Bound To You ✔

Chapter 7 ~ A New Year's Party

There is something intoxicating about attempting new adventures and Isabella felt ready. Or more what she has tried to convince herself. The job was risky and tempting at the same time. Parking her car on the abandoned parking lot of an old factory, she marched towards Eijaz who was sitting on the bonnet of his polished black car that was starting to be covered with dust particles flown by the wind.

He looked different, handsome in his dark brown jacket and black shades on.

"Hey."

"You're six minutes late," he answered back in his usual polite tone but no sign of fury or exhaustion lined up his forehead.

"When does your work start?"

"Five p.m. but it's not at my usual workplace, a different place named Jazzay Hotel. It's the first time I won't be with my mother for New Year, to cook a good meal and watch fireworks coming from rich people's house. She even asked me to take a leave but you said today is the most important one. Why?"

"It's not only New Year's eve celebration but my wife's birthday party as well who happens to be Zaid's little sister."

Words left her as she stared into Eijaz's shining blue eyes that were registering her state of shock. Her mind became blank. It wasn't possible. It couldn't be possible.

"Please tell me I heard you right."

He chuckled.

"Yes. I met Zaynah five years ago. Some people were trying to kidnap her and I saved her life. I didn't know who she was at that time but I already fell in love so did she. Of course Zaid wouldn't agree as I was only a simple mechanic, modest life, everything's on budget but his sister managed to convince him. He gave us a mansion and put his second Western Hotel on our name. We changed it to Jazzay; Eijaz and Zaynah."

"Aww, that's a cute love story but have you thought of the consequences if one day he finds out who you truly are?"

"I came here because my boss thinks that one of the members of The Seven League lives here but I found out about Zaid only after the wedding. I was at his place for his engagement party and there I accidentally heard things I wasn't supposed to hear. Of course it's not easy to gather proof about him which is why I need outsiders like you to help."

Isabella caught the engagement part but kept mum. Maybe they broke up because Zaid is famously known as one of the richest bachelor in town.

"Alright, so what do I do?"

"The party will kick off around eight and most of the guests would have already arrived including Zaid but you make sure that he doesn't notice you at all. Avoid him as much as you can." He removed his wallet and handed it to Isabella.

"That's my wife's picture; she'll be wearing a dark blue gown tonight. You have to keep an eye on her. A sniper will try to shoot her and you will save her."

Isabella raised an eyebrow.

"Don't be so confused. He'll use a laser gun, you know the one with red laser beam, and it will aim her forehead only when Zaid and you are looking at her, for sure he will try to save his sister but you will have to be faster than him. I want you to enter Zaid's life as his sister's protector, that's the only way he will trust you blindly and you will be able to discover his secrets, get me some evidences to expose him once and for all."

Patriotism runs in this guy's veins as he was willing to put his wife's life in danger for his job. Isabella couldn't even think of risking her mother's life. She stared at him as he narrated about the schedule of tonight's party.

The time arrived.

Security was at its maximum. There were many men in black suit; wearing black goggles were standing quietly at different spots on the rooftop. Additional security cameras were being installed. Isabella stared at the tall beige building. Eijaz had informed her from where the sniper will fire.

The décor was mostly dark blue and grey. That triggered something. Eijaz told that his wife would be wearing a dark blue gown and considering how everything is looking dark blue and grey, it means only one thing; themed party.

Isabella mentally smacked herself for thinking of the prospects of getting caught or ruining Eijaz's plan because every woman will literally look the same.

Pushing the negative thoughts away, she did her job as a perfect waitress by serving drinks and snacks to the guests that keep on showing up. But when Zaid made his entry, she hid behind a pillar. He grabbed the mic and appreciated everyone's presence on New Year and also for his dear sister's birthday, making it a great day in his life.

Like planned, she avoided him at all times, even sent a timid looking girl to serve him while she used the opportunity to stay as far possible.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome Eijaz and the birthday girl Zaynah, applaud."

Since the light was dimmed and the spotlight were on them, Isabella once again hid to take a better look of the couple. Eijaz looked so different, nothing like the guy she has seen this morning. He blended well with the powerful millionaires and his wife was more of an exotic beauty in her long sleeved princess navy blue gown.

"Beautiful genes," she whispered.

When the light came back, Isabella took a tray and kept a reasonable distance with Zaid who was greeting his sister and brother in law. Zaynah must be alone for the sniper to do his job but considering the fact that she is the center of attention tonight, Isabella had no idea how Eijaz could be confident of his plan because it started to seem stupid.

Yet, she kept dancing her eyes between the siblings. Zaynah was smiling most of the time while Zaid was refusing every girl who was asking him to dance with them.

"Don't look, keep cleaning the table."

Isabella was startled for a moment but she obeyed Eijaz and placed the empty glasses on the tray and wiped the table. He was standing next to her holding a mobile phone near his ear.

"I will bring Zaynah in a corner telling her I have a surprise then Lara who is in disguise will ask Zaid about Zaynah's whereabouts. He will search for her and will be shocked to see a laser dot on her forehead. That's when you run towards her."

Fear thrilled through her veins and nervousness was eating her up from the inside. Isabella rushed to the kitchen to give the dirty dishes and rushed back to the party. She kept looking at both of them until a red dot of laser appeared on Zaynah's forehead.

Wiping her sweaty hands on her skirt, she focused on Zaid who was looking for her sister.

"You can do it, you can do it..."

Isabella said the words like a mantra watching how Zaid's face changed from positivity to horror the moment his eyes landed on his sister. Isabella didn't waste a single second and sprinted fastest as she can despite wearing heels. She pushed Zaynah out of harm's way and they both fell down while the sound of something crashing was loudly heard. Everyone was shocked for a second but at the next they started yelling as the sound of gun firing was heard.

She placed a hand on her back and held her arm with the other to help her get back on her feet. However instantly, a giant hand was placed over hers.

The touch was foreign but she knew exactly who it belonged to.

"Zaynah, are you alright?" His deep voice was full of concern. The moment Zaynah hugged him out of fear, their hands separated but their eyes met causing her heart rate to reach its highest.

"Isha..."

Isabella watched his lips parted to say something but a colleague grabbed her hand, pulling her into the crowd of hectic people, running down the emergency stairs as fast as they can. Her skin takes on a glassy shine when she finally reached her car.

"Isabella are you okay? You were literally standing in front of the bullets."

Her action was suspicious and someone has already figured it out. Her brain reacted fast and she pulled the girl into a hug. "Thank you so much for saving me. I was so scared that I didn't even realize I was in harm's way. Let me drop you home as gratitude."

The girl bought her lie and they both got into the car except goosebumps rose on her bare arms when she visualized Zaid's light brown eyes looking at her with an emotion she has never witnessed before.

It was something between disbelief and desire.