NPF Headquaters, Abuja.

"This way, Ma'am." Directed the woman that was there to guide Inaya to her destination. Her lips were stretched into a small, warm smile while her hand was stretched out in the direction of where they are headed to.

Inaya offered her a curt nod, following behind her quietly as the woman led them to the office. The corner of her eyes gave the place a onceover, as if trying to imprint everything in her mind in case a need for it will come up eventually.

Her expression was guarded, not giving away a single hint of what she's feeling internally. Though it doesn't show, she was a mess internally considering the rollercoaster of emotions she was feeling then. It has been that way since the minute she received the message that brought her there. Truth be told, she had contemplated quite a lot whether to actually make an appearance or ignore it.

However, the person isn't someone she would just ignore, at least, not with her having some sort of emotional attachment to him—one which she couldn't fight against. And that's how she found herself in the Police HQ to meet a man she has never crossed paths with before until now.

Regardless of them never meeting though, it's certain without an iota of doubt that they know way too much about each other. After all, they are two pretty influential people pinned against each other. Obviously, they've both done enough research on each other.

"The Inspector General is waiting for inside." Announced the woman whom Inaya concluded to be his Secretary as they came to a stop in front of the double doors without a doubt belonging to the man at the helm of the Nigerian Police Force.

Inaya took in a sharp breath, her chin tilted upwards slightly before she gave her a nod. "Okay." She cleared her throat to make it come out strong. "Thank you."

The woman simply offered her a small smile before she turned around and left Inaya alone to fend for herself from then onward. There was no one else in the hallway, she was all alone.

She didn't allow that to bother her though. Instead, she took in another sharp breath before taking a hold of the handle and pushing it without any hesitation whatsoever. She didn't exactly have much expectation of his workspace aside from it being lavish—and if not that she has other matters in mind, she would've taken her time to appreciate the décor.

Her gaze instantly fell on the man standing by the window, the back to her. However, the minute he heard the door open, he turned around—their gazes meeting.

Inaya had always been aware of that fact, but when her eyes feel on Aadil's father, the breath in her nearly got kicked out. The resemblance between them is uncanny; safe to say, Aadil is a split image of his old man—only much younger.

There was something else they have in common though—the power they both exude from a glance. That was something she didn't miss, and though she tried to hide it as well, she felt slightly intimidated by this man and he hadn't done anything aside from stare at her with cold eyes.

Truth be told, it has to be the fact that he is the father of the man she whole heartedly loves, hence why she is nervous. It wasn't because of the position he holds out there, but that he holds in his family as the head—as someone whose family she desperately wants to be part of.

She was cut short out of the moment when his voice came; deep, and authoritative as expected. "Take a seat, Miss Inaya." He gestured to the glistening posh leather couches amidst the spaced office.

She nodded, and moved to do as asked while he did the same, taking a seat on the couch at the helm while she took the one to his left—keeping her expression guarded as well. Regardless of how intimidated she actually feels; she didn't want to let him see it.

Silence reigned as he picked up one of the two cups of tea placed on the coffee table; judging from the steam coming from it, it was only brought recently. "Please, have some." He offered, his eyes meeting hers for a brief second.

Inaya folded her lips in, her fingers intertwined and placed on her thigh. "No, thank you."

He didn't prod further, he simply shrugged as if to say whatever she pleases. "Well, I don't want to drag this any longer than necessary, I just have a question for you..." He started, bringing the cup to his mouth to take a sip before he added, "...do you love Aadil?" He questioned, his eyes set on the cup of the tea he had gracefully dropped back on the coaster.

That's all he wants to know, and the reason why he won't drag the conversation. He has never been a fan of hers, and would rather not be in her company for long. If not that this is something important, he wouldn't even spare a second of his time to speak with her.

It's enough he had his assistant send her a message to meet him at the NPF. He doesn't do that with just anyone—especially not someone like her. Oh please, he's better than that. Much better.

Inaya followed his action, before her eyes met his. Without even the smallest ounce of hesitation, she answered. "I do." Realizing how her voice didn't come out as strong as she wants it to be, she swallowed thickly and then added in a much stronger tone. "I love him."

She went there well prepared, knowing for him to look for her, then whatever he wants to speak about has to be serious. So, she went there prepared to answer whatever question he has honestly without leaving anything out.

If he was moved, or convinced, he didn't show it. His action remained dismissive as ever, his eyes never sparing her a glance that lasted even a second. "To what extent?" He inquired casually, leaning back on his chair with his shoulders squared.

Inaya clicked her tongue lowly, yawing her expression serious. Flicking her eyes to rest it on his, though it still wasn't on her, she voiced out her response. "To the extent of which I stay off your lane." This time around, her voice didn't waver—not in the slightest. She was every bit the woman he heard of, only with a few exaggerations. Or so he believes.

"To say you stay off of my lane as if you're doing something that isn't required of you is a bit self-flattering, don't you think?"

The corner of her lips tilted upward in the slightest bit, but it was quick to disappear. "Saying that is self-flattering as well, don't you agree?"

For the first time since she stepped foot there, he slanted his cold gaze to meet hers. How could he not with what she just said? Disrespect is something he never takes, not from anyone. Well, anyone but Aadil. "Excuse me?"

She offered him a small, seemingly warm smile. "Forgive me if it sounded somehow." Was she really sorry? No. But, he matters to her so it wouldn't hurt to apologize. "What I simply meant is, I'm certain you already know who I am."

He gave her a dismissive onceover, before meeting her. "You've earned yourself quite a reputation." He wasn't impressed by the sound of it. If anything, his tone was judgmental.

She didn't comment on it; she already knew he wasn't a fan of hers. He could never like someone like her, and she went there well prepared. "Yes, just like you have as well, Sir." Noting the glare sent her way, she then added regardless of what might follow. "We both know you aren't flawless as you seem. Being with Aadil all those years back alone proved so."

If he felt threatened, even in the slightest bit, he didn't show it. Reason being, he wasn't. He could never see himself being scared of someone as small as Inaya. Oh please, he has seen lots of her kind already. "You think you can go against me."

"I know I can." She doesn't 'think' she can, she knows she will. She has enough on him to do so, at least enough to ruin that perfect image of his. That was what she planned to do right from the beginning though, only for it to fall apart for the sake of his son.

After Maa's death, nothing felt right again. She couldn't bring herself to do anything to that family again and hurt Aadil even more, hence, her resigning from her post as a soldier entirely and as someone who does dirty deeds for money and fame.

It seemed worth it then. She needed to redirect and find herself.

And it seemed worth it again. For Aadil, she's giving up yet again something she built for herself. Seems only fair enough as a payback of pain she caused him. Or at least, so she convinced herself.

He nodded to himself, not seeming bothered in the slightest. "Go ahead then." He stated, waving her off. "Do whatever you want." He truly wasn't worried in the slightest. She is free to do whatever she wants, to go as far as she wants to go.

She folded her lips in for a brief second, she blew out a small breath. "I plan to do nothing." She declared after a while, dropping her walls down so he could see her sincerity.

He stared at her with lazy eyes, his expression seeming bored. "Did you decide to stop wasting away your years on stupid things now?" He inquired in a mocking tone. "I thought that's what you pride yourself in doing? You're famous for running your mouth and selling yourself aren't you?" Reaching his hand out to pinch his temple, he then added. "All those foolish stuff all the while soaking in the little fame you get from it."

Inaya pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to respond. She couldn't remember the last time someone insulted her, and she sat there listening to it. But, there she was, swallowing it all down for one reason alone.

"—Tell me, really." He sat up, placing his hand on the armrest. "You didn't think I'd ever let my son marry someone like you though, right?"

Still, she zipped her lips shut, swallowing out every ounce of fiber urging her to rebuke.

"—My son is destined for greatness. And having someone like you by his side will only ruin him." Still, he didn't stop nor hold back from pushing her to her limit. That's what he wants to do though—to push her to her limit and see her break. He wants to see how much it would take to make her crack. "I will never allow him to be with you. I can't have someone like you in my family. You're still a fugitive, even if you roam around freely. Nothing changes that."

She looked down for a brief second, her heart hammering behind her ribcage while anger coursed through her vein. She put a lid on it and kept it all down. When she had gotten a hang of her emotions, she swallowed thickly before she rose her head up to meet his gaze.

"Why do you think I still roam around freely despite my so called label as a 'fugitive'?" She asked him the same question she asked Chief Rabiu then, her gaze blank as a canvas.

He didn't answer, but he did gesture with his hand, as if giving her the ground to give him the answer herself.

So, she did. "Because I know people's darkest secrets." She stated, her eyes never leaving his. "I know the secrets people so desperately want to hide, I know the parts of themselves people shove into a grave, just to avoid it turning up and taking them down with it."

"You manipulate people with the cheap tricks you have." He degraded instead.

She simply smiled. Slipping her hand into the jacket she had put on, she pulled out something before dropping it on the table in front of him. A flash drive. She then sat back down to her earlier position.

He didn't spare the flash a glance. "Is this what you supposedly have on me?"

"It's everything I have on you."

He nodded slowly, before shrugging and leaning back comfortably. "Do whatever you want with it." He stated without a second thought. "Let's see how far you can go."

Her smile didn't waver, though something about it was unsettling. Throwing the flash drive a glance, she lifted her gaze to meet his. "On that drive is something even Aadil doesn't know about you."

"Really now?" He still wasn't moved in the slightest.

"What transpired between you and his mother." She announced, the words hanging in the air by a thread. The smile she had earlier disappeared, her heart clenching at the thought of the woman. She didn't want to bring her up, but she needed to. "Everything that happened, leading to her death."

Seems that struck through him, before the smug look he had slowly dissipated, his eyes turning cold at the mention of his ex-wife. That is a line he never allows anyone to cross.

She knew that, and she knew it was enough to get through to him. Letting out a small breath, she added in a low tone. "We both know he is in the dark. Had he known, do you think he would even look at you ever again?"

He held her gaze for a few lingering, unsettling seconds. It dragged on for what felt like eternity, before he suddenly let out a small chuckle. "You'd use my dead wife to manipulate me now?" He then shook his head. "You're proving my theories on you correct."

"That's not my intention." She defended. "Everything I know, and have is on that flash. I don't have any other copy."

"And you expect me to believe that?"

"No, I don't." She then shrugged. "But, I'm giving it to you to show you the extent of my care for him. That's how far I'm willing to go for him. I'm willing to bury the truth we both know will only shatter him."

He remained silent for a while, simply observing her carefully. She didn't back down from the stare as well, wanting to get this over and one with once and for all. After a while, his voice came again. "You want to prove to me how much you love my son?"

"I do."

"Quit everything you do, then." He stated, his steel gaze never leaving hers. "That includes the Force, quit. Every information you hold against people, get rid of it. I want the reputation you built for yourself, as well as the image to perish. Only then can you even try to be part of us."

She found herself swallowing thickly, her eyes widening. She had thought of various things he could ask her, and that admittedly came up but she didn't think he would be serious.

This is her life's work they're talking about—something she dedicated her entire life to. How could she be asked to give it all up just like that, like it didn't take her blood, sweat and tears to build up?

"—Whatever you do, you'll never be enough for him but if you chose to stay dormant and live in his shadows for the rest of your life, then I can overlook your preposterous past and consider you becoming a member of my family. If you really love my son, shouldn't you be able to sacrifice that much?"

"You want me to sacrifice my life for your son's?"

"I'm not asking you to die for him, am I?" He was twisting her words to suit his. "I'm simply asking you to let go of your scandalous life and be the perfect woman for him. Of course, you'll never be that but shouldn't you try if you truly love him? Or isn't he worth that much to you?"

She knows she loves Aadil, and that he is worth much more than anything she could think of. But, she couldn't make a decision, not just like that. Especially not when it involves her life.

Swallowing down the worries and doubts, she found herself responding in a shaky voice. "I'll think about it."

He shrugged. "Make a wise decision then. Your life so far, or Aadil?"