Before The Sky & The Sea (Completed)

chapter ten

A/N: RAMADHAN KAREEM MY LOVES <3

IAN

"You look shittier than usual," Leo spoke as he gets ready for tonight. It's been an entire day since my argument, (if you can even call it that) with Zahra and I can't stop thinking about it.

When I ignore the green eyed blonde next to me, he continues, "Does it relate to the hijabi you were stalking?"

That got my attention, "What? What hijabi?"

Leo laughs, "Everyone knows you asked Gale to get information on the Zahra Aishah girl. I don't blame you, she's hot."

I scowled, "Shut the fuck up. Don't fuckin talk like that."

Leo laughs knowing he got the exact reaction he was hoping for, "Awww.. does Ian Sanchez have a lil crush on her?"

"You're fuckin childish, Leo shut the fuck up & focus," I grunt, prepping for the deal as well. "Anyway, putting aside your dumbass comments, is everyone on stand by tonight? What did Gale say?"

Leo smirks, knowing I was trying to change the topic but he plays along, "Yeah boss. From what Gale said though, he doesn't think Frank's men have anything planned other than just ensuring the deal goes smoothly."

I nod. "Okay, but just stay sharp. I can't shake the feeling something bad is going to happen."

"Maybe you're just uptight about your pretty girl."

"Hey, Leo Castillo? Stop fucking talking about Zahra before I kick your ass."

"Okay, okay. Geez," Leo walks away, laughing.

All jokes aside, I knew my anxiety from tonight wasn't coming from nowhere. Frank had something up his sleeve, I just know it.

A couple hours passed, I made sure I had men on look out, and men on stand by ready to intervene. I usually carry out the meetings with just Leo and Gale at the frontlines. They were smart, professional, brave and witty. As for Leo, he's the only guy I trust so it doesn't hurt having someone I know will be there for me.

When we reach at the port, Frank was there with 10 men on guard and three beside him. Frank was known to be a paranoid man, far more paranoid than me, you could say. But that's how he's managed to stay untouchable.

As the hours on the port passed, nothing seems out of the ordinary. My men were unloading weapons to his and Frank was conversing with me about our next deal. Maybe Leo was right, I was paranoid for nothing.

"Pleasure doing business, as always," Frank expresses, as he gets ready to leave the dock, and my men get ready to leave as well. When we arrive back at our house, Leo laughs.

"Told you man, you were just paranoid about your girl," Leo says as we both head to the basement.

"She's not my girl Leo, seriously shut up."

"But you want her to be?"

"How'd you think that would work, genius? She's Muslim and I'm..."

"The devil?" Leo jokes, when he sees my scowl his smile disappears, "Relax.. It was just a joke. I'm not one to judge, I'm not far off either."

"Whatever, you're right," I say, "Doesn't matter anyway, it's not like I like her."

I picked up my bags, and got ready to leave, heading back up the stairs. Going up I could hear Leo yell, "Yeah sure, think about all the reasons it can't work out then brush it off saying you don't like her. Fuckin liar!"

I roll my eyes at the idiot's comment. I usually had my driver with me but my paranoia for tonight wasn't a joke, I told him to take the night off because I genuinely thought we were gonna be busy the rest of the night. I even had my bike ready in case I needed a quick escape.

Even though the meeting has concluded, the foreboding feeling is still deeply rooted in me.

I hopped on my bike, and took a deep long breathe. It's just anxiety, I tell myself.

Everything has gone by just fine.

I hopped on the bike and as I'm riding, my brain is filled with thoughts. Everything I've tried to push back. I'm partially grateful because for a moment, my anxiousness slips away.

"Fuck this, I need a drink," I mumble to myself as I head to a convenience store I remember seeing around this area.

It was maybe 3am, I didn't check the time but this area specifically was hella empty. I walked into the convenience store.

I headed straight to the refrigerator, since my initial plan was to buy some whiskey.

I don't know why but.. I kept thinking about the things I've read. I did research on Islam to respect Zahra's boundaries sure but my heart, in that moment, I remembered reading why alcohol was forbidden in Islam.

I took a step away. Fuck. I don't even know what's going in my head right now. I walk towards the far end of the refrigerator, and grabbed a bottle of coke. It's fine. I'll just sit outside, take a deep breathe and calm myself down.

I paid the cashier and even his vibes felt off. Now, I'm sure Leo was right. I was fucking paranoid and I don't know why.

I took a step out, and headed to the carpark. When I walked towards my bike, rummaging through my pockets, I suddenly felt a puncture in my lower abdomen and from the hot sensation, I could tell it was a knife that had penetrated my skin.

I wanted to turn around, catch a glimpse of who did it but the shock, and the sharp pain that followed seconds after made me instantaneously fall to my knees.

I've got to get somewhere. This carpark, this entire fucking neighbourhood is empty. I close my eyes, for a long second and for the first time in 20 years, I pray.

I don't know to what, or who but I said a prayer and then I hopped on my bike. I remember whose house is nearest. Not mine, fuck not even Eliza's or Gale's. It's fucking Zahra's. Even when my skin is starting to burn, I'm thinking about how I'm going to explain this to her.

I was bleeding out. I could feel the wetness from my abdomen dripping down. I needed to get this fixed somehow and if Zahra has no clue, she must have the things I needed to clean one.

Her house was maybe less than ten minutes away. I would get the right house, I would get there in time.

I'm not very sure. I'm beyond uncertain but I'm hoping for the best. Please God, I can't die today.

I'm here, I think. I walk up the steps, barely but I'm walking. I knock.

Once. Twice.

Just as I heard the door open, I fall to the ground.

"Ian?!"