Chapter 9: Safehouse. 

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"If he'd done something to harm her, I would annihilate him."

-Stephenie Meyer-

*

The Zaeef Mansion courtyard was bright, eccentric and loud. People gathered and mingled, laughter rang through the open space, instrumental music added a posh ambience to the evening and mixed scents wafted through the air.

The anniversary party was for Qaidah and Aahil, having successfully lived and surpassed so many years of marriage together. While it was a noble and celebratory occasion, the family seized the opportunity to invite the Zaeef empire board committee and a few close relatives and friends. The number was hardly over 150, seeing as it was a private party.

Unfortunately, none of the families from abroad could make it but no one seemed to mind. Their family was complete for once after a long time and the parents were grateful to that only.

"Okay girls. I have news!" Amyrah pulled Aanabia, Zamaairah and Kulthum to the corner of the party, away from prying eyes and eavesdropping ears. Amyrah, Aanabia, Zamaairah and Kulthum were dressed similarly in a long dress that fell freely from their waist, in multiple cascades of tulle. The only difference was the designs and colors of their dresses and hijabs.

Zamaairah raised an eyebrow at her.

"I was talking to Kayan and one of his new business partners' here." Amyrah informed making the girls confused. When she saw the confusion, she sighed. "He is single, ladies!" Aanabia let out a laugh.

"I am married, sorry." She replied and Amyrah laughed. Same, bhabhi. Same. But of course she couldn't say this out loud. Instead, Zamaairah smiled.

"Why are you telling us?" Kulthum questioned, her eyebrows knitting together. She reminded Zamaairah of Safwah so much in that moment.

"Get to know him. Besides, who knows? Either of you might like him! He's a nice person, I just met him."

"Ah. I think I am good." Kulthum said and Zamaairah quickly agreed with her.

"Alright. I knew this was going to happen. Come on then," Zamaairah felt Amyrah's hands holding hers and soon the women were following Amyrah across the party. Zamaairah smiled and nodded her head slightly when she passed the people.

Soon the women stood in front of Kayan's group. They were busy talking and Amyrah cleared her throat with a smile. Her husband turned to her and grinned. He glanced to the others and raised an eyebrow. Clearly, he has no idea his wife is playing matchmaker.

"This is my sister, Kulthum and my childhood friend, Zamaairah." Kayan introduced them to the group. There were a total of 4 of them, including Kayan.

"Hello." Zamaairah and Kulthum said in unison before looking at each other and smiling in mischief.

"Demir Burhaan." The first one spoke, making Zamaairah turn to him. The sound of his voice was deep sending chills across her spine. Something is unsettling. Zamaairah merely smiled, rubbing her hands. If Demir Burhaan noticed it, he didn't speak.

"Shumayl Edris." Its probably the cold air outside, Zama. Don't overthink.

"Iqraam Ibrahim." Zamaairah smiled at the other two men, without paying much attention. She felt it deep in her bones that something was wrong with Demir Burhaan. Have I seen him somewhere before? But she thought it was impossible considering he was tall like a giant and had a set of uniquely different colored eyes. Italian? He sounds like it.

"How have you been, Miss. Kulthum?" Shumayll was the one who spoke. Zamaairah, who felt as useless to this conversation as a fork in soup, looked around the place. Her eyes searched for the one man she knew would save her.

"Ah there you are." She turned to see Sahl walking over to them. "Mind if I borrow Zamaairah for a bit, ladies and gentlemen?" the others shook their heads and Sahl nodded to Zamaairah. "There's someone who's looking for you." Vogue but I'll take it. She gave everyone one last smile and turned away, following Sahl through the crowd of people.

"Thank you!" she said once they were a good feet away from her previous group. Sahl shot her a smile.

"All in goods name."

"So who's looking for me?" at this, Sahl shrugged, still smiling.

"I lied. You seemed uncomfortable so I decided to be your knight in shining armor."

"What have you done to Sahl!?" Zamaairah gasped dramatically when he said this, making him laugh.

"Absolutely nothing."

The two of them entered Safwah and Karmaan's circle and soon enough, conversations flowed easily. Safwah stood closer to Zamaairah, making her smile. At least he's here.

An hour passed and the guest began leaving; saying their final goodbyes. Soon it was just family around. Amyrah and Kayan joined the boys and Zamaairah at the edge after seeing off their guests.

"Enjoyed?" Kayan asked Zamaairah who grinned at him.

"Very much." she replied. Just as Zamaairah turned to walk back towards the house with Amyrah and Kayan, they heard (before they saw) the guards running towards them. Their boot sounds could not be misheard in any circumstance. 

"What's going on?" Kayan questioned the man standing in front of him as Zamaairah and Amyrah moved closer to Kayan. The man, Xian as Kayan knew him was part of his security team. Five other men surrounded the trio as Xian spoke. 

"We have been infiltrated. Boss is dealing with it. Till the threat dies down, we are heading to the safe house." at his words, Amyrah panicked. 

"The kids, Kayan the kids!" she screamed as she tried to run. Kayan pulled her back. 

"The kids are already at the safehouse Amyrah. They are there. I left them there before the party." Kayan told her as he pulled her close. Amyrah tried hard not to sob.

Zamaairah on the other hand was completely blank. Safwah. What if something happens to Safwah? 

"Everyone is heading there, lets go." Xian said as he began walking. His team surrounding the trio kept their barricade as they walked. 

***

Safwah was sitting on the chairs with Sahl waiting on Zamaairah when the guards began surrounding them. He frowned and stood up along with Sahl. Derek Hale stood in front of them, eyes on Sahl as he spoke on his coms. 

"Boss has ordered everyone to head to the safehouse immediately. All hands on deck, all units to your positions. Do you copy?"

"1 copy."

"2 copy"

"4 copy"

"3 with boss."

"Lets go!"

Safwah turned to Sahl who was ready to run in the opposite direction.

"Where are you going?"

"To find Vardah." He didn't bother explaining and broke into a run. Something in Safwah told him this wasn't a minute thing. He searched around the place for Zamaairah and saw her surrounded by Kayan's guards. She couldn't see him but he felt relieved. Safe, she's safe. 

Safwah then turned to run behind Sahl, only to be intercepted by Derek.

"I am sorry sir. Your safety is our priority right now."

"I am ex-interpol, I can help." Safwah told him, trying to move. But Derek was bigger and block his moves really quickly.

"Boss' orders, sir. You cannot do anything if you are dead." Safwah sighed and nodded. Just as Derek moved, he pushed past and broke into a run. They can kill me later.

Somehow, he was surrounded by four more guards. Fighting them would take time and he didn't have that. He needed to help Sahl, protect his family. But before he could throw a punch, he felt his body limp. What the fuck is going on?

"Boss is prepared, Sir." With that, Safwah blacked out.

The Zaeef property had two small houses apart from their mansion, at the end of the west side of the area. It was built in between trees and was intended mainly for supplies. When Vardah saw this, she upgraded it as their safehouse. The way to it from the main house is very tricky, with multiple paths and only her team of officers know. The same ones leading the family there.

All the bodyguards rushed the family inside the house, without them knowing what the reason was. All gadgets were taken for the fear of being tracked down. Vardah had planned it thoroughly but if anything went wrong, she always has a plan. 

It was a while after which Safwah woke up. Sahl was still out and Safwah, as much as he wanted to go out there and help, couldn't. He was the primary target and he felt guilty over it. If I wasn't the target or injured, I would probably be out there. 

Safwah looked around the safe house and sure enough, everyone was there. Including Zamaairah. He stared at her for a moment before sighing. She's scared. But there was nothing he could do to console her. She set with Kulthum, huddled in one corner as they tried not to cry. 

Karmaan heaved a sigh and stood up.

"Why can't we go out and at least find out?"

"The best officer is out there, there's no need for us." Yazdan informed them as he cuddled Yasharah in his arms. He was protective of his daughter just like Kayan was of his sons. Kayan had both the kids on his lap, sleeping on his chest.

"Right." Muttered Safwah, praying everything is fine. 

****

Update for my lovely pandas! 

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xx,

Aalihha.