she smiled before killing

she smiled before killing chapter 14

By the time they returned to the bureau, it was well past midnight.

Most of the officers were covered in dust, sweat, and blood—not all of it their own.

The captured criminals were escorted to the lockup while medical staff treated the wounded officers.

Shahzaib volunteered to stay for the night shift.

The rest were finally dismissed.

As everyone prepared to leave, Iqrash noticed Manal quietly collecting her belongings.

"Let me drop you home."

She looked at him.

"You've been injured too. You should go home and rest."

"I'm asking, not negotiating."

Before she could argue again, he gently took her wrist and led her toward his car.

She sighed.

"There you go again... always acting like a boss."

"I am your boss."

She rolled her eyes before getting into the passenger seat.

---

The city streets were unusually quiet.

Neither of them spoke.

Both were exhausted.

After driving for several minutes, Iqrash suddenly pulled over in front of a small roadside tea Cafe.

Manal looked at him, confused.

"What are we doing here?"

"Wait."

He stepped out before she could ask anything else.

Leaning against the car window, she watched him cross the empty road.

He had removed his tactical vest, leaving only a fitted black shirt beneath his jacket.

A few loose strands of hair fell across his forehead as he waited for the tea vendor.

Even from a distance, there was something calm about him.

Strong...

Quiet...

Reliable.

A few moments later, he returned carrying two steaming paper cups.

He opened the driver's door and handed one to her.

"Tea."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"You remembered."

"You don't drink coffee."

She accepted the cup carefully, warming her cold hands around it.

"Thank you."

After taking the first sip, she closed her eyes.

"I really needed this."

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The silence wasn't awkward.

It was comforting.

Eventually, Manal stared into her cup.

"We failed."

Iqrash looked at her.

"We didn't catch the real leader."

"We're back where we started."

His voice remained calm.

"Look at me."

She slowly raised her eyes.

"Today we rescued more than thirty innocent girls."

"They'll get another chance to live because of this operation."

He smiled faintly.

"Tell me..."

"Was today really a failure?"

She remained silent.

Then...

A tiny smile appeared.

"I guess..."

"...when you put it like that..."

"It wasn't."

"It definitely wasn't."

"Exactly."

He raised his tea cup.

"One battle won."

She lightly tapped her cup against his.

"One battle won."

---

A few minutes later, they arrived outside Manal's apartment building.

Through the window, she noticed someone standing near the entrance.

Her eyes immediately softened.

"My brother."

Iqrash followed her gaze.

"So someone was waiting."

"He always does."

She smiled before opening the door.

As she stepped out—

"Manal."

She turned around.

"Hm?"

He hesitated for only a second.

"Take care of yourself."

Her smile became warmer.

"You too."

"I don't want more paperwork because my boss got himself shot."

For the first time that night...

Iqrash laughed.

"I'll keep that in mind."

She waved goodbye before walking toward the building.

---

Hannan folded his arms the moment she reached him.

"There she is."

"The missing officer."

Manal laughed nervously.

"I know..."

"You worried?"

"Worried?"

He scoffed dramatically.

"No."

"I was only preparing a speech for your funeral."

She gasped.

"Big B!"

"What?"

"If you keep disappearing for days without answering calls, what else am I supposed to think?"

She wrapped both arms around him.

"I'm sorry."

He sighed before patting her head.

"I know."

"Come on."

"You look exhausted."

They walked inside together.

---

The apartment felt warm and peaceful.

Completely different from the battlefield they had left behind.

Hannan headed straight for the kitchen.

"Tea?"

"I've already had tea."

He looked over his shoulder.

"Dinner?"

She blinked.

"I forgot to eat."

He shook his head.

"Unbelievable."

"My little detective is smart enough to catch criminals..."

"...but not smart enough to remember dinner."

She stuck out her tongue.

"I was busy saving the city."

"Oh, of course."

"My apologies, Officer."

He gave her an exaggerated salute.

She burst into laughter.

"What are you making?"

"Pasta."

Her eyes instantly lit up.

"Pasta?"

"At this hour?"

"I thought you never ate after six."

He shrugged.

"Rules don't apply when my little sister comes home hungry."

She dramatically placed a hand over her heart.

"Guardian..."

"You truly love me."

"I do."

"But don't make me regret it."

---

Ten minutes later...

He placed a steaming plate of creamy pasta in front of her.

"There."

She grabbed the fork immediately.

"Wait!"

He laughed.

"At least let it cool down."

"I've waited long enough."

She took the first bite.

Her eyes widened.

"Oh..."

"My..."

"God."

She pointed the fork toward him.

"Guardian..."

"You should open a restaurant."

He laughed.

"Really?"

"No."

"A five-star hotel."

She took another bite.

"I swear..."

"No one makes better pasta than you."

"I love you."

Hannan smiled softly.

"I know."

---

While eating, his eyes drifted toward the bandage on her arm.

His smile disappeared.

"Does it hurt?"

She glanced down.

"Not much."

"You call that 'not much'?"

"It's just a scratch."

He sighed.

"I wish you had chosen a safer profession."

She smiled gently.

"I know."

"But someone has to do it."

He couldn't argue with that.

Instead, he reached over and gently flicked her forehead.

"Ouch!"

"That's for scaring Mom and Dad."

She rubbed her forehead.

"They're still upset?"

"They miss you."

"They think you're still angry."

Her smile faded.

"I'm not angry."

"I just don't want this case putting them in danger."

Hannan nodded.

"I know."

"They'll understand."

She smiled.

"I'll visit them in a few days."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

---

As they finished dinner, Hannan suddenly leaned back in his chair.

"So..."

She narrowed her eyes.

"So...?"

"The man who dropped you home."

She froze.

"My boss?"

"Mmm."

"Just your boss?"

She nodded immediately.

"Yes."

He smirked.

"I noticed the way he looked at you."

She almost choked on her water.

"He wasn't looking at me!"

"He bought you tea."

"So?"

"He drove you home."

"He's being polite."

"He told you to take care."

"He's my boss."

"He smiled."

She blinked.

"People smile."

"Not men who look that serious."

She groaned dramatically.

"Big B..."

"Please stop."

He leaned forward.

"So..."

"He's handsome?"

She sighed.

"I mean..."

"...yes."

Hannan grinned victoriously.

"Aha!"

"You admitted it."

She covered her face.

"I only said he's handsome."

"I didn't say I like him."

He chuckled.

"We'll see."

She pointed her fork at him.

"Don't you dare investigate my boss."

He placed a hand over his heart.

"I would never."

She gave him a suspicious look.

"I don't believe you."

"Good."

"You shouldn't."

The siblings burst into laughter.

For the first time in days...

Manal forgot about the case.

Forgot about the bloodshed.

Forgot about the criminals.

Tonight...

She was simply a younger sister enjoying dinner with the one person who had always made the world feel safe.

Hannan picked up his car keys and walked toward the door.

"Alright, little troublemaker, I'm leaving now."

Manal followed him to the entrance.

"Drive safely, Big B."

He gently tapped the tip of her nose.

"You too. And don't act like you're invincible."

She smiled and nodded.

"I won't."

He opened the door but stopped halfway, turning back to look at her.

"Oh... and one more thing."

"Hm?"

A teasing smile spread across his face.

"That boss of yours..."

Manal sighed dramatically.

"Big B..."

"He seems like a decent man."

She folded her arms.

"So?"

"So..." he shrugged innocently, "if he ever breaks your heart..."

Her eyes widened.

"Guardian!"

"...I'll save the police department the trouble and arrest him myself."

Manal burst into laughter.

"You can't arrest someone just because you don't like him!"

"I know."

He smirked.

"But I can make his life difficult."

She shook her head, laughing.

"You're impossible."

"And you're my little sister."

His expression softened as he gently placed a hand on her head.

"No matter how strong you become..."

"...or how many dangerous criminals you catch..."

"...you'll always be my little girl."

Manal's smile slowly faded into an emotional one.

Without saying a word, she stepped forward and hugged him tightly.

"I love you, Guardian."

He hugged her back just as tightly.

"I love you too, Champ."

He kissed the top of her head before pulling away.

"Now lock the door after I leave."

"Yes, sir."

"Good "

well you really don't like him

big B you ....

With one last smile, Hannan walked toward his car.

Manal stood at the doorway, watching until his taillights disappeared into the night.

Only then did she close the door.

Leaning against it, she smiled to herself.

"...Arrest him, huh?"

She chuckled softly.

"Poor Boss...

With that thought, she switched off the lights and headed to her room, unaware that this was only the beginning of a story that would change all of their lives forever.