Author's POV

" That was one good dance Leo" Fiona complimented when she saw Leo and Noor dancing.

It didn't felt like she was talking about the dance with her scrutinizing eye.

Fiona was actually dumbfounded at Leonardo. She can't believe she has a nephew who has an IQ of 201 but dumb infront of a simple thing called Love.

Don't love her my ass.

" Why did you dance with Noor Leo? You knew you were not allowed to touch her." Michelle asked with a frown because it was impossible for anyone to see they both were not dancing.

Everyone was looking at Noor too with questioning eyes. She didn't want anyone to have any kind of doubt at her.

It's not like she wanted to dance with him or anyone else in that matter. She was forced to dance with him!

" S-someone was bothering me a-and I ended up i-in the dance c-circle" she explained and frowns appeared in each of their faces " Who was bothering you?"

Maya stood beside Noor calming her down because everyone knew something like this was going to happen to her " I d-don't know. B-but I lost him."

A feeling of displeasure emerged upon Leo hearing her. His jaw clenched on the thought of the person trying to get close to her while his dark orbs was holding in his vexation.

But he can't do anything since Noor doesn't really recognize the person and lost him.

Bastard.

" It's okay sweetheart. Just don't be invisible from our sight" Fiona suggested with a warm smile and Noor nodded in response.

" Why don't we go get something to eat? I am starving" Andrew said lighting up the mood as Maya rolled her eyes at the starving goblin but she understood his intention.

"Let's go Noor I want you to try something " Maya dragged Noor to the food area with Andrew right behind them as the rest looked at their leaving figures .

" By the way. You look stunning tonight Fiona" Max complimented Fiona as she smiled appreciating his words.

" Thank you young man."

Fiona was wearing a beautiful red frock with a V neck and visible long sleeves.

Her hair was done in a low ponytail, parted at front and she was wearing two silver long earrings.

Even though she is old in age but her body is as fit as a young adult.

"Where is dad, mom?" Michelle asked searching for her father " He is talking with Mr. Poles"

Michelle took Max with her to meet her father since she did not meet him yet and her father has been busy lately.

Seeing they have gone far enough, Fiona looked at Leonardo who was gawking at the direction where Noor and Maya are, with Andrew who was entertaining them.

" Still believe you don't love her?" She teased.

Leonardo became still when he heard his aunt. He felt as if she caught him red handed doing something he was not suppose to do, but has he ever care? NO.

Leonardo looked at his aunt boringly before he left the spot not bothering to say anything as Fiona chuckled.

" Like mother like son".

" Are you sure you don't want to have anything else Noor? What about this piece of sandwich?" Maya asked holding the plate of tuna sandwich in her hand.

" I don't like tuna Maya. And it's ok I don't need anything" Noor replied while Maya said a low " ok".

It's not that Noor doesn't want to eat anything in the table. Everything looked deliciously alluring but Noor has to be careful.

Everyone here is of other religion than her so she can't really say if the food is haram or halal.

" Have you seen Jack?" Noor asked out of curiosity, not seeing him after he said he will be back from the rest room.

"Missing him huh?" Maya teased as she nudged her elbow at her playfully " Maya!"

Noor sighed as she gets teased non-stop and can only either leave them be or whine since they never listen to her begging.

Noor notice Michelle and Max together hand in hand. Max was hugging Michelle's waist so close to him as if she was his dear life and Michelle was looking at him with full of love in her eyes.

Noor wondered if one day she will have a partner whom she will look at just like Michelle to Max.

One can only wish and hope for better future.

" Don't they look so good together?" Maya asked when she saw Noor looking at their direction.

" Yeah. But who is Michelle talking with?" Noor asked looking at the person Michelle and Max are talking to.

"It's Andrew and Michelle's father. He is a businessman but doesn't have anything to do with the Mafia if you are curious." She replied.

" People will think they are childhood lovers seeing them all chummy chummy "

" They are not?" Noor asked confused hearing what Maya just said.

"Pfft---! Of course NOT! They were just fuck buddies when I first know it but things eventually evolved I guess" She shrugged.

Noor was looking at her as if she was looking at a standing dead body. She can't believe her ears what Maya just said.

Fuck buddies?!!.

Well it's not something new for them but Noor still can't get used to hearing it as she whispered an astagfirullah in her heart.

" But how did they meet ?" Noor asked out of curiosity because she felt this Max guy a bit strange.

"From a party and Michelle liked how he was in bed s-"

"Uumm!!" Noor covered Maya's mouth with both her hands before she could complete her sentence "Maya!! I just asked how not why!!"

Maya chuckled as she understood what Noor was doing. She removed her hand off of her mouth smiling at her innocent friend " Come on baby, it wasn't that dirty"

Noor shook her head as they both burst into a fit of giggles when Andrew approached them with a plate of sandwich.

"Why are you guys giggling? What's so funny?" Andrew asked taking another bite of non-veg spring roll in his mouth.

" She was asking about Max and Michelle" Maya said as she took a sip of her drink.

" Ah- tsk. I don't even know what he saw in Michelle that he agreed to date her." Andrew mumbled looking at her sister who was happily talking with their father.

Though Andrew says mean things but Noor figured it's just the way he shows he cares for the people close to him.

"Is he also a businessman?" Noor inquired already had a guess that everyone here are high busniessmen and politicians even though she doesn't know who are who.

" I am not sure because he looks like an asshole but if having a couple of restaurants and malls is busniess then I guess he is" Andrew shrugged boringly making Noor confused at his words.

" He is an actor though" he added.

Noor was surprised hearing it, since Maya said only high class politicians and busniessmen are only invited.

Before Noor could ask anything further, she saw Jack walking their way with a smile on his face as he stood beside Andrew " Hey ladies"

"Where were you?" Maya asked scanning at Jack up and down when she caught a dry stain on his suit probably from the previous juice stain.

"I was in the washroom and had a talk with couple of people" He replied as they continued to talk about something else.

Hearing them talk Noor forgot to ask what she wanted to ask and was just listening to their conversations.

"What the fuck Suzy?!" Leonardo asked irritated-ly when Suzy dragged him into a corner furiously.

" What the fuck? No you what the fuck LEO! Why were you dancing with that bitch so closely!"

Anger was the only thing Suzy was feeling when she saw how Leonardo was dancing with Noor.

She wanted to confront him but he was not listening so she had to drag him away from the crowds.

" What are you trying to say Suzy" Leonardo gritted his teeth holding his anger hearing Suzy badmouth Noor.

He didn't want to make any scene or make any enmity with Suzy's father but every time the daughter is pushing his buttons.

" I am saying you to stay away from that bitch! She seduced you right? She seduced you with her innocence like a slu- HuueK--!!"

Suzy was cut off by a hand wrapped around her neck tightly making her hard to breath as she choked on air .

" Le-huek-le-eave -!!" Suzy flounderly was tapping on the hand that was blocking her windpipe as her orbs were rolled behind due to lack of air.

" Badmouth about her and you won't be able to talk for the rest of your life" Leonard warned with threat lacing in his voice as his grip tightened around her neck.

" You better don't ignite the fire you can't stop Suzy" he advised grimly before she passes out due to suffocation as he released her neck.

Suzy coughed and gasping for air the moment her windpipe was able to get the oxygen in while she rubs her throbbing neck " That bitch!"

The oblivious stare on Noor was looking at her intensively as if studying her.

He couldn't figure out her face because of the mask and it was frustrating him.

Why do I feel she is someone familiar.

He took out his phone an dialed a number. After the second ring, the call was picked up " Yes boss"

" Bastard there is a Muslim woman with them. Why wasn't it mentioned in the report!!" he whisper yelled at them clenching on the phone.

" W-we didn't know boss . We will check on it right away!" The other person answered stuttering with fear sensing his boss is angry.

" Do it fast and do it correctly!!. I need all her details! Every. single. information" he gritted with a harsh tone sending shivers to them.

"Y-yes sir! We will do it right away!" The person announced to please his boss.

" What about that thing? Is it done yet?" He asked in a pissed tone " W-we are doing it right now"

" Ok" he said before hanging up his phone.

Wickedness is the only thing that can describe him. As his eyes landed on Leonardo who was talking with some businessmen he recognized an evil smirk stretched on his masked face.

" Let's see if we can meet after my surprise for you. If you are alive that is" he smirked.

" Good evening everyone and thank you for coming to this year's Grand Ball" an elderly woman announced through the mic in her hand. Her voice sounded younger than she looks.

Everyone present began to gather around her as the hall light went off an only a spot light was on directing on her.

" Finally before the party got boring" Andrew commented while everyone was engrossed seeing the elderly under the spotlight.

" Who is she?" Noor asked though she could not see the woman because her bare back was facing her.

" She? She is the organizer of the Ball. Gwen Haiden. The chairwoman of Haiden Finance, largest corporation in the finance industry."

The woman turned herself facing the other direction and now Noor was able to see her completely.

Elegance was screaming from her vibe. Her skin was flawless from any aged wrinkles except the ones from around the corner of her eyes whenever she smiles.

She was wearing a fancy white suit that went well with her black bralette bra and a beautiful blue sapphire choker necklace as decoration among all the white elegant styling.

Her mixture of black white gray hair was styled in a low messy bun which went well with all the elegant styling.

She is not wearing a mask?

"Like every year this function is being organized for a reason. And this year we are all gathered here to meet someone special of mine" Gwen revealed as whispers was soon filled in the hall.

"Now now, you guys might be curious who it is so let's not drag any longer" She said as she introduced the person " Everyone, let's welcome my nephew Richard Haider".

A slight gasp was heard from the crowd but as Gwen clapped her hands the crowd followed the applause when a guy slipped under the spotlight beside Gwen.

Jack frowned seeing the guy that appeared. He was the same guy that Jack was trying to chase down regarding the tattoo.

Though he wasn't sure yet if what he saw was the tattoo or just his hallucination " What is he doing there"

As soon as the hall light returned, the guests fluttered around Gwen and her nephew, congratulating her and greeting one another.

Jack removed his mask as he was trying to figure out who this Richard guy is.

Everyone knows that Haiden Finance Chairman had no heir but they heard he was going to make his nephew the heir.

"Nephew? does that mean the heir of the Haiden Finance is back?" Andrew said but it sounded as if he was reconfirming himself as they looked at Richard with questioning and doubt eyes.

" What do you mean he is back?" Noor was getting confused the more she gets to know the rich people lives.

She concluded the lives of the rich is complicated and corrupted when she understood the businessmen and politicians might have connections with mafia one way or the other but the puzzle seemed to be unsolvable each time a new piece comes.

" Not long after the Chairman announced he will hand over the company to his nephew, suddenly there was a news of his sister's family got attacked and no one found it's bodies" Andrew mentioned as Noor listened in horror.

"A-attacked?" Noor asked to incase she heard it wrong .

" Yeah. And since they never made any public appeareance nobody know what they look like except for the family members." He added and Noor felt sympathy for them as she looked at Richard.

" Richard meet-"

" Leonardo Chris Henz" Richard called out as he forwarded his hand for a hand shake.

Leonardo was simply just staring at him, his hands still in the pocket not making any movement.

" I heard a lot about you" he added withdrawing his hand awkwardly.

" Welcome back from the death" Leonardo greeted blankly as Richard chuckled at the unique? greeting.

" What can I say. The Satin didn't want competition yet ." He remarked sarcastically with a grin but his eyes held different emotions.

" Leo that wasn't nice" Fiona said as she gave a stern look but he just brushed it off boringly.

" Pleasant meeting you Mrs. Conner " Richard took Fiona's hand and kissed like a gentleman.

They talked for a while before Andrew and the others approached as they get themselves known.

"Ah Jack we've bumped with each other a while ago" Richard exclaimed and Jack nodded in agreement.

Humans are really a quirky species. Ones they form a habit they are custom-ed to it eventually and their body would move without them knowing.

Even though they met, Richard's hand forwarded itself and taking this chance Jack looked at his wrist before shaking his hand and it was bare of anything.

Did I saw wrong?

" And who this unique lady could be" Richard asked waiting his hand to be shaken by her as a greeting.

" Sorry she can't shake her hands. She is our best friend" Michelle introduced locking her arms with her " Noor".

" Oh" Richard whispered withdrawing his hand " A Muslim right? I too had some Muslim friends. They were really generous people".

Noor didn't say anything and just gave a small smile. She didn't feel to talk with this person and she felt she heard his voice somewhere.

Do I know him?

"Boss I have something to say" Jack whispered to Leo as they excused themselves and stepped aside.

" I thought I saw the Cobra tattoo in that Richard guy " Jack informed and Leo looked at him frowning
" What do you mean"

Jack told him everything he found out and how suspicious he felt that Richard guy is.

" I think we should do some checking on him. He might be one of them" Jack suggested while looking at the subject who was talking with Fiona and the rest harmlessly.

Leonardo too didn't like him at first sight especially when he was talking with Noor but he was satisfied that she didn't answer or utter anything to him.

He looked at Richard who was talking with Noor carelessly.  Something about him is strange.

He gave his consent to do a background check on Richard before a person approached him who was a business partner of Leo's

" I am going to the washroom" Noor whispered to Maya who offered to tag along with her but she declined .

" Excuse me" Noor said before she left the place as Richard stared at her till she was out of sight.

Noor.

Noor had a hard time searching for the rest room because of how gigantic the place is but after asking the directions from an employee she finally found one.

After doing her business in the toilet she washed her hands while taking a breather from the function.

She felt tiring even though she just simply stood there doing nothing .

The judging stares and whispers directed to her made her felt enervated and anxious.

She let out a tired sigh as she drawn tissue to dry her hands when suddenly she felt her back touched the wall by a forceful push.

Noor hissed feeling the impact in her back as she looked at the person who pushed her into the wall abruptly
" S-suzy?"

Noor was looking at her with fear seeing how angry she is looking with an intense frown on her face.

" Bitch I am warning you, if you go close near Leonardo I am gonna skin you alive " Suzy threatened holding rage and hatred for her .

Noor doesn't understand why is she telling her this and what's really her problem with her?

" Keep your slutty act with yourself and don't even think to look at his way" she added before leaving the restroom .

Everything happened so fast that Noor didn't had the chance to defend herself . She was shocked beyond speechless when she heard Suzy called her with disgusting names.

Noor stayed in the washroom for a while longer to compose herself before she left .

She really felt tired and hungry . She did not pray her Isha prayer either and are also far from home.

I wanna go home.

Noor figured the function will still be on till late night but she don't think she can be here mentally or physically anymore.

She went to Michelle who was now talking with Max and a guest
" Michelle can I speak with you for a moment?"

Michelle nodded and excused themselves " What happen Noor ? Is everything alright?"

" Yeah. I was just wondering w-when are we going home? We are far from home so don't you think we should leave early?"

" Oh- actually we are staying in a hotel tonight. " Michelle informed and Noor looked at her confused because she was not informed about it.

" Hotel?"

" Yeah. We've already booked rooms for everyone. If you are tired you can go with mom and dad, they are going to the hotel right now" Michelle said scanning Noor's tired and dull face.

Noor nodded in agreement. She just want to go and pray and then sleep because her eyes are starting to get heavy.

Michelle scanned the place for her parents but she could not see them. She saw Andrew and went to him followed by Noor behind.

" Andy did mom and dad already went to the hotel?" She asked and Andrew gave her a questioning look.

" Yeah. I just dropped them at the front exit " he said and Michelle sighed.

" What happen?" He asked while looking at both the girls.

" Noor wanted to go back to rest at the hotel so I told her to go with mom and dad." She said.

" No worries I will drop you off" Andrew paused as he remembered Jack told him to keep an eye on Richard " or not"

Michelle looked at her twins with a raised eyebrow confused on his words " What?"

" I mean , Dad told me to stay in he party and make connections agh-" he faked a reasoned but its somehow will be true too considering he will get his father's business whenever he is ready .

"Oh- it's ok, you don't have to." Noor interrupted feeling somehow burdened not wanting to make Andrew go back and forth.

" I c-can go with Jack" she added to not worry them .

" Oh- actually Jack has left for some work nearby and I don't think he will be back anytime soon" Andrew informed when Jack told him of his work before he left.

Now Noor was sort of down since there was no one who can drive her to the hotel. She has no choice but to wait for them, maybe she can ask Michelle if she can rest in an unused room?

Before Noor could ask Michelle, Leonardo walked to them with his focus on his phone as he informed
" I am going to the warehouse. Call me if anything happened"

"Oh- Leo why don't you drop Noor to the hotel on the way? She is tired" Michelle informed relieved that Leo came just in time.

Noor's eyes widened at that. She did not want to go with him nor does he wants to do anything with him.

Noor figured that, anything that involves Leonardo always makes things hard for her. Like when Suzy acted crazy in the bathroom.

Leonardo glanced at Noor once who was still looking with her popped out eyes and nodded with a silent hum.

Leonardo left before Noor could deny and Michelle pushed her to follow her walking out cousin.

" Don't worry go with him!"

Richard noticed Leonardo walking out with Noor following behind him when he was going to talk to him with Max accompanying him.

" Where is your friend going babe?" Max asked as he hugged her from behind while giving butterfly kisses on her bare neck "To the hotel. She said she was tired so Leo is dropping her off".

During the way, the car was filled with silence, an uncomfortable silence to be exact.

All the tiredness that was in Noor seemed to vanished in an instant due to nervousness.

The road seemed to be deserted from any car, Noor felt a light quivering in her heart.

" U-um is this the right way?" Noor asked looking at the dim road before she hesitantly look at Leo.

Leonardo didn't say anything for a while and it was making Noor agitated as she nibbled on her lips.

Why isn't he saying anything?

Leonardo replied with a soft hum knowing Noor will be restless seeing the unknown roads.

If not for the ire silence she would've missed his answer.

The silence was killing her comfortableness. Even though she didn't want to talk but the air is really not suitable for being sit silently.

" I-is your wound okay?" She asked to start a conversation and clear the cramped air they are in.

But clearly Leonardo is not co-operating with her being silent instead of answering her question.

Noor pouted and looked away seeing that he doesn't want to have aby talking with her.

Does he also hate me so much?

" What was Richard talking about with you?" Leonardo asked which caught Noor off guard.

His tone was not harsh nor was it threatening like how he usually talks with her instead it was just a neutral one.

" Oh- he was talking and suggesting of some halal places in here" Noor replied not feeling any kind of pressure .

She was in disbelief that they are both now talking like normal humans and he has actually said a sentence instead of single words.

Noor has wanted to fix their relation since they are living under one roof.

Avoiding and being scared of him is not the solution so she has to be in his good terms if she is going to stay with him for God know how long. 

Taking advantage of this moment right now she thought maybe they can improve their relation if they talk further, so Noor didn't stop talking and kept dragging their conversation.

Leonardo loved ever seconds of their moment right now.

He could feel Noor was not pressured nor was she forced to talk with him. He was pleased .

" You love her don't you?"

Fiona's question popped in his mind. Leonardo felt conflicted in is mind.

He never wanted to do anything with the foolish thing called Love.

It was not worth wasting his precious time and most of all his enemies will take advantage of it against him.

But at the same time he wants her for him and only himself.

He wants her to be comfortable and smile around him like how she is around everyone else.

Leonardo was so lost in his thought that he did not hear Noor screaming and she has to shake him off his thought to get his attention                      " LEO!!"

Noor was looking at the road with horror filled in her eyes seeing the huge truck coming infront of them
" AAAAAAAAAAAA-!!!!".

Leonardo abruptly turned the car to the other direction avoiding in almost colliding with the truck. 

"What the fuck?!" he grumbled at the sudden weird incident but he didn't have time to think about it because the car was losing its control and Leonardo was not able to put the break.

" S-stop the car!" Noor's voice trembled as she looked at Leo but even if he wants he can't "Fuck"

"W-what happen?"

" Br-"

CRASH-

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☆ How you doing y'all?! >♡< . Ok this chapter has taken a really whole week but also its the longest so i guess its fine that I am posting after a week . Hahaha😅

☆ I've read y'all's comments and damn it was motivating and also funny bcuz y'all want Noor to end up with Leo.

☆ Worry not and let's see what the story holds 😌.

See you next week!😄 or ... after 4 days??? 😅😅😅