So far, the event was going smoothly. Everyone was busy doing something. Whether they were conversing and making business plans on the spot, or serving people with food and drinks, each person was occupied.

Tahir kept the perimeter under his full control. He had access to the entire security system. And, since this was the royal hotel, even the security guards were present and ready for any of his commands.

"Team C, I want you to switch patrol onto the outside area and team B, I need you inside the hotel," he said into the earpiece.

Then, he focused his attention on Anisa and her conversation with Abbas.

"You know, they're rumored to be engaged."

Tahir turned to his right to find Saif just beside him and replied, "when did you get here?"

"Not long ago. But something tells me he's not the type of guy the princess would go for," Saif said.

Tahir looked back at Anisa to watch her every move and expression, analyzing her feelings from a distance to see that she was keeping the conversation entirely professional.

Then, he looked at Abbas. Tahir was told he was the biggest shareholder of the hotel and from the looks of it, he seemed to be around his age.

"It doesn't seem like those two are getting engaged at all."

Tahir brushed off the thought as he said that.

He and Saif continued to look around, monitoring everyone while Anisa finished her talk with Abbas.

"Well, I'm glad you were able to help with this event," she smiled

"It's my pleasure. There's a reason why I invest in this hotel. Why not give back to it with an event like this?" Abbas replied.

"Thank you again, Abbas. Now if you excuse me, I think we're almost ready for the auction." Anisa walked off as soon as she saw Abbas nod.

Tahir saw that she was making her way to the stage and followed right behind her.

"Status update on the security of the event?" Anisa asked him as soon as she felt his presence.

"I've got men all over the area, inside and out. Don't worry about these things. Focus on what you're planning on doing," Tahir told her.

They made it backstage and Anisa stopped before a woman and said, "Let's start the auction. Also, I'd like for my name to be mentioned when the price and description of my item are announced."

The woman nodded and Anisa turned towards Tahir to tell him, "We need to go to the balcony. I'm going to need the best view I can get."

He nodded and pressed on the button of his earpiece to make an announcement.

"The princess is moving to the balcony. I want Saif to come beside me and the rest of you stay in position and be on high alert."

With a response of "Yes sir," Tahir continued to lead Anisa upstairs towards the balcony where there were seats prepared for her, as well as a waitress that stood facing the ground.

"You may leave. I won't need any assistance," Anisa told the waitress.

The waitress kept looking down and didn't respond for a few seconds before she finally replied, "Yes, your highness."

Anisa sighed from annoyance and sat down on the chair as Tahir watched the waitress leave the balcony. He didn't have a good feeling about her. She even avoided his gaze and looked down to a point in which he couldn't see her face and just as she disappeared into the staircase, Saif appeared, making his way towards Tahir.

"Saif, I want you to follow that girl," Tahir said.

It only took one nod from Saif before he quickly turned back to follow the waitress. He did it discreetly and made sure she didn't know of his presence.

The woman didn't look back yet her pace quickened making it obvious for Saif that she knew she was being followed. So, he rushed towards her and she dropped the towel that was around her arm while she began to run.

They went down the hall and as a turn approached, Saif took that opportunity and made bigger steps. He grabbed her by the elbow and pinned her to the wall. But, Saif's eyes grew wide upon seeing who it was.

"Nadia?"

Nadia chuckled, "You're still just a little slow."

Saif scrunched his eyebrows and looked at her in disbelief. Both of their breaths were heavy from the chase and soon, Nadia asked, "Are you going to keep me in this position?"

He cleared his throat as he released her from his grip and fixed his suit.

"What are you doing here?" Saif asked.

"I'm undercover as you can tell. Mr. Latif wanted me here to get intel on a personal level but clearly, I'm going to have to try a different approach now that the princess didn't want my assistance," she replied.

"What do you mean, Mr. Latif sent you?"

She nodded, "He thought that this event needed more people from the agency and I happened to be one of his best assets."

Just then, Saif received a call from Mr. Latif himself.

"Speak of the devil..." He said as he answered the call.

"Saif, I'm assuming you've already met up with Nadia," Mr. Latif started.

Saif looked at Nadia as she smirked and replied, "Yes I have, sir."

"Make sure she doesn't get seen by the princess yet. She's expected to arrive at the castle soon. I heard one of their bodyguards were fired by the queen." Mr. Latif told him.

Saif nodded, "Yes, sir. I'll make sure of it."

The call ended and Saif shook his head while looking at Nadia and said, "You're still just as clumsy."

Nadia scoffed as she watched Saif walk off and make his way back to the balcony.

"Alright and now we come to our last item of today's event with a rarely driven, Fenyr Supersport. This luxurious vehicle not only lives up to its name, but it also happens to be 1 of the 27 made in the middle east. The princess, Anisa Hassan herself is willing to auction this off at a starting price of 3.4 million."

Instantly numbers started to go up. The speaker announced so many numbers for the price as it went up.

Saif shook his head as he watched the auction continue and couldn't believe they were paying for more than what the car was worth. Tahir didn't pay attention to the auction, rather he kept watch of Anisa's expression. It was clear that she was looking for someone. It's also why she is up in the balcony, to get a better view of the audience.

"You think this car will hit ten million?" Saif whispered to Tahir.

"After her name was announced, "Tahir discreetly motioned towards Anisa, "It's a possibility."

Saif nodded in agreement and Anisa stood up and walked towards the railing of the balcony. There were only three competitors left to finish the bid. One was a man in his late 50's. Another was a woman who seemed fairly young towards her mid-thirties, and the other was a young man who also seemed to be in his thirties.

She watched the audience, despite the three prominent buyers. Eventually, the man in his 50's backed out and it was just the woman and man in their thirties left. She had a feeling that it wasn't the woman because she seemed to be someone who wouldn't get her hands dirty with a job like this.

"And last bid, 9.5 million!"

Her assumption was right. It was the man in his thirties. Without wasting another second, Anisa turned around and rushed down the balcony. As she did, Tahir and Saif looked at each in confusion before rushing towards her.

When they were finally on the main floor, the announcer spoke into the microphone and said, "Congratulations sir."

Anisa walked up to the audience and stopped beside the man who won the bid. She smiled and the man slightly bowed upon seeing her as she said, "Congratulations on this bid. I hope the car serves you many purposes in the future."

"Thank you, your highness," he replied.

Saif scrunched his eyebrows in confusion and Tahir kept watch, making sure to be ready for anything. The man didn't have a good aura for his liking so Tahir kept his hand on the gun he had secured around his waist. It was covered by his suit jacket so it wasn't visible to anyone.

"May I ask why you were so persistent in buying this car?" Anisa asked.

The man seemed to have a nervous smile on his face which made Tahir take a step further, standing only an inch apart from Anisa in defense.

"You see, it's rare to get this car, especially in this color. So, I took the opportunity when it was presented to me today."

"Fair enough answer," Anisa faked a smile, "Again, congratulations."

The man slightly bowed in response and Anisa turned around and told Tahir, "Let's go, we're leaving."

Saif was confused and wanted to know what was going on. As much as Tahir did as well, he somehow knew to trust her.

"What's going on brother?" Saif asked

"I don't know but something tells me we're about to find out real soon," he replied.

Tahir brought the car upfront while Anisa waited for him inside with Saif. While waiting Anisa took the opportunity to ask Saif, "Are you two close?"

Saif was caught off guard by her question.

"With who?"

"Tahir."

Saif came to a realization and nodded, "Yes, we've known each other from a young age."

"I see..." Anisa nodded.

Just then, the car pulled up and Saif got the doors for Anisa as they walked out. He made sure to open the car door for her as well.

"Thank you," Anisa said before he closed the door.

Saif nodded and afterward, Tahir started driving the car out of the royal palace as he asked, "Where to?"

Anisa stood silent before responding and looked at him through the rearview mirror. She was only able to catch his eyes for a brief few seconds before she decided to tell him, "I don't want to go to the castle. There's a house close to the beach, I'll show you the way."

Tahir nodded and followed her directions to the beach house. It took a while to arrive just at the underground garage of the huge place. It was his first time here and Anisa was more than ready to change into something more comfortable than the dress she still had on.

Once Tahir opened the door for her, she slowly stepped out of the car and walked up to the door to be greeted by a hallway. Tahir followed right behind her and watched her struggle in her heels.

She was exhausted and beads of sweat had formed just at the top of her forehead where her Hijab began. So, she paused and took off her heels. Holding them in her hand, she headed towards the stairs until Tahir stopped her.

"Here, let me take care of these," he got a hold of the heels in her hand and she felt his fingers brush past hers, sending a tingling feeling inside her.

"I'll be back."

Anisa was disturbed by that feeling and quickly continued to go upstairs leaving Tahir to question her bipolarity. He shrugged it off and found a closet where there were slippers. After placing her heels on the rack, he decided to change into one of the spare slippers and take a seat at the sofa in the living room. This house felt more like one, whereas the castle didn't allow him to be off guard like this.

As he sat and waited for Anisa, he checked the time to see that it had passed midnight. He decided to wait some more but eventually, he grew impatient after waiting half an hour and started to question if everything was alright upstairs.

A/N:

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