XIX

Noor POV

Everything became a mess. Everywhere I go misfortune and bad things happen.

First my parent's death. My own uncle sold me out. I am under the captive of Mafia and now I am caught hostage by these barbarian bandits.

My whole body felt aching in pain. The blood at the corner of my lips made due to the slap seemed to have dried up.

Isn't life full of surprises?

A moment ago I was standing in the shop looking at the dresses when Michelle told me she has to go to the bathroom and the next thing I know sounds of gunshots were heard.

I was too scared to move and check out that I went to hide once the second gunshot was fired and cries of people were heard.

I felt my stomach dropped down and my heart beating anxiously as I hid myself behind rows of clothings.

Just when I was scared to death for myself I saw him entering the shop hastily scanning the area but left short after.

I wanted to scream and get his attention but the words seemed to be stuck in my throat and were denying to come out.

My body felt as if someone froze me on my spot and my knees gave out as soon as I stood up to run after him but to my unluckiness I tripped on the floor and the bandits saw me.

I tried to save myself from them but ended up got hit by the gun on my forehead by one of the men.

The pain was so unbearable due to the heaviness of the metal and the force he used that I thought I will pass out as it gave me dizziness.

" P-please let me go-" I begged as my vision began to be clouded by tears when they were trying to drag me out but I was struggling to remove my wrist from his strong grip.

My mind was going on a panicked state that I did not feel the heated sensation pounding on my left cheek as I felt a cold liquid leaking from the corner of my lips.

Netheirless he kept on dragging me out as I plead him to let me go but I it was falling on deaf ears as he slapped me for the second time giving an annoyed sigh.

Way for thinking that he will save me. He probably left already! Stupid me!.

" ANOTHER SOUND AND BULLETS WILL BE PUT ON YOUR HEAD!" Warned the person who slapped me and everything became pin drop silence.

I began reciting dua'as for my protection and others who are also hold captive by them.

The huge crowded mall has now became a silent desert because of the hijack. I could not see anyway anyone will come and save me.

Will anyone even come to rescue me? Will they search for me?.... but... why would they risk their life to save a nobody? Who am I to them?

Before I know it tears were brimming down from my eyes. Hiding my face with trembling hands I tried to calm my quivering nerves down after realizing no one would come to save me but failed miserably.

Is this it? Am I going to die like this? Is it my time to return to The Al-Mighty?

Sirens were soon heard from outside and some people were relieved hearing it. The police.

" THIS IS THE POLICE. HIJACKERS SURRENDER YOURSELF BEFORE WE USE FORCE. WE WILL CONSIDER YOUR DEMANDS IF YOU RELEASE THE HOSTAGES AND COOPERATE" The police announced and the men looked at each other as if discussing.

Even though the police has came for the rescue my heart isn't calm as if something else is going to happen.

A sobbing sound was heard beside me and I turned to see a small girl covering her mouth to not let her sobs be heard but it was failing miserably.

She seemed to be alone with no guardians beside her. Did she got separated from her parents?

Letting out a shaky breath and wiping the fallen tears with my still trembling hands I decided to comfort the little girl.

She is too young to be in such a situation and there is no one besides her to be comforted and assure her anything.

I know that feeling. I am used to it.

I placed my hand on her head that caught her by surprise as she looked at me with fear but then relaxes.

I took her hand that was covering her mouth and nodded myself telling her to come closer and she did.

" Hey" I whispered with a weak smile as I wiped her tears.

I cleared my throat removing the rasp-iness to make my voice clear and try to distract her from all these.

" What's your name?" I asked with a low tone but enough for her to hear.

" Noor" she replied making me surprise by the coincident that our names are similar.

" My name is also Noor!" I exclaimed as a toothy smile stretched across her innocent face.

" Really?" She asked in disbelief while I nodded my head in response.

" How old are you Noor?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around her as she plays with my clothes fabric.

" I am 10!"

" MashaAllah that's nice baby"

" I am not baby. My mom and dad said I am a big girl!" She argued looking up at me with her big round brown eyes and a frown.

" Oops- I am sorry big girl" I chuckled as she beamed a smile after making me understand as if it was something important.

But her smile soon died down after what she said which broke my heart
" I want my mommy and daddy"

I brushed my hand on her hair trying my best to comfort her as tears revisited me once again.

I could see my old younger self after losing my parents in her as I pulled her closer kissing the side of her head " Me too baby me too"

It has been ten minutes since the police has arrived but they still didn't take any action.

The hijackers has demanded a huge sum of money and transport in exchange to release the hostages.
But there was no response from the rescue side.

While waiting I've noticed that all these men except one wore a full covered beanie mask with only his eyes and nostrils along with his mouth was exposed.

Is he the boss?

Noor was tiredly sleeping out of exhaustion on my lap as I pat her head.

It's been ten minutes. Can we be rescued from here? Why did the place got hijacked all of the sudden?

I heard from Michelle that the security of the place is very strict then how did they pass with all the strict protocols?

" Boss he is not anywhere. We checked everywhere for him." I heard one of the man reported to the masked one stressing the word he as if searching for that one particular person.

Who are they searching for ?

A sudden loud sound as if something fall was heard which caught everyone's attention.

The masked man, who was the boss ordered one of the men to go and check the sound.

I sighed tiredly accepting the fate that I may die or survive any moment in this situation.

I recited my Shahada (the declaration of faith in one God (Allah) and His messenger) in my heart thinking of death and that my time to meet my Lord has come.

La 'illaha 'illallah Mohammed-ur- Rosullulah. ( There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his Messenger)

Just as I lost all the hope of being saved, Allah showed me his reassurance through him.

" Everything is fine" .

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Third POV

Noor lost all the hope of anyone saving her and the hostages. Even if the police is out there, there is no guarantee that no one is going to be killed any minute.

She decided to just leave everything to her Lord. Let Him do everything. Even if she dies or be saved it will be for her own betterment made by Him.

But as if God answered her her head shot up hearing the familiar cold voice " Everything is safe" .

The person who went to check on the source of the sound that happened a while ago returned wearing a mask and Noor felt him suspiciously familiar as she caught his gaze.

" Why did you wear a mask Devil?" The boss asked calling him with the code name to avoid being tracked by the Police Force playing it safe.

Noor knows that pitch black cold eyes. She could never forget the feeling every time those gaze bore at her soul making her shiver down her spine in fear.

It's him. Leonardo didn't left the building. He stayed.

But ofcourse none of them was bothered to think why he stayed?

" It's fancy" Leo replied curtly while still staring at Noor and for the first time while looking at her he saw other emotions other than fear.

Noor let out a heave sigh of relief as tears refilled her eyes. Happy tears.

She hugged the little girl feeling overwhelmed that at least he did not leave her.

" Fancy? Since when did you like fancy things?" Laughed the boss as if he heard the best joke from his comrade.

The man was about to say something else but was interrupted by his other partner and went to him.

Leo walked towards the crowd with the rifle hanged on his shoulder and stood beside the person guarding the hostages.

Leo was counting in the hostages and the enemy around him while thinking  of a plan to how keep everyone else before Jack comes with back ups.

Leonardo explained everything to Jack and ordered him to bring ten of their experienced men and to use only silencer and bring smoke balls with them.

Leo already calculated that it will take at least fifteen minutes for them to arrive and till then he has to keep her safe.

Noor glanced at his side and caught him signaling her to come to the side through his eyes movements but she was hesitant and is afraid they will get caught.

" You. Come with me" Leo said to Noor making her flinch while she was stunned at his reckless action calling her out loud.

" What's the problem?" Asked the person beside Leo as he looked at him and Leo simply stated " I saw her hiding something" .

Noor was in disbelief of how Leo accused her falsely with a straight face and the guy looked at her annoyed flicking his tongue.

"Agh- she again? Spike had to slap some sense to her twice to be obedient. She was fucking making troubles to die" .

Leo felt his anger surfacing but he has to surpass it and avoid acting reckless as he gripped on the gun and clenched his jaw to hold his anger in.

" Let me handle that bitch" Leo stopped the guy from stepping any steps forward towards Noor.

He was already holding his anger and being patience to kill the guy who he got to know is named Spike that slapped her and letting another bastard to touch her will be the last straw.

" I will handle her" Leo said through gritted tooth while the guy simply shrugged his shoulders " and don't worry, you won't complain about her again" he added.

The guy felt shivers hearing his last words as if there is another meaning to it as Leo gave an intense glare to him before he called Noor out.

Noor asked the person beside her to take care of Noor. She was an old lady in her late 60s who agreed but was also worried about her when she heard one of the criminal called for Noor.

" Be careful child" warned the old lady worriedly and Noor felt a bit warm hearing the lady's words.

Leo pointed the gun behind Noor as she now stood infront of him and he pushed her towards one of the nearest shop using the rifle's long head.

Once they both were out of everyone's eyes, Leo removed his mask and put the rifle down as he cupped Noor's face caressing her injures taking her by surprise. 

" Stupid woman" He commented making Noor frown at his words. How could he say that to her! But she swore she saw a glimpse of worry in that pitch black eyes.  

Worry? yeah right, maybe her mind is playing games with her right now to think such a thing that she believe won't happen for a thousand years! 

Realizing their close distance Noor moved back avoiding his touch which really made him mad as he glared at her and clenched his hand.

" H-how did you get this dress?" she asked looking at his outfit that's different from what he has wore when they came to the mall. 

" Doesn't matter" he said not caring to answer her questions as he took out his phone and messages Jack updating about the situation.

Noor really doesn't like his way of talking. He is rude, merciless and unpredictable.

Like the plain white mask he wore to cover his face from being caught, a stoic face void of any expression . 

" Come here" he called her out but Noor was hesitant and doesn't want to go near him. Seeing her hesitance Leo glared at her for not doing what he said.

" Noor I said COME HERE!" he commanded , calling her name as if warning her to not defy his words or else the consequences will be sever as he waits for her to walk to him.

 Noor thought for a while and figured he couldn't do anything to her because they both are trapped in this situation together so his warning is useless to her unless he wants them to get caught which she believes is something stupid he won't do.

Noor nodded her head left and right and Leo was taken aback by the response. How dare she refused him twice! When suddenly something clicks in his mind and understood why she isn't listening to what he is saying.

She really believe I won't do anything in this situation? 

Leo stood in the middle of the shop facing the door. He glanced at Noor who was looking at him confused while frowning figuring out his action as he glanced at the door. 

Noor felt his action disturbing and refused to believe what she thinks he is going to do. 

H-he wouldn't do it right?. Noor asked  herself but she got her answer when she saw him literally walking towards the door without the mask.

Noor rushed to him and pulled him aside kabedon-ing him against the wall while covering his mouth with her hand as she peeks at the door.

" What were you going to do?!" She whispered yelled asking him of his stupid action that could brought them trouble had she not stopped him.

Leonardo simply was looking at her actions and expressions. To say he was surprised is an understatement.

Sure he knew she will stop him but he did not expect her to touch him when she herself always avoids his touches whenever possible.

Leonardo thought to himself how this girl dared to argue with him when she's always trembling like a leaf around him.

She raised her voice at him, refused to take or do anything with him, slapped him twice and now was denying his commands.

Anyone else in her place would already be chopped into pieces and be donated to the wild animals in the jungle but here she was still breathing alive.

But the most strangest thing was, it did not bothered him one bit.

The Leonardo Chris Henz, the most ruthless Mafia of all who does not shows mercy for anyone that goes against him was not bothered by the things Noor has done so far.

Infact he liked it. He wants her by his side whenever possible. He wants to touch and feel her.

He wants her all for himself.

Unaware of his raising carnal and greedy feelings for her, Leonardo was oblivious to what he is allowing himself to.

A mere girl that could araise unwanted feelings in him. A thing he was determined he won't have. A destruction that will bring him down.

His weakness.

◇  ◇  ◇  ◇  ◇

☆Oh God-! This is the LONGEST chapter I have written-! And it basically took me two days to complete!

☆ I was determined to publish it yesterday but I was not satisfied by the cliff hang and made it longer heheh.

☆ I have published another work and you can find it in my account or search Mafia's Unrequited Love.

Don't forget to check it out!

Have a good day and happy reading! ;)


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