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I put a light layer of foundation matching my skin tone, did a double coating of mascara making my already thick eyelashes to be more prominent giving me a bold look. I wore a off shoulder floral cheery maroon coloured gown, matched with cherry coloured heels and styled my chestnut chocolatey waves in an loose messy bun.

Today's the day of the announcement of my real identity to the whole world as the daughter of Shahzaib Khan, as the new face of A group of companies. My dad's company.

It's been 2 months after the meeting that day. As we expected Farhan did made a mistake and that was meant to be his downfall. He got arrested, everything is going good even great but there is a unsettled feeling in my heart. I don't know what i am feeling but it is like a unknown fear. But fear of what exactly?

I sighed and looked upwards in the full length mirror just to see Zayyan getting out of the closet dressed in a maroon 3 piece Armani suit contrasted with black coloured pants matching outfit with mine.

As his eyes met mine he was dumbstrucked. I felt my breathing aced up as he took his pleasurable time to ranked me from toe to head and atlas again met my eyes. He took his slow yet hurried steps towards me and softly engulfed me in a back hug as he snuggled his head in my neck. My breath got hitched as his lips met my bare neck.

I closed my eyes in pure pleasure as i clenched my gown tightly. He was doing nothing but just trying to calm me down "Z-zayyan....."

He straight looked in the mirror meeting my greyish pearls "Breathtakingly Gorgeous" his voice came out hushed, so seductive and soul shaking that i felt goosebumps all over my body "If not for the announcement today, I would have locked you in this room, away from the evil eyes of the world. Only for me to gaze at you"

If he said then he definitely would. We never reciprocated our feelings to eachother like never said 'I love you' or something but sometimes words aren't needed to show how you care for the other person. Right?

I still don't know how i feel about him, the thing i know is, i can't ever imagine to live without him, if this is love then i admit i am so in love with him.

He makes me smile, he calms me down, he supports me in everything, sometimes treats me like a child, he cares for me, his each and every gesture attracts me to him, I love how his warm gaze wakes me up every morning, I love his eyes on me which makes me nervous sometimes but i can't deny i love how he looks at me, I love his each and everything. He is the best husband ever. My Zayyan.

"Where are lost kitten"? I came out of my trance hearing his calm voice as he turned me around to face him. I slowly shooked my head negatively and he softly pinched my nose "Today you are not looking like a kitten but a lioness. My lioness" my lips curled up in a small smile but he frowned immediately. What happened?

"Your smile didn't reached your eyes. Is something troubling you. I told you kitten, to never hide anything from me. Now be my good girl and tell me" See this was what i was talking about, Sometimes words are not needed.

"It's nothing serious.....it's just that i have some stupid unsettled feeling of fear but i don't know what fear exactly. It's like something unpleasant or unfortunate is going to happen. I am just scared" I deeply sighed answering him truthfully.

He softly took my face in his hands cupping it softly rubbing his thump lightly on my cheeks "You don't have to fear anything. Just remember.....no matter what, i am going to protect you at any cost" with that he placed his warm lips kissing me on the forehead to relax my creased lines instantly.

**************

"Mrs. Ayéda Zayyan Malik, can we have a pleasure to have you on stage"? The host asked through the mic and i looked towards Zayyan. Getting his assuring smile i stood up and extended my hand towards him.

Smiling warmly he held my hand and we walked to the stage. Mumbling a small thank i took the mic from the host. "Hello everyone!" My voice echoed in the big hall as i spoke in the mic. Came an uproar of the greetings towards me. Media was flashing the cameras towards me as the whole hall got silent waiting for my speech.

I swept passed my gaze in the whole hall, everyone were looking at me in anticipation. I looked towards my family, My beloved ones, my Mama Jaan, Baba Jani, Hayfa, Dadu, Dadi Jaan, Nanu, Nani Jaan. Everyone were there.....for me. They all passed me a smile encouraging me not to get nervous.

"Be a lioness, you are a kitten but only for me not for anyone else" came Zayyan's possessive yet encouraging voice beside me. I kept the urge to smile widely. He always have a way to calm me down.

"My name is Ayéda Zayyan Malik, the real daughter of Shahzaib Khan" mummers spread across the hall.

"Where were you all these years? Why did you hid your identity in the first place? Why did you even hid yourself being alive?" Different questions came from the different media companies reporters.

I took a deep sigh before stating the truth "As you all know my parents died in an car accident but can any one of you imagine it wasn't an accident but a pre-planed murder by my own maternal uncle 'Farhan Khan".

"Wasn't he ex CEO of k group of companies? Wait he was arrested 1 month back? Yes yes! But we never knew the relationship between the two companies" repeated conclusions and questions came as an uproar spread across. I continued.

"I was 7 when my parents died and a unfortunate girl to not even see my parents for the last time. He did everything for the heritage and as per will i was supposed to get everything at my 22nd birthday so my uncle kind of kidnapped me and i was locked in one room for almost 1 year, took their beatings, no food and water for days. My cousin brother was very good and kind hearted. Being their son he wasn't like them a bit, he would occasionally sneaked to give me food and water but most of the times i was left alone........I was on the verge to loose my sanity, on the edge of death until my beloveds came to my rescue. My family" I gestured towards them.

Half of the reporters rushed towards Baba Jani and Mama jaan asking them questions and the rest of them asked me "How are they your family? As per our resources we know Zaydan Malik is the ex CEO of R.Z Enterprises and Hayat Malik the current CEO of R.M group of companies"?

I passed them a small smile before saying "The first thing i told you all was my name, full name. Ayéda Zayyan Malik. Meet my husband Zayyan Malik" I putted my arms around his arms pulling him closer. Zayyan un-bothered by getting the wholesome of attention kept his whole attention towards me, basically at our joined arms. There was a smile underneath that stern facade. 'Ya Allah! I really wanted to face palm myself'

"You are the son of Zaydan Malik right? Current CEO of R.Z Enterprises? How had we not recognized him? Why do you prefer to be hidden Mr. Malik? We almost hadn't recognized you if not for Miss Ayéda's revealation. How did you both get married? Was it a love marriage"? Reporters bombarded Zayyan with several questions. Although his face was expressionless but I know he was beyond pissed right now. And how can anyone recognize him when he made every single picture or even video of his to disappear from the internet. Near to non-existence.

"Yes I am the son of Zaydan Malik and current CEO of R.Z Enterprises. It's my choice to be stay hidden and no personal questions" I was surprised that Zayyan answered their questions. I remember at his face reveal announcement he royally ignored the paparazzi and didn't even answered their even one question and right now he is answering them. Was he doing it for me? This mere thought melted my heart.

"Baba Jani....I mean Zaydan Malik was my father's closest friend, Baba Jani promised my dad that he will take care of me for the life time, from then on they took me in as their family member, treated me like their own daughter. I had never verbally thanked them for the love, care and for each and everything. Thank you all of you for the unconditional love and care. Thank you for giving me the roof, thank you for giving me a family, thank you for everything. I know words are not enough but 'I love you all. I would also like to thank my brother for being there for me, i will not disclose his name for the privacy reasons but thank you so much Ray. I would like to thank one more person........." I turned towards Zayyan and his warm gaze was still intacted on me. I love his eyes on me.

"My soulmate, my support system, my husband......." I paused as i saw his lips curled up in a wide smile. I love his smile. I was going to continue but stopped when we heard a gunshot. There was suddenly a hustle and bustle in the hall as everyone started running.

I looked infront just to see Farhan pointing his gun towards me. I knew something was going to happen. Fear slowly started to engulf me "I told you Anna, i will kill you and i will"

Just then several men in black with the gold badges of M.M came running in the hall surrounding him, they pointed their guns at him. I turned towards Zayyan and his lips were slightly curled up in an evil smirk.

"How did you knew he will be here? Wasn't he in the jail"? I asked because just seeing his face i know he knew about it beforehand.

"I just received a message that he escaped as they were going to shift him in another jail. But isn't he a fool to dig his own grave by coming here. I gave him a chance giving him in the hands of police but now he will not leave this hall alive"? Zayyan chuckled as he stepped down from the stage going towards him.

Farhan was dumbfounded seeing the special highly trained force of M.M. Of course he didn't knew Zayyan's other identity. I really wanted to sighed at his stupid behaviour. Only some of the people were left in the hall including our family as it was surrounded by police and Zayyan's personal team force.

One of Zayyan's men took the gun from Farhan's hand as he punched him on the face several times till he was with a blue eye. He also passed a few punches on his stomach making him fall down on the floor.

"W-who a-are you"? Farhan stuttered. Maybe now he really sensed danger. Ignoring him Zayyan ordered his men in very high pitched voice "Escort everyone out safely......please Baba Jani and Mama please take Ayéda out......." He trailed off as i ran towards him saying "NO" more like i yelled.

"Please Zayyan no bloodshed. Hand him to police. Please...." I requested and Zayyan gave me a blank look before deeply sighing "As you wish kitten" At his words i took a sigh of relief.

Soon we all got out as Farhan was again arrested and we finally were going towards our car.

"Anna, I told you i am going to kill you" I heard Farhan's voice, i turned and in mere milliseconds i saw a bullet coming towards me.

The very next second i heard another gunshot. My body along with my mind got froze when I saw a bullet pierced in Farhan's forehead and Zayyan infront of me.

No! No! No! "Z-zayyan" my lips quivered as tears started to roll out of my eyes. Zayyan stumbled back,my hands automatically caught his arms but we fell down as he was imbalance in his steps.

All i could see was blood, Zayyan's blood "S-stay with m-me p-please. Keep y-your eyes o-open" 'Ya Allah! I can't live without him. please let him be safe'

"I t-told you......no matter w-what, i a-am going to protect y-you"