Sadia was left stunned.

For a good whole moment, her mind went completely blank. Her eyes were wide but she couldn't see anything.

She could only feel. A soft pressure on her lips.And then that pressure was moving. It was warm.

Wh-what's......going on? She thought in utter confusion.

She couldn't move. Something was restraining her.

She didn't know how long it took. Maybe it was hours. However, she came out of her trance when she felt the hold around her body loosen and that's when she realised what was happening and her vision allowed her to see.

Zameer was kissing her. Zameer's lips were pressed against hers.

Her heart that was already pacing started to hammer against her rib cage, making her feel breathless. And it filled Sadia with disgust.

Zameer could feel her rigid body begin to move. His eyes opened and he saw her wide blue brown eyes stare at him in shock. Again, the uniqueness of her eyes caught him off guard and that was enough to give Sadia an opening. With all her might, she pushed at his chest and Zameer automatically complied, releasing her and the next thing he knew, Sadia's palm flew and hit him sharply on his cheek.

"H-h-how d-da-dare y-oh," before she could complete her sentence, a sudden wave of dizziness hit her hard, making her wobble on her legs.

Zameer was stunned. He knew that he acted out of line, but being hit by the same woman for the second time in his life had certainly left him shocked. But thankfully, it didn't last long for he was quick to react when he saw Sadia lose her footing and before she could fall, his arms came forward and quickly embraced her thin frame, cradling her frail body against his strong one.

"Dr. Sadia?" Zameer whispered.

She was panting hard and she looked so pale with the sweat beading down from her forehead. Her cheeks were flushed. Zameer carefully patted her cheeks and that's when he felt her heated skin.

"Shit!" He hissed under his breath and quickly scooped up Sadia's limp body. With quick strides, he took her to the infirmary. Sadia was unconscious. Zameer had no idea what had happened.

Dr. Suhaib was called in within minutes. And when he checked Sadia, Zameer was informed that Sadia's wounds were severely infected and she needed to be put under an aggressive treatment in the hospital.

"Sir, her condition is delicate. She needs proper treatment." Dr. Suhaib implored, his eyes plainly displaying his plea to save the young Lady's life. And Zameer knew that the situation was way too serious to be ignored.

"Alright." Zameer made a hasty decision and Dr. Suhaib was quick to wheel the bed out of the infirmary. Zameer watched as Sadia was taken away..

Zameer didn't know what else to do.

But why did he do that in the first place? He was suppose to kill her wasn't her? But he didn't.

He couldn't bring himself to. Why?

Zameer kept wondering. He was so confused.

The only thought that crossed his mind was when he saw her eyes: those unique blue brown eyes.

And the thought that crossed his mind: I want her.

He wanted her? He wanted that little girl?

No, that wasn't right.

She was his target. He was suppose to get rid of her.

But he couldn't.

Why?

All that came to his mind were her eyes.

When she looked at him, perhaps the greatest surprise that he got in his life was looking at such a unique pair of eyes. And that stopped him. He didn't want to close those eyes forever.

"Fuck!" He hissed under his breath, raking his fingers through his hair. "What the hell is wrong with me?" He growled.

And now, he felt exhausted. All he wanted now was to retire to bed.

**********

Zameer felt cold chills run down his spine. Sweat rose on his forehead but he kept his composure.

His eyes were fixed on the door. He wanted to move and open it but something in him wasn't allowing him to. Maybe it was the fear.

Fear of seeing that person who meant so much to him. Fear of looking at what she had become.

He swallowed hard and closed his eyes.

He didn't know why instead of going home and resting, he decided to come here. When he was on his way, he felt an immense urge to come here and see her.

I should turn back. He said to himself. I shouldn't see her like this. His eyes snapped open. But I must. I need to be reminded. He sighed deeply.

And his mind took him almost three years back, when Shahzeb had discussed it with him.

'What do you mean?' I asked. Shahzeb looked at me and didn't say anything as he took a swig of his drink.

'Exactly what you heard.'

'Come on man, you can't be serious.'

Shahzeb's head twisted in my direction and the solemn expression on his otherwise serious face gave nothing away. I knew that he wasn't bluffing.

'I'm not joking about this, Zameer.'

I didn't know what to say. He basically told me that he's testing his brother for the first time by lying to him.

'Telling Shehryaar that you've fallen in love with the woman of his choice isn't a wise move.'

'I know,' he mumbled beside me.

I frowned, feeling irritated with confusion. 'Then?!' I almost yelled but stopped myself.

'Then Zameer,' he bashed his glass on the counter and turned on the high stool to fully face me.

'That woman saved my brother's life. We owe her for that.'

'We don't,'

'Fuck, have you been listening to anything that I said?' He was getting frustrated as he passed his hand through his hair. 'You know as well as I how twisted Shehryaar is. And you've just seen how that woman is. There's no way I'm about to let him destroy that innocent woman's life for the sake of his sick demented ways!'

I was left shocked.

Was this really Shahzeb?

He's never been so passionate about anyone or anything. He's always been....empty, yet here he was, engrossing himself into someone who's just a stranger.

'Why do you care?' I inquired. He looked at me with utmost seriousness.

'I owe that woman a debt. She saved the only family I have in this world. And now, I'll pay her back through protection.'

I looked at him. Observed him closely. He was damn serious about this.

'Are you sure that you're not the one in love with this woman? Maybe you're bluff with Shehryaar really was a lie.' I said.

He chuckled as he casually hit my arm and turned back on the stool. 'Trust me, that's not the case.'

'Really?' I raised a skeptical brow at him. 'Normally, you wouldn't have cared with what might've happened with any one as long as it served a purpose. For owing a debt, you could easily pay it off but this?' I speculated, trying to figure things out.

'This case is special.' He grumbled under his breath, his eyes staring ahead into space.

'How so?'

'Because of the way he reacted and I knew that he was serious. The way that he wanted to kidnap her only proves that what I'm thinking is right.' He kept on saying.

'What?'

'I baited him with my bluff and his reaction only proves that I was right.'

I was genuinely confused now. 'What do you have in mind?'

Shahzeb senses my confusion. 'He's grown an obsession with that young lady.' He conveyed as he looked at me.

'Fuck,' I hissed under my breath. Now I understood why Shahzeb was so concerned. Pity rose in my heart for that poor woman. For when Shehryaar becomes obsessive over something, he would first break it down and then mound it into what he wanted it to be like, for himself.

Now it made sense.

'But,' Shahzeb's voice drew me out of my thoughts.

'I think that this might be my chance.'

'Chance?'

'To change him somewhat.'

'Oh God!' I groaned and rubbed my face. What the hell.

'Seriously? You still think you're capable of changing him?' I asked in disbelief.

'Come on, you need to accept that Shehryaar is the way that he is. There's no changing him.'

He didn't say anything and emptied the contents on his glass in his mouth. He got on his feet and buttoned his suit jacket.

'Protect her Zameer.' He said and looked at me with utmost seriousness.

'He will break her down. He won't spare her until she's the woman of his choice and in the process, he'll end up losing her. And he won't even realise it. And I don't want that for him. He deserves happiness and a normal happiness. He's always had it more rough then me and that's what led him to become this cold and cruel.'

I looked at Shahzeb. I knew that he loved his twin, but I never thought that he felt this way.

'And this woman, she has shown him what real kindness and humanity is by saving his life. And I think that's the thing that's gotten him intrigued about her.'

I nodded.

'So, not unless he realizes it and becomes a little close to his sleeping humanity, I cannot allow him to be near her. He needs to prove worthy of her.'

'How,' I cleared my throat because I was finding this situation so surprising. 'How do you feel about her?'

He gave me a small smile. 'What do you think of a woman who might someday become a part of your family?'

I frowned deeply. What the hell is that suppose to mean? Before I could ask, Shahzeb gave me one of his serious business looks as he glared at me directly in the eyes.

'Protect her Zameer. From now on, in my absence, you are to protect Anissa Ghalib from Shehryaar.' He commanded.

I couldn't do anything other then nod my head in silent submission to my Boss's order.

His eyes wouldn't leave her.

There she sat, like a china doll, delicate and still.

What had become of her? He knew perfectly well.

You were right Shahzeb. Now I see why you were so concerned back then. I wish you were alive. You would've been able to stop this from happening. Zameer thought sorrowfully.

He almost flinched when Anissa turned her head in his direction. His breath hitched in his throat when he saw the empty look in her eyes.

His legs started to shake. Suddenly, he felt drained of all his energy. But he held himself from falling apart. His heart couldn't take in Anissa's shattered state as she looked at him. She didn't know who he was.

Zameer recalled how just a few days ago, when he saw what had become of her, she saw him, she recognized him and the shock of it caused her to scream until she passed out but then, why was it that right now, there was no recognition in her eyes?

Sighing, he took the few steps that it took for him to reach Anissa. Getting down on his knees, he sat in front of her, his breath shaking. His head was bowed down and he couldn't muster the strength to look up yet he could feel her gaze on himself.

Clenching his jaw tightly, Zameer sighed and looked up. Sure enough, Anissa was watching him silently.

"Bhabi?" His voice cracked.

"I'm so sorry." He murmured the first thing that came to his mind, not knowing how else to start. His eyes landed on her hands that rested on her lap. Carefully, he grasped her fingers and noticed how cold her skin was.

"I'm so sorry. I wish I was there to stop this from happening to you." He murmured. "Because Bhabi, I need you. I need your advise."

Anissa only watched him, her gaze empty and not understanding.

"You're the only human part of us here. You're the only one who could've understood what I'm going through."

He was conflicted. He had no idea what he should do. As an assassin, he was clear on what he needed to do but for some reason, his heart was interfering. It was clouding his judgement.

"I don't know what I'm suppose to do." He whispered, his chest tightening as he confessed. And he felt no shame in doing it. He was only human.

And he felt as if only Anissa could understand him. Even though she was ill herself, just her presence near him was comforting. However, it was also causing him pain to see the woman whom he respected so deeply to be in this state.

Moisture pricked the sides of his eyes and before he could give in to his overwhelming emotions, he pushed himself back on his feet and quickly retreated to the door.

However, before he could put his hand on the knob, the door opened and there stood Shehryaar. He looked weary and his eyes widened with surprise as he looked at Zameer and then Anissa.

"What the-"

"I just wanted to see her." Zameer said in monotone, his hands raising in surrender. Zameer was quick to notice the stoic expression cover Shehryaar's face so before he could draw any wrong conclusion, he thought to say something quickly. He didn't want Shehryaar going berserk like the way he went last time.

But he was surprised when he saw that Shehryaar didn't say anything and just stood there.

The two men looked at each other for a few moments. Zameer noticed the weary look in his eyes despite the stone cold expression on his face.

Without a word, Shehryaar stepped inside and went straight to his wife. Zameer didn't feel like being a third wheel between the couple.

"Stop!" Shehryaar Sharp voice was like a whip, stopping Zameer from making a move. He turned around and saw Shehryaar approach him.

"Follow me," he ordered and Zameer followed.

Shehryaar entered his office and went straight to the small bar at the corner.

Shehryaar poured himself a drink, his back faced Zameer.

"Did you take care of it?"

Zameer knew exactly what he was asking about.

"Not quite." Zameer replied.

Shehryaar went stiff. Zameer stood straight and waited.

Taking a swig of his drink, shehryaar turned and faced Zameer, his eyes narrowed and his jaw tight.

"Why the fuck not?"

"Things are......complicated." Zameer said, feeling uncertain. But this much he knew, despite the confusion, he didn't want to kill Sadia. He didn't want her dead. He was certain about that. So he started To think of any plausible reason that he could present to his boss that would be acceptable.

Shehryaar raised a brow in query.

"I think we shouldn't kill her."

Zameer knew that he was bound to get a reaction out of Shehryaar but he was surprised when Shehryaar just stood there and looked at him, his expression the same and he couldn't read it at all.

Why isn't he saying anything? He thought in bemusement.

"You're proving to be a constant disappointment to me." Shehryaar claimed.

It stung Zameer. But he contained it.

"Boss, I think that she can still be of use to us."

"Remind me again, why did I spare you?" Shehryaar said coldly. Zameer didn't let it get to him.

"You still have no idea what's wrong with Bhabi." Zameer started and that caught Shehryaar's attention immediately as he looked at him with a frown, his face shadowing his concern. And Zameer took that as his chance to elaborate.

"Instead of hiring new doctors whom you cannot trust, spare this one and keep her as a personal physician to your wife." He proposed.

Something flashed in his eyes and Zameer had noticed it but before he could decipher it, Shehryaar turned his face away. He saw Shehryaar clench his jaw tightly and squeeze his eyes shut.

"She's a liability." Shehryaar muttered. "I can't have her set free."

"And you won't. I'll take responsibility for her." Zameer quickly intervened because he knew that he had him.

Shehryaar looked at him with disdain. "How?"

Zameer breathes in deeply for he knew that what he was about to say, that will definitely draw the designated reaction out of him.

"I'll marry her. She'll be under my watch. Any risks associated with her are mine to take."

**********

CHAPTER 18 HAS BEEN UPDATED ON INKITT. PLZ FOLLOW THE LINK IN MY PROFILE