April 10.

Amsterdam, Netherlands.

A lady dressed in black tiered ruffle hem peplum top; and matching velucci straight pants, walked into an expensive posh looking restaurant.

She donned carmine colored overcoat top of the peplum top and pants. A black YSL monogram clutch held firmly in her hand as the chandelier hung up the ceiling made her oxblood painted nails glisten. The carmine matte lipstick and rose gold eye shadow look she had on just brings out her beauty.

Her jet black long her was tied in a tight ponytail as a few strands fell by the side of her face, the edge of it in blonde wavy locks as it rested on her left shoulder. Her black Veiro Giaro ankle boots clanks as it made contact with the marble floor. Her lustrous skin seems to glisten under the light.

Confidence, and elegancy oozes as she ostentatiously walked into the restaurant. A warm yet stern smile adorned her face as a petite waitress dressed in a white top tucked in coffee brown skirt scurried to where the lady stood to take her order.

Ladies and Gentlemen meet the eminent prosperous, Layla Waziri.

"Welcome Miss Waziri, this way please" The waitress said.

Layla followed the waitress whose name tag said Esme on it to a secluded VIP section in the restaurant where it away from the prying eyes of other customers.

They stopped in front of a table for two where a guy sat staring at the glass window. He had a blue tee on and black denim; a black leather jacket on top of the tee. His black hair fell a little over his face resting just slightly above his perfectly arched jet black brow. His lips parted slightly indicating that he is in deep thought; his left hand drawing invisible patterns on the oak wood table where a cup of cappuccino was kept.

"Thank you Esmeralda" Layla said to the waitress with a small smile on her face. "You may leave"

Esme nodded her head rapidly before walking away thinking how the rumors she heard about Miss Waziri being a control freak being wrong. She's actually much nicer than she thought she would be. She's stern, sure, but not a control freak.

Layla sat on the chair and kept her clutch on the oak wood table. She focused her whole attention on the guy who was still staring through the windows but is very well aware of her presence.

"Hey" Her voice came out soft.

He turned around, his gaze falling on the lady sitting in front of him. He admired her immensely dark irises as she stares back at him with so much love. His eyes held nothing less than what hers show except so much more, he loves her with his life.

He smiled, his pearly teeth prominent. "Hello Layl"

Her smile widened "You wanted to talk" Her eyes flicked over his face, "What happened? Is this related to Daihaah?" Her tone loss the lark it held.

He offered her a small nod of assurance. "She's fine, just as usual. Hajiya Larai still hates her, and so as her aunts. But Layl, the actual reason I want to speak to you is to remind you, Daihaah is already 18, by this time next her she'll be made to marry Amir Muhammad as it was agreed upon. They're already making Aneesah marry Sultan Omar" He said to her, concern lacing his tone as he placed both his hands on the oak wood table.

She sighed, and reached out her hands to held his, giving him a reassuring squeeze "Susu, both of them are going to be in safe hands. We've made sure of that. I'm really grateful I have you look over her for me all these years, but I think your job there is done. Now, we have to figure out what Lamido's planning..." She sighed again, closing her eyes momentarily.

"Well, it has something to do with Daihaah, money and Sultan Kabir. But, how will he get money through Daihaah?" He asked, his brows drawn in.

"I don't know Susu, but we'll figure that out. As long as I'm here, nobody will hurt Daihaah. And," She smiled warmly, "I'm glad I have you with me"

His expression mirrored hers. "What about the Senator? Is he still searching?"

She nodded. "He is. He really wants to help me. But for now, he's willing to stop all that for our wedding first. You should come back since your mission is over, and for the wedding preparation. After all, you're the groom"

"I will. More than anything you know I want nothing other than your happiness Layl"

She grinned. "Let's eat while we catch up on stuff"

~*~

April 18.

Karaye, Kano.

Khadijah Daihaah's POV

I and Adda Anee walked down the roadside of our grandparent's house; Ammah and Aliya trailed behind doing Allah knows what.

The walk helps clear Adda Anee's head by the looks of it, and that's all that matters. I don't mind the stroll as long as it makes her happy.

Two Gold colour Range rovers pass by us, by the plate number; I can easily tell it's a Royal family's car. A few minutes after the cars passed, three Karlmann King expensive looking matte black SUVs drove pass us in haste, they mustbe guests too.

Baba's 30 years' anniversary is taking place in two days, so, guests-- mostly high rank people in Nigeria and heads of the other emirates kept coming since yesterday's afternoon.

All the royal maisonettes are being occupied by guests. The maisonettes have an old look from the outside, but it's nothing outdated. The exterior has character while the interior is modernized and luxurious; Baba had the best interior designers in Nigeria lay out the blueprint when it was being renovated.

Snapping out of those thoughts, Adda Anee didn't seem to notice the cars that pass by, as she is too enthralled in shooting videos of herself lip syncing to some songs.

I laughed at Adda Anee, but, nevertheless joined her.

As we were walking by, two children sitting under a tree caught my attention. Their clothes are torn and ragged. They had no shoes on and their clothes look barely wearable. Their lips look dried and they look so skinny, like they haven't been eating properly. The one who seems to be the eldest amongst them seems to not be older than 7-8 years old, while the youngest seems to not be older than 5 years old.

Adda Anee appeared to have seen them too, turned to me and nodded, as if she knew what is going on in my head. We head to where the two kids are.

I crouched next to the eldest one and smiled warmly "Hi What's your name?" I asked.

She didn't answer me, instead kept staring at me trying to figure out who I am.

Adda Anee smiled at the other young girl who is sucking her thumb. The two girls just kept staring at us, wondering who we are.

"Miye sunan ki?" Adda Anee asked the seemingly older one.

"M-maimuna" The girl said, well, more like whispered. From her tone you can pick up a hint of fear.

"Hi Maimuna. I'm Fatima, and this is my sister, Khadijah" Adda Anee said to both of them while I waved my hands.

Maimuna shifted uncomfortably gaining my attention to her bare feet. The heat of the sand due to the scorching sun must be unbearable. I looked over to her younger sister to see the kid still staring curiously at both Adda Anee and I. The girl hasn't uttered a word since we approached them so I don't really know her name.

I looked around to see if there's a way I could help these two children as Adda Anee tries to get the youngest sister to speak, or at least tell us her name.

Across the street I spotted a vendor in a small shop. The shop might have the necessary things I need right now.

I stood up from my crouched position and headed towards the shop.

A young man of who seems to either is in his late teen years or early twenties sat there all dressed up in a grey jellabiya talking to another guy who is sitting beside him.

I smiled at them although they didn't notice my presence but still. "Assalamu alaikum"

The first guy dressed in the grey jellabiya looked up and smiled back at me "Wa alaikissalam. Sannu Hajiya" He said standing up while smoothening his jellabiya.

"Yawwa sannu. Please do you have slippers available, sachet of water and anything to eat?"

Before the guy could answer, the other guy stood up and head to where I am, standing slightly in front of the first guy. He has a wide smile etched on his face "Eh akwai. How many do you want Hajiya?" he asked me totally ignoring the other guy behind him who's trying to shove him out of his way.

"Two pairs of slippers--kids size, four sachet of water and just something to eat" I replied smiling at the mini war that's about to unfold between the duo right in front of me.

And trust me, it's funny.

The guy in the jellabiya and the other guy scurried off both trying to get the items I want. The first guy in the jellabiya came back with one pair of slippers, precisely only the left leg pair, three sachet of water and three cupcakes stacked in a pouch. The second guy came back with a pair of slippers, the right and left leg, another right leg pair to the one the other guy held, one pure water sachet and two cupcakes stacked in another pouch.

The duo kept the items in front of me all the while having a glare off. I smiled at their banter.

"How much is it all together?"

"It's free--"

"One thousand--"

They both started at the same time. The first guy in jellabiya who said it is one thousand naira glared at the second guy "Shege, mayen mata" he muttered glaring at the second guy who shrugged coolly.

"So....one thousand naira?" I asked while the first guy nodded.

I pulled out one thousand naira note from my bag and handed it to the guy. He put all the items I bought in a big pouch before handing it out to me.

"Thank you Hajiya. A qara dawowa" he said smiling widely revealing his teeth.

I smiled at them both, took the pouch and head back to the tree where Adda Anee the two girls and another lady stood. The lady has a scared look on her face while Adda Anee looked pissed off.

"What's going on?" I asked once I reached where they were.

"This woman here is in charge of the orphanage where these two kids were. But because she couldn't do her job properly, these two went missing for five freaking days. For Allah's sake, Daihaah just see these children, how could they fend on their own for five days alone surviving on the streets!" Adda Anee said, well, almost yelled.

"I'm sorry it won't happen again" The lady apologized.

"You better make sure of that" Adda Anee said through gritted teeth.

The woman nodded her head rapidly. Just as she is about to take the kids away I stopped her.

"Wait! Take this" I handed the pouch to her. "It's not much but it will suffice for now"

She smiled. "Thank you miss" She said. She took out the slippers made the kids wear it, before giving them the cake and water. It might not be much, but it'll help for the meantime.

The woman and the two kids then left.

I turned to Adda Anee when I suddenly felt like someone's watching me. I looked across the street and around me but nothing seems suspiciously or out of place. I shrugged it away and am about to turn back to Adda Anee when I looked across the street again and saw the three Karlmann King SUVs I saw earlier facing our direction.

The cars were a little far from where we stood so I couldn't really see who are in the cars. I kept staring at the cars, specifically the one in the middle, I swear I could sense that someone in that specific car is staring at me but I couldn't really figure out who. It's not like I'm familiar with all the guests here.

Adda Anee lightly dragged me back to the palace breaking my trance away from the car and the mysterious person in it. We caught up with Aaliyah and Ammah on the way, and together, we headed back home.