Chapter 293 - Their destiny had brought them together much before that.

Cheyna conducted a thorough investigation about the hijack, and took help from international agencies, including CIA. After the investigation that lasted six months, the links were traced back two of Tamis' sons. Their secret exchange of coded mails busted them. It resulted in the breakdown of every relations internationally. It again proved Tamis to be the torchbearer of terrorism worldwide.

That was the last nail in his coffin. The countries whose citizens died in hijack, broke its ties with El Sandrios, and called for the other nation to follow. It prohibited any kind of trade or help to El Sandrios. The nations declared the country as a no-fly zone.

El Sandrios' people rebelled against their own leader and demanded a change in power. Tamis commanded his militants to hunt down the rebels. 

The militants opened fire on protests in the capital city, killing thousands. He had become the mad tyrant who was going every length to stay in power. Shocked by Tamis response, many senior political readers resigned and joined the rebels, forming a council to represent them. They named it as Sandrio's transitional council. STC.

In the conflict, Tamis side looked victorious with its militia power. Committing human rights abuses, torture, arrests, extrajudicial executions, and open fires had become common.

On April 2005, a joined power of thirty-five nations, lead by Cheyna, recognised STC as the legitimate representative of El Sandrios. The very same month, NATO airstrike Tami's residence to protect the unarmed citizens. 

Scratch that.

Everyone knew it was Cheyna's appeal to NATO to intervene and put an end on this. They wanted justice for the people who died in hijack. 

Aided by NATO's air cover, STC moved inwards, defeating Tamis's loyal militants and securing control over the capital and several key areas.

Tamis panicked. He announced his willingness to negotiate with STC which was blatantly declined. Surrounding himself with bodyguards, he moved residences to save himself. Three days later, NATO located his convey and attacked. Tamis and a few of his family members fled to his nearby villa which was bombed the next minute.

The same night, Wang Huang announced Tamis death to Cheyna media. A short video of his death was broadcasted extensively across the media. A day later, STC announced that his charred body was buried into the ocean.

"I know all this already," Suyin snapped as she turned her head to Wang Shi. "This is all over internet. Tell me the part which no one knows. The one that happens inside the four walls, taken by political leaders and kept away from public. The one that never comes out."

Why Alpha aka Tamis was targeting Wangs was already clear. But there's something more. This deep hatred that Tamis not only wants to pull Wangs away from power but destroy their goodwill in the eyes of people.

"I was coming to that part," Wang Shi kept his voice even and sat down. "Apparently Tamis thinks dad betrayed him and didn't pay back to his favour."

"Favour?"

"Favour of saving my life."

Suyin frowned.

"I was on that plane."

Suyin was flummoxed. President's son on a plane that's hijacked? It's not a joke! This should have had become the breaking news. The highlight of the case! However, it's nowhere mentioned till date.

No. Wait. There's another important question~ How did he come out alive? The hijackers had only released a handful of passengers that only include women and children. And.....

"I didn't see you on plane." Suyin said.

It was Wang Shi's turn to get shocked. "You--"

"That's not important. I was with my maternal grandmother on my way home to Cheyna." It was year 2004. Suyin was barely 11 years old. A kid accompanying her grandmother. "The passengers~ with whom I stayed in that aircraft for six days~ I'd never forget those terrified faces. You were not among them."

Wang Shi's looked at her a little longer, his hands itching to caress her cheeks. How naïve he was to believe he saw her for the first time in the graveyard. Their destiny had brought them together much before that.

"I was travelling business class."

Suyin pursed her lips. She was in the economy.

"It was not a coincidence that they hijacked the very same plane I was traveling from. Though it's still a mystery how Tamis got hold of the information as I only used to travel under a fake identity--"

"Let me guess the rest-- Your parents took a selfish decision and secretly negotiated with Tamis to save their precious son. Some things are definitely passed from parents to kids," she scoffed.

"I wish I had made the same decision as my parents," Wang Shi blinked against the burn in his eyes, a bitter smile taking on his face, "When dad got to know about it, he didn't hesitate a second and did what a president of a nation should have done. For him every life holds the same importance. Even if it's his own son, he won't  choose one over the other."

"And mom..... she was already aware of my presence on the plane. I had spoken to her about my return before boarding the flight. On one side dad was keeping the news from her, while on the other, she pretended oblivious and just stood by dad, lest it influence his decision. Though my parents don't have a good impression on you, I can assure you, they have always been loyal to their position. No matter what comes."

Suyin never expected that. She wanted to challenge his words, but eyes--- they were the mirror.

He gently caressed Honey, sleeping soundly over Suyin. "You must be thinking why this disgusting man is still alive then, right?"

Suyin averted her eyes.

"Well.... It's because of a passenger on the plane. It was a stupid girl who had recklessly gotten into a feud with one of hijackers when someone accompanying her got a health issue. Since our bags were taken away, she was demanding her bag that contained medicine."

Suyin clenched her fist to keep them from shaking. Her memory taking her back in time....

When the girl tried to run into the business class where the bags were kept, a hijacker opened fire. But before the bullet could touch her, she was embraced by someone protectively. 

Chaos followed. 

She heard people screaming. 

And.... blood. 

She smelled blood in the air. Her hands clenched around her saviour in fear. She felt something wet on her palms... And just then the man embracing her dropped his weight on her. 

Before she could see his face, someone had pulled her away by the hair. She fell backwards, and then her grandmother hugged her, begging the hijackers to let her go. 

"Tamis understood the severity of the situation. Three days later, I opened my eyes in a hospital in Cheyna. They told me that the passengers were rescued successfully." It was only later when Wang Shi came to know the reality. After that incident, the plane remained in the captivity of hijackers for five more days until it met its fate.

"The truth is dad never agreed onto anything related to me. He only promised for a peace talk between the two nations. But Tamis rescued me coz he was aware of the consequences." Wang Shi said quietly, "Now you understand why Tamis-- Alpha or whatever his name is-- why is he targeting my family? It's all political and old grudges--" He paused, glancing at Suyin.

She was gnawing her lips, her eyes closed. 

Wang Shi waited for Suyin to say something, but only met with her silence. He wanted to tell her she was going to hurt herself if she continue to bite her lips, but silently lied down beside her. Maybe she was not interested to talk to anymore. Maybe it was best if he let her understand all this first.

"Good night, my love," He didn't dare to ask her to let him share the bed sheet, lest he was deprived of the privilege of sharing the bed. Beggars are not choosers. 

A while later Suyin opened her eyes and glanced at Wang Shi. He had his forearm on his eyes, breathing calm and equal. 

A tear rolled down from the corner of her eyes. Don't know why her fate keeps bringing her to this man on and on. And every time it left an everlasting mark on either of them.