Salammalaykum, hope Ramadan is going amazingly for my Muslim sisters and brothers :)

Hello to the rest of my lovelies! I hope you're having the time of your life in this summer, the heat just hit us hard from yesterday and I hope you guys from warm countries are keeping yourself hydrated :)

I was looking forward to update this chapter for some weird reason, so without thinking more I am updating. Sorry for grammar mistakes or if this chapter is too much but I just, I don't know. Waiting with anticipation for your thoughts :) ! Hope you like it and well, the plot is shifting to focus on two peoples feelings lol :$

Love
Shona <3

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The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.
Audrey Hepburn

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Rolling to my side I stretch every muscle in my body and sigh loudly. My neck is paining and I feel out of place. I yawn ones again and try to adjust my eyes to the light. I was supposed to wake up in my bed and have the sleep of my life but that did obviously not happen as I am waking up on the sofa. Actually the number of boys were more than the number of girls so we, meaning Sahara and I, slept on the sofa while giving my room and the guest room to the boys. Yes they stayed, actually it became late yesterday so we told them to sleepover.

My lips breaks into a smile when remembering the encounters with my family. Especially dad, my strong and never crying dad cried when spotting me. He was tired when he came back home from work, he is a manager at a store. He hugged me and made me feel like daddy's little girl again, making me cry with him in the process.

When he spotted Shawn and the boys he was extremely cold towards them. Actually, if it wasn't for mom and me they would have been thrown out. The first half of the night my dad couldn't stop glaring at them which made me and mom break into chuckles seeing the boys shift uneasy in their own skin. Trust me my dads glares aren't to play with.

We had my moms mouthwatering biryani as dinner, which is a dish consisting of rice, chicken and vegetables. One particulate conversation replaying in my mind is when I was telling everyone about Shawn.

"Shawn was horrible! He was rigid." I paused for a moment. "Actually scratch that as he still is." And everyone chuckled hearing that. "He was unbelievably hard to make conversation with." And I paused again. "And that haven't changed either." I said confused and tried to find something that has changed. "However, he was also intimidating but now he doesn't scare me anymore." I told them looking straight at a uncomfortable Shawn who looked down on his plate.

"That the perfect description of Shawn." Javed agreed and everyone chuckles.

"Yeah, he grows on you after a while and you realize that his glares doesn't bother you anymore." Zaki says laughing and one glare from Shawn shuts him up which makes us other laugh hard while Zaki looks down on his plate knowing that he is in trouble.

"Well, Sana you weren't a pleasure either. You are too talk active, stubborn, don't ever listen to instructions, complain, lecture as if it is the air you breathe, clumsy and not to forget to mention you're a trouble magnet." I actually gaped at him while everyone else turned dead quite.

We could literally hear everyone breathing and the clock ticking while Shawns intimidating blue eyes bored into mine. The first one who burst out laughing was none other than my darling mother and imagine if the rest joined her? Of course they did. "That so accurate! Sana has always been strong headed, doesn't matter who the person or the material in front of her is it will have to face her lectures." She managed to convey between her laughters and I rolled my eyes.

"Well, I can see that she didn't get your easy going nature." Shawn complemented my mother and I raised my eyebrow, did he really think that flatter on my mother would work?

"Oh thank you darling, I know. "My mom replied, his flatter surely did work. "She got her stubbornness from her dad." Both me and dad scoffed at that.

They continued talking about their likes, dislikes and all about life. Both were laughing and having fun. I just let my gaze wander between them and couldn't believe that my mother and Shawn actually got along so well. Not just got along, they bonded. Shawn, the ever rigid Shawn, smiled and laughed. He looked so, well, normal. It surprises me every time.

Sahara stirs in her sleep on the sofa next to me and I just stare at her. She took off her hijab before going to sleep and her brown curly hair is giving her face a whole new texture. She stops moving and falls back to sleep with a yawn. I look around the familiar living room and find my heart warm up. My lips can't stop smiling thinking about the fact that I am back home.

Everything occurred in the past few days feel like a distant dream or just taken out of a movie. To be honest, I can't put my finger on if it was a good or a bad movie.

After freshening up a bit I walk into the kitchen and get startled seeing a persons back beside the counter. I give out a small gasp and realize that it is just Shawn. He turns around and looks at me with a smirk. "I thought I didn't intimidate you anymore." He inquires amused and I grimace at him.

"Well, I guess your morning look is the opposite of cute." I say with a smirk of my own and he rolls his eyes. "Anyway, good morning."

"Good morning to you too." He says and pours himself a glass of orange juice. "Want some?" He offers and I shake my head.

"Are everyone else still asleep?" I inquire surprised that only the two of us are awake.

He sits down on a chair and rests his elbows on the table. "It is only eight o'clock so yes." He confirms taking a sip of his juice.

I look at him surprised. "What? Only eight? Why am I awake? Have my dad and siblings left?" I throw all my questions at him and he nods, I know that mom took a day off today.

"Yeah, they left half an hour ago." He enlightens me which surprises me even more, why does he know that?

"How do you know?" I inquire sheepishly.

He furrows his eyebrows. "What how? Because I was awake?" Shawn says not sure how to respond to that.

I raise an eyebrow. "Why?" I continue to ask.

I don't get why anyone would be awake that early if not being forced to.

Shawn looks at me as if my questions are not making any sense. "Because I couldn't sleep." He says unsure and I sit down on the opposite chair.

I shake my head disappointed. "How could you possibly not sleep? You got to sleep in my room." I cross my arms and look at him with narrow eyes.

Shawn nods."Exactly, too pink and too girly." He mutters under his breath and I raise my eyebrow annoyed at him.

He got my utterly comfortable room and he is complaining, way to go. Next time I'll be offering him the couch.

My stomach starts to rumble and I hold onto it with one hand. I can feel Shawn smile as I look down on my stupid stomach embarrassed. It always seem to be craving for food even though I am not even hungry. "I wonder how I'll manage Ramadan this year." I shake my head with a defeated sigh.

"Ramadan? Are you going to fast?" Shawns curious voice finds me, did I think that aloud?

I look up at his bright blue eyes and nod. "Yeah, have kept them all since my teenage days." I enlighten him and a warmth sips through my veins knowing that the holy month is in two days.

"Why do you fast?" He looks at me attentively.

I shift a bit in my position, he still manages to make me uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze. "Because it is one of the five pillars in Islam. The five pillars are the testimony or creed that there's only one God and that Mohammed is the prophet of God, the prayer, the almsgiving, the fast in the holy month of Ramadan and hajj meaning the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if possible." I enlighten him briefly.

He shakes his head. "No, my question was why do you fast? What's the purpose behind fasting. I know the five pillars of Islam." Shawn tells me and looks at me challenging as if he is trying to figure something out here.

"Okay. Well, I fast to get closer to Allah, meaning God." I look at Shawn, who rolls his eyes when I explain the world Allah for the hundredth time, a bit perplexed at his curiosity. "The holy month is not just about refraining from food and water, it is about becoming a better human being for the sake of Allah. You strive to refrain from bad habits like backbiting, cursing, temper issues and so on. So in real it is like a jihad, meaning you struggle or like resist your own demons to get closer to your Lord. I also do it to remind myself how blessed I am, there's a lot of people who don't even see food or fresh water for days and months. This way I can remain humble and grateful. Lastly I do it to test my own limit, I get amazed at the self control and discipline I obtain every year during Ramadan. Normally I can never stay on a diet, not for even a day but on the holy month fasting is not a issue." I enlighten him vaguely and to my surprise he nods understandingly at my reply.

His gaze seem to be distant and he seem to be in deep thoughts. "When does the fast start?" His eyes finds me again.

"Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar which is due in two days." I enlighten him more than he needs to know but as he is curious I guess he'll appreciate it.

"Great, so you fast from dawn until sunset?" He inquires and I nod in confirmation with a soft smile.

We go quite and my mind starts to wander. It is not uncomfortable to sit in silence with Shawn. I like the peaceful environment. This kind of life will be good for Adam. I wonder what will happen to his parents. When are they coming back? Or more like being released? Hey, wait a second. Adam!

My neck cranes towards Shawn so fast that a muscle sprains in the back of my neck making heat spread through and my vision blurs for a second. "Shouldn't we be going and bring back Adam?" I question as soon as my condition stabilizes and Shawn looks at me with surprise evident in his blue eyes.

He quickly masks his emotions and nods. "I'll be going to get him as soon as we leave from here." He claims and I nod, that sounds good.

Before I can question him more about when we are leaving my mom walks in. "Good morning." She says to us and hugs me from behind while I rest my hands on her arms.

"Good morning." Shawn and I say in unison, our eyes meet and we smile.

"Have you guys eaten some breakfast?" My mom inquires and I shake my head.

Shawn shows my mom his glass of juice. "This was the only thing your daughter offered me." He claims and my eyes widens while my cheeks turns red, I had totally forgotten to ask him about breakfast.

Actually I am so used to him finding his ways and taking care of me that I forgot that I should be showing hospitality to him when we are at our place. "Sana, what's wrong with you? You just offered him some juice?" My mother scolds surprised and I turn crimson, if she only knew that I didn't even offer him that much.

Actually it was he who offered me some juice, should I tell her that? Shawn smirks amused at me with his blue eyes twinkling underneath the morning sunshine. "I am so sorry I just." I don't even know what to say.

"It is okay, I was just joking." Shawn claims with a shrug.

That might calm my embarrassed heart down but not my mothers. "I'll make some grilled sandwiches for all of you." My mother enlightens us. "Sana mind to help me?" She narrows her eyes at me.

That's a cue for the fact that she wants to talk to me. She never needs help in the kitchen, never. "Sure mom." I say with a sweet innocent smile which should be melting her heart, or so I wish.

Shawn looks on amused. I walk up to the counter and my mom hands me the cheese to slice. "How could you forget your manners?" My mother scolds me and I sigh.

"Mom I am sorry." I say to her again and give her puppy eyes.

She shakes her head trying to hold back a smile. "Anyway, I wanted to talk to you. Your father expressed doubt and worry, are you sure they're nice?" My inquires sheepishly. "I mean I don't get any bad vibes from them and as you consider them as your friends I really don't sense any harm." She continues and I continue to nod to her rants. "So should we be worried?" She questions when I don't answer her.

"Mom, trust me. I am safe with them, especially Shawn. He'll never let anything happen to me." I ensure her with confidence.

She raises a eyebrow and stops with hacking the cucumber she is holding. "And why is that?" She inquires with curiosity making her eyes glow.

My eyebrows furrows in confusion. "What why?" I retort not understanding her question.

My mother rolls her eyes. "And why are you particularly safe with Shawn?" She inquires with crossed arms and a mischievous smile.

That throws me off guard and I need to think hard for a reply, my mom needs to stop acting different as she is making me overthink. "Well, I don't know he always have this dangerous aura around him defeating his opponents." I shrug, that's the best reply I could come up with.

Why do I actually feel safe around Shawn? I glance at him, he is busy with a newspaper, his bright eyes intensely reading and his forehead is wrinkled. This guy will turn old quite fast I smile. I guess with Shawn I feel that nothing can go wrong as he has been able to bring me back home and that too safe.

Javed comes and joins us and a few minutes later Sahara comes with a helping hand. One by one of the crew reaches the dining and everyone gets busy munching on moms grilled sandwiches while talking over the top of each other. Laughter echoes through my ears and I feel bliss seeing a normal environment after a long time while I hug my mommy.

"Aunti thank you so much for your hospitality but it is time for us to take leave." Shawn says formally and I get surprised that he can speak so kindly.

"Can't you guys stay until lunch at least?" My mom pouts and they all chuckle.

"No actually we have a lot of work left before going back to USA." Shawn continues. "I also need to bring back Adam." He adds for her to understand and she nods understandingly, I think we mentioned about Adam to her yesterday.

"But I'll surely be back for your amazing biryani." Saeed jokes with a wink and we chuckle.

"You're more than welcome dear." My mother smiles with glee.

"So mom I'll be going with Shawn to bring back Adam." I enlighten her and before my mother can react someone else does.

"What? No you're not." Shawn states perplexed and I frown at him, everyone else shares confusing knowing glances.

I ignore that and look annoyed at Shawn. "Yes, I am. I told you this morning?" I frown and he looks perplexed.

"No you didn't?" He claims more like a question dragging out the words.

"Yes I did!" I snap. "I clearly asked you this morning if we shouldn't be bringing back Adam?" I try to remind the stupid man in front of me.

His face softens as realization hits him and he nods. "Yes but I thought we were talking about me. Why should you come along?" He questions baffled.

I raise my eyebrow. "Because I miss Adam and he likes me more than you so he'll be happy to see me." Shawn rolls his eyes. "Mom is it okay?" I inquire and she nods amused, what's there to be amused about?

My mom seem to ponder for a moment. "Yes but be careful and try to come back home early. I have missed you too much to let you be away from me for long." She finally gives me permission and I hug her, I have missed my family badly but I have also grown fond of Adam.

I wonder how the poor child have been. "Don't worry, I'll drop Sana home." My eyes wander to a suddenly blank and rigid Shawn, weirdo.

I don't care if he doesn't enjoy my company but I want to spend some time with Adam before they leave. I hug Sahara and wave bye to the boys, they'll be dropping her home.

When finally in the car with Shawn I ask him the questions that has been bothering me. "Have you got any news about your sister?" I question and he shakes his head while I adjust my seatbelt.

His voice is monotone. "Nothing yet." My heart clenches and I pray that my doubts turns out to be proven wrong.

"When are you guys leaving?" I change the topic.

"Soon." What's his problem?

I am starting to get annoyed with his attitude. "When's soon?" I say equally cold.

He give me a sideway glance. "I don't know yet, in a few days?" He rolls his eyes.

I narrow my eyes at him. "Whatever, can we drop by at Grand hotel before leaving to get Adam?" I inquire instead.

He furrows his eyebrows. "Why?"

I look out of the window and take in the familiar environment. "I need to give Anna a gift for the help, without her we would never manage to get inside the conference room or get hold of the guest list." I enlighten him and he nods.

First we stop by at a shop so I can buy a gift for her. I have a hard time choosing so Shawn helps me to choose a perfume and fragrance gift set. To my surprise he doesn't let me pay and hands me the bag after paying.

We finally halt at the entrance to Grand hotel. "Make it quick." Shawn says and eyes the time.

I give him a small smile and nod. Walking out of the car with the bag I hurry my steps to the main gate. Suddenly a figure stops right in front of me and my eyes widens at the recognition. My fight and flight mode doesn't kick in, instead I stand there shocked with my limbs feeling awfully heavy. I should be running or at least screaming. My heart pumps violently in my chest to ready myself for the encounter.

How is it even possible for him to be here? Shawn help! Please Shawn! He disgustingly smirks in front of me.

"I know you're wondering how I escaped, right? Well, I have my sources." Yousef manically bobs his head. "I just came here for a one last task before happily accept jail." This doesn't sound good, I feel awful, my gut is clenching as if warning me for something horrible.

My breathing stops when he points a gun towards me and the bag in my hand reaches the ground with a thud. "Shawn!" I hear a ear piercing scream escape my own lips.

Yousef smirks enjoying the situation and I hear another ear piercing sound which comes from a unfamiliar source, Yousefs gun. I stumble back and my eyes widens when the bullet penetrates my flesh close to my heart. The overpowering sharp pain makes me breathe harshly and my eyes well up. It's like my heart is pumping harder to be able to provide my body parts with oxygen but instead the blood oozes out from my wound. Right then I hear another scream. "Sana!" I close my eyes, that voice surely belongs to Shawn.

Another shot is heard and I open my eyes in shock, did he shot me again? I don't feel anything. My eyes wanders to Yousef who is laying on the ground now with a satisfied smile while blood is oozing from his head. Did he just commit suicide?

Not being able to make any sense of anything and not having any strength to hold me up anymore I let my body fall backwards. The bone crushing pain is too much for me and I don't know how to breathe, I just want to feel some relief. Before I can hit the ground Shawn hovers above me scooping me in his arms. I fall down with him and hold onto his shirt while warm tears streams down my face. It actually hurts.