Author's POV:

Later that night, Kian led the team toward the heavily guarded mansion.

Dressed in black tactical gear, they slipped through the forest surrounding the estate before silently scaling the outer wall.

Back in the temporary control room, Roohi monitored dozens of security feeds, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she guided the team through their earpieces.

"Two guards approaching from the west corridor," she warned calmly.

"Hide."

The team melted into the shadows just seconds before the guards passed by. Once the path was clear, they continued toward the vault.

One member disabled the laser grid while another bypassed the electronic lock. Kian carefully cracked the final security system and stepped inside the vault.

"There it is," he whispered.

The brilliant green diamond rested beneath a glass case. He carefully took it out and kept the case as it was before so that when they turn on the laser again, it won't buzz.

"Exit through Route C," Roohi instructed after noticing a patrol changing direction.

"Security is heading toward the east wing."

Without wasting another second, the team slipped through the maintenance tunnel and disappeared into the darkness. By the time the mansion's owners could have discovered anything, Kian and his team were already miles away.

As Roohi mentioned, she didn't budged until she saw Kian.

~~~~~~~~~

Roohi's peaceful sleep was broken when she heard some movement in her room.

She heard footsteps moving towards the window and her eyes fluttered open. Her body was ready to attack but sighed when she saw he was none other than Kian.

"You scared me."

"Opps.. I was here to see if you were sleeping." He said as he opened the curtains.

"You could have knocked." Her palm touched her eyes as she rubbed it.

He shrugged "I didn't know if you were sleeping."

"Ok.. So, Why are you here?" Roohi asked while making a bun of her hairs.

"I want to take you out since we are going back tomorrow." Kian leaned on the window side.

"Where?" She asked curiously.

"Nowhere. Get ready now."

After Kian left her room she looked at the clock and her eyes widened seeing that it's already past 5 PM.

How can someone sleep this much?

After they completed the mission, they came back to the cottage, rested for a bit, ate and than Roohi retired to her room.

She can't believe she slept through the whole Afternoon.

She quickly went to the washroom, took a shower and got ready.

Since they are not going anywhere fancy she wore a simple floral dress and flats. She left her hair open with minimal makeup.

She went out of her room and saw Kian waiting for her.

Kian, on the other hand, was mesmerized by her simple yet gorgeous look.

"Let's go." Roohi chirped happily.

Kian cleared his throat and compose himself before offering his arm to her.

They were silently strolling in the heart of nature and enjoying the view. They say somewhere near a tree after a while, just enjoying the comfortable silence and the view.

Roohi leaned on the tree and broke the silence "Kian."

He hummed.

She looked at him and found him already looking at her.

"Why.. don't you like any physical contact?" She asked out of nowhere.

He tilted his head "What's with this sudden question?"

She shook her head "It's not sudden. I have been thinking about it for quite a while now but never got that chance to ask you."

He smirked "Be Careful, Ms. Mehra, You sound like you are interested in me."

I have heard it somewhere?! She thought.

Right. I told him the same thing when he asked me if I liked someone.

"I was just curious. How does it sound like I am interested?" She rolled my eyes.

"You just admitted that you were thinking about me for quite a while now." He raised his eyebrow.

"It's not the same thing." She looked away.

"Ok. Than.. What about last night? We kissed and then I laid you on the couch and kissed yo-" Before he could complete Roohi put her hand on his mouth stopping his sentence in the middle.

"Have some shame." Her cheek reddened.

Her breath hitched when she realised how close they were and her hands were on his mouth touching his lips.

Her skin tingle with a weird sensation and she quickly removed her hands when he gestured towards her hands with his eyes.

"There is no one around." Kian claimed.

She cleared her throat "Still.. Have some filter while speaking."

He chuckled "So you admit you are interested?"

She looked away "Fine. I am interested."

He raised his eyebrow "In?"

"Your story."

"Just my story?"

"Yes."

Kian smiled knowing that she is lying while Roohi started to play with the grass to keep her emotions intact.

"I am not forcing you to tell me anything. I mean.. you can share it with me if you are comfortable." She hadn't thought about this before but when it suddenly clicked, she said that.

He laughed "How cute."

"Why are you laughing?"

He shake his head "I will tell you."

He looked ahead and continued "As you know I belong to a dangerous family."

She mumbled "Even dangerous would be an understatement."

He chuckled "Whatever you say. So it is obvious we have dozens of enemies praying for my death. It was the same for my father. No one wants him to have an heir.. My mother was pregnant for 3 times before I was born. 2 babies dies even before they could have born and one died when he was just a few months old."

Roohi sat straight hearing him, she imagined it to be his attitude or even a disease but not this....

She put her hand on his "It's ok, Roohi. I was not even born at that time."

He reassured her then continued "In the beginning, My parents thought it was their fault but after the death of my second brother or sister, they got to know that their enemies were behind this. They all came together to defeat my father because he was the most powerful one.. when they couldn't defeat him they stooped as low as to kill his heirs. Later, When I was born they took extra care of me. All of my siblings were poisoned so every thing I touched, ate or even smell used to go through the thorough check up. Over time, I got distant with people and everything that was around me so yeah.. that distant behaviour turned into disgust and hate while I grew up."

"It must be hard for you." Roohi's voice wobbled as she suddenly has this weird urge to cry.

She was feeling bad for the baby Kian who had to go through so much. She can't imagine a child being under such scrutiny.

Kian put his other hand on Roohi's hand which was already on his hand and squeezed it gently.

"It was survival. I am fine." He tried to reassure her.

She nodded "But you don't have to do this anymore, Kian. No one will try to kill you now that they don't know you."

He chuckled "You think I still followed it because I am afraid someone will kill me?"

She quickly shakes her head "I.. didn't meant it that way. I mean.. the baby inside you is still so careful about everything. I want him to know that he is safe now."

He is safe now.

Those words echoed in his ears like a mantra.

He doesn't want to be vulnerable in front of anyone.

Anyone.

"I am grown up, Roohi. I know I am safe. It's just.. it became a habit with time and I started to despise when someone tried to change it.. Nothing more."

She rested her head on his shoulder and mumbled "I know.. You have grown up well, Kian."

He hummed and she started to play with his fingers and asked after a long pause "Why don't you despise my touch?"

"I don't know.."

She looked at him until he sighed and said "I consulted a psychologist who just spilled bullshits."

She giggled "Like?"

"Leave it. It's just bullshit."

"Kian. Pretty pleaseeee." She whinned.

He closed his eyes "Like my inner child feels safe around you."

"And?" She smiled.

"And.. My heart believes that you are... Different somehow."

"And why is that?" She cupped her cheeks while asking.

"Stop it, Roohi." He looked away.

"Kian."

"Maybe.. because.... You are different."

Roohi half expected him to confess so she grinned and assured him "Don't worry. I will make sure you are always safe, Little Kian."

Little did she know she is lying....

"Love, I am not a child. I am anything but a child." He smirked.

She knew he doesn't want to be vulnerable so she let him be "Sure, Big Bad Kian."

He chuckled and that sound sent tingles in her body.

"Should we go back? It's already dark." Kian asked with a deep calm in his voice.

She shake her head "Let's stay here for a while."

He nodded and wrapped his arms around her rubbing it a little.

"Are you cold?"

She moved closer to her and shook her head "You are warm."

"Roohi." He called out.

"Hmm."

"You have never spoken about your family. Do you have one?" He asked because he wanted to know her better.

"No and Yes."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know if I have a family?"

When she saw a confused look on his face she elaborate "I was separated from my parents when I was little and Avi's parents found me. Avi was the man who came to visit me at the cafè that day, remember?"

"Oh. Do you.. remember your parents?"

"To be honest, No. I was just 7 years old. I know I was old enough to have a few memories but they disappeared over time."

"Everything is ok now. You have grown up pretty well." He rubbed her arm gently.

She chuckled "You are repeating my lines."

"Am I?"

He made a playful face making Roohi hit him lightly.

                   ~~~~~~~~

The next morning, Roohi and Kian packed their belongings and prepared to leave. Before heading to the airport, Kian informed everyone at the mansion that the mission had been completed successfully and that they would be returning later that day.

The flight home was surprisingly peaceful. After the chaos, danger, and sleepless nights they had endured, the quiet journey felt like a well-earned break. Roohi spent most of the flight looking out of the window while Kian occasionally exchanged light-hearted conversations with her.

Several hours later, they finally arrived at the mansion.

The mission had not only been a success, but the journey itself had changed something between them.

Working side by side and sharing moments beyond the mission had brought Roohi and Kian much closer.

They entered the mansion and saw Zivan and Arin sitting in the living room.

Roohi won't admit it but she really missed them secretly. They have become like a family to her and vice versa by the way they care for her.

She gestured Kian to stay quiet as she is going to surprise them.

Since their back was facing her she went behind them with her silent steps and was about to scare them by shouting but her body froze when she heard....

"AGENT 09"

          ____________________

Poor Roohii!!
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