And I know that nothing but good has come my way since you've arrived," she said.

"Is this confession time, because if so, I was the one who left you in the hotel room when you needed me," he pointed out.

"That's no confession. I'm aware of that. I just don't blame you," she bit her lips which caused a sudden reaction from Tahir.

He barely contained himself as he felt a certain rush go through him and Anisa kept looking at him, which didn't help.

"Why? Had I been there —"

She cut him off and said, "It would've been the same scenario. We both duck down and wait for it to pass."

Tahir was taken back from how far she thought of the situation. While he spent the time to put the blame on himself, she knew that the outcome would've been the same.

He sighed in defeat and said, "Do you always talk back like this?"

Anisa shrugged her shoulders.

She moved a little close to where Tahir sat and caught his attention.

"I don't know if this will mean anything to you, but I'm grateful that you're my bodyguard. Others wouldn't bother putting in as much thought as you do," she said, "All this time, you were so hurt and you still might be. But I'll do anything to ease that pain."

She gave him a genuine smile and he couldn't help but give a warm one back.

"How do you plan on doing that?" He teased her but she already had an answer.

"I'll protect you too. I'm not the only one that needs saving. You're human as well. Someone who rarely gets to express his true feelings."

Had he known that Anisa had a personality like this, he wouldn't have accepted the mission because she made him weak at times like this.

Sometimes, it wouldn't even feel like he was on a mission and that a miracle like this woman came into his life through coincidence.

Tahir finally scoffed at her response as he stood up from the bed and said, "Get some rest. You're saying nonsense."

Anisa frowned and stood up as well. She began to push him with just a bit of force while she told him, "You ungrateful human!"

It caused him to let out a small laugh as he was pushed out of her room. Before she closed the door, she paused to tell him, "Don't even think about standing outside my door."

Tahir rolled his eyes and she shut the door on his face. He couldn't help but let out a grin and shake his head from Anisa's actions.

"Your majesty, the princess is soon to arrive at the castle. She will be briefing you on her business trip to Singapore so you can officialize the partnership," Hakim informed King Salman.

King Salman nodded in response and lately he seemed to be more quiet than usual.

"Did you see the news about her?" He asked Hakim.

Hakim sighed lightly and said, "I'm afraid so. But your daughter was in good hands. I'm sure that if you show her you're worried, she'll open up to you about the situation.'

"No. She despises me. She'd rather speak to Mr. Amin about her issues," King Salman replied.

"But you forget that he's passed away your majesty," Hakim reminded the king.

Meanwhile, Tahir stopped the car just outside the entry of the palace. He opened the door for Anisa and walked into the palace as her arrival was announced.

"Princess Anisa Hassan has arrived."

As she walked out of the entryway and into the hallway that followed, she saw Hakim making his way towards her with a warm smile.

"It's good to have you back Anisa," he said, "you've survived yet another tragic event. I trust you were in good hands?"

Anisa nodded, "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."

"In regards to today, there are things you should know," Hakim started, "The princes have all gathered up and are currently in a meeting, discussing border relations and safety."

"How come?" Anisa furrowed her brows in utter curiosity.

"It seems as though Layla has created the mess you imagined. She hired someone from the outside into royal business and wasn't taking charge."

Anisa shut her eyes and took a deep breath to calm her nerves that had already been touched, creating anger.

Tahir took notice and asked Hakim, "Where is the meeting being held?"

"It's just in the first floor, in the official meeting room. The king decided not to step in with this matter," Hakim informed them.

Anisa stormed off with her heels, loud and clear. Tahir gave a nod, thanking Hakim and he returned one as he walked away.

"At this rate, your feet will burn out from your angry steps," he told Anisa.

"It'll be worth it in the end. I'm getting her off royal administration business today if it's the last thing I do," she growled.

They stopped just in front of two wide doors with gold details and Anisa opened them both at the same time.

Everyone in the room turned their attention towards Anisa. Their expressions turned cold but somewhat relieved from their anger towards Layla.

They all knew that if one person was to teach Layla her place, it was Anisa.

A/N:

Hi guys! I hope everyone's doing well.

Updates shouldn't really change in terms of time, but my computer died on me and passed away😢 but never fear, I should be getting one sometime soon. I just can't promise the quality of grammar without it. So, I hope you guys can bear with me.

In the meantime, don't forget to show this book some love by hitting that star button and commenting wherever you'd like ☺️

Thank you~