Author's POV

Now that Noor has a whole different relation with Jack, she felt a little strange .

" Noor. Even though I did asked your hand in marriage, I just want you to know you don't have to change how you act yourself around me." Jack informed not wanting to pressure her because of the new formed relation.

" I married for who you are. You don't have to change yourself for me" he smiled.

Noor felt comfortable after hearing it. She was glad Jack isn't forcing her in anything and he genuinely love and respect her.

What will the destiny behold for us.

Soon they reached back home and the guards helped taking the grocery in the house.

Noor sometimes think whether these guards have their own rest and eat their food or no but then again she often see new faces in the guards so maybe they are?

As soon as she entered the house, she quickly went to her room and prayed Maghrib prayer.

After doing her prayer she came out to help Maya sort out the groceries.

Jack was already sitting down with Leo talking about somethings while Fiona was busy on her phone.

Where are Michelle and Andrew?

Noor saw Maya already sorting out the groceries so she went to her and gave her a hand.

" Did you get Alec's message?" Jack asked as Leo nodded in response.

" The tattoo seems not a problem as we might know about it sooner or later. But the numbers..." he trailed still not understanding the meaning of the numericals it has.

" The numbers. We gotta do it manually. I don't think we will get anything from the system if we simply typed it down" Leo gave his opinion as he thought about it.

Numericals are the one things that holds every secret to crucial matters. It's like a puzzle that you have to carefully solve it.

If you get even a digit wrong you will be stuck forever and have to redo it all over again.

" I have already sent Andrew to print out all the numbers" He added as his eyes caught Noor's sight who was talking comfortably with Maya while sorting out the items.

Leonardo was actually mad when he found out Noor went with Jack to the market. She did not even care to tell him and he did not like that one bit.

Leonardo estimated the time of their shopping. It takes half an hour to reach the supermarket and one hour to do the shopping while another half an hour to return.

So in total it takes 2 hours after shopping and returning back home with no traffic.

They went at 4 and should've returned at 5 but they returned later than needed.

Where else did they go.

Few hours later, it was already late and everyone were in their room after having their dinner.

Noor was taking a bottle of water for herself after praying her Isha prayer in case she may be thirsty in the middle of the night.

Noor was exhausted for the day and want nothing but to hit the sack right away.

She did not even sensed that there was someone standing behind her until that person turned her towards them " S-sir?".

Leonardo was on his way to the basement where Alec is as he got a message from him about the tattoo when he suddenly spotted Noor in the kitchen and he was yet to confront her of her whereabouts with Jack.

Noor was intimidated by Leo's height. Dangerously intimidated by his height and stare.

" D-do you need anything?" Noor asked nervously while trying to remove her arm from his strong grip.

" Don't ever go anywhere without my permission" he warned anger lacing in his voice as he slowly tightens the grip and Noor groans due to the impact.

Noor really felt scared after hearing his warning she doesn't understand what this guy infornt of her wants from her.

She stretched her hands trying to elope from his grip but to no avail it was useless and it only made Leonardo to change his grip position at her wrist.

" Please l-leave me it's h-hurting" she begged with moist eyes and that's when the ring caught his attention.

Seeing the metal little thing in her ring finger made him frown. He never have seen her wear any jewelry so what is this ring?.

" What is this?" He sternly asked but more like the question was who gave this?. Even though he has a hunch on what the ring meant he doesn't want to jump to anything yet.

What fucking joke is this!

Leo's focus did not leave the ring hugging her finger and following his gaze, Noor was utterly clueless on his actions.

" What are you guys doing?" A voice asked catching their attention as Noor looked at the person who was looking at them with suspicion.

Noor quickly retracted her hand from Leo's grip which he thankfully allowed and she took a few steps away from him while Leo closed his eyes controlling his annoyance.

" Michelle, why a-are you still up?" Noor stuttered due to her dry throat as Michelle walked up to her standing between her and Leo.

" I just returned and heard noises so I came to check" She replied looking at her and Leo who has an indifferent expression as if nothing happened just a moment ago.

" Oh- o..ok" Noor said holding the bottle with both her hands and just want to go from the place already before anything else happen because she has no energy to handle anymore.

Michelle was about to ask what they both were doing alone in the kitchen because as far as she knows they both don't get along well and if Noor is upset or anxious it's definitely because of her dear cousin.

But before she could ask anything she saw the ring on her finger and she remembered Jack's proposal!

" Did Jack already proposed to you?!" Michelle gasped with a Cheshire grin taking Noor's right hand which has the ring on it.

Hearing her Leonardo was shocked as if he got brutally betrayed. He didn't like what Michelle said just now and it only made him angry.

" OMG you accepted it!!!" She shrieked with excitement feeling happy for her dear friend that got proposed.

Noor gave a small smile which was not even visible and nodded as a response when she caught Leo's gaze on her.

Anger would be an understatement for his reaction. He was in rage .

His eyes were hardly glaring at her while his jaw was clenched. His nose was as if it was flaring smoke as one of his hand was balled into a fist.

Noor was extremely confused and scared seeing his reaction but most of all her heart was conflicted.

" OMG Congratulations!!" Michelle congratulated as she hugged Noor who was trying to hide from Leo's hard gaze.

" This is such a good news!!" She added joyfully, glad that Noor has given a chance to Jack.

Michelle has always thought Jack as her brother after Andrew and Leonardo .To be honest, Michelle did not expect that Jack's type is a girl like Noor but she knows that this isn't about the ideal type that made Jack like her and she was happy that her brother liked a girl like Noor.

" Good news indeed" Leonardo commented coldly that caught both the girls attention and that reminded Michelle that her cousin was still there with them.

" Right?! " Michelle turned her attention at her cousin and began narrating how she got to know about the proposal for Noor.

Leonardo was listening attentively but his gaze did not leave her while she wanted to stop Michelle from saying anything to him but it was already too late.

Taking this chance she left the place and ran to her room with her heart thumbing against her chest " Why was I feeling conflicted."

"I got a call from our guys and they said one of the resident know about the tattoo" Alec informed while doing something on his tablet.

Leonardo was at the basement with the guys even though he just want to out his anger in practice but this was an important information to take down that stupid bastard who started first.

" Where?" Leo asked as he was sitting on the chair like the king he was.

His dominance never descending wherever he goes and people would bow and greet him due to the respect they have for him.

Sure there are others that don't even look at his way due to fear but everyone is different and each have their own opinion and judgement about him.

Everyone has their own point of view.

We are all bad in someone's story.

"Around the sea port in the fishing area. The area has not more people because the business is running slow and one of the old locals recognize the tattoo" Alec reported as he placed his tab infront of Leo.

There was a picture of an old local person that seemed to be a fisherman judging by the dress he wore.

The man looked to be in his late 50s and the picture was taken without him noticing as he was talking with a guy shown in the picture

Leonardo observed the picture carefully before swiping to the next ones and it showed a drawing carved on an old wood.

The same drawing that of the tattoo but it seemed to be missing something.

" Are you sure it's the same with the tattoo?" He inquired while zooming in the picture and scanning every deatil of the carved wood.

" Well... I can't really confirm it because I just saw it through the photos" Alec gulped as he spouts his words carefully.

No one and I mean no one wants to face the wrath of Leonardo Chris Henz.

Leo lifted his gaze from the tablet to the alerted bachelor infron of him who flinched at his single glare.

" We tried to give them money for the sign board but they refused so they only got the pictures!" Alec said in one breath before he piss' in his pants from his boss' lecture.

" I think either you, Jack or Andrew must go and check it out and if possible talk with them too?" Alec suggested with a whimpering voice.

Leonardo was silent thinking of Alec's suggestions. He was not wrong.

It should be either from the three of them to go because they know much of what's going on and what they are doing.

A frown was formed when Leonardo was still scanning the drawing in the tablet.

He noticed that the design is actually the same but it's different.

This is not Cobra.

The little detail that indicates the head of the snake on the tattoo was absent in the picture that was sent.

The situation became confusing and Leonardo was conflicted whether these two things are related.

" Ok, I'll send Jack with other 2 guys"

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

3 days later....

" NOOR! YOUR HUBBY WANTS TO TALK WITH YOU!" Michelle shouted teasing her and hearing the word hubby only made her blush different shade of reds.

" Michelle!!!" Noor whined feeling shy and embarrassed that she couldn't stop teasing her.

Ever since she accepted the proposal, Michelle didn't leave the chance to tease the two couple.

Noor would whine to stop her from doing it while Jack didn't mind and was actually liking it.

But Noor requested Michelle to not tell anyone else about the proposal yet until its the right time.

" Ok ok here talk with him" Michelle teased as she gave her her phone before leaving the shy maiden to her privacy.

" Hello?" Noor voiced meekily a fluttering sensation was felt in her.

" Hey princess" Jack greeted as Noor fidget her fingers due to shyness.

" How are you?" He asked " I am fine".

It's been three days since Jack was sent to investigate the tattoo at the sea port and he was almost done with it.

" A box will be given to you and I want you to accept it" he said covering his nervousness which Noor did not notice in his tone.

" Box? For what?"

" I want you to be my plus one to the Ball. Will you go out with me Noor?" He asked a bit hesitant and there was silence next.

Right. The Grand Masquerade Ball will take place the day after tomorrow.

Noor didn't expect anyone to ask her to be their partner because she thought she ain't have a chance to go. Why would she go either?

"Noor??" Jack called in case he thought the call was ended or there was any network problem " Y-yes?"

" What's your answer?" He asked again.

Noor was hesitant to accept his offer because one he is still a non-mahram to her and two she will be the odd one out of everyone in the Ball because she will be the only Muslim.

But your already engaged! Her consciousness argued giving her second thoughts that it's okay since they are going to get married anyways.

" Okay".

The next day a green box was given to Noor by one of the guards. Noor knows it's the box that Jack said he will give her and so here it was.

She closed the door of her room and went to her bed while placing the beautifully wrapped box with a white bow down. 

She was curious. What could Jack has sent for her?

Unwrapping the tie she opened the box as she gasped in awe seeing the item inside " MashaAllah"

Meanwhile Fiona was in a deep thought. She looked up at her one and only nephew who was talking in the phone.

Sensing a gaze Leonardo noticed his aunt looking at him and he hang up the phone as he gave Fiona a what's the problem look.

She thought of asking him a certain question that she finds curious but before that she decided to test him and get her answer through it .

" I was thinking, can I have that girl in my home? She can help me around the house an-"

"No"

Fiona was taken aback at the response. She did not even complete her sentence but Leonardo seemed to already know what she was trying to ask.

" I mean, she is a debtor. I will find you a maid if you want one"

" But I want no one else but her" she shrugged

" You cant have her" he told stressing the word can't because he was irritated that everyone wants her.

Fiona shivered sensing the possessiveness in his voice.

" You love her don't you?"

Leonardo became silent hearing the question. Love? that's one foreign word for him and he will be damned if its there in his dictionary.

"No". Fiona scoffed at his response as she stood from her seat and stands near him.

She simply was looking at him with silence observing over him. Others may not understand him but she is his aunt who have looked after him like her second son.

She saw something in him which he was yet to realize or admit it by his own and ever since she came to the house she noticed it.

This characteristic of his reminds her of her sister " So stubborn like your mother."

Leo could not understand what made her aunt ask him such question.

Love her? Is she joking with me?

Thinking about Love always made him think of his parents tragic accident which he blames that so called Love for it.

He knows that Fiona knew he hates everything that's related to the absurd word called Love.

Fiona sighed at his silence knowing well he must be thinking of his parents death which he has a misunderstanding of and the reason he despise Love so much.

" Leo, it was no ones fault. And your father only did his duty as a husband protecting your mother to keep her safe because .."

" because she was his weakness and did she survived? Both of them died!" he exclaimed with anger burning in his eyes.

" because she was her strength Leo. " She corrected "and because he loved your mother very much that he wanted nothing but her safety" she added trying to explain but Leonardo was hellbent to not change his mind.

" You will understand once you have someone you love. More than your own life" 

The awaited day of the Ball has arrived and Noor could not see anyone home.

Where is everyone?

It was still early and she thought of making breakfast first for everyone when they come out from wherever they are.

Taking out the eggs and butter from the fridge she heard a voice wanting coffee " Maya I need my coffee".

Noor turned only to find him all dressed up. He was wearing the usual ol' black shirt with the first two buttons undone as it hugged his sturdy chest.

His hair was slicked back neatly as he was holding his black coat with his phone on his hand.

Why does he wear black everyday? Does he go to funerals?

"Ma-" he paused seeing Noor the one in the kitchen as he stares at her.

In these three days, Noor has gotten an idea of how Leo is. Since she is responsible for taking care of him she didn't leave his side one bit because he didn't let her.

Though it made Noor want nothing but get away from him since his actions are unpredictable to her but one thing she liked about him was he cares and loves his family a lot. Even though he doesn't show much about it

" Should I make for you?" Noor offered since there was no one around and Leo responded with a nod.

As Noor busy herself in making the coffee, Leo eyes her up and down.

She was wearing a white long sleeve
shirt, a bit loose on her body, tugged in a baby pink frock with a light cream almost white scarf on her.

She looked so cute in the outfit the colors combined was vibrant on her and she looked like an angel.

Yesterday's conversation he had with his aunt replayed in his mind as he thought.

To love someone more than their life? Is it some new trend going on?

Leo scoffed at the ridiculous sentence. People do stupid things when they listen to their heart but only they know why they do it.

A heart knows things the mind can't explain but then again Leo has never listened to his heart.

" Should we take her with us? No one will be home" Maya and Michelle appeared walking side by side while talking as they saw the subject of their topic serving Leonardo.

" Noor do you want to go with us to The Grand Ball tomorrow?" Michelle asked and Noor perked hearing it.

" You know about the Grand Ball right? Maya is going with Andrew as his partner and no one will be home." She explained.

It hit Leo that she will be all alone when they go to The Ball if they don't take her with them. But he also don't want to take her because its not a place she will be comfortable in.

" How about you go with Leo as his partner?" Michelle suggested as she looked at Leo waiting for his answer but Noor beats him to it .

" A-actually Jack asked me to be his plus one" she quickly declared so Michelle could jerk the idea of her pairing with Leo.

Leonardo raised an eyebrow at that while Michelle gave a teasing smile as she remembered about Jack.

" Ah-! that's great then! you will be going as his partner!" she cheered as Maya was confused on her reactions being a little too happy.

" But she can't be partnered with anyone right? He is not related to her in anything" Maya asked confused remembering about the mahram and non-mahram thingy Noor once explained.

" U-um... Maya I am engaged to him"

" WHAT?!"

" OMG you look SO PRETTY!!" Michelle complimented as they were in Noor's room getting ready for the Ball 

" I can't believe Jack bought you this dress and you hide such big thing from me" Maya complained sulking that Noor didn't chipped her in about the proposal

 " I said I am sorry " Noor apologized once again as Maya sighed a smile " Ok it's not like I have missed the big thing or are you going to secretly marry too?" 

" OBVIOUSLY NOT!" Michelle argued making both the girls flinch at her sudden outburst.

"Because I will be the one planning for her wedding and we will do it again even if they already got married secretly!" she announced making Noor blush at her words.

" Aiissh- what nonsense are you talking. Let's go we also have to get ready" Maya dragged Michelle who was saying she will do what she said about Noor's marriage.

Noor chuckled at them when she looked at the time " Oh Allah! we are going to go in 30 min and I still did not wear my scarf!"

She looked around for he scarf and remembered its in the toilet " Agh- Why did I even bring it in the toilet."

An silhouette made it's appearance entering Noor's room as it saw her enter the bathroom.

The silhouette went towards the bed and placed a small box beside the already opened one and left before Noor came from the bathroom.

As Noor came with her scarf in her hand she went to the bed and placed it down as she fix her underscarf and that's when she saw that small box.

" Huh? Where did this come from?"

◇  ◇  ◇  ◇  ◇

☆ Aghhh finally this chapter is over. My brain was like a flickering bulb when writing this.

☆ Who do you think is this silhouette belonged to?? Hehehe

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

Have a good day and happy reading!