Author POV
Noor looked at herself in the mirror. She rarely dresses up and even when she does she admires her natural beauty which thankfully avoided her from using makeup.
But Michelle and Maya was persistent to put make up on her to see how she would look so Noor requested to keep it light.
And they were speechless by the outcome.
Noor loved the dress Jack gave her. It was a beautiful navy blue two piece anarkali.
She doesn't know how or where Jack bought this dress but she loved it.
It fitted her perfectly making her wonder how did Jack got the size correct?
The fitting was not too tight but it still showed her curves which she didn't like.
She had her scarf styled in a simple way. Pinning the bottom under her chin she crossed the ends of the scarf and pushed them behind.
Her eyes caught the jewelery on her wrist she wore last minute. Noor was sure there was nothing more other than the dress and heels in the box from Jack.
Did I missed it?.
Looking one last time in the mirror as she fixes her dupatta in the side, she gave a satisfied smile "Bismillah".
" Do you think he will be there? What if he was just fooling us?" Jack asked who returned not too long ago and got an important update from Andrew.
" He will be there" Leo said , sure of his words as he replayed the riddle they got from the unknown caller.
Few hours ago Leo and Andrew were at the warehouse with Alec and others who were trying to solve the numerical mystery when suddenly one of the men announced hastily
" SIR ! OUR SYSTEM GOT HACKED!!"
Everyone looked at the huge screen infront of them that was showing different numericals and letters which no one understands except the IT techs who was hurriedly trying to find who hacked their system.
"Sir there is an incoming call coming from an unknown source!" another guy announced as everyone was waiting for the boss' ordered who seemed to be eerily calm this whole time.
" Accept" he ordered and the guy who informed the incoming call obliged the order given " Incoming call accepting"
" Ah- took you guys long enough to accept my call" the person from the other side spoke as everyone listens and are trying to guess who it was.
" Sounds like a man I thought it was a woman we were dealing seeing how you aren't showing us your face." Andrew commented to fuel anger into the caller and lure him out.
" Coward" he added.
There was silence but soon it was noised with laughter. The caller was laughing.
No.... he was mocking with his laughter which instead angered Andrew.
" Oh well I am not here for a childish fight" he said as his light tone descended into a heavy ones.
" I heard you guys are having hard time catching me. So why not give u a hand?" He laughed and everyone could sense his mocking grin .
" Why don't you just come to us directly? We will finish it once and for all" Jack challenged but the caller just chuckled.
" I could do that but where's the fun in it? After all the game has just began" He laughed like the villain he was.
" Johnny Johnny listen as I unfold .
The game has just begun.
We shall be meeting under one hall. Your precious possessions.
I am going to have it all." He riddled as his laugh echoed and the call ended.
"Sam trace the call and find its location!" Alec ordered and things became busy as they try to find out the caller's location.
" What the fuck was that? Was he trying to be a poet?" Andrew exclaimed with annoyance after hearing the riddle which he didn't understand.
"He is going to be there tonight" Leo interrupted after a long silence
" At The Grand Ball".
" Baby!!" A honeyed voice was heard and everyone knows who has come after a long time .
Suzy was walking while slightly hopping on her heels towards Leo who was dressed in all black with his hand in his pockets.
" You are looking sexy in black" she kissed on his cheeks hard enough to leave a lip mark after eyeing him as if he was an irresistible dish.
Jack looked at his boss with a questioning gaze as he registers what Suzey is doing here and got the hint seeing her dress.
Never thought he made her his partner again.
Suzy was wearing a sleeveless Yona white jumpsuit with a deep V neckline showing off her cleavage .
Her face was done with a neutral dark makeup look and a hot red lipstick was applied on her cheiloplasty lips.
Jack has no enmity at Suzy but her presence is kinda an eyesore for him but who is he to say anything either.
As he boringly move his gaze away, his breathing hiccupped as if he forgot how to breath as his gaze caught on something indescribable
" Pretty"
" I know I am " Suzy said when she heard Jack whispered the word she thought was meant for her but his gaze was set on something else...no... someone else.
Leo followed his gaze as Jack walked pass them and he was hold on his feet.
" You are looking beautiful. Princess" Jack complimented admiring the maiden who wore the dress he bought.
Its perfect for her.
Leonardo can't believe what he was looking at right now. Noor was standing looking totally like a real princess straight from Disney.
Though her body was covered head to toe but she still was able to look beautiful no matter what or how she dresses.
Because beauty is not in the face. Beauty is a light in the heart.
But you aren't her prince Leo's subconsciousness mocked which was fueling him dangerously.
" Ok guys lets go!" Michelle announced all ready to go for the Ball wearing a simple forest green gown with a high slight on the side.
" Ah- Bimbo..." Michelle whispered seeing Suzy while she rolled her eyes
" What are you doing here Bimbo?"
" YOU-"
" Enough! We are going to be late . Let's go" Leo interrupted stopping their fight before it make him go mad when he was already annoyed.
" Wipe the dirty mark bro. People will think you got chickenpox " Michelle pointed at his cheek that had a kiss mark from Suzy.
Noor saw the mark and an unknown feeling lingered in her heart.
She felt disturbed by it .
As they stepped outside, they saw Maya and Andrew talking besides two helicopters as confusion surfaced on Noor.
Helicopters?
" The Ball is taking place in another part of the city which is far. And to avoid traffic we will be taking the helicopters" Jack explained as Noor nodded in understanding.
" Hey guys looking good" Maya said looking at everyone with a smile.
" We will split and take helicopter each so hop on" she told .
Noor was clueless on which helicopter to go to but one thing for sure was she didn't want to sit anywhere near Suzy.
" Let's go Noor" Jack said indicating her to follow him which she obediently did since she doesn't know where to go.
Where are you going? Leonardo's subconsciousness stopped him when he was taking a step towards Noor.
What was he going to do? Stop her from going with Jack? Why? He has no right whatsoever to do that.
"Let's go babe" Suzy dragged Leo to the other side as Noor walked away to the other helicopter.
It took two hours with the helicopter going to the destination the Ball was going to be held as they reached exactly as the function started.
"Stay alert and inform me if anything happen" Leonardo ordered talking through the Bluetooth he wore that's connected with Andrew and Jack's.
Noor was mesmerized by the place destination. It was the most fanciest she has ever gone to.
She could only dream to visit such places or just stare at it from her phone and can only wish.
" MashaAllah" she whispered as she let her eyes roam at the building structurer infront of her.
It was a beautiful palace that gave off the vibe of Royal Palaces like in India .
Greenery was decorated like small parks and gardens hither and thither as lamp posts and the building lightened the area.
Noor heard a cough as if trying to get her attention. She turned to only be met with the person she was trying to avoid "Wear this"
A beautiful black mask was held by Leo as he handed it to Noor. She looked at it with confused gaze.
Noor wasn't sure whether to accept it or not but seeing others behind Leo they had masks wore on.
Were we supposed to wear masks?
Michelle walked to Noor and seeing she doesn't have her mask she asked
" Where is your mask Noor?"
Noor didn't know what to say. There was no mask or anything like that given to her so she didn't have one nor did she know she needed to bring one.
Leonardo could tell she won't take the mask from him and it irritated him.
Women are dying to get his attention but this young damsel is pushing it away.
He grabbed Noor's hand which surprised her and gave her the mask while giving her his infamous hard stare that send chills to others and make them obedient.
" Why you gave her a mask?" Michelle asked confused as Leo replied curtly before leaving " Extra".
Leonardo actually got a couple mask. He told Alex, the butler to order a masquerade mask for him for the ball and he ended up getting a couple's mask since most were sold out.
" Let's go, you should wear the mask and never leave Jack's sight" Michelle said stressing the word never as she dragged her where everyone is.
Andrew walked with Maya locked arms in arms and so did Suzy and Leonardo who was unwilling but kept his composure.
" Shall we?" Jack asked forwarding his arms " You don't have to if you don't want. It's fine either way, just stay beside me" he smiled.
Noor nodded and Jack respected her wish as they walked side by side towards the grand hotel before them.
The place was filled with securities and employees flauting all over taking care of the guests.
Noor saw a small fountain roundabout from the corner of her eyes far away as she was taking in the exteriors of the place.
Two professional bodyguards was standing before the small stairs of the entrance door as an employee stood behind a small desk with another bodyguard by his side while another at the opposite end.
" Invitation please" he asked and they showed their invitation before he let them in not forgetting the curious gaze he gave when he saw Noor.
Entering the building, they were walking on a red carpet in the hallway.
Noor was mesmerized by the interior of the building as she looked in awe. It looked like one of those elegant vibe type palace .
The walls was painted with lighter shades with banners and different decorations around the place.
As Noor simply just followed them beside Jack, she soon could hear whispers and faint music as they walked towards a huge opened door.
Looking at the door she believed she only saw it when she watched Disney Princesses who enters and exit through such door.
Ya Allah- It's so beautiful
Soon they entered the Ball room where almost all the guests are and seeing Leonardo the hall became silent.
Though everyone was wearing mask Noor could sense the curious gaze everyone in the room was showing towards her.
She didn't want to be the center of attention but here she was unexpectedly being that.
Well what do you expect when you are the only person wearing a scarf ?
" Oh baby! there's daddy!" Suzy informed pointing towards her father as she dragged him away.
The hall slowly regained its noisiness with whispers and glances towards Noor while some were busy surrounding Leonardo to approach him for the benefit of their business.
Leonardo not only works in the Mafia but he also has several busniess in every field and anyone partnering with him has gain huge profits within less than half a year.
So who would want to miss such opportunity?
The weird stares were boring holes on Noor and she felt intimidated and uncomfortable by it.
She doesn't know anyone here nor does she want to know because this is not her world.
" Are you ok princess? Why don't you get some drink for yourself?" Jack asked seeing Noor's disturbed face.
" I am fine" she whispered giving a small smile but Jack could sense something was bothering her.
"I will get you a glass of juice. Why don't you stay with Maya?" he said before leaving her with Maya.
Noor wanted to walk around but she fears she will be lost and something might happen so she dropped the idea.
"Are you looking for him?" Maya teased Michelle whose eyes were observing over the crowd as if searching for someone.
" Why else do you think I would come to this boring Ball?" Michelle threw back a question making Maya chuckle because she knows its true.
" Who is she looking for?" Noor can't help but ask because she was curious what made Michelle loose her calm.
"Oh she is looking for her fling"
" My boyfriend! not a fling!!" Michelle corrected, stressing the word boyfriend while Maya just scoffed at her " He agreed to be your boyfriend?"
Maya was shocked by the news because as far as she knows they were just a fling to one another.
" Aren't he lucky?" She said as she flipped her hair proudly with attitude.
" Who is?" Michelle flinched hearing a low husky whisper and as a reflex she hold the person's hand and twisted it to his back as they screamed in pain "AHHH-!!! ITS ME!!"
Seeing the person Michelle quickly left his hand and gasped in surprise " I am.. so sorry!! Are you ok?!"
Maya burst out laughing while Noor was shocking seeing what Michelle did.
A guy in black shirt with red suit and pant groaned rubbing his arms off from pain. He was wearing a black mask decorated with splashes of gold.
It was a half mask so half of his face was visible and it was easily recognizable for whoever knows him.
" Wow your girlfriend got different way of greeting you Max" Maya teased the word girlfriend which was probably to play with Michelle but she was too busy worried about the guy's pain.
" I am really sorry Max are you ok?" Michelle asked worriedly because sometimes she can't trust her strength.
" I am fine" Max replied stretching his arm to check whether it was still intake because he doesnt want to get in the bad side of his girlfriend.
I don't want to die yet.
" Ah- and who is this.... unique lady?" Max asked seeing Noor who is a bit different from other women here due to her hair being covered.
" This is Noor. Noor- Max. Max- Noor" Maya introduced them to one another as Max forwarded her hand to greet
" Pleasent to meet you miss"
" She doesn't do any physical touch with the opposite gender Max" Michelle explained as he withdraw his hand " It has something to do with her religion"
" Religious Maiden. Interesting" Max nodded in amusement as Noor gave a tight smile.
" Your juice Noor" Jack returned with an orange juice as he gave it to her
" Thank you".
" Hey Jack" Max greeted and so did him " You really came huh".
" Had to" He shrugged as he noticed Jack's suit wet with liquid " What happened to your suit? Did you splash something?"
Everyone looked at it as Max mentioned and Jack simply brushed it off " Nothing big. I bumped into someone and the juice spilled on me"
They nodded in understanding as such incident happens when you are in any function.
Well if you are not careful enough that is.
But Jack find the person he bumped suspicious. He was wearing a black turtle with a two piece stripped navy blue tuxedo and blazer set.
He too wore mask so Jack was unable to identify the person but one thing caught him was the tattoo under his wrist when they shook hands.
I am sure it was that tattoo.
Jack caught that same person whispering to a waiter as he went towards the exit.
" Excuse me. I will be using the rest room" he excused himself as he connected with Andrew and told him about a waiter as he followed the unknown guy.
Andrew caught the waiter which Jack told him and took him to a corner where no one was availabe.
" S-sir who are you? What are you doing?" The waiter asked his vocie shaking with fear seeing the gun in Andrew's hand as he was checking his body.
" Strip"
At the Ball room it was time for the guests to dance among themselves as they recognize the music tone played by the musican.
" May I M'lady?" Max asked Michelle for a dance who gladly accepted the invitation as they go to the dance floor.
" I hope my partner wasn't bored all alone" Andrew appeared as he forwarded his hand and Maya chuckled placing her hand on it
" Not at all".
Some began dancing with their partners or lovers while most of the crowd looked at their dances with awe.
Noor was standing all alone watching at the dances too when suddenly someone asked her for a dance.
She didn't know what to do and how to reject him without sounding rude and simply apologized and declined but the person was persistent.
Oblivious to everyone, a pair of cold gaze was watching over a specific person ever since they were separated after entering the Ball room.
" E-excuse me" Noor tried to walk away but the person was calling her out and still following her as she walked through everyone in the crowds and ended up going into the dance circle.
Noor was so engrossed in escaping from that person that she did not realize she entered the dance circle as the dancers twirled their partners to switch.
To avoid bumping into the dancers she walked aback each time the ladies were twirling as they switched partners.
Noor tried to get out of the dance circle when she felt someone hold her hand and they pulled her against their chest as they slid their hand around her tiny waist.
Noor felt her body still like a statue.
Cold sweats was forming at her back as her heart was thumping like crazy with fear.
She slowly raised her gaze to see the person as her hand struggled to break free from his interlocked fingers.
Seeing the familiar cold black orbs her body relaxes and she stopped struggling while the person was still holding her.
" P-please leave me. I can't d-dance" Noor begged but he did not listen and continued dancing forcing Noor's body to aimlessly follow his lead.
With every dance move their body grew closer as they looked at each other's eyes.
One anxiously while the other cold and compose.
Opposites really does attracts.
Meanwhile as Jack was still following the unknown guy, due to too much crowd he was having a hard time catching him.
The unknown guy already knew Jack was following him so to lose him he went back to the ball room as he saw one of his men and signaled him.
On seeing the signal he stepped forward infront of Jack and bumped as the glasses fall from the tray he was holding " Oh sorry sir sorry".
Jack noticed he lost the guy and flicked his tongue in annoyance
" It's ok".
FUCK!
The dance finally came to an end as the hall echoed with applause from the audiences.
Noor was nervous with the close proximity she was now with Leonardo due to their position.
He had Noor wrapped around his arms in a back hugging position, their hands entangled over one another as there was zero distance between them.
Leonardo could feel the wild heartbeat of Noor against his chest. Or is it his?
Noor's body was tensed against his and he didn't like that.
Her intoxicating scent was drawing him closer to her as his hand caress her tiny waist that fitted perfectly in his arm cage.
Leonardo dipped his head on the crook of Noor's neck as he inhaled her fruity scent.
Sweet.
Among the crowds two pair of scrutinizing eyes was looking at them skeptically.
A muslim?
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