Chapter Fourteen: Where are the kids?
The next morning. . .
Angel woke up to the bedroom being empty, she'd have panicked if she hadn't heard the kids laughter coming from the kitchen, and then Zahid's deep voice came
" Be quiet, so you don't wake Mum up "
Today was a rare luxury, albeit one out of yesterday's incident, but she was going to enjoy it while it lasted, so she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
One hour later. . .
" Angelina.... Angelina. "
That was what she heard, she didn't need to be told, to know who was calling her, upon opening her drowsy eyes, Zahid was sitting beside her on the bed
" Wake up, you've slept enough already." he said quietly.
Angel rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep.
" Come. You should eat something."
She pushed herself up, groaning lightly. " Where are the kids?"
" In the living room. Playing."he said and left the room.
Angel slowly climbed down the bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
Twenty minutes later. . .
She walked to the living room, and froze.
Zahid had organised everywhere
Her eyes moved from one thing to another,
A small pile of toys separated by size and type. Neatly kept at the children's play area.
A neatly arranged list on the table with bullet points. He stood there, pressing his phone, Zahid's phone had been on speaker earlier, and she had heard voices, although it was faint, so she couldn't make out what they were talking about.
" What… what's all this?" she asked quietly.
Zahid turned, holding a set of papers.
"I called a few child psychologist friends. We need guidance on how the kids might be processing yesterday. They'll send notes."
Angel blinked. "Psychologists?"
"And I already arranged breakfast for the kids, this is yours," he continued, pointing at a container on the counter.
Her heartbeat doubled.
"And I talked to security," he added. "They're increasing patrols around the estate. Someone is setting up additional cameras outside the house, now, they should be done soon, the camera will be connected to your phone and mine for extra security."
Angel's throat dried.
"You… you did all this this morning?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"You didn't even ask me."
Zahid's expression tensed, but he didn't look away. "Angelina..."
"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "I don't want you making decisions about my kids without telling me. Don't do that."
Her voice trembled. She hated how her voice trembled.
She wasn't really angry, rather, she was scared.
Scared of how easy it was becoming to depend on him. How fast he stepped in, and got things done, How he didn't even hesitate, and fixed things. Protected things... Protected them.
And how a part of her… wanted to let him.
And that alone scared her more.
Zahid stepped closer, calm and steady. "I'm not trying to take over," he said, his voice low and strained.
"But I can't watch you fall apart alone when I know I can help you lift off some burdens. Okay?"
Angel stood there, arms wrapped around herself like she was holding herself together. She didn't know what to say. Her emotions felt stretched thin, yesterday's fear, the weight of responsibility, the exhaustion that never seemed to end.
And now this man.
This man who kept showing up, whether she asked or not.
"I just…" she whispered, trying not to cry. "It's a lot."
"I know." Zahid moved slowly, carefully. "That's why I'm here."
Her breath caught. She didn't know why his voice still did that to her heart.
For a moment they stood in silence, just.... watching each other.
Then Zahid reached out gently and lifted her chin.
A small gesture, but her knees nearly gave way.
He wiped the tear sliding down her cheek, that she didn't even know was there, with his thumb. His fingers were warm. The rough calluses scratched her face, Angel's breath trembled as he brushed another tear.
Zahid's gaze dropped to her lips.
Her heart jumped, as he leaned in.
She needed to pull back.
But she didn't want to pull back.
Their breaths mingled, so close, too close,
Her fingers curled at her sides.
His hand was still on her chin, bringing it closer to his as he leaned even closer..
Then...
A loud sound exploded from outside.
A car alarm or something metallic slamming shut.
Angel flinched. Zahid's eyes flashed back to focus, and he stepped away instantly, jaw clenched.
Before either of them could speak, Zahid's phone buzzed.
He glanced down.
A text message.
From an unknown number.
Angel tried to peek, but Zahid turned slightly, blocking her view as he read it.
"Round 1 was easy.
Try harder next time, Prince Zahid."
His blood ran cold.
His thumb hovered only a second before he deleted it.
He didn't want Angel to see. Not this. Not now.
Angel was already stressed. Letting her know would break something inside her, he could see she was barely holding on as it was.
"Who was that?" she asked.
"No one," Zahid replied smoothly. "Wrong number."
She didn't look convinced, but she didn't push to know what it was anymore.
Zahid walked away toward the security setup, phone in hand. His face was blank, but inside, something twisted sharply.
He recalled when he opened the CCTV footage again, replaying the same section he had watched three times already, he needed clues.
He saw the masked man approaching the gate.
The way he crouched.
The angle of his steps.
The timing of his movements.
Something felt off, it felt… familiar.
He slowed the footage even more. Seconds by seconds, Frame by frame.
Watched the masked man shift his weight from one leg to the other.
Zahid's breath froze.
He knew that movement.
He knew that stance.
That shoulder drop.
That particular way the man positioned his feet.
It hit him like ice down his spine.
"No…" he whispered.
"It can't be..."
His heart pounded hard inside his ribs.
If it was who he feared it was… then this wasn't a random attack.
It was personal, too personal.
Meanwhile, Angel stepped out of the house, barefooted, needing air. Her chest felt too tight. remembering Zahid's actions inside the house, the kiss they almost shared, she couldn't do this, Not with everything that's been happening, she needed to breathe, she needed space to think, staying inside the house was starting to overwhelm her
She walked to the gate, her feet cold against the floor tiles. The morning breeze brushed her skin, calming her a little.
But something caught her eye on the ground.