I awoke with a pulsing headache.

Keeping my eyes shut, I let my senses take in the surroundings before I announced to the world that I was awake. Wherever I was, it was quiet, damp, cold, and reeked of blood and sweat. My mouth was parched, tongue leaden and dry. What I wouldn't give for a mouthful of water to wash away the lingering taste of blood. My stomach was painfully empty, and the throbbing in my head sent splinters of light through my skull.

We had been betrayed—betrayed by someone in the FIA, someone who would benefit from Akbar's freedom and money. Defeated, I opened my eyes and felt all the stones of my prison around me, tapping for loose bits or possibly a whole block that I could use as a weapon. All the pins had been pulled out of my hair, and from my arms, robbing me of a chance to even try to pick a lock. My poor dress was in tatters, abused by last night's events.

There was nothing I could have used.

My hands stilled as my mind worked, trying to put the pieces together. Of three things, I was sure.

The first was that at least six hours had passed since I'd been taken because morning was breaking in the sky, something I could sense with my body clock. Which meant that there were only a few more hours before Akbar's whole empire came crashing down.

The second was that because at least six hours had passed and Sush and the others clearly had not found me, I was either in a private holding across the city or in some cell beneath Akbar's house, awaiting transport.

The third was that Azaan was probably done with me, thinking that I had betrayed him and the FIA. He had been taken to the hospital, barely able to answer my sister's questions regarding my whereabouts. She would ask, why had I deliberately dropped my tracking hairpin at his feet instead of keeping it with me? And he would have nothing to say in return. Because by the time he figured it all out, I would have disappeared.

Gone.

Settling back against the wall, I stared at the dark ceiling my body aching at the thought of another fight. Perhaps if a guard came in, I could get him close enough to use the chains against him— strangle him or knock him unconscious, or hold him, hostage, long enough for someone to free me and let me out.

Perhaps—

The door groaned open, and a man filled the threshold, three others behind him.

Akbar Jamshed Junejo.

"You're a very clever girl Eliza and you know I don't like clever girls," Akbar seethed, anger simmering right below the surface. "Now tell me little bird, where is my necklace?"

I stared at him, trying to control the smirk fighting its way to my face. He was trying so hard not to snap, his left eye twitching from impatience. I could tell he was just as keyed up as I was. There wasn't a hint of anger on his face, but I heard the rage in his question all the same. This man was a brute, but he had a lot of self-control and I had no intention of letting him win.

So I let out a small lazy smile. "I don't know what you're talking about. I gave it to you just before your rude henchman knocked me out."

But Akbar wasn't fooled that easily. He stayed standing exactly where he was. "You've become a better liar. I'm impressed," I just shrugged. "I know you gave me the fake set Eliza, where's the real one?"

"Didn't your henchmen find it?"

"If they did why would you be here?"

"It's quite a long story," It really wasn't. "See the necklace is exactly where it's supposed to be."

"What?"

"I didn't take it," His mouth popped open. He was shocked, and that was good. Shocked was better than enraged, or worst of all, bored. "I didn't steal your necklace."

"Why don't you stop playing games and just tell me what I want to know?"

"You want to know where the necklace is," I said.

He nodded, his eyes drilling into me. "That's right, little bird."

"I just told you. It's in your vault," A flush of anger ran across his face and I flinched back—this was a man who did not like being opposed. "It's true," I insisted.

"The tracker in the necklace led me to..." His eyes flashed with understanding. "You took out the tracker?"

"Disabled it, scrambled its frequency, pretty basic stuff."

"Why?"

"Didn't want to steal from you, wanted my money, wanted clearance from the FIA, tricked them to gain my freedom, etc," He evaluated me the same way he probably evaluated the furniture for this house. With no attachment or emotion—just a consideration of whether or not I would fit his purposes. Clinical. Precise.

"Check if she's telling the truth," One of the burly guards nodded and exited swiftly, his phone held to his ear. Akbar turned to me. "You always manage to surprise me, little bird. It's always something new with you isn't it?"

"I'm not fond of being predictable," He let out a loud ugly laugh, one that bounced around the dungeon walls and scratched at your soul.

"Most assuredly not."

"When sunglasses comes back with the news that the necklace is still in fact, in your vault, will I be able to leave?"

"I've learned something from my time in the States. Americans appreciate egalitarianism," His voice was almost amused. Almost. "You're good at your job. You managed to evade everyone, trick me and the FIA, not an easy task. I'm extending the same offer to you that I did when you decided to leave my care. Come work for me. I'm always in need of good help."

I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. Men were always offering to hire me. As if I was just wandering around, pining for a good healthcare plan and a 401K. Usually, it annoyed me, but at that moment, the only part of that paragraph I could seem to focus on was "You managed to evade everyone," He truly had no clue.

"And I'll give you the same reply as before, I prefer working alone. Plus, didn't you have fun when you gave me the Somoro job? You knew that the guy was going to rat me out.."

His eyes twinkled. "And you managed splendidly. As I knew you would."

"Why?"

"Why did I let them take you? I thought some time in jail would help clear you of your entrepreneurial ambitions," I raised an eyebrow. "Oh don't look at me like that, a month in jail wouldn't have killed you," He was right. "But you managed to bargain your way out, you clever girl."

"Boss, they found the necklace, untouched and in the vault."

Akbar stared at me, silently, watching my face, the tension stretching between us like a rubber band, longer and longer waiting for one of us to break."Seems like you were telling the truth."

"I always do."

"Guess there's no need to keep you here now, you are, after all, my prodigy, my greatest pride."

"You flatter me. I wonder if you thought that before you threw me in this dirty stinky cell and ruined my dress," I snapped, my hands gesturing towards the said dress.

"The money I've deposited in your account will more than make up for it," Seeing my hands and the expression on my face, he guessed at once what I was about to do. "Karl, escort our guest to - where would you go little bird?"

"To the airport."

"To the airport. Get her cleaned up before she leaves," He muttered gesturing towards the cuts on my face. "Don't forget to fetch her things," From the compound that was now probably abandoned, if Al had followed my orders. Azaan and the others probably had my fake passport and IDs, the stuff I'd replaced and stashed in my bag before the party. The real stuff was in an airport locker, all courtesy of Pix, waiting for my departure. "Bye, little bird..."

Bye indeed. Hope you rot in hell, I answered mentally, letting the smirk fully play on my lips.

Hours later, I waited for my flight, my eyes flicking towards the news channels. The first stories had started to come out in the New York Times. Pakistan, Afghanistan, and America were in an uproar about it. How could the United States support a known embezzler, involved in war crimes? Involved in killing NATO soldiers? Supplying drugs from Afghanistan to Europe? Creating unrest in Karachi? The Secretary of State was seen rushing towards the White House, trying to come up with the right words that would help them wriggle out of trouble.

Nobody seemed to have realized the source of the leaks. They probably thought a good samaritan or a whistleblower had committed this. I sat back, my eyes hidden behind my sunglasses, enjoying the chaos. I knew I was no angel myself, but I could still appreciate when villains got their comeuppance. I'd never shot somebody with an information bullet before. I had to admit, it felt pretty satisfying all the same. There was no way Akbar was getting out of this unscathed. He knew that the release of this information would be explosive. Every powerful friend he had was going to turn into a bitter enemy.

And I'd just be sitting on the sidelines, laughing and enjoying his downfall.

The only downside was waiting for his death.

It was no good tipping him off. I'd just have to be patient and wait for someone to slit his throat in jail. There was no need to jeopardize my great escape. I was a free woman now, free to go wherever I wanted, to do whatever I wanted.

To live however I wanted.

'Last call for the flight boarding for Fiji'

Picking up my luggage, I made my way towards the counter, my masterful getaway tinged with a hint of sadness. Aleena would be fine. She'd be working for the FIA, doing what she loved, with a new house and all the luxuries needed to live a comfortable life. And Azaan...

Closing my eyes, I pressed my lips together as my heart squeezed and twisted. Tears burned at the backs of my eyes - I could tell him the truth, take the risk and settle down. Be the person he wanted me to be. But I'd tasted freedom, so returning to a gilded cage was no longer possible. I wanted him to know what I'd done and seek me himself. So he knew who I truly was. Until then, he would be a chapter only to be remembered fondly when the night was at its darkest and my heart couldn't bear to forget him any longer. He would be my deepest secret only brought to light when it became a burden too hard to bear. I would only see him in my dreams, hoping that one day I'd have the strength to go back.

༻⸻⸻༺

The sea crashed to the shore and sand glimmered around me under the brightly orange setting sunshine. Color cascaded from the flowers placed around the beach, the brilliant hues offering a picturesque view. At the edge of sunset, glass lanterns sat on the sand around the wooden platform, the candles within glowing softly as music filtered through speakers hidden in the thick foliage, setting the mood for some light dancing. Simple wicker chairs with flowers woven into their backs creaked and groaned as each occupant took their seat, ready to watch the spectacular meteor shower. I hurried to my seat, grabbing the tub of ice cream, and settled in for the astronomical show.

"Ready?" I asked Dorothea, my neighbor for the past few months.

"Yeah, and did you know this only happens in- Who's that?" She exclaimed, forgetting her sentence and staring in the distance. The sudden roaring in my ears and the immediate leap of my heartbeat stopped me from suddenly turning my neck in that direction. Or maybe it was because my brain just disconnected from my body and I couldn't move.

Slowly, I followed her gaze, finding the area empty at first, however, within seconds, he appeared.

The breath I took sort of got stuck somewhere in my chest when I saw him. Annoyed by the reaction and also somewhat awed by the idea that the mere sight of someone could cause such a physical response, I had to admit that he cut a striking figure dressed in a white shirt and khaki pants.

For a few long moments, Azaan just looked at me. It made my stomach swoop and my skin hot. I felt flushed. Like I'd been in the sun too long.

"You're not going to run and make me tackle you again?" A small smile threatened to break through and I bit it back. He was insane if he thought that I could have forced my legs to move.

"I'm going to find another place," Dorothea mumbled getting up and winking at me, her mouth curving into a wicked knowing smile.

"Thank you, Ma'am," I flushed deeper, embarrassed when I saw the amused look on my friend's face.

Azaan waited for her to leave, and then turned the full force of his gaze on me. I tensed, instinctively knowing I probably wasn't going to like what was coming next.

"Really? Eliza what were you thinking! Did you think I was going to leave you alone after the stunt you'd pulled?"

"I mean, mission accomplished, right?"

"Hang the mission. Aleena has not slept properly in the past three months. She's got trackers and feelers out for you, waiting for a signal, waiting for you to come home," Slowly I got to my feet and moved over to him.

"Why are you here? You shouldn't have come," His face softened at my words and he clasped my arms, keeping me upright as my knees buckled. I'd never been a crier, but it looked like that may be changing. Because tears welled in my eyes and blessed happiness clogged my throat. "This can't work Azaan."

"You saved my life. Put yourself in danger, and took out that jerk all without letting any of us know about the actual plan. I think we have a pretty broad horizon of what works and what doesn't," Azaan took me in his arms, holding me as I shuddered with sobs. "Don't cry, Eliza."

"I never thought I would have this. I never thought I'd have you," I gripped his shirt and looked up into those beautiful eyes. "I never even let myself hope for you, dream for you, and yet somehow here you are."

He smiled gently and stroked my face. "You have no idea how you left me, what I did to get here. How long I searched for you," A watery hiccup had him reaching for a handkerchief.

I'm glad you thought I was worth saving, worth the effort, worry coming after, because my parents hadn't thought so, Akbar hadn't thought so. I hadn't thought so.

And for the first time in my life, I tried to explain, to make him understand so he'd know why.

"I've done some terrible things Azaan. You don't know what I've done otherwise you'd hate me. You would leave me."

"You don't think I've done the same? How could you think of me judging you? We're two very broken people who've been searching for something. Don't lie and tell me you haven't felt it," I stared at him, my mouth slightly open in shock. "You're the only one who'll get me and I'm the only one who'll ever get you. It's always been the two of us Eliza. Always will be," His eyes bore into mine. "I knew who you were the moment I saw you. Nothing in your past would change that. Nothing you've done could ever make me hate you or leave you. Ever."

Another tear fell and another as he held me, his presence soothing and comforting.

"Come with me, Eliza. Come home with me. There's a whole world waiting for you. Your sister is waiting for you," He held my face tight in his hands, his words low and forceful. "I'm waiting for you. You've been so strong for so long. It's okay for you to let go. Come with me," I bit back a sob. He had no idea what those words meant to me. What he was giving me.

"I'll lose my freedom. I don't want that."

"You'll always have your freedom, just maybe with an additional sidekick. Maybe someone to come back to. Someone who'll wait for you. Someone you don't have to hide from. A partner."

"Why?"

His eyebrow arched at my broken whisper. "Why did you leave your tracking pin at my feet? Why did you choose to save me? Why did you leave a trail for me to find you?"

My lips curled up."I didn't think you would do it."

He let out a deep sigh, coming closer, his lashes lifting, revealing eyes intense and dark. "I've been searching for you ever since you stopped replying to my emails ten years ago."

My lips puffed out air and I rocked back on my heels. "You need a new hobby"

"I look forward to finding a new one, although I do feel like I'll be chasing you for the rest of our lives, just like when we were kids," Biting back a smile I placed my hand in his, watching his face light up. "Stay with me? I promise I'll let you play Family," He winked. "We can share that treehouse."

A surprised laugh burst out of me and the hole that I had struggled to fill in the past ten years, started to stitch back up. My heart was so very full, so full of all that he was offering me. All the defenses I'd put up, the sacrifices I had made to ensure my safety, my sister's safety and happiness, all of it that had seemed impossible and had scared me... was now there for me.

My vision went blurry as I looked at him, choking back the burn of wetness that was now drowning my throat. "On one condition."

"Anything," He could have had anything he wanted from me when he got like that, his love an open secret in his voice, his eyes, his hands.

"We're not taking a private jet," He laughed and I felt a catch in my chest again, a sharp tug at my heart. His laugh...it was raspy and rough as if his throat was not sure what to do with the emotion. My heart squeezed. I had caused this and I was looking forward to hearing it far more frequently now that I'd found what I'd been looking for.

"No private jets. Climate change is our ultimate concern."

He was offering me something I'd convinced myself that I couldn't have. Years of running, stealing, and hiding had all led me back to him. He was, and always would be, my anchor, my love, my heart.

Azaan's smile was a touch shaky as he lowered himself to one knee, and I took a deep breath. It was perfect. A moment of perfect, pure happiness. The kind you remembered and looked back on and cherished your whole life.

"I knew I liked you for a reason."

His eyes twinkled and he pulled out a small black velvet box from his pocket, his eyes alight with mischief and love. "I'm sure I can give you a few more."

Emotion hit me hard, making my heart feel too large for my chest. I stroked his cheek because he looked oh so handsome—and because he was mine. A strange sensation curled in my stomach as I watched him gently place the beautiful pearl creation on my ring finger. "I'm sure you can."

My man with his dark eyes full of intensity smiled, and his gaze held no shadows, no hollows, no whispers of pain. All I saw was love so deep and true that I knew it would be there for me.

Always.

༻⸻⸻༺

That's all folks! Thank you @jonoyuk for this wonderful story!

The next one comes out on 18.02.2021!