Chapter 15 - Plan C

Maha has now found a very private place away from the city. She leased and furnished it. She bought new bed linens, toiletries, and several pieces of men's shirts, shorts, and underwear. The food provisions will follow later. Maha is preparing the place for her now, Plan C.

She has sent the first ransom letter to the Al Abdallah company. She didn't have Yasmin's father's address, but on second thought, she preferred to use Naseem's company address. Dressed as a florist's delivery staff, she left the flowers with the note for Mr. Naseem Al Abdallah. It has to be Naseem, as he is Ibrahim's boss. And Ibrahim hated him, so she'll point it all to Ibrahim.

The receptionist saw the flowers by mid-morning and took them to the office of Naseem. His secretary, Erin, wondered who would send her boss flowers. His boss receives flowers when there are occasions and she can't think of any now. Erin wondered. She took the card and read it.

The card read "If you want her alive, have her father pay us one million dirhams."

Erin dropped the card in her shock. Who will send something like this? Who is she? Who are they referring to?

Erin went to Jamil's office. She asked Julie where Jamil was. Julie said that her boss left early in the morning, looking so distressed as if he hadn't slept the night before. Erin showed the note to Julie.

"Oh, my!" Julie said worriedly.

She's not sure, she said, but could it be his boss's fiancee? Ms. Yasmin? She looked at Erin wide-eyed.

"Give me. I'll take a photo of it and send it to him," she said.

"Are we supposed to have even touched the card? Maybe, the police would want it for evidence and the crime lab would check it for fingerprints." She told Erin.

Erin looked at her anxiously. Anyway, Julie sent the photo to Jamil at once. She followed it up with a text that they received it with flower delivery. Julie went with Erin to Naseem's office and took a photo of the flowers delivered with the note, and sent the photo to Jamil as well.

Julie asked Erin not to tell anyone. Maybe they shouldn't talk about it since even his boss hasn't breathed a word that something has happened. Maybe the police authorities already knew and Jamil was working with them quietly on the case. Erin nodded. She promised she won't.

***

Jamil was with Murad and Capt. Ali early that morning. Dodi could not make it early. He may not feel well from last night. Jamil instructed Fayed to go to the office today; at least one of them should be in the office, he said. Should something come up that he can't handle, he should give their dad a call. He planned to meet up with the officers this morning.

Kamal called Jamil if anything turned up yet. "Nothing," Jamil said.

"I believe he'll be in touch with you soon. Let us know, if ever, Kamal. Appreciate it," Jamil said.

"Of course, count on me," Kamal said.

Kamal thought of calling Ibrahim, but then he might suspect something. Let Ibrahim call him, he will need help soon.

The police have posted an APB (All-Points Bulletin) on Ibrahim in the entire country. They provided Ibrahim's photo to most of the business establishments in Dubai, especially the hotels. They have also included some of the nearby Gulf States now, like Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Murad asked Jamil if could see Dodi today. Jamil wasn't sure, he said. Seeing how he was last night, he might not be feeling well, he added. Murad told Jamil that something came up with their investigation of one Ibrahim Mahlid. A disabled Emirati who's been in a wheelchair since his childhood and hasn't even left their house has no documents at all. His father had sold them to a terrorist organization. And here they have Ibrahim, a Syrian, as they've known from that ground staff at the airport with a passport and a UAE birth certificate, but has no other documents except those, not even school documents. Could it be that Ibrahim belongs to that organization and the recipient of those documents from the old man?

Jamil was in this conversation with both officers, Murad and Captain Ali when he got Julie's text. He read it, but it didn't sink in until Murad asked him if there was something in his text. Jamil showed it to them. Murad abruptly stood up. This is bad, Murad thought. So, it has come to this, thought Jamil. Ibrahim is after Yasmin and money.

Dubai is small. If the police and the military will continue with the constant border checks in Dubai and the other emirates, they will catch Ibrahim soon. Jamil is more worried about what will happen to Yasmin at the hands of Ibrahim. If Ibrahim will succeed in sexually violating her, Yasmin will never be the same person again, he thought. Knowing Yasmin, she will never let him touch her again. She'd say she feels dirty and didn't deserve him. Yasmin will move away from him. He can't let that happen. It is not her fault. And before this will happen, he hoped they've found her soon and catch Ibrahim at the same time.

***

Maha went to check on Ibrahim in his flat but before she could turn into the street, she could see a lot of police presence in the area. Even at the corner where she is standing right now, the police are checking everyone. People were showing their identification cards to the police. She can't go through this right now. She slowly turned and left the area. So, Ibrahim is now a person of interest with the police, she thought. So, what could have happened to his men? Were they arrested?

Rahal, Shahid, and Samaha had been under intense police interrogation. At first, they claimed not to know of Ibrahim Mahlid when the police checked on them at the barge; when the rented cars they drove turned out to be under his name, they now claimed not to know of his whereabouts at the moment. Syria has not yet confirmed the identity of the three men. They cannot verify the names on the passports, but will let them know after further investigation. Meantime, the police will have to keep the men in jail until they have cleared them of any suspicion.

***

Yasmin finally awoke. She's thirsty and needed to use the bathroom. Yasmin asked the woman who was attending to her. The woman gave her food and water. Before she removed the chains on Yasmin to use the bathroom, she showed the gun. Yasmin understood. The woman pretended to be mute. She understood from Maha that her mission was dangerous. She just needed the money, that's why she accepted this job from her. She planned to receive the money in full, and has no intention to die here. She took pity on the captive. What could she have done to deserve this? Or is she being held for ransom? She's young and beautiful. It would be a pity to hurt or kill her. She helped Yasmin to get up. She had slept for so long; her legs felt weak.

When she returned, the woman had to put her back in chains. Yasmin tried to feel her body. Did Ibrahim touch her? It doesn't feel so, but how would she know? They drugged her. She hoped not.

Yasmin saw her bag and luggage in the corner. Is her phone inside her bag? She remembered the first man taking it from her, but could he have put it back in her bag? She asked the woman for her bag. The woman hesitated for a while, then took it, but emptied it before her. Her phone isn't there. She gestured to her to return the contents inside the bag. She did.

She was debating whether to take a bath now while Ibrahim was still outside. Yasmin didn't know yet it wasn't Ibrahim holding her anymore. She asked the woman if it was okay for her to take a bath. The woman nodded, although she gestured 'short' in sign language. She nodded, it's better than feeling sticky and unclean, she thought. She was glad that the woman was kind. How is Jamil? She's sure that Jamil was working with the police looking for her. She doesn't know where she is, but she hoped she's still in Dubai.

***

Maha did not intend to receive a reply from the first ransom letter. She meant to point the kidnapping of Yasmin to Ibrahim. For sure, they haven't caught him yet. And he will have no way to tell them he doesn't have Yasmin because the man is running for his life.

For the second ransom note, Maha hasn't decided on how to deliver it yet. She can't do another personal delivery. That would be dangerous. For sure, they will catch her the second time. By email? She can send one now from her phone. She has Jamil's email address. She doesn't care about the ransom money. She's afraid that Jamil might take time to meet with her if she will ask for the money.

All she cares about now was to have Jamil come to her. Her 3-day ovulation dates given by the doctor will start the next day. By then, she should have met Jamil. The injection for inducing ovulation the doctor gave her will help her conceive when she's fertile. She must have Jamil with or without the ransom money. She should have met him before they caught Ibrahim. She will email Jamil to meet with her, or he will not see Yasmin alive. But Jamil shouldn't see her when she will meet with him.

She now has a plan. But first, she has to send the second ransom note by email.

"Jamil, only you can save your beloved Yasmin. If you want her back alive, follow my instructions. I will text you the address tomorrow. You will come alone at 9 p.m. Do not at all attempt to bring a phone or install a wiretap or any location tracker on you. If anyone at all is following you, I will see. I will easily order someone to put a bullet to her head, the moment I see that you have a tail. Don't test me because I will do as I say. As soon as you reach the place, you will find a paper bag, there's a blindfold in there. Put it on. There's a handcuff, put that on you at the back, not in the front. Sit on the bench there. I will come for you when I can be sure that no one has followed you. You must wait. This is my call."

***

Jamil hadn't thought of any office work the entire day. He hasn't read his emails at all either. All he could think of now is Yasmin. How is she doing? Is she chained on the bed? Is she given proper food and water? How does she go to the bathroom? After seeing the bed with the broken chain in the warehouse, Jamil had been worrying about Yasmin's condition.

Fayed had texted. He had forwarded some emails to him that needed his attention. Okay, he said to himself. He'll look at it later. He's starving. He can't even remember eating the entire day. Why hadn't he seen this coming when he already knew that Ibrahim had mentioned this to Kamal? Why didn't Yasmin tell him she was traveling to Dubai? He knew she meant to surprise him, but..."I wish she hadn't," he said aloud. He settled on bread and fruits, he'd lost his appetite since that night of her arrival. How can he eat something when he isn't even sure if Yasmin is eating anything? He thought sadly.

He opened his emails. He opened only those marked priorities. But there is one email that caught his attention and opened it. An email from Ibrahim? Tomorrow at 9 p.m.? The text will advise him of the address tomorrow? Should he risk informing anyone? What if something will happen to Yasmin if he does so? He did not mention the ransom money. Should he still bring it? Should he ask?

***

Maha was anxious. What if Jamil will inform the police? What if they will follow him? She is alone. She has no backup. This is something personal. It isn't work-related. She has no intention to extort ransom money from Jamil. But how will she be able to explain this to TG later? It will be the first time for her to fail on a mission. TG will not be happy, but he won't tell her. Besides, only he and Maha knew about Plan B, no one else.

But she had always worked for the organization in the past. She had never thought of herself, her happiness. It had always been the organization. For once, can she think of herself? Will she be happy having Jamil's child? She knew she will be. This is her only chance. Just this once. If Jamil will come alone and she can have the three nights with him, she will make sure that she will conceive. She doesn't have the experience, but she has learned from the films. She has seen what satisfies a man. She had better prepare to observe Jamil from afar with her binocular. She is sure that Jamil will come alone. That he will comply with everything she had asked him to do. For Yasmin's sake.

***

Jamil woke up early. Where could Ibrahim be in Dubai? How will they catch him? How is Yasmin? This is the third day. He hoped to end this soon. He wanted to see Yasmin soon. In the email Ibrahim sent, he will have to wait for the address by text. But he will only meet him at 9 p.m. Why so late in the night?

The entire day, Jamil had been checking his phone for his text. He went to see Murad and Captain Ali on the first work hour that morning. They had added checkpoints and barricades; intensified the manhunt; followed up leads; and offered a reward for Ibrahim's capture. Ibrahim would have to think more than twice if he will ask Kamal for help.

It's already the middle of the day, and there is still no text. He must have changed his mind, Jamil thought. Ibrahim must think he had informed the authorities about his email.

At 5 p.m. Jamil didn't receive any text yet. The guy must be anxious, Jamil thought. He must think that they will catch him if he will send the address early. Once he does, it will only be a matter of minutes before they will arrest him. But he will also risk Yasmin's life. The man is a terrorist. He's used to killing people. He won't even think for a minute if he has to pull the trigger on Yasmin if he defies him. He can't risk Yasmin's life. If his life is what he wants in exchange for Yasmin's, he will give it. He'll meet him alone at 9 p.m. if this will bring back Yasmin safely, and end these all. It is now 8 p.m. and still no text. Has he forgotten? He has been ready since morning.

When at 8:30 p.m., he was ready to accept that there would be no text that day; he got one. It gave the address, with another instruction, not to arrive by car. Jamil parked at the mall parking lot; took a cab, then alighted at the instructed destination and walked to the address. He remembered to read the instructions on the email again before he left his phone in his car; to put on the blindfold and the handcuffs at the back. Then he sat there for what seemed to him like more than an hour.

Then Jamil heard a car arrive. He felt a hand pull him inside the car. He led him to the baggage compartment of the SUV, made to sit on the car floor, taped his lips before covering him with a blanket. The car door closed, and the driver took him for a long drive. Then at last they arrived at the destination.

With the blindfold, he can't see a thing and had to wait for the person to remove him from the baggage compartment. He was now standing outside the vehicle waiting to be led on because he can't see his way. The person was not speaking at all. He guided his leg up on the first step when they went up the stairs. He held him all the time until they reached a door, which the person opened.

The person pushed him back to enter a room. When he thought the person spoke, he had pressed a recorded question. The voice sounded robotic. He must have used some kind of voice changer when he recorded the question. He asked if Jamil would like to use the bathroom, which he very much wanted to, after the long walk and that long drive. There was no light except the flashlight with the person. His handcuff was at the back, so he can't unzip his pants, and hold his shaft to pee. He will have to do it for him. He was about to protest, but the hand that held him felt like a woman's. It's a woman's he's sure, they're delicate. And then it surprised him when the hands rubbed his genitals. Jamil tried not to react. He can't let her know that her touch has any effect on him. He can't do this to Yasmin.

He was waiting for her to zip him up, but she removed his pants instead; however, she has to remove his shoes first too. He was now wearing only his underpants and shirt when she pulled him to the bed. Before she made him lie down on the bed, she removed his handcuffs and his shirt, but before Jamil could do anything; she put another chain on one of his wrists, then the other. His back is facing the bed's headboard. The chains aren't tight. He could still swing his hands. Then she removed his underpants. Jamil is now naked and chained. Last, she removed the tape on his lips, but not the blindfold. Jamil didn't say a single word.

She didn't put the leg chains on. If he would attempt to use his legs on her to fight her, she could handle him, Maha thought. She is a martial arts expert. Facing Jamil now, Maha could not move. She doesn't know what to do. She wondered, if Jamil will know that it was her, the girl he knew back then, would he consent to make love with her? Will he touch her at all? Or will he hate her? That's what she feared, why she couldn't remove his blindfold and let him know it was her, Amara, the girl he knew years back. She must have been staring at him for a long time now. Where would she start? Maybe she'd started with the kiss since she had been wondering how it felt like to have kissed him back then.

She moved closer to reach for his lips; she kissed him tentatively. Although she wasn't sure if she's doing it right; she pressed on until Jamil opened up and responded. She then wrapped him in an embrace, her naked chest on Jamil's body. And she ventured farther, kissing and feeling Jamil's body all over. It took a long time for her to arouse him. When at last Jamil showed a sign that Maha's touches excited him, she took him in her mouth. She didn't expect Jamil to be this big. But she will do her best to please him. She had seen the videos, and she thinks she's learned enough.

Seeing Jamil's contorting face while groaning, and feeling his leg and bottom muscles hardening and taut, she became concerned. Will it be painful? But she's here now, she has to endure it; she has a purpose, and that is to bear Jamil's child. She will have to endure or enjoy these three nights with him.

When it seems like Jamil was ready to unload, Maha held his shaft and directed it to where she thinks her opening was. She wasn't sure, but she hoped it was. When she had felt that she's found it, she tried to take him deeper and deeper until she groaned, screaming in pain and gripped his waist when her whole body shuddered. She felt the pain. She cried.

Jamil knew it was her first time, but why? Why did she want to do it with him? Maha could hardly move. She was in tears, but she did it slowly. It was too tight, Jamil thought too. He can almost feel her pain with her very slow movement and she's in tears. The tension and the friction were enough for Jamil to reach his orgasmic spasm fast. He tried to pull it out of Maha but she sat on him, reaching the bottom of his length and she held on to his body, afraid that his jizz would spill.

She wanted to go underneath him, but she chained Jamil, facing outward. Maha worried that none of his jizz went inside her since she was the one on top. Did it all spill out? She has only three nights; she has to be sure.

But why did she do it with him? He wondered again. It did not prepare Maha for the pain, but she promised to endure. She wanted Jamil's child. Maybe the next one wouldn't be as painful.

Jamil needed to pee, he said. Maha stood to take the prepared urinal from the bathroom. She held him again and wiped him off with a wet wipe.

When she could see that Jamil had rested, she interchanged his cuffs on the chain. Now Jamil is facing the bed. Maha started once again to arouse him, taking his rod in her mouth. She was relentless although she found it tiring, she wouldn't yield. She wanted Jamil's child; she keeps reminding herself. Jamil tried hard not to give in to the pleasure, but he couldn't control his body from reacting. His rod is about to spew its jizz, Maha pulled Jamil's body on top of hers, leading him inside her, with her legs wrapped tightly around his back. But he wasn't ready to spill yet. Jamil thrust his shaft inside her fast and went through the motions of in and out for what seemed like an eternity to Maha. She was constantly writhing, moaning, and groaning with him until Maha felt the warmth spilling out of him and inside her. Wanting to take all of his semen inside her womb, Maha wound her legs tightly around Jamil's body and kept him there until Jamil has emptied himself to the last drop. She's sure that she succeeded. This time, she enjoyed it. Not that painful anymore.

Exhausted, Jamil drifted to sleep. Maha removed the chains on him on the bed; put his handcuffs back on now in the front. There is food in the fridge and on the table. Enough bottles of drinking water. He has clothes in the cabinet if he wants to shower. He can remove his blindfold in the daytime but has to put them back on before she enters the flat. She left him naked on the bed. Maha locked the main door. Day 1, she counted.

***

The next morning, Fayed went to see Jamil in his office. Julie was going through the documents on Jamil's desk. She wondered if he passed by the office late in the evening yesterday. Seeing the documents still unsigned on his table, she knew he hadn't come.

"Has my brother arrived?" Fayed asked Julie.

"No, not at all. I haven't seen him today. I have some documents for signing on his desk," she said.

Fayed went to check on his car in the parking lot. It's not there. He called his number, it's ringing, but he isn't answering. Fayed wondered if he overslept. He will probably show up later in the day.

***

Murad was wondering why Jamil hadn't called him today. It is now the fourth day of Yasmin's abduction. Ibrahim is still at large, but they will not stop. They are closing in on him. He will give up. He can't keep running. Besides, the reward money is huge. Not even his friends will pass up to snitch on him, he thought. Could Jamil have overslept?

Murad called Dodi. Dodi thanked Murad for continuing to help them. Murad briefed him on the past and present actions being done. He said he is confident that Ibrahim will soon surrender. Then he remembered Jamil.

"Dodi, has Jamil called you? He never missed checking on us since day one," Murad said.

"No, I tried his number too, but there was no answer," Dodi said.

Dodi was silent. Murad said he will try him again later in the day.

That was odd, Dodi thought. Jamil will not oversleep. No matter how tired he was, he would be there for Yasmin. Could he have fallen ill in his flat? He went to see Naseem. He was at the breakfast table, waiting for Dodi to show up. Dodi asked Naseem at once if he had heard at all from Jamil this morning. Naseem said no. Should he worry? Naseem called Fayed.

"Fayed, have you heard from Jamil?" Naseem asked.

"No, I have been trying his number several times. I also checked his office and Julie said that he had not reported today," Fayed said.

Now, Naseem is anxious. They are now wondering where Jamil could be.

***

Zora had been wondering why Dodi hadn't called her. She has already overstayed her week. He had told her they will meet with the Abdallah family and that would mean Yasmin will be in the city by then. But there was no call after her first day in Dubai. She doesn't know if she has to call Dodi. Could something have happened? Has Yasmin arrived in Dubai? She wondered.

When she was trying Yasmin's number, it was ringing at first, and then it stopped. The number she knew was the company phone number. Naira has switched off the phone when Zora's number showed during the time Yasmin was missing. She didn't know how to answer her. Maybe she shouldn't tell her that Yasmin is in Dubai and went missing. No mother would want to hear something like that. When she asked Anya if she would answer it, she didn't know what to do either. So, they switched off the phone.

Zora was not complaining; she was just worried that Dodi will have to pay a lot for her hotel stay. She texted him to ask how much longer she will have to wait for the invite to the Al Abdallah family meet.

She is now on her seventh day. She had checked with the Front Desk and was told that she has an open booking. Dodi replied immediately with an apology to Zora. The week had been busy for him and the Abdallah family, but he would revert to her as soon as he had talked to Naseem.

On the seventh day of Zora in Dubai, Yasmin was still missing. Dodi doesn't know what to tell her. He went to visit her and told her that Yasmin could not travel. He made an excuse that there was a problem with the car shipment, so Naseem and Jamil were busy.

***

Yasmin woke up to a new day. How many days had she been in this house now? She wondered. She tried to ask the woman, but she wouldn't answer, even just in sign language. But during this entire time, except for the very first day, she hadn't seen Ibrahim at all. She had wanted to ask the woman but she couldn't say a single word, she's mute. She wouldn't mind the gestures, she would try to understand her, but the woman must be too loyal to Ibrahim. She wouldn't respond at all.

She can't sit the whole day. She had to do something, but she couldn't move that far. She's chained. She knows Jamil will eventually find her when they catch Ibrahim. She's hungry. She remembered the cookies in her luggage she had made for Amina and Layla. Or should she wait until the woman has cooked for them? She's thankful that although the woman doesn't talk; she treats her nicely. She's the same age as her mom, so she must have felt motherly towards her. Thank God!

Yasmin always smiles at her when talking to her, so she will feel at ease with her. Maybe it won't be long. She will tell her about Ibrahim and where he is. Although she was thankful that he hadn't been around, but he could still show up one day and she dreads that day. She was hoping for Ibrahim to be caught soon before he shows up again.

***

Maha couldn't describe her feelings since last night. She couldn't even sleep; she keeps replaying in her mind what she and Jamil had. So that is sex, she said as she hugged her pillow tightly. She couldn't keep cupping her mound when she went to bed last night. She can feel the throbbing. It took a long while to stop. She did what the doctor has advised, to put her legs and her bottom up on the wall after sex. Really, will it help keep Jamil's semen inside her womb? She has two more nights, tonight and tomorrow.

But what about Ibrahim? How can she find out about him? She'll have to abandon everything as soon as they caught Ibrahim because by then, the hunt could shift to another person or Ibrahim might mention her and Taher to the police authorities. She should be able to leave before they would even discover about them. The only thing she will have to remember is to tell the woman to leave Yasmin. She doesn't want to wait for her to be discovered; she will have to leave as soon as they caught Ibrahim.

Tonight, she will try if she could tempt Jamil to go beyond two rounds of sex. She hoped Jamil could last longer. Maybe she could last beyond two rounds. She has to get as much as she could tonight. She doesn't know if there will be another night again with Jamil. She's worried. The manhunt for Ibrahim, although many knew, was not on national news. Could they be withholding information that he is already in police custody? Or is he still at large? She is worried.

She called the woman late last night. Yasmin is fine, and she had been a very nice captive, the woman said. She mentioned to Maha though that Yasmin had asked about her captor, Ibrahim. Maha told the woman to let her believe Ibrahim was the one holding her. The next time she will ask, tell her he is busy on another mission, but will be back.

"Okay," the woman said.

The woman wondered why Yasmin would think that it was a man holding her captive. She has only seen Maha. The tattoo on her wrist. She knows that. It was why she feared Maha after that first meeting with her. She belongs to an organization. She knows because her husband was a member and they've killed him.

***

Jamil woke up late. The sun is up, and he has handcuffs on the front but is still naked. Who is the woman? He wondered. Is she working with Ibrahim? Then she probably knows about Yasmin. If he will see her again tonight, he will ask her about Yasmin. But why did she have sex with him? And it was her first time to have sex, but why with him? Does Ibrahim know? Did Ibrahim make her do it with him because he had done it with Yasmin? How can she not know Ibrahim when they took Yasmin together? How can she work with Ibrahim on this kind of criminal act? Did she help Ibrahim kidnap Yasmin? This thought alone made Jamil abhor the woman. How could he have sex with the woman who was holding Yasmin hostage? He hates himself now. Why is he still here? He has to see Murad and Captain Ali about Ibrahim. Can he leave this place? He went into the bathroom and took a quick shower. But how could he possibly leave the place with handcuffs on? And she must have locked the main door. He opened the cabinet, took a towel, and saw some male t-shirts, shorts, and underpants. Did the woman intend to keep him here for long to have provided enough clothes for a week?

For sure, his father and Fayed must wonder where he went. He hopes they will try to locate his phone. He tried the door; she locked it. Besides, he has no car. This is quite far, judging from the drive last night, he said. Have they caught Ibrahim already? But he is with the woman who is working with Ibrahim. What could he do to make this woman confess where they are holding Yasmin? When is she coming back so she could answer his questions?

***

Ibrahim had slept near the seaside behind the rocks last night. He would have wanted to sleep in a comfortable bed in a hotel, but the police had posted his photo everywhere. Even the cheapest hotels have his photo. The reward money on his capture was amazingly huge. Even his so-called friends would be interested to get their hands on it. They would report him at once if they know where he was now. He regretted he hasn't been a better friend to Kamal. He shouldn't have reacted that fiercely when he told him to forget about Yasmin. And now, she doesn't even have Yasmin. The woman must have returned to Jamil by now. He is stupid. He shouldn't have taken her.

He hasn't even touched the woman, and he is in the worst predicament at this point. Can Kamal probably help him? He hasn't touched the woman; yes, he took her, but that's the worst he's done. Perhaps Kamal would understand. He can call him anything or he can punch him in the face, he'll take it. Just help him leave Dubai. Will he? There's no one else he can ask for help from. Tomorrow morning, maybe. He'll just think it over again tonight. Maybe he can still think of something else, but if there's none, he'll just have to ask Kamal for help.

***

Fayed called Naseem in the afternoon. He asked if his father had received any call from Jamil. Even Murad and Captain Ali had visited Jamil in the office, hoping to talk to him because he hadn't been answering his phone. Dodi was with Naseem. Dodi called Murad. Indeed, they can't reach Jamil. His phone keeps ringing, but he is not answering. Has something happened to Jamil as well? Can they try to locate his phone while it is still ringing? Could they trace where the phone is? This is the first time Jamil has done something like this, his father said. Something must have happened to Jamil, and it worries Naseem so much. So, both Jamil and Yasmin are now missing. Maybe they could ask the police for help to find Jamil's phone and his car.

***

Maha had prepared answers to questions that Jamil might ask. She will limit it to the questions she has prepared. Maha will play the voice recorder with the questions and answers. She will not accept any further questions. This will be enough for the night.

Question One. "Where is Yasmin?"

Answer One. "She is safe. No need to worry. They will not harm her at all."

Question Two. "When will you release her?"

Answer Two. "Soon."

Question Three. "When do you intend to get the ransom money?"

Answer Three. "I don't know."

Question Four. "Are you working with Ibrahim?"

Answer Four. "No."

Question Five. "Did you two kidnap Yasmin?"

Answer Five. "No."

Question Six. "Do you have Yasmin?"

Answer Six. "Yes, I saved her from Ibrahim."

Question Seven. "Then why are you not releasing her?"

Answer Seven. "I will soon."

Question Eight. "What am I doing here, fucking you?"

Answer Eight. "To save Yasmin. If you were not here, I wouldn't even have saved Yasmin. Let's just say, you are repaying me for saving Yasmin. And I mean it. She would have suffered in the hands of Ibrahim if I didn't take her from him. I only ask for three nights. If three is not possible, then this will be the last night. Cooperate with me. Everything will be fine."

Question Nine. "Who are you?"

Answer Nine. "You wouldn't want to know."

Question Ten. "Do I know you?"

Answer Ten. "Perhaps."

It was 9 p.m. when Maha knocked on the door. With her pre-recorded voice, she asked him to put his blindfold on; told him she still holds the cards. If he wanted Yasmin alive, he had better cooperate.

As soon as she entered, Jamil asked her questions. Jamil was furious. He believed she was working with Ibrahim. Maha took a piece of the duct tape and taped his lips. Then she changed the handcuffs with the chain cuffs from the bed. She played her recorder with the prepared questions and answers. Jamil listened to the played recorder. It took a while for Jamil's anger to subside. Maha moved away from Jamil for a while. She didn't expect Jamil to be angry when she opened the door.

She had always loved him. That's why she wanted his child. Maha wanted something from Jamil. She can never marry him. Her world is crazy. Jamil wouldn't be able to live in her world. Even having to raise her child, Jamil's child in there is not fair to the child. She would want to leave it, too. She would like to raise their child in a normal world. And she hoped.

This might be her last night with Jamil. She has a feeling that something is going to happen soon, and she wouldn't want to be caught. She would want this night at least to be their most memorable night together. She wished Jamil would give this to her. Just this one last night with him. Please. She hoped his anger has subsided.

She wanted to start this night with him now. It's just a few hours until the next day. As soon as Maha had removed the tape from his lips, Jamil pulled her to him and apologized, and thanked her for saving Yasmin. She nodded. Then, Jamil pulled her head close to his and kissed her on the mouth, this time passionately, as if Jamil wanted to show Maha that he appreciated what she had done for Yasmin. Maha didn't expect Jamil to kiss her this way. Her tears flowed. Jamil felt her tears. He asked Maha to trust him and remove the chains and his blindfold; he wanted to see her. Maha wasn't sure about that. She doesn't want him to see her. Then Jamil promised not to remove the blindfold, but let his hands be free to please her. If this is what she wants as repayment for saving Yasmin, he will do his part, he said. He will not remove the blindfold unless she will let him.

Maha removed the chains. Jamil pulled her to him again and kissed her. This time, Jamil will be the one pleasuring her, not the other way around. He removed Maha's clothes. Then he removed his. Both naked, Jamil kissed Maha on her breasts while he laid her on the bed. He lingered down her body, kissing her until he reached her mound. It will be her first time to be kissed there. Jamil promised to make her enjoy it. He took time, and Maha had wildly reacted. She never knew that sex can be this pleasurable. Jamil explored her body's erogenous zones. He wanted her first sexual experience to be very memorable. He wanted her to remember every minute of this wonderful night with him. He gave her a unique experience as opposed to last night. He will show her that sex is never painful and hurting. He taught her to enjoy fellatio, finger-fucking, and penetrative sex. He made her experience some of the sexual positions.

Throughout the night, Maha had reached her climax countless times; released her juices several times; and received Jamil's seed many times during the night and into the early dawn. Jamil had been gentle with her. She had shed tears, thankful to Jamil for this wonderful sexual experience. She will remember this, and she will never regret having chosen Jamil to be her first experience.

When it was time for Maha to leave Jamil, she sat up on the bed and watched Jamil's sleeping form. She envied Yasmin for having the chance to own him for life. She feasted her eyes on Jamil's naked body. Her tears flowed. She knew this will be the last time she will ever see Jamil. She will never have another chance again. It was time for her to go; she needs to dress up now; she said. There's nothing more she will have to take from the apartment. Jamil will be free from tomorrow, and so is Yasmin. She will call the woman. Tomorrow, Yasmin will be free. She will text Jamil about Yasmin's location. Quietly and tenderly, Maha kissed Jamil's cheek.

"Bye, Jamil, this is Amara, but I'm sure you don't remember me anymore. I will always remember this night with you. I've always loved you. Goodbye," she whispered.

When Maha was about to leave the bed to change, Jamil removed his blindfold and used the flashlight beside the bed. He shone the light on Maha's face. Jamil pulled her to him. Maha is now staring into Jamil's face. "Amara, is it you?" Maha didn't know what to say to Jamil. They looked into each other's eyes for a long time. Jamil pulled her naked body close to his. Her naked breasts were on his bare chest and her bare bottom on Jamil's thighs. Her body shuddered at the warm and hairy body of Jamil. Her arms were on his neck while looking at his face.

"Yes, Jamil. But I'm no longer the Amara you once knew. I have joined the organization Ibrahim belongs to. Not by choice. The militants took me as a young girl when they killed my family and burned our house. They killed my aunt who took me to Dubai. I can no longer remove myself from the organization. I have to go. I will give you the address where Yasmin is. She is being taken care of, but the woman has to leave Yasmin immediately after you go or they will take her for interrogation. Don't worry, Yasmin is safe, and Ibrahim hasn't touched her. On the day Ibrahim took her from the airport, and chained her in that warehouse, we were close by, and as soon as Ibrahim and his men left, we took Yasmin. I kept her safe in that house. The kind woman cooked for her and kept her company," she said.

Jamil looked at Maha with awe and gratitude. He kissed her, and this time with so much longing. He had missed her when she left Dubai during that time; he said. He had known her only for a brief period, but he had liked her too, just as Maha had liked him during that time. If they had known each other longer, maybe they could have had a chance.

Jamil laid her down again on the bed and kissed her long and hard. Maha prayed that this time, the seed Jamil will spill inside her will be their child. Let it be because this time, she can feel the love of Jamil.

When it was time for her to go, Maha left Yasmin's house address. Maha had to leave before they caught Ibrahim, she told Jamil. Before he'd mentioned her and Taher to the police.

Maha asked Jamil if he could help her if she will encounter a problem and can't leave Dubai. Jamil agreed immediately. He will do his best. Jamil pulled her for one last kiss and a hug.

"Take care," Jamil said. Maha smiled.

***

FIRST LOVE. "First Love is the first dose of addiction, the love hormone bringing out feelings of attachment and intimacy." The Power of First Love is in the novelty. Anything new is always exciting, passionate, valuable, and unforgettable.

"No matter how much time passes, one will always care and never forget about the first person they fell in love with."