At 10 AM, the clock in her room showed. Though reluctantly, she got up, entered the bathroom, and showered.

She wore a blue armless gown and covered her hair with a small black veil.

She walked down the stairs gracefully while on the phone with her mum.

At the dining, she met her dad and his wife Aunty Basma.

“Good morning, Dad.”

“Morning, dear. I hope you’re not already missing your mum?”

“Dad, I’m missing Mum and Afra so much. I feel like I’ve been away for a year. But being close to you has removed 90% of my worries.”

She didn’t even look at Aunty Basma as she said,

“Good morning.”

Aunty Basma smiled warmly and said,

“Lailah, relax with me. I’m also your mum, so feel free with me.”

After breakfast, she went to her grandfather’s section.

On the way, she met Siyama. She responded to her coldly as usual.

When they entered, Zubair was about to leave.

They greeted each other, and he teased her again.

She smiled, because Zubair was becoming her favorite person.

She sat with her grandfather, playfully chatting with him.

Siyama was shocked because the grandfather was never playful with any grandchild.

He always wore a stern face and preferred issuing instructions.

There was only one person he joked with—Yaseer the gatekeeper.

And now Lailah.

A greeting interrupted them.

Even the grandfather answered happily:

“Yaseer, come in.”

Yaseer entered respectfully and greeted the old man.

“How are you, Yaseer? How is work?”

“Fine, sir. I didn’t get to greet you yesterday.”

“It’s alright. God bless you. My granddaughter Lailah came back from abroad yesterday. Greet her, she’s like your elder sister.”

Lailah frowned, annoyed that he even mentioned her.

She said casually,

“Hello.”

Without even looking at her, he said,

“Welcome back.”

He stood up and left after greeting the old man.

Out of anger, tears gathered in her eyes—because of how he behaved like they were the servants and he was the landlord.

She stood and left angrily.

“Mum please calm down, there’s nothing to worry about. My work needs more time.

And Mum, I promise to come back after I gather all the information on this case.”

“Alright, Yaseer. But please, when you get a little time, come see me. Then you can go back.”

“No, Mum. I don’t have the time to come all the way to Miami to see you. Unle—”

“Okay then, I’ll come to you.