It was dark and quiet all around. Sadia was almost done with making an observation of the east wing of the first floor. She had mapped down the entire area in her mind. And now all that was left was to formulate routes and establish a possible escape. But so far, it all seemed so difficult. There were guards everywhere. And the entire mansion was under strict security.

Maybe, I should locate the security room. That might give me a clue. She thought to herself as she approached her room. She had just entered her room when all of a sudden, she jumped and had to stop herself from screaming when she saw someone standing in the middle of her bedroom.

It was Zameer. He was in his formal attire of a dark suit yet his appearance looked disheveled. His short thick hair was messy and his tie was loose. He stood with his hands in his pockets.

"M-mister Sheikh." Sadia gasped, her eyes immediately lowering to the ground. Her heart flipped and she felt her stomach knot.

"Had fun exploring around?" His voice was hoarse.

"Um, I don't-"

"Save it. You shouldn't try to make excuses. Like I said before, you are free to roam around the mansion." He said. Sadia couldn't read his tone of voice. "But isn't it a bit too late at night for you to be exploring around?" He remarked and Sadia immediately caught the sarcasm in it.

"I-is there.....something you're.....here for?" She stuttered, feeling her heart thundering in her chest. She had no idea what he was doing in her room and at this hour of the night no less. She didn't feel safe at all.

Zameer didn't say anything, he only stared at her in silence. His rigid posture and silent manner was frightening Sadia. He had been very strange as of late around her. He had acted on impulse despite being so cool headed initially.

But what Sadia feared more was her own actions. What if he were to kiss her again, then she knew that she would not stop from responding. And what she found most strange that she was in eager anticipation for it. But she knew that she shouldn't be feeling this way. And it scared her. One intense kiss and it made her feel weak and vulnerable and wanting. And that feeling of having her heart beat fast and her nerves on edge had her feeling angry at herself. And all she wanted now was for Zameer to leave.

Zameer on the other hand was fighting a battle of control. He was seeing her after a few days and he was feeling as if he hadn't seen her in a long while. His heart was pacing. But her lowered eyes irritated him.

He had a sudden urge to look into her unique brown blue eyes or more like, he had an intense urge for her to look at him. He was aware of her coyness but right now, at that moment, all he wanted was to look at her and for her to look at him. He couldn't get her out of his mind. These past few days without seeing her, it was so hard on him. Even now as he looked at her, his mind showed him the images of her standing in the rain, her hair open and her body soaked. But all that he could recall washer lovely face, pale and cold.

With steady steps, he approached her. Sadia became alert as she took involuntary steps back to maintain distance. But Zameer has anticipated as such for his arm stretched forward, his finger gently lifting up Sadia's chin. Sadia's cheeks immediately flared up as her heart beat fastened and knots formed in the pit of her stomach.

"Look at me." He whispered, his eyes on hers.

Sadia refused to obey. Zameer noticed her tenacity.

"Look at me," He whispered in a deep husky voice. "Sadia."

This was perhaps the first time he didn't call her doctor and directly called her by her name. Him calling her by her name without her title had Sadia shocked. He had never called her by her name alone and it was so baffling that her eyes moved as she looked up and instantly, her eyes connected with his.

"I want you to always look at me." Zameer muttered, no longer knowing what words were coming out of his mouth. His hand travelled up from her chin to her cheek. He was drawn into her beautiful eyes. He couldn't help himself from touching her even though it was not his intention because he was clearing watching her unease as he touched her.

"D-don't!" Sadia murmured, her body frozen in place.

"Don't hide your eyes from me. I want you to look at me with these beautiful eyes." Zameer murmured, no longer controlling himself as he indulged himself in watching her. His hand gently cupped the side of her face as he came close to her.

Sadia was left utterly shocked.

Beautiful? Her eyes were beautiful?

No one had ever liked her eyes. Not even her immediate family. Everyone around her always found her eyes strange and disturbing but this man just called her eyes beautiful. And he wanted her to look at him with those eyes. That appreciation had sudden confidence swelling in Sadia's heart that enabled her to keep her eyes locked with his.

He kept staring in her eyes. There was so much innocence and softness in her unique eyes. But he also saw the anticipation with a hint of curiosity. He didn't miss the surprise and surge of emotions in her eyes when he called her eyes beautiful.

He didn't understand why she would find his words surprising. She was so lovely. So cute and adorable and there was no doubt in that and her eyes made her look so angelic.

And when she looked at him with those angelic pair of eyes, he could no longer fight the desire that was growing like wild fire inside of him.

And she was watching him, really looking at him and he was pleased with it so much that his guard went down and he gave into the haze of desire.

"Look at me," he whispered huskily, his dark eyes boring into his. "Sadia,"

Sadia's eyes watched him. Without realising, she licked her suddenly dried lips and that action alone had Zameer's patience snapping like a thin thread.

Slowly, his head descended down. He was being careful as he kept his eyes locked with hers. He pecked her lips once, twice.

Sadia's breath hitched in her throat as her hands came to breach between herself and his chest. Sadia felt cold shivers down her spine.

"D-don't," she whispered meekly. But it had no effect on Zameer for he was too lost. Her eyes had hypnotised him and all he saw was her and her alone. He brushed his lips upon hers but she didn't respond. And he didn't like that. He knew that she wanted it. So he kissed her lips again but this time with a little intensity as he lifted her head with one hand while his hand gripped her waist. She moaned softly. Zameer became delighted as he captured her lips in a soft embrace and when he saw her eyes close, he knew that it was alright to proceed.

Zameer gave into his desire as his soft kisses turned intense.

Sadia knew what was happening. And she wanted to stop it but at the same time, she was enjoying it so much that she couldn't stop.

Stop it Sadia! She shouted at herself and her eyes flew open as she reminded herself of what mattered and what she had been through. Her mind played all those memories and she remembered everything as if it all happened moments ago.

Adrenaline pumped in her veins as she pushed at his shoulders, breaking the contact between their lips thus catching Zameer by surprise.

Sadia was panting as her hand raised and sharply hit Zameer on the cheek. It was a wake up call for Zameer snapped out of the lustful haze that had clouded his mind.

I need to put him in his place. She thought as angry tears welled in her eyes.

"Wh-what are y-you.....doing?" She stammered as she backed away from him.

"This wasn't p-part o-of the co-ntract." Her voice broke. Zameer saw the anger on her face and he immediately felt guilt gnawing at his heart. He knew that he shouldn't haven't kissed her but he couldn't control himself but that was no excuse. She was right. Even if she was willing, she was far younger then him. He shouldn't been the mature one and have controlled his irrelevant attraction towards her.

Willing himself into composure, he sighed and combed his fingers through his hair.

"You're right." He said. "And I apologise. I shouldn't have behaved that way."

"Th-at isn't e-enough," Sadia sniffed.

"Still I apologise. I was acting out of line."

But it wasn't enough for Sadia for her emotions were running wild and instead of thinking straight, she began to blurt what her immediate thoughts were.

"Just because I'm your......captive do-doesn't mean that you can......treat me however y-ou like." She hated that her voice broke but she couldn't help herself. She was frightened. And she wanted to feel safe.

Her words sparked anger in Zameer. He no longer felt composed. He felt immensely insulted. Did she really think that low of him. What did he do? He only kissed her. It wasn't like he had forced himself on her or anything of the sort.

He has admitted to himself and to her that he should've been more responsible but her words were too offensive for him to take in. He had done so much for her. She should've been grateful. And if all he got in return was the sweet taste of her lips and a rare gaze from unique eyes then what was wrong with that? She was his wife. If he wanted, he could have his way with her and no one could say otherwise. But he knew he couldn't. He would never stoop so low as to force himself on her.

"That's right. You're life is at my mercy." He said, his voice turning chilling cold as he glared at Sadia. "Maybe I should treat it in any way that I please. I mean, after all, I saved you from death. Your life belongs to me in every sense of the word. If it weren't for me, you would've been dead by now. By all means, I can treat you however way I please." He said menacingly.

Sadia felt her anger rise. "Is that it?" She spat in disgust. "I owe you my life? Is that it?" She was surprised at the fluency of her voice but her anger was too great for her to focus on anything else. "I thought that you were different. I thought that..... you at least respected me if nothing else. Apparently I was wrong. So, how should I repay you, Mr. Sheikh? Would you like it in cash or.....," Her breath hitched as she spoke the next words. "Would you like it if I offered my body?" She seethed through clenched teeth, harshly pulling off her dupatta from her head and throwing it away. Her anger made her blind to reason. She had never felt this angry before. She always thought things through. She didn't know why she said all of that but this much she knew: she wanted him to not take her lightly. If he thought that just because she was shy then she would give in but he was mistaken. She had recently discovered courage and that enabled her to fight. And she would not go down easily.

It was either a life of dignity or a death for honour. There were no in betweens.

Zameer saw her demeanour change. He saw her strong resolve return as she stood up to him, her chin held up defiantly. The way that she was trying to display her courage was admirable. And he felt his chest burst with nothing but respect for the young lady who was trying to be brave in front of the country's most dangerous and lethal assassin. And it was something so different, so rare to him. No one had ever stood up to him like the way Sadia did. She continued to take him by surprise.

Her small act of courage and defiance had his anger vanishing into thin air as he smiled a small smile and bent down to pick up her dupatta.

Carefully, he approached her. She stood still, rigid as a board but she didn't show any weakness.

Zameer respectfully adjusts her dupatta on her shoulders and took a few steps to maintain the distance.

"The offer is tempting. But no, I'd rather not." He said in monotone. "You are an incredible young lady and I would never disrespect you in any way."

Sadia was left stunned by his actions and even more so by his words.

"Th-then l-let me g-go." She suddenly felt like crying, clutching her dupatta tightly in her hands.

"You know that I can't do that."

"Then just k-kill m-e and......end this."

"Do you still want to die?"

Sadia glared at him, her jaw clenched tightly as tears rolled down her flushed cheeks. Her fears dissolved and her courage boosted her confidence to speak straight and strong.

"Yes. I'd much rather......die then be left alive at the mercy of criminals like you." She seethed. Zameer stared at her. She was being too brave and not to mention tenacious.

"Is that how much you value your life?"

"My life is plenty..... valuable that's why I think that I ought to give it away for the sake of a noble cause."

"And that noble cause is to die in the name of your country?" He was openly mocking her. "But my dear, no one would know and frankly, no one cares. It doesn't matter. If I killed you now then your death would be meaningless. To the outside world, Dr. Sadia Rehman died almost a month ago and her body was found in a dumpster." He revealed. Sadia's breath got caught in her throat when she heard that revelation as her eyes widened in shock.

"So tell me again my dear, how exactly would you end up dying a noble death when you're already dead?"

There was silence between them. Sadia stared into space, letting the shock of this terrible revelation sink in. And it was heartbreaking for her. Sobs raked her chest and she collapsed, her legs so longer able to carry her as she broke down. Never had she ever felt so powerless and utterly devastated.

Zameer saw her face go pale, all the color drained from it. Her eyes swam in fresh tears and the look of devastation was clear in her eyes as she fell and broke into pained sobs. And he knew that he went too far. Her beautiful eyes didn't deserve to shed tears But the sooner she knew the better. It was the bitter reality that he had hidden from her till now.

He knew that he had extinguished hope in her of ever returning back to her previous life and he didn't like it. It disturbed him. He felt his chest ache as he saw the pain in her eyes. He felt like shooting himself for making her feel that way. But it was better if she knew and familiarised herself with the truth. However, he didn't want to see her in pain. So he opted for a little harmless manipulation.

"Why not live for a purpose." He initiated. "Live with the purpose to oppose me and gain your freedom from me."

Sadia glared at him as she wiped her tears away.

Zameer smirked when he saw the fury in her eyes. "You aren't dying anytime soon, Dr. Sadia." He claimed. "I can see passion for life burn strong in your eyes. So, be careful what you wish for."

"You are my captive, that much is true, but you are also my ward. So rest assured, something inappropriate like the events of this night. You have my word. Good night." He slightly bowed his head and exited the room.