she smiled before killing chapter 12
1408 Words
"Okay, Uncle. We'll be leaving now."
Manal offered Shahmir's father a polite smile before she and Iqrash walked out of the house.
As they made their way to the car, Iqrash's hand rested naturally around her waist, maintaining the image of a couple they had created for the mission.
From the doorway, Zaveyaar watched them in silence.
*Did she really move on...?*
*How could she...?*
His jaw tightened as he watched her leave with another man. Unable to stop himself, he quietly followed their car from a distance.
---
The drive back was unusually silent.
Manal sat beside him, staring absentmindedly through the window.
Iqrash glanced at her before breaking the silence.
"Something's on your mind."
She didn't even look at him.
"Nothing."
He smiled faintly.
"Your face is telling me a completely different story."
She let out a quiet sigh before finally speaking.
"I overheard two waiters talking."
His expression immediately turned serious.
"About what?"
"Some kind of deal."
"Deal?"
She nodded.
"Yes. They belonged to opposite parties—a buyer and a seller. They were talking about an auction happening tomorrow. Their boss will be there... and both of them were present at tonight's party."
She leaned back against the seat in frustration.
"The problem is... I couldn't recognize either of them."
The disappointment in her voice was unmistakable.
Without warning...
Iqrash pressed harder on the accelerator.
The car shot forward.
Manal grabbed the dashboard.
"Have you lost your mind?"
She turned sharply toward him.
"What are you doing?"
A mischievous grin appeared on his face.
"I'm trying to lighten your mood."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"Seriously? If you keep driving like this, you—"
Before she could finish...
"Relax."
His voice became calm and confident.
"I'll handle everything."
She frowned.
"You don't even know who they are."
He chuckled.
"Whoever their boss is... tomorrow's auction will happen."
He looked at her with complete confidence.
"And we'll be there."
"We'll catch him with our own hands."
She folded her arms.
"You sound awfully confident for someone who doesn't even know their faces."
A mysterious smile curved across his lips, but he said nothing.
---
A few minutes later, the car stopped outside her house.
"For now," he said softly, "go inside and get some sleep."
She nodded and opened the door.
Just as she stepped out...
Something caught her eye.
His right hand.
Blood.
He quickly pulled his sleeve down, trying to hide it.
"Wait."
She turned back.
"What happened to your hand?"
"It's nothing."
"Let me see."
He tried to pull it away.
She caught his wrist before he could.
The moment she unfolded his fingers...
Her eyes widened.
"This is a deep wound."
She looked up at him.
"How did you get hurt?"
Instead of answering...
A teasing smile spread across his face.
"Are you worried about me?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Who would waste their time worrying about you?"
For the first time...
His playful smile softened into something genuine.
"I really wish..."
He held her gaze.
"...that one day you would."
For a second...
Neither of them spoke.
Then she looked away.
"Shut up."
She started walking toward her front door.
"And follow me."
His eyebrows lifted dramatically.
"Miss Manal..."
He placed a hand over his heart.
"Are you inviting me into your house?"
He leaned closer with an exaggerated gasp.
"At this hour?"
"What if something happens between us?"
She didn't even bother looking at him.
"Do you want your hand treated..."
She glanced back over her shoulder.
"...or do you want to keep talking nonsense?"
He smiled helplessly.
"I'll choose the second option."
Then he quietly followed her inside.
---
Not far away...
Zaveyaar watched everything from inside his car.
His fists clenched.
Late at night...
She had taken another man into her house.
His chest burned with emotions he no longer had the right to feel.
---
The moment Iqrash stepped inside, he looked around in admiration.
"Wow..."
"This place is beautiful."
"It's small..."
He smiled.
"...but somehow it feels warm."
His eyes wandered around the cozy living room.
"Although..."
He looked back at her.
"Considering your family background..."
"Isn't this house a little too small?"
Manal placed the first-aid box on the table before answering.
"It's only me living here."
"So why would I need a huge house?"
She smiled softly.
"A small home is easier to clean..."
"...and much more comfortable."
She knelt in front of him and carefully began cleaning his wound.
Every touch of her fingers was gentle.
Careful.
Almost... affectionate.
He watched her quietly.
Not saying a single word.
A few minutes later...
She finished wrapping the bandage.
"There."
Then she folded her arms.
"Now speak."
He blinked innocently.
"About what?"
She gave him a long look.
The kind that clearly said...
*Don't test my patience.*
She slid the first-aid box aside.
"How did you get hurt?"
He stayed silent.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Are you planning to tell me..."
"...or not?"
A slow smirk appeared on his lips.
He leaned a little closer.
"You caught them..."
She whispered, piecing everything together.
"You caught those waiters... didn't you?"
He leaned in even closer.
"So..."
He smiled.
"What do you think?"
Her eyes suddenly lit up.
"That's why..."
She stood up excitedly.
"That's why you were so confident about tomorrow's auction!"
A bright laugh escaped her lips.
"So our visit to the party wasn't a waste after all!"
She laughed again, unable to hide her excitement.
"Yes!"
"We actually got something!"
Iqrash didn't answer.
He simply watched her.
Watching her smile somehow felt more rewarding than catching any criminal.
---
"Tea?"
She looked at him.
"Do you want some?"
He laughed.
"If you drink tea this late..."
"You won't be able to sleep."
She shrugged.
"It doesn't matter."
"So?"
"Are you having some or not?"
He smiled warmly.
"When Miss Manal herself is offering me tea..."
"How could I possibly refuse?"
She disappeared into the open kitchen.
From the sofa...
Iqrash's eyes never left her.
She moved gracefully around the kitchen, completely unaware that someone was admiring her as though she were the only person in the world.
The tenderness in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Even a stranger passing by would have known...
This man was hopelessly in love.
Only one question remained.
What was stopping him from telling her?
A few minutes later...
She returned carrying two steaming cups.
She handed one to him.
"Don't let water touch your injured hand."
"Hmm."
He accepted it with a smile.
"Okay."
They drank in silence.
Then...
Their eyes met.
Time itself seemed to pause.
Neither of them looked away.
The silence between them carried more meaning than words ever could.
The air became unbearably warm.
Iqrash slowly placed his cup on the table.
Without breaking eye contact...
He moved closer.
Manal instinctively leaned back.
Her heartbeat refused to calm down.
"D-Don't..."
She swallowed nervously.
"...don't look at me like that."
She quickly stood up.
"You should leave now."
Trying to hide her racing heart, she hurried toward the door.
"And... close the door on your way out."
Before she could take another step...
His fingers gently wrapped around her wrist.
With one smooth pull...
She lost her balance and fell against him.
His hand found her waist once again.
Before she realized what was happening...
He lifted her effortlessly and sat her on the edge of the table.
Standing between her knees, he looked directly into her eyes.
There wasn't a trace of teasing left in his expression now.
Only quiet longing.
He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
His voice dropped to a soft whisper.
"Don't blush like that in front of me."
His thumb brushed lightly against her cheek.
"Because if you do..."
A helpless smile appeared on his lips.
"...it's going to become very difficult for me to keep holding myself back."
Before she could even process what he meant...
He stepped away.
Picked up his jacket.
And almost hurried out of the house.
The front door closed behind him.
Manal remained frozen exactly where she was.
Her mind refused to work.
"What..."
She whispered to herself.
"What did he mean by that?"
She slowly touched her burning cheeks.
They were unbelievably warm.
Her heartbeat echoed inside the silent room.
She covered her face with both hands.
"W-Who was getting shy?"
She mumbled, completely flustered.
Then, despite herself...
A tiny smile appeared on her lips.
.
- Writer
