MAFIA SHAMIMA

The sound of the phone ringing jolted Shamima awake. The room was dark, and the shrill tone seemed to echo in the silence of the early morning. She squinted at the screen, and the familiar number displayed brought a sense of urgency. She knew immediately she was needed. Without wasting a moment, Shamima swung her legs out of bed, her mind already racing. She quickly brushed her teeth, threw on some comfortable clothes, and packed her bag with the essentials she always kept ready for situations like this. By the time she was in the cab on her way to the airport, the sky had begun to take on the faintest hints of dawn. Her thoughts were a whirl of anticipation and unease. She had been away for so long—had things really gotten so dire back home? The flight was long, but Shamima barely noticed the hours pass. Her mind kept drifting to her father, King S, and the decision he made years ago to send her away. He had always been protective, especially after her mother's death. Sending her away had been the hardest decision for both of them, but he had insisted it was necessary. He wanted her to be stronger, to be able to protect herself, and to be ready for the responsibilities that awaited her as his heir. The plane touched down in Country M at 8:00 p.m. The city lights twinkled below, welcoming her back to the place she had once called home. As she stepped into the arrival hall, her eyes immediately found him. King S stood tall and proud, despite the years that had weathered his face. The moment their eyes met, all the tension of the past few hours melted away. She ran to him, her feet moving faster than her thoughts, and leaped into his arms. King S caught her effortlessly, laughing as she wrapped her legs around him, just as she had when she was a little girl. His laughter was deep and full of warmth, a sound she had missed more than she had realized. It had been just the two of them for so long, and yet, despite the distance, their bond had only grown stronger. Shamima could see the pride in his eyes, but also a hint of worry that he tried to mask. "Welcome home, my Queen," King S said with a playful bow as he led her to the car, holding the door open for her. Shamima chuckled, shaking her head at his antics. "Dad, you don't have to do that," she said, sliding into the seat. "I do, actually," he replied, his voice more serious now as he got in beside her. "You're not just my daughter anymore, Shamima. You're the heir, and there are responsibilities that come with that title." Shamima nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle on her shoulders. The car ride home was quiet, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It was the kind of quiet that spoke of unspoken understanding and shared memories. As they pulled up to the family estate, Shamima noticed the heightened security. Guards were everywhere, and there was a tension in the air that hadn't been there before. Something had changed, and she could feel it deep in her bones. The moment she stepped out of the car, she was met by two familiar faces—Ruby and Saint, her childhood friends. Ruby had always been the fiery one, with a temper as fierce as her loyalty. Saint was the calm in their storm, always level-headed and strategic. "Finally, you're here!" Ruby exclaimed, rushing forward to hug Shamima. "You have no idea how much we've missed you." Saint followed, giving Shamima a nod and a warm smile. "It's good to see you again, Shamima." She dragged them both inside, eager to catch up and find out what had been happening in her absence. The house felt the same, yet different, as if the walls themselves held secrets she was yet to uncover. As soon as they were inside, Ruby didn't waste any time. "Two of our shipments went missing," she blurted out, her voice tinged with frustration. "And guess where they are?" Shamima frowned, trying to piece together the situation. "Where?" Ruby crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "The tracking devices show they're at Carlos's house." The name Carlos sent a chill down Shamima's spine. Carlos was a notorious figure, known for his ruthlessness and his empire built on illegal dealings. If he had their shipments, it was more than just a simple theft—it was a declaration of war. Shamima's mind raced with possibilities. "What does Dad say about this?" Ruby's smirk faded, replaced by a scowl. "Dad doesn't want to start a war over it." Shamima sighed, now understanding Ruby's frustration. King S was wise, and he knew the consequences of escalating a situation like this. But Shamima also knew that doing nothing might be just as dangerous. "We need to figure out our next move," Shamima said, her voice steady. "We can't let this go unanswered, but we need to be smart about it." Saint nodded in agreement. "We'll need to gather more information first. We can't go in blind." The three of them sat down, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. Shamima knew that her return was just the beginning. The challenges ahead were many, and the decisions she would have to make could change everything. But she was ready. She had to be