TheSheikh’sUnofficialBodyguard
PublishedbyKateGoldman
Copyright©2016byKateGoldman
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
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TableofContents
Chapter1
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Emma
“Holdtheelevator!”Emmascreamedassherushedacrosstheofficelobby.Shewassoupsetatthefact
that she was running late. She had left her class early to make this interview at an oil company but
unfortunately,thetraffichadbeenbad.
Atall,dark-hairedmanheldthedoorsopenforher.Emmarushedinwithherhighheelsinonehand,a
Starbuckscupofcoffeeintheotherandahandbagonhershoulder.“Thankyou,”shesaidtohimasshe
pressedthebuttonforthefifthfloor.Themandidn’treply.Hejustwatchedhertryingtoputhershoeson.
Emmahadchangedintoagreyskirtandasky-blueblouseattheuniversitybutshehadkeptherConverses
on.Itwaseasiertodriveinsneakers.Shewasnowtryingtochangeintoherhighheelsbeforeshewentin
forherinterview.
“I can’t be late,” Emma mumbled. She looked at her watch; she had about three minutes left to her
interview.Shegasped.Shewasgoingtomakeitat1o’clockonthedot.Shetookonesneakeroffandput
onherblackheel.Emmatookherothersneakeroff.Shelostherbalanceasshewastryingtoputonthe
otherheelandstartedbouncingononeleg.Shedidn’tregainherbalanceandendedupcrashingintothe
manandspillinghercoffeeonhiswhiteshirt.Hegroanedashetookastepback.Emmagaspedloudly.
“OhmyGod!”shecriedout.“Iamsosorry.”ShefishedherT-shirtoutofherbagthatshewaswearing
beforeshechangedintotheblouse.Shestarteddabbinghischestinafutileattempttocleanhisshirt.
“It’sokay,”hesaid.Hisdeepvoicewassorelaxed.
“Iamjustlateforaninterview,that’swhyIampanickinglikethisandtryingtogetmyshoeson.Oh,Iam
sosorry,sir.IfIgetthisjob,Iwillmakeituptoyou.”
“Don’tworryaboutit.”Thedoorsopenedandheheadedoutoftheelevator.Hewasgettingoffatthe
samefloorwhereshewashavingherinterview.Emmaletoutasqueakassheslowlywalkedoutofthe
elevator.Shewatchedthedark-hairedmanheaddownthecorridorandtakealeftturn.
“Goodjob,Emma,”shesaidtoherselfsarcastically.Itwasmuchlikehertobesoclumsy.Sheknewthat
ifshegotthejob,itwasgoingtobeawkwardseeinghim.
Emmahadappliedforthepart-timereceptionistpositionbecauseitpaidwellandthecommutewasn’t
too long from her home. The position was for 5-8 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which
wouldnotinterferewithheruniversityclassesbecauseshefinishedat4p.m.Sheneededthejobtohelp
paythehouseholdbills.Hermotherhadbeenlaidoffwhenhercompanyfiledforbankruptcy.Hermother
hadtoldhernottoworrybutEmmawasn’tthetypeofwomantositbackanddonothing.Shewantedto
help her mother. She could see that sometimes it was too much for her mother to look after three girls,
especiallybeingasingleparent.
Emma rushed to the reception desk in the clean lobby. “Hello. I am Emma Grey and I am here for an
interview,”shesaidtothewomanatthereceptiondesk.
“Pleasetakeaseat,MissGrey,”thewomanreplied.
“Thank you.” Emma threw her Starbucks coffee cup into a trash bin before she sat down at the leather
brownchairs.Thewomanatthedeskpickedupthephoneandpunchedthekeys.
“Sheikh Besada, Miss Grey is here for her interview,” she said into the receiver. “Yes, sheikh,” she
replied.SheputthephonedownandsmiledatEmma.“Hewillbewithyouinamoment.”
“Thankyou,”Emmareplied.Shesighedwithrelief.Shehadmadeherinterviewontime.Shehadaimed
tobethereatleastfifteenminutesearly.Shewantedtomakeagoodimpressionbecauseshereallyneeded
thejob.Shefishedasmallmirroroutofherbagandcheckedthatherhairwastidy.Shehadtieditupinto
aponytail.Shetuckedalockofherhighlightedbrunettehairbehindherear.Thensheappliedsomelip
balm.
Shesighedasshewonderedwhatthesheikhlookedlike.Shehadnevermetasheikhbeforeinherlife.
Shewasquitecurious.Washetallorshort?Washeahorriblemantoworkfororwasheverykind?All
sortsofquestionsrushedthroughhermind.
“Pleasefollowmethisway,”thewomansaidtoEmma.Shesprangtoherfeetandfollowedthewoman
downthecorridor.Thewomanstoppedatadoortotheirleftandknockedbeforesheopenedthedoor.
SheheldthedooropenforEmmatowalkin.
“Thankyou,”Emmasaidtoherbeforeshewalkedin.
There was a tall man standing by the window. He looked as though he was getting dressed. He turned
aroundtofaceEmma.Indeedhewasgettingdressed.Hewasjustfasteningthetopbuttonsonhisshirt.
Emmagaspedwhensherecognizedthefamiliarface.Itwasthemanshehadspilledcoffeeonnottoolong
ago.
“Ohmyword,”shebreathedwithhereyeswidened.Hisdarkeyeswidenedalso.
“Pleasehaveaseat,”hesaidashegesturedtothechairathisdesk.
“Iamsorryaboutearlier,”shesaidasshesatdown.
“Atleastyoumadeyourinterviewontime,”hesaid.Emmawasnotsureifthatwashisattemptatajoke
orifhewasserious.Shejustflashedhimanervoussmile.Thesheikhsatdownatthedeskoppositeher
andpulledherrésuméfromhisdesk.
“Yessir,”Emmasaidquietly.
“Tellmeaboutyourself,”hesaidtoher.Thatquestion;Emmahateditsomuch.Whenpeopleaskedher
that,shewasneversureofwhattosay,evenifitwasinasocialsetting.
“IamcurrentlyastudentattheUniversityofDallasstudyingeconomics,”shesaid.
“Ifyouarestudyingeconomics,thenwhyapplyforareceptionjobatanoilcompany?”
“Ineedapart-timejob,andIwantedittobeatareputablecompanywhereIknewthatIwouldlearn
valuable skills. I have worked at reception before and therefore, I have the skills required for this
position,”shesaid.Shewastryingtobehonestbutdidnotwanttoseemlikeshewasjustthereforthe
money.Employerswantedpeopletobepassionateaboutthejobstheywereapplyingfor.
“Reputable?Whatdoyouknowaboutthiscompany?”
“It was founded in 1901 by King Sameer Besada of El Sourial and it has been one of the biggest oil
companiesintheworldsincethen.”Emmarattledonaboutthecompany.Shehaddonealotofresearch.
Asshespoke,thesheikhleanedbackinhischairandstudiedher.Hewasquiteattractiveinawaythat
madeEmmaslightlynervous.Hehaddarkeyebrowsthatcomplementedhisalmondskintone.Hehada
straight nose and medium-sized lips. He had a three-day-old stubble and silky jet-black hair that was
neatlycutandstyled.
“This position is for a part-time receptionist from Monday to Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. On some
occasionsyoumightneedtoworkaSaturday.Willyoubeabletomanageyourstudies?”thesheikhasked
her.
“Yes.”Emmanodded.“ThehoursarereasonableandIdefinitelywillbeabletomanage.Icanbalance
bothworkanduniversity.”
Thesheikhaskedafewmorequestions.Emmadidherbesttoanswerhimwithoutshowinghownervous
shewas.Shehopedthathewasnotupsetaboutherspillingcoffeeonhisshirt.Shecouldn’ttellwhathe
wasthinkingbecausehekeptanexpressionlessface.Hisfacegavenothingaway.
Attheendoftheinterview,theybothrosetotheirfeet.Thesheikhextendedhishandforahandshake.
“Thankyouforcoming,MissGrey,”hesaid.Emmawonderedifthatmeantthanksforcomingbutwewill
notbehiringyouorifhewasgladthatshecameandhewasgoingtohireher.Assheextendedherhandto
shakehis,sheknockedoverthepenholderandallthepensandpencilsfellonthedesk.
“Oh no!” she gasped. She quickly picked up the pen holder and put it back upright. “I am sorry,” she
added.
“Don’tworryaboutit,”hereplied.Emmawasnowmoreembarrassedthanearlier.Whydidshehaveto
besoclumsy.Shepickedupthepensandputthembackintheholder.Sheextendedherhandtohim,this
timewithoutknockinganythingover.Thesheikhshookit.
“Thank you for having me,” she said before she rushed out of the office with red cheeks. She was
convincedthatshehadn’tleftagoodimpressiononhim.
Chapter2
Emma
“I’mhome,”Emmashoutedasshewalkedthroughthefrontdoorofherfamilyhome.Mia,hersixteen-
year-oldsister,rushedoutofthekitchenandwenttomeetEmmaatthedoor.
“Howwastheinterview?”sheaskedher.
“Itwasfine,”Emmareplied.Shesighedassherememberedhowshehadembarrassedherselftwicein
frontofthesheikh.
“Justfine?Doyouthinkyouwillgetthejob?”
BeforeEmmacouldanswer,heryoungestsistercamedownthestairs.“HiEmma,”shesaidwithabig
smile.“Howwastheinterview?”
“HiCynthia.Theinterviewwasfine,”Emmareplied.Shestartedwalkingtowardsthekitchen.
“Ican’ttellifthatwasacheerfulfineorbadfine,”CynthiasaidtoMia.
“NeithercanI,”Miareplied.
Emmawalkedintothekitchenandputherbagonthetable.“HiMom,”shesaid.Hermother,abrunette
likeEmma,wasinthekitchencooking.Sheturnedaroundandfacedherdaughter.
“Heydear.Howwasyourinterview?”shesaid.Emmawalkedoverhertohermotherandstoodbyher
side.
“IthinkIdidokay.”Emmashruggedhershoulders.“Iwilljusthavetowaitandseewhathappens.”
Hermothersmiledatherandtookherhandsintohers.“Idon’twantyoustressingyourselfoverthisjob.
It’sokayifyoudonotgetit.Justconcentrateonyourstudies,”shesaid.
“Icandoboth.Thisjobispart-time.Iwon’thavetotaketimeawayfromtheuniversitytogotowork,”
Emmareplied.
“Ijustdon’twantyoutoworryaboutbillsoranything.Letmebethemotherandtakecareofthings.”
Emma could tell that her mother felt bad. She was against the idea of Emma working to help out with
expenses.“Iwanttohelp,pleaseletme,”shesaid.Emmarubbedhermother’shandsandthenkissedher
onthecheek.
“Iamsoluckytohaveadaughterlikeyou,”saidhermother.
“Hey! You have us too,” Mia cried out as she headed over to her mother. She attempted to taste her
mother’scookingbutfailedwhenhermothersmackedherhandgently.
“WaituntilIamfinishedcooking,”shesaid.Miaburstintolaughter.
“Okay,” she replied reluctantly. Fourteen-year-old Cynthia approached Emma and wrapped her arms
aroundher.
“Ihopeyougetthejob,”shesaid.
“Metoo,”Emmareplied.
“Because I need new shoes,” Cynthia whispered with a cheeky smile. Emma burst into laughter and
nodded.Shedidnotmindbuyingthingsforherlittlesisters.Shelovedthemdearlyandwantedthemto
haveeverythingtheywanted.
***
Fridaymorning,Emmaarrivedatherclassafewminutesearly.ShelikedFridaysbecauseshefinishedat
1o’clockandgottostartherweekendearly.Shetookherbagandpulledoutherphone.
“You’reearly,”saidMadisonasshesatdownnexttoEmma.MadisonwasEmma’sbestfriend.
“Cynthia’s singing woke me up, and I couldn’t get back to sleep. So I decided to just come in early,”
Emmareplied.Madisonfrownedalittle.
“TheonethingIcan’tstandisbeingwokenupearlierthanneeded.”
“Tellmeaboutit.”
Emmascrolledthroughhermailboxonhersmartphone.Hereyesalmostpoppedoutofherheadwhenshe
sawane-mailfromBesadaOils.Shehesitatedtoopenitforamoment.Shewasn’tsureifitwasane-
mailofregretorajoboffer.Shetookadeepbreathandexhaledloudly.
“Whatisthematter?”Madisonaskedher.Sheleanedclosertoherandlookedatherphone.“Aren’tyou
goingtoopenit?”sheasked.
“I’mscared.Ireallyneedthejob.Thehoursarefewandthepayis$1600amonth.”Emmaknewthat
othercompanieswouldpayhermuchlessthan$1600amonthforthefewhoursBesadaOilswasgiving.
However,BesadaOilswasaverysuccessfulcompanyandsotheywouldpaytheiremployeeswell.
“Let’sjustsee.”Madisontappedthephonescreenandopenedthee-mail.Itread:
DearMissGrey,
Following your recent interview with Besada Oils, I am pleased to offer you the position of a part-
timereceptionistatBesadaOils.
Emmaletoutasqueakandalmostleapedoutofherchair.
“Ohmygoodness,Ican’tbelieveIgotthejob,”Emmacriedouthappily.
“Iknewyouwouldgetit,”Madisonreplied.“Congratulations.Iguessthatsheikhdidlikeyou.”
“ItseemsthathelikedwhatIhadtosay,andmyemploymenthistory.IjusthopethatIwon’tdoanything
embarrassinginfrontofhimeveragain.”
“Youprobablywill.”Madisonlaughedalittle.Emmalaughedwithher.Shewassohappy.Soonshewas
goingtobeabletohelpoutwithbillsathome.
“Iwilljusthavetobeverycareful.”
“Iwonderwhatitwouldbelikeworkingwithasheikh.”
“Iwon’tbeworkingwithhimreally.Iwilljustbeatthereceptiontakingcallsandpassingmessages,”
Emmareplied.
“Iamsurethatyouwillhavetoorderhislunchsometimesortakegueststohisoffice.”
“Maybe.” Emma shrugged her shoulders. Their lecturer walked into the lecture hall. Emma pulled her
economics textbook out of her bag and put it on the table. She loved economics. People from her
hometown thought it was strange. She was from a small town called Duncan Valley that was on the
outskirtsofDallas.NotmanyofthegirlsinDuncanValleypursuededucationafterhighschool.Theones
thatdidoftenstudiedsubjectssuchasEnglish,sociologyandnursing.Sowhenpeopleintheirtownfound
outthatEmmawantedtostudyeconomics,theyweresurprised.
Chapter3
Emma
EmmaarrivedatBesadaOilsforherfirstshifttenminutesearly.Shewantedtomakeagoodimpression
on her first day. This time, she changed her shoes in the car and arrived without coffee. Emma walked
throughtheautomaticglassdoorstothereceptiondeskinthelobby.
“HelloMissGrey.IamDania,SheikhBesada’ssecretary,”awomangreetedJaneassheapproachedthe
receptiondesk.Emmarecognizedherfromwhenshecamefortheinterview.Shewasthewomanatthe
deskoutsidethesheikh’soffice.
“HelloDania.”Emmaextendedherhandforahandshake.“PleasecallmeEmma."
Daniasmiledandnodded.“Youwillbeworkinghere,atthemainreception,”shesaid.
“Okay.”Emmanodded.
“Thesheikhwantedtohireanewreceptionistbecauseourafter-hoursreceptionistisnolongeravailable
toworkMondaytoWednesdayduetopersonalissues.”
“Isee.Herlossismygain.”Emmasmiled.Daniareturnedhersmile.SheshowedEmmahowtotransfer
callstootherdepartmentsandhowtousethecomputer.ShegaveEmmatherelevantpasswordsforthe
computersystems.
“It’s not that busy after 5 p.m. However, we still get some calls from overseas clients. You will be
requiredtotypesomereportsandworksomeSaturdays.OnSaturdays,youwillhavetowork10a.m.to2
p.m.Isthatokay?”saidDania.
“Yes,thatisfinewithme,”Emmareplied.
“Hereisyouraccesscardfortheaccessgate.”DaniahandedEmmathewhiteplasticcard.
“Thankyou.”
“Ifyouhaveanyquestions,feelfreetoaskme.”
“Doyouworkafterfivealso?”
“Sometimes.”
“Yousaidyouwerethesheikh’ssecretary?”Emmaasked.
“Yes,Iam.Imostlydealwithhisscheduleandaccompanyhimtomeetings,thosekindsofthings.”
“Okay.”
“Iworkonthefifthfloor.Mydeskisoutsidethesheikh’soffice,wherewemetwhenyoucameforyour
interview.Doyouhaveanyotherquestions?”
“No.”Emmarepliedwithasmile.
Danianoddedbeforeshewalkedoff.Emmatookherbagoffandputitonthedesk.Shetookastepback
andsquattedtositdownonthechair.Unfortunately,shewasnotasclosetothechairasshethoughtshe
was.Thechairrolledbackwardsandshefellflatonherbuttocks.Emmaletoutaloudsqueak.
Shequicklyjumpeduptoherfeetandrubbedhersorebottom.“Ow,”shewhispered.Shelookedupand
sawSheikhBesadalookingatherashewalkedintothelobby.Shewonderedifhehadseenherfall.
“Goodmorning,Imeangoodevening,SheikhBesada,”shegreetedhim.
“HelloMissGrey,”hereplied.
“PleasecallmeEmma.”
“Emma,”hesaidgently.Hernamesoundedbeautifulcomingfromhim.Hewalkedovertotheelevator
with a bodyguard behind him. Emma slowly sat down. This time she held the chair. She felt so
embarrassed.Shehadcomewithdeterminationnottoembarrassherselfinfrontofhimagain.However,
thatwasthefirstthingshedid.Shejustwantedtoscreamatthetopofherlungs.
***
Kiro
Kiroheldhislaughteruntilhewasintheelevator.Heburstintolaughterashereplayedtheincidentof
Emma falling over in the lobby. She was quite a clumsy woman. The first time they had met, she had
rushedintotheelevatorandspilledcoffeealloverhiswhiteshirt.Shewasanoddindividual.
Emmawasnottooshortandnottootall.Shehadlongbrunettehairwithafewgoldenhighlights.Shehad
anicewarmbeigeskintone,andbiggreyeyes.Shewasnotsobad-looking.
“Thelookonherfacewhenshefellwasespeciallyfunny,”Kirosaidtohisbodyguard.
“Itwashowsurprisedshewastoseeyou,”saidSadiq,hisbodyguard.
Kiro got out of the elevator on the fifth floor. Dania rose to her feet as he approached his desk.
She
bowedherheadtohim.“Goodevening,SheikhBesada.Howwasyourmeeting?”sheaskedhim.
“Itwasfine,”Kiroreplied.“Arethereanymessagesforme?”
“Thereisonlyonemessage,fromyourmother.Shesaidthatshewastryingtoreachyou,andshewould
appreciateitifyouwouldreturnhercall.”
Kirosighedandshruggedhisshoulders.Hismotherhadbeenrecentlyinvestedintheideaoffindinghim
awife.Sincehehadturnedthirtyyearsold,shehaddecidedthathehadtobewedbeforeheturnedthirty-
one.Shedidnotwanthimtogetmarriedtoolateinlife.
“Thank you,” Kiro said to Dania. He headed into his office and sat down at his desk. He took his suit
jacketoffandpulledhisphoneoutofhispocket.Hedialedhismother’snumber.
“Hello,”sheansweredthephonemomentslater.
“Hello,”Kiroanswered.
“OhKiro,finally!Iwasstartingtothinkthatmaybesomethingmayhavehappenedtoyou,”shesaid.
“Iamfine,justbusywithwork.”
“Youcan’tbetoobusytospeakwithyourmother.”
“AsthequeenofElSourial,youalsohavemattersthatyouneedtoattendto.”
“Idobutthatdoesnotmakemetoobusytospeakwithmyonlyson.Ievenhadtocallyourworkbecause
youweren’tpickingupyourphone.”
“Howhaveyoubeen?”Kiroasked.
“I have been well. Sheikh Omari and his family came to the palace yesterday. His eldest daughter has
turnedintoabeautifulandelegantlady.Sheisnowtwenty-sixyearsold,”saidhismother.
“Oh.”KirowasnotinterestedinSheikhOmari’seldestdaughter.Hedidnotknowhernordidhewantto.
“Iwillsendyouapictureofher.Ah,sheisbeautiful.Youwilllikeher.”
Kirogruntedinresponse.“Isee,”hereplied.
“Kiro, you need to get married soon. This attitude you have is not helping. Why won’t you meet with
anyonethatIhavementioned?”Shesoundedfrustrated.
“IpromisetomeetwithanyoneofyourlikingwhenIcometherenext.”
Hismothergasped.“Youwill?”sheasked.Kirocouldheartheexcitementinhervoice.
“Idon’thaveachoice,”hemumbled.
“Youarethirtyyearsold;youneedtogetmarriedsoonerthanlater.Besides,youarethecrownprinceof
ElSourial.Youneedtohaveanheir.”
“Anheir?Iamnoteventhekingyet.Wedon’tneedtodiscussthat.”
“Wedo.Don’tyouunderstandhowimportantitistohaveheirs?”
“Okay,itwaslovelyhearingyourvoice.Pleasepassmyregardstofather,”saidKiro.
“Youarecuttingmeoff,”shesaidplainly.
“Haveagoodnight,Mother.Ihaveameetingtoattend,”hesaidbeforehehungupthephone.
Kiro had been in relationships with women. However, there was never one woman that had stuck out.
Theywereallthesame.Theywerematerialisticandboring.Hehadneverfalleninlovewithanyoneof
themnorhadheforgedarelationshipthathewantedtostayinforever.Marriagewassomethinghedidn’t
wantbutheknewthathehadnochoice.ThatwasoneoftheburdensofbeingthefuturekingofElSourial.
Heneededtohaveaqueenandanheir.
Chapter4
Emma
Emmawashappywhenitwastimetogohome.Hershifthadgonewell,betterthanexpected.Shehad
hadtwojobsprior,andinbothofthemshehadexperiencedawfulfirstdays.Inhernewjob,thingshad
gonewellbutshehadfallenoverinfrontofthesheikh.Shewantedtobelievethathehadnotseenherbut
hehadseenherandsheknewit.
Emma picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. The elevator doors opened and the sheikh
walkedout.Hewassotallandhandsome,Emmathoughttoherself.Hewalkedwithsomuchconfidence,
itwassoappealing.Hewalkedstraightpastherandheadedforthedoor.Itwasasifhehadnotevenseen
her.Emmaalsoheadedfortheexitandtheparkinglot.
Shefishedhercarkeysoutofherbagandunlockedhercar.Emmagotintohercaranddroveoff.She
arrived home twenty minutes later. She dashed through the front door and headed for the living room
wherehersisterswerewatchingamovie.
“Honey,I’mhome!”Emmajoked.
“Shhh,heisabouttobreakupwithher,”saidMia.Emmafrowned.
“ThatwasnotthewelcomethatIwashopingfor.”
“Sorry,justwaituntilthecommercial,”saidCynthia.Emmabooedhersistersasshewalkedoutofthe
roomandheadedtothekitchen.Therewasaplateonthestovethathermotherhadleftforher.Emmaput
itinthemicrowaveandstartedit.Sheranupstairstogreethermother.
“HeyMom,I’mhome,”Emmasaidtohermotherasshewalkedintoherbedroom.Hermotherwassitting
onherbedwithherlaptop.ShetookherreadingglassesoffandsmiledatEmma.
“Howwaswork?”sheaskedher.
“Itwasfine.”Emmasatonherbed.“Whatareyoudoing?”
“I’mlookingforjobs.Idon’tknowhowyoukidsdothis.”Hermotherputherlaptoponthenightstand
andtiltedhernecktotheleftandright.
“Dowhat?”Emmaasked.
“Usethelaptopwhilesittinginbed.It’snotgoodforyourneck.”Hermotherrubbedherneck.“Workis
nottoohard?”sheaskedEmma.
“No.Therewasn’tmuchtodo.”
“Ifitgetstoohard,don’tbeafraidtoquit.IknowhowyouareresponsibleandliketohelpbutIdon’t
wantyoutosuffer.”
“I’mokay.I’mgoingtoeat.”Emmasprangtoherfeetanddashedoutoftheroom.
***
Emmaarrivedatworkontimeandquicklygotsettledatherdesk.Daniacamedownstairsandmadesure
Emma knew what she was doing. Ten minutes into her shift, there was a call for the human resources
department.Sheconfidentlypunchedsomenumbersonthephonetotransferthecall.
“Hello.”Adeepvoiceansweredthephone.
“Hello,thisisEmmafromthereception,”shesaid.
“WhatcanIdoforyou?”Emmathoughtthevoicesoundedfamiliar.
“IhaveaMr.Sandersontheline.Hesaidthatyouwereexpectinghiscall.”
“WhoisMr.Sanders?”
Emma’seyesflewopenwhensherealizedwhosevoiceitwas.“SheikhBesada,”shebreathed.
“Yes?”hereplied.
“Iamsorry.IthoughtIhadcomethroughtothehumanresourcesdepartment,”shesaid.
“Isee.”
“I’msorry,goodbye.”Emmaquicklyhungup.Sheletoutasqueak.Shefeltsoembarrassed.Whydidit
havetobeSheikhBesada’sphone?Emmaglaredatthescreenbeforeshetransferredthecall.Shehadto
makesurethatshetransferredittothecorrectdepartmentthistime.
Emmaburiedherfaceinherpalms.SheikhBesadawasprobablythinkingshewasstrange.Shehadbeen
determined not to embarrass herself in front of him but then she fell over on her first day. She said to
herselfthatshewasgoingtodobetteronhersecondday,andthenshecalledhimbymistake.Shereally
didn’t want him to think that he had made a mistake in hiring her. Why couldn’t it have been Dania or
someoneelsefromadifferentdepartmentthatshehadcalled?
SheikhBesada’svoicesoundedniceoverthephone.Itwasdeepbutnottoodeep.Itwasmanly;Emma
wouldn’tmindlisteningtoitallday.KiroBesada;evenhisnamesoundednice.Shewonderedwhatkind
ofamanhewas.Shehadresearchedhimandthecompanybeforeshehadattendedtheinterview.Shehad
learned that he was the crown prince of El Sourial, but there was no information on the internet that
elaboratedonhispersonality.
Momentslatertherewasacallfromaclient,andthistimeitwasforSheikhBesada.Emmafeltalittle
awkwardhavingtocallhimagain.Shetookabreathandcalledhisline.
“Hello,”heanswered.Emmaclosedhereyestightlybeforeshespoke.
“Hello,it’sEmmafromreception,”shesaid.
“Emmafromreception,whatcanIdoforyou?It’sSheikhBesadabytheway.”
The way he said his name was slightly cheeky. It was obvious that it was a reference to her earlier
mistake. “I’m really sorry about the call earlier. I have Mr. Evans on the phone. He says he has some
businesstodiscusswithyouregardingarecentproject,”saidEmma.
Kirogruntedbeforehereplied.“Youmaytransferhiscalltome,”hesaid.
“Yessir.”Emmatransferredthecall.Shesighedasshethrewherselfbackintoherchair.
The rest of the shift progressed smoothly. Emma typed the reports that Dania had given her. There
weren’tmanycallsthatcamethrough.Shehadn’tbeentoobusy.Sheclearedherdeskandmadesureit
wasneatandtidywhenitwastimetogohome.EmmasawKiroheadingoutthroughtheautomaticdoors
towardtheelevator.Emmapickedupherbagandalsoheadedfortheexit.
“Youworklate,”EmmasaidtoKiroasshetrailedbehindhim.
“I have a lot of work to do,” he replied without turning his head. He just kept on walking. Emma
wondered what he had to do. He seemed to be quite hands-on with the company. Instead of having
someoneruntheirDallasbranch,KirocamefromElSourialtoworkthere.Shewonderedwhyhedidn’t
stayinElSourialandlivetheluxuriouslifeofaprince.Whywouldherelocatetoanothercountryand
workthere?
“Isee,”Emmareplied.Kiroheadedtohiscarintheparkinglot.Emmawasalsoheadedthatway.Unlike
her,hehadadriverwaitingforhim.
“Iwillseeyoutomorrow,”EmmacalledouttoKiro.Hejustdismissedherwithhishandashegotinto
thecar.
Chapter5
Kiro
Kiro arrived at his Dallas mansion almost twenty minutes after eight. His maids welcomed him with
smilesandbows.Herespondedwithanodbeforeheheadedupstairstohisbedroom.Hetookhisclothes
offandwenttotakeashower.Hisafter-workroutineincludedtakingashowerbeforehavinghisdinner.
HeheadeddownstairsaftershoweringandchangingintoaloosepairofslacksandaT-shirt.Themaids
hadalreadysetthedinnertable.Hesatdownattheheadofthetableashealwaysdidandstartedonhis
dinner.Hismotherdislikedthefactthathedinedalone.Shethoughtthatheneededsomeonetokeephim
company.However,helikedthepeaceandquiet.
“Wouldyoulikeanythingelse,sheikh?”oneofthemaidsaskedhim.
“No,”hesaidasherosetohisfeet.Helefttheroomandheadedtouphisbedroom.
Thenextafternoon,Kiroarrivedatworkat4:45afterhavingameetinginHouston.Ashegotoutofthe
car,hesawEmmaparkinghercaralso.Sheopenedthedoorandjumpedout.Hereyeswidenedwhenshe
sawKiro.
“Good evening, sheikh,” she called out as she slammed the door with her left foot. She quickly
approachedhim.
“Hello,”hereplied.
“Technicallyit’slateafternoon,soit’smorelikegoodafternoon.”Emmalaughedalittle.“Areyoujust
comingtoworknow?”
Sheseemedlikeatalker,Kirothoughttohimself.Hejuststartedwalkingtowardsthestairs.Hehadhalf
amindtoignoreherbutshequickenedherpaceandstartedwalkingwithhim.
“I finished at the university at 4. Thankfully there was no traffic,” she said. Kiro and Sadiq looked at
eachother.
The three of them exited the underground parking lot via the stairs. They headed towards the office
building entrance. Emma walked next to Kiro. He wasn’t used to people walking next to him, unless it
wasamemberofhisfamilyorabusinesspartner.SincehewasthecrownprinceofElSourial,people
hadtowalkatleasttwostepsbehind.ItwasweirdhavingEmmawalkingnexttohim.Kirocaughtawhiff
ofherscent.Shesmelledlikecoconuts.
“I’mofftomydesk,haveagoodshift,”shesaid.Kiroraisedhiseyebrowsandgruntedinresponse.She
smiledbeforesheheadedtothereceptiondesk.Kirowatchedherfromthecornerofhiseyeasheheaded
totheelevator.Shehadanoddwalk.Sheswungherarmstoomuch.Heshookhisheadandlookedaway.
Theelevatordoorsopenedandawomanwalkedout.KiroandSadiqwalkedinafterher.
***
Emma
Emmacringedasshesatdownatthereceptiondesk.Shehadtalkedsomuchtothesheikh.Shefeltso
embarrassed.Sheknewthatsheshouldhavebeenquietbutthewordsjustbubbledfromherthroat.Emma
ranherhandthroughherhairandshookherhead.Haveagoodshift–thewordsechoedinhermind.She
wishedthatshehadnotsaidthem.
“HiEmma.”SheheardDania’svoice.Emmalookedup.
“HiDania,”shereplied.
“Thirdday;howareyoufindingithere?”
“Sofar,sogood.Iamquicklysettlinginandgettingusedtoeverything.”
“Good.Ihavesomereportsthatneedtyping,andneedtobesenttodifferentclients.”ShehandedEmma
somedocuments.
“Sure,”Emmarepliedasshelookedatthepaperwork.Daniasmiledbeforeshewalkedoff.Emmawore
herheadsetandthenstartedwiththetyping.Atallmanwalkedinthroughtheautomaticdoorsandstoodat
thegatenearthereception.
“Couldyouletmein?”hecalledouttoEmma.Hewaswearingapairofcharcoal-greytrousersanda
blackshirt.Hehadsilkyjet-blackhairthattouchedhisears.Hiscomplexionwasalittlebitdarkerthan
Kiro’s.
“I’msorry,sir,doyouworkhereorareyouheretoseesomeone?”Emmarepliedassherosefromher
desk. She had only been working there for a couple of days, so she didn’t know the workers yet. She
pickeduphertabletandwalkedovertothegate.
“You’renew,”hesaidashelookedatEmmafromheadtotoe.
“Iam.Soyouworkhere?”Emmatappedthetablet.“Youmusthaveforgottenyourcard.Couldyougive
meyournameplease?”
Themanraisedhiseyebrowsandslippedhishandsintohispockets.“Raphael,”hereplied.Emmatyped
hisnamein.
“Andyoursurname?”sheasked.
“Tafwiq.”
Emmatypedhissurnameandnomatchescameup.“I’msorry,sir.Yournamedidn’tcomeup,”shesaid.
“ThatisbecauseIdonotworkhere.”
Emmaraisedaneyebrow.Hecouldhavetoldherthatthefirsttimeshehadaskedhim.“Soareyouhere
toseesomeone?”sheaskedhim.
“Kiro,”hesaid.
“Youareheretoseethesheikh?Doyouhaveanappointment?”
“Idon’tneedone.”
EmmawasstartingtogetannoyedwiththisRaphaelperson.Hewastellingherbitsofinformationata
time.Shestaredathimwithhereyebrowscrossed.Raphaelsmiledather.
“Iamhiscousin,”hesaid.Emmawasn’tsureifshecouldbelievehim.Beforeshecouldsayanything,
sheheardDania’svoice.
“Mr. Tafwiq!” Dania called out as she rushed out of the elevator and headed towards the gate. Emma
turnedtolookatDania.
“Hi Dania,” he said. Dania pulled out her access card and swiped it. The gate opened and Raphael
walkedin.
“Emma,thisisthesheikh’scousin.”
RaphaelgrinnedatEmmaasiftosayItoldyouso.“Mr.Tafwiq,it’snicetomeetyou,”shesaid.
“YoutooEmma.Seeyouaround,”saidRaphael.Heheadedfortheelevator.EmmalookedatDania.
“Ialmostdidn’tlethimin,”shesaid.“Well,Ididn’tlethimin.Youshowedupattherighttime.”
“It’s okay, you didn’t know.” Dania handed her a memory stick. “Go into folder 2B and print out the
reports.”
“Okay.”Emman0ddedbeforeshereturnedtoherdesk.Shethoughthernewpositionwasgoingtobea
boringone.Shethoughttoherselfshehadthree-hourshifts,notmuchcouldpossiblyhappenwithinthree
hours.Yetinallthreedaysshehadawkwardrun-inswiththesheikhandnowshehadanawkwardfirst
meetingwithhiscousin.
Chapter6
Kiro
“WhendidyouarriveinDallas?”KirosaidtoRaphaelashewalkedintohisoffice.Raphaelsmiledas
hejoinedKiroathisdesk.
“Just last night,” Raphael replied. He was related to Kiro on his mother’s side. The two of them had
alwaysbeenclosegrowingup.
“HowwasMexico?”
“Good.”Raphaelsmiledashesankintothechairandcrossedhisarmsoverhischest.
“Itakeittherewasawomanwithyou.”Kiroshookhishead.Raphaellaughed.
“Whenwasthelasttimeyouwerewithone?”
“Ithasn’tbeenthatlong.”KironarrowedhisgazeatRaphael.
“Ihearthatyouaregettingmarriedsoon.”
“What?”Kiroraisedaneyebrow.
“Ourmothersarebusyfindingasuitablebrideforyou,”Raphaelreplied.Kirogruntedandrubbedthe
templesofhishead.“NowmymotheristhinkingthatIshouldbemarriedalso,”headded.Kiroburstinto
laughter.
“Isthatso?”Kiroasked.
“Idon’twanttogetmarried,notnowandnotever.”
“Youunderstandthatyourmotherwillnotletthisgo.”
“Shesaysshewantsgrandchildren.Ifthatisthecase,thenIdon’tmindfindingawomantohavechildren
with.Ijustdon’thavetomarrythewoman.”
Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.“Ifitonlywerethatsimple,”hesaid.Therewasaknockonthedoor.Dania
walkedintotheroomwithatrayofrefreshments.Sheplaceditonthedesk.Shebowedherheadbefore
shelefttheroom.
“You have a new receptionist,” Raphael said as he picked up a glass of drink. He took a sip. “She’s
interestingone,”headded.Thephonerang.Kiropickeditup.
“Hello,”hesaid.
“Hi,it’sEmmafromreception.”
Kiro raised his eyebrows at the odd coincidence. Raphael had just mentioned her name, and then she
calledhim.
“Yes?”hereplied.
“IhaveaSheikhSalemonthephone.”
Kirogrunted.“Takeamessage,”hesaidtoher.
“Okay,Iwilldo.Bye.”
Kirorememberedhersaying“Haveagoodshift.”Shewasquiteanoddwoman.Hehadneverbeenable
to understand Western women. They were quite different to Arabic women. Kiro sighed as he put the
phonedown.
“ItwasEmma,”KirosaidtoRaphael.“She’snotinteresting,shetalkstoomuchandsheisclumsy.”He
pickeduphisglassfromthetrayandtookasip.
“Did she do anything clumsy in your presence?” Raphael asked. Kiro waved his hand to dismiss the
topic.
“How’sSaba?”heasked.SabawasRaphael’syoungersister.
“Ihaven’tspokentohersinceIleftforMexico.”
RaphaelandKirotalkeduntilitwas8p.m.TheybothheadedoutofKiro’sofficeandintotheelevator.
Theyexitedtheelevatorwhenthedoorsopened.Emmawasjusttidyingupherdesk.Shepickedupher
bagandputitonhershoulder.
“Finishedfortheday?”Raphaelaskedherastheyapproachedthereceptiondesk.
“Yessir,”Emmareplied.“NowthatIseethetwoofyoutogether,Icanseetheresemblance,”sheadded
withasmile.Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.Emmastartedwalkingwiththem.Itwasthesecondtimeinone
daythatshehadwalkedwithhim.
“ShedidnotbelievethatIwasyourcousin,”RaphaelsaidtoKiro.
“Inmydefense,IhaveneverseenyoubeforeandI’mnew.Besides,randompeoplecouldjustcomein
andsaythesamething.Ihadtobesure.”
Raphaelburstintolaughter.“Youmakeagoodpoint,”hesaid.
“Idoapologizeforthat,andnowthatIknowyou,Iwillletyouinrightawaynexttime.”
“Thankyou,Emma.Howlonghaveyouworkedhere?”
“Threedays,”shereplied.Theyheadeddownthestairsandintotheundergroundparkinglot.
“Oh,you’restillverynew,”Raphaelsaidtoher.Emmasmiledandnodded.
“Iamoffnow.Iwillseeyounexttime.”SheturnedherattentiontoKiro.“Haveagoodweekend.Iwill
seeyounextweek,”shesaidtohim.
“Bye,”herepliedplainly.Emmaturnedonherheelandheadedtohercar.
***
Emma
ThenextweekprogressedwellforEmma.Shedidn’tembarrassherselfinfrontofthesheikhnorhadshe
called him by mistake. She quickly got used to her duties. At the end of that week, Dania asked her to
worktheSaturday.
“Goodmorning,sheikh,”EmmagreetedKiroasheswipedhisaccesscard.Thesheikhwasdressedina
pairofkhakitrousersandawhitepoloshirt.Theoutfitfithismuscularphysique.Hisbodywasinperfect
shape.Hewasn’tskinny,andhewasn’ttoomuscular.Itwasjustright.Hewastall;possiblysixfeettwo
inches.Hisskinwassmoothandhadaperfectglow.
“Morning,”hereplied.Hisbodyguardwalkedbehindhim.
“Iprintedsomereportsforyou.”Emmapickedupthereportsandquicklyapproachedthesheikh.“Dania
askedmetoprinttheseandgivethemtoyou.”
“Thankyou.”Kirotookthedocumentsfromher.
“Iguessyoucomeinonweekendsalso.”Emmasmiled.“ShallIorderlunchforyouat12?”
“12o’clockisfine.”
“Iwilldothat.Haveagoodday.”
“Thankyou.”Kiroheadedfortheelevator.Emmawenttoherdeskandputonherheadset.
Forthenexttwohours,Emmamostlysiftedthroughe-mailsandsentthemtothecorrectdepartments.She
repliedtosome.Thereweren’tmanycalls.Whenitwas12andKiro’sfoodwasdelivered,sheheadedup
tohisofficewithit.Shetookadeepbreathbeforesheknockedonhisdoor.
“Comein,”Kirocalledout.
“Icomebearinglunch,”Emmasaidassheapproachedhisdesk.Sheputhisfoodonhisdesk.“Howis
thedaygoing?”
Kiroslowlylookedupfromhisdesk.“It’sfine,”hereplied.Shewasshockedandimpressedbythefact
thatKirowasworkingonSaturday.Shewouldhaveassumedthatthesheikhwouldhavebeenrelaxingin
amultimillion-dollarhouse.
“It’squietdownstairs.Iguessnotmanypeopleworkovertheweekend.”
“Doyoumindworkingweekends?”
“No,Idon’t.Thereisakettlecorncompetitiontoday.Iwasnotkeenonattending,”shesaid.Kiroshot
heraquestioningglare.“It’smorelikeagamewhereablow-uppoolisfilledwithpoppedkettlecornand
afewcontestantsdiveintofindthebrownbox,”sheexplained.
“Thatisodd,”Kirosaid.
“I’mfromDuncanValley.Therearealotofeventsandgamesthatsoundalientopeople.”
“Sowhyaren’tyoukeentoparticipate?”
“Kettle corn is annoying to remove from my hair.” Emma smiled. “I hope you enjoy your lunch. If you
needanything,pleasebuzzmeonreceptionandIwillcomeupimmediately.”Emmaturnedonherheel
andheadedforthedoor.
Chapter7
Emma
EmmawasjustinhercarabouttoleaveworkwhenshereceivedacallfromMadison.“Hello,”Emma
answeredthephone.
“Hey,”Madisonreplied.“Whereareyou?”
“I’mjustabouttoleavework.”
“Igotsomekettlecornforyou.”
“Salted?”
“Ofcourse.”
Emmalaughedalittle.“Thankyou,”shesaid.
“Thecompetitionwasactuallynotthatbad,”saidMadison.
“Idon’tmindnothavingcorninmyhair.Whofoundthebox?”
“Cynthia.”
“Really?”
“Yes,Igotitallonvideo.”
“Nice,”Emmareplied.Shesawthesheikhandhisbodyguardwalkingintotheparkinglot.Suddenly,two
masked men rushed down the stairs. One of them hit the bodyguard with a steel pipe in the back of his
head.Emmaputherhandoverhermouthanddroppedherphone.
Kiro turned around and punched the other man in the jaw. Emma watched the two men punching each
other.TheothermanhitKirointhestomachacoupleoftimeswiththepipe.Emmaquicklypickedupher
phoneandhungup.Shedialed911.
“911,whatisyouremergency?”theoperatoranswered.
“IamattheBesadaOilsCompanyandtherearetwomenattackingSheikhKiroBesada.Canyouplease
sendhelp?”Emmasaid.Ablackvanpulledupandthedoorslidopen.“OhmyGod,ohmyGod,Ithink
it’sakidnapping.Pleasesendhelpandanambulance,”shecriedout.
“Areyousomewheresafe,ma’am?”
“Yes.Iaminmycar.Hurry!”
“Staywhereyouare,ma’am,helpisontheway.”
“Okay,pleasehurry.”Emmahungupandheldthephonetightlytoherchest.Shewatchedtwomoremen
jumpoutofthevan.TwoofthemheldKirowhiletheothermantiedKiro’shandswitharopeandthenput
agagoverhismouth.Theypushedhimintothevan.
Emma’scarwasparkedneartheexitoftheparkinggarage.Shetookhercarkeysandstuckthemintothe
ignition.Sheputherhandsonthesteeringwheelandstaredatthevan.Thefourmengotintothevanand
slidthedoorsshut.Thevanimmediatelydrovetowardstheexit.
Justwhenthevanwasalmostattheexit,Emmastartedherengineanddroverightinfrontofthevan.The
vandroverightintothepassengersideofhercar.Emmahitthebrakes.Herheadalmostwentflyinginto
thesteeringwheelbuttheseatbeltheldherback.OneofthemengotoutofthecarandapproachedEmma.
Shequicklylockedherdoor.
“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”heshoutedatherasheapproachedthedriver’sside.
“I’msorry,Itookofftoosoon,”shelied.ShehadclearlydoneittostopthemfromtakingKiroaway.
“Youcan’tbethatstupid!Moveyourcar,”hedemanded.
“Yessir.”Emmastartedtheengineandthenturneditoffwithinasecond.Shedidthesamethingagain.
She looked at the man in the mask. “It won’t start,” she said. He shouted something in Arabic and then
triedtoopenherdoorbutitwaslocked.
“Bringherout,”thedrivershouted.ThemanthatwasbyEmma’scarstartedhittingherwindowuntilit
smashed. Emma screamed as she shielded her face from the glass. The man put his hand through the
windowandunlockedit.Emmatookthekeysoutoftheignitionandthrewthemasfarasshecouldinto
theparkinglot.
“Whattheheckareyoudoing?”themanshoutedather.Helookedsoangry.Emmathoughthewasgoing
to hit her but he went to fetch the keys instead. Another man came out of the van and rushed towards
Emma’s car. He pulled her out of the car and carried her towards the van. Emma started kicking and
screaming.Itmadeitdifficultforthemantocarryhertothevanquickly.
“Staystill!”heshoutedather.Beforehecouldputherinthevan,thesoundofsirensfilledtheair.“It’s
thepolice.Whatshallwedo?”heaskedthedriver.
“Wedon’thavetime.Let’sjustgo,”thedriverreplied.ThemancarryingEmmathrewherontheground
andranoff.
The others also got out of the van and ran off. Emma was on the ground breathing heavily. She felt so
relieved.Ifthepolicehadbeenaminuteortwolate,sheandKirowouldhavebeentakenaway.
EmmarosetoherfeetandhelpedKirooutofthevan.Sheungaggedhim.
“Areyouokay?”Emmaaskedhim.
“Areyoucrazy?”heaskedher.
“What?Ijustdidwhatanyoneelsewoulddo.”
“Whowoulddothat?”
The police cars drove into the parking garage. The police officers got out of the car and approached
EmmaandKiro.
“Oh thank goodness,” Emma said to them. Their timing had been impeccable. Had they been a minute
late,shewouldhavebeeninthevan.Theambulancearrivedafewsecondsafterthepolicecars.
“Areyouokay,miss?”oneofthepoliceofficersaskedEmma.TheotheroneattendedtoKiro.
“I’mfine,”shesaid.
The two policer officers took Emma’s and Kiro’s statements. The paramedics went to attend to Kiro’s
bodyguard.AfterEmmawasfinishedgivingherstatement,oneofthepoliceofficersofferedtotakeher
home.
“It’sfine.I’llbeokay,”shesaid.Shesearchedtheparkinggarageforherkeys.Fortunatelyitdidn’ttake
longtofindthem.Shegotintoherdamagedcarandstartedtheengine.Itwasgoingtocostherafortuneto
repair.Shewasgratefulthatitwasstillworking.Thepolicestillfollowedhertomakesurethatshewas
fine.
Emmathankedthepolicewhenshearrivedhome.MadisonhadjustarrivedatEmma’shousealso.
“What the heck happened to your car?” she cried out as she got out of her own car. Emma studied the
damagetohercarbeforeshereplied.
“Avanranintoit,”shereplied.Madison’seyeswidened.
“What?Areyouokay?”
“I’mfine.Let’sgoinside.I’lltellyoueverything.”
Emmaunlockedthefrontdoorandwalkedin.“Mom!”shecalledout.
“WhenIlefttown,yourfamilywasstillthere,”saidMadison.
“GoodbecauseIdon’twantthemtoknowwhathappenedtoday.”
“Whathappened?”
EmmaexplainedtheentiresituationtoMadison.Herfriendwassoshocked.Hereyessuddenlyteared
up.
“Don’tcry,I’mfine,”Emmasaidtoher.
“Youareluckytobefine.Somethingcouldhavegonewrong,”shereplied.
“IknowbutIwasn’tthinking.IjustsawhimgettingkidnappedandIknewthatIhadtodosomething.”
“Youdidnothavetodosomething.”
Emmashruggedhershoulders.“Iwassurethatanyonewouldhavedonethesame,”shesaid.Madison
narrowedhergazeather.
“Noonewouldhavedonethat.Theywouldhavejustcalledthepoliceandmaybetakendownthelicense
plate.Youdidn’thavetoriskyourlifetosavehis.”
Emmasighed.“It’salreadydonenow.Youcan’ttellmymotherormysisters,”shesaid.
“Howwillyouexplainthehugedentinyourcar?”
“IwillsaythatsomeonedroveintoitwhileIwasn’tinthecar.”
Madisonshookherhead.“Thatmightactuallybebetterbecauseyourmotherwouldwanttokillyoufor
beingsorecklesswithyourlife,”shesaid.Emmanodded.
“Yeah,shewouldbereallyangry,”shereplied.
“Areyougoingtoquit?”
“No.”
“Whynot?Thatplaceisnolongersafeforyou.”
“Idon’tthinkthattheywillcomeback.Thatwilljustbestupid.”
Madisongrowledinfrustration.ShewrappedherarmsaroundEmma.Shewasmorescaredandworried
than Emma was. “Well, I hope that the sheikh at least gives you a raise,” she said. Emma laughed in
response.
Shewasjustgladthatbothsheandthesheikhwerefine.Shewasalsoworriedaboutthebodyguard.He
had been hit in the head with a metal pipe. She hoped that he hadn’t been too injured. From the
kidnappers’accents,EmmacouldtellthattheywereArabic.Shewonderedwhowastryingtokidnapthe
sheikh.
Chapter8
Kiro
On Sundays, Kiro usually stayed home to relax. He would stay home and listen to classical music and
catch up on some reading. However, after the abduction attempt the night before, he was headed to the
hospital to see Sadiq instead. He had bled from being hit in the head with a steel pipe and suffered a
concussion.
“SheikhBesada!”SadiqsatupasKirowalkedintohishospitalroom.
“Sitcomfortably,”KirosaidtoSadiq.Hewalkedoverandsatdownonthechairbyhisbed.“Howare
youfeeling?”
“Iamwell.Thankyouforasking.”
“Good.”
“ThedoctorsaidIwillbedischargedtomorrow.Theyjustwantedtokeepaneyeonmetomakesurethat
Idon’thaveanyinternalbleeding,”SadiqexplainedtoKiro.
“That’sgoodtohear,”Kiroreplied.
“I’msorrythatIwasn’tabletoprotectyou.”
“It’s not your fault. We were outnumbered.” Kiro sighed. “My mother always warned me about having
onebodyguardbutIwasstubborn.”Hismotherwasalwaysworriedabouthissafety.Shedidnotlikethe
factthatheronlysonwaslivingonadifferentcontinentwithonebodyguard.Kiroappeasedherworries
by her letting know that his house was well protected, and it was. There was video surveillance and
securityguards.
“ShewasveryworriedwhenyoumovedtoDallas,”saidSadiq.
“Shestilldoesn’tlikeit.However,Ihavetocontinuewithourfamilybusiness.Thekingobviouslycan’t
beoverseeingtheoilbusinessinAmerica.Hehaspalacematterstoattendto.”
“Wehavetoletthekingknowaboutthekidnapattempt.”
“No,wecan’t.”
“Wecan’tkeepthisfromhim.Whatifhefindsout?Andheprobablywill.”
“Idon’twanthimtoworry,andIespeciallydon’twantmothertofindout.Shewillonlyworryandask
metoreturntoElSourialatonce.”
“Iunderstand,”Sadiqreplied.
“Wehavetofindoutwhowasbehindtheabductionassoonaspossible.Wedon’tknowiftheywilltry
again.”
“Iwillgetonitatonce.”
“Whenyougetdischargedandyouhaverested,IneedyoutogotoElSourialincognito.Findoutasmuch
asyoucan.TheyspokeinArabic.Sowealreadyknowthatthey’reArabs.Thereisapossibilitythatit
mightbesomeonefromElSourial,”saidKiro.HetrustedSadiqalot.HeknewthatSadiqwasthebest
man for the job. He wanted it to be incognito because he did not want to spook the person behind the
abduction.IftheyknewthatKirowaslookingintoit,theywouldcovertheirtracks.
“Yes,sheikh,butwhataboutyou?”Sadiqasked.“WhowillprotectyouwhenI’mgone?”
“I’vetakenuptwoguardsfrommyhome.They’regood,”hereplied.Sadiqnodded.
“Iwilljustspeaktothemandmakesurethey’readequatelytrainedbeforeIleave.”
Kirosmiledandnodded.“Okay,”hereplied.
***
KirowasonhiswayhomejustaftersixonMonday.Asheheadedoutoftheelevator,hecouldseeEmma
sitting at the reception desk. She was unharmed, thankfully. She had blocked the exit with her car and
stopped the abduction. If it wasn’t for her, the men that had attacked Sadiq would have successfully
kidnappedKiro.
“SheikhBesada,”Emmasaidassherosetoherfeet.“Howareyou?”sheasked.
“I’mfine,”hereplied.Shewasfullofsurprises.Hethoughtshewasjustaclumsyandtalkativewoman.
Shehadsurprisedhimwithherbraveness.Shehadbeenbravebutreckless.
“Leavingalready?”sheaskedhim.
“Yes.”
Sheeyedthebruiseonhischeek.“Doesthathurt?”sheaskedhim.
“No,”hereplied.
“Doyouhaveanyideaofwhoistryingtoharmyou?”
“Whatyoudidwasreckless,”hesaid.
“Iknow,”Emmareplied.
“Whatwereyouthinking?”
“Iwasn’t.IjustsawyouindangerandIjustreacted.”Sheshruggedhershoulders.“I’mgladyou’reokay.
Howisyourbodyguard?”
“He’sfine.Don’teverdoanythinglikethatagain.”
“Iwoulddothesamethingalloveragain,”shereplied.Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.Sonotonlywasshe
talkative,clumsyandreckless;shewasalsostubborn.
“Excuseme?”saidKiro.Thatwasn’ttheanswerthathewasexpectingtohearfromher.Usuallywhenhe
issuedanorder,heexpecteda“yessheikh.”Noonesaidnotohim.
“Idon’tregretwhatIdid.Iamsureanyoneelsewouldhavedonethesamethinginthatsituation,”she
said.Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.
“No,theywouldnot,”hesaid.
Emmashruggedhershoulders.“Maybebutthat’swhatIdid.Thereisnochangingitnow,”shereplied.
Kiroshookhisheadbeforehewalkedoff.Shewasanimpressivewoman.Hehadnevermetanyoneas
fearlessasshewas.Shehadputherlifeonthelinetosavehis,andshewasn’tregrettingit.
Chapter9
Emma
EmmasatatherdeskthinkingaboutKiroafterhehadleft.Shewasquiteconfused.Shehadpractically
savedhislifebuthedidn’teventhankher.Shehadnotdoneitforgratitude,buttheleasthecouldhave
donewasaskifshewasokay.Insteadhewastellingherwhatshedidwasstupid.
Itwasn’ttoosurprisingthatsomeonehadtriedtokidnapKiro.HewasthecrownprinceofElSourial.
People would always try to gain something from him. Emma wondered if they were going to try again.
Shesighedassheranherhandthroughherhair.Therewasnouseinworrying.Itwasnotlikeshecould
findoutwhowasbehinditoranything.
Whenitwastimetogohome,Emmaclearedupherdeskandpickedupherbag.Sheheadedoutofthe
officeanddowntotheparkinggarage.Shewasalittlebitparanoidasshewalkedovertohercar.Just
two days ago, there were big men in ski masks in the garage. She quickly rushed over and got into her
dentedcar.
Emmaarrivedhomeabouthalfanhourlater.“I’mhome,”sheannouncedasshewalkedintotheliving
room.Hersistersandhermotherweresittingintherewatchingtelenovelas.
“Heysweetie.Howwaswork?”hermothergreetedher.
“Itwasfine,”Emmarepliedasshethrewherselfontothesofa.
“Iguessitwastiring,”saidMia.
“Didyoubringanychocolate?”Cynthiaasked.
“Cynthia,leaveyoursisteralone,”saidtheirmother.
“WhatdidIdowrong?”
“You’realwaysaskingherforsomething.Letherbreathe.”
Emmachuckled.“It’sfine.I’llbringyouchocolatetomorrow,”shesaid.
“Youneedtosaveyourmoneytofixyourcar,”saidMia.
“Ican’tbelievethatsomeonejustdroveintoyourcarandgotawaywithit,”saidhermother.
“Don’tworryaboutit.I’mjustgratefulthatIwasn’tinthecaratthetime,”Emmareplied.Shefeltawful
abouthavingtolietoherfamilybutshehadto.Iftheyknewwhathadhappenedintheparkinggarageat
work,theywouldnotwantherworkingforthesheikh.Shewasn’treadytogiveupthejob.Themoney
wastoogood.Speakingofwhich,shewasgettingpaidlaterthatweekandshecouldn’twait.Theelectric
billwasdueandCynthiahadbeenbegginghertobuyhernewshoes.
“Iwillpayfortherepairofyourcar,”saidEmma’smother.
“That’ssweet,Mom,butyoudon’thavetodothat.It’sjustadent.”Emmarosetoherfeet.“Thecarstill
worksfine.”Shesmiledandheadedoutoftheroom.Shedidn’twanthermomtowastemoneyonhercar.
Theyhadbillstopay.
Thingsneverusedtobesodesperateforthem.HerfatherpassedwhenCynthiawasjustfouryearsold.
Theirmothermanagedtoworkandkeepthingsafloatjustuntilrecentlywhenshewaslaidoff.
***
EmmawassittingatherdeskwhenKirowalkedinthroughtheautomaticdoorswithtwobodyguards.It
wasstillnewforhertoseehimwithouthisregularbodyguard.Thesheikhwasdressedinanavy-blue
suit.Itfithisathleticbodyperfectly.
“Goodafternoon,sheikh,”Emmagreetedhimasheapproachedherdesk.
“Afternoon,”hereplied.Heputasmallblackvelvetboxonherdesk.
“Um.”Emmalookedattheboxandthenbackatthesheikh.
“Take it,” he said and headed to the elevator. Emma was in confusion. She wondered what was in the
box,andwhythesheikhwasgivingittoherwithoutsayinganythingaboutit.Shepickeduptheboxand
thenopenedit.Therewasacarkeyinthebox.
“Whatintheworld,”Emmamumbled.Shetookthecarkeyandranafterthesheikh.Shemanagedtocatch
theelevatorjustbeforethedoorsclosed.Kirolookedatherwithhiseyebrowsraised.
“Whatisit?”heaskedher.Sheopenedherpalmandheldoutthekeytohim.
“Um,this.”
“It’sacarkey.”
“Butwhyareyougivingittome?”
“Yourcarhasadentinit.”
EmmaraisedhereyebrowsandstaredatKiroinshock.Hewasgivingheracarbecausehershadadent
init.Hewasnotgivinghermoneyforarepair;hewasgivingheracar.Fromthesymbolonthekey,she
couldtellthatitwasaMercedes-Benz.
“Okay,Iwasgoingtogetitfixed,”sherepliedslowly.Shehadnoideahowtohandlethesituation.No
one had ever given her a car. The current one she had, she had bought herself with money earned from
part-timejobs.
“It’sbettertojustgetanewcar,”Kiroreplied.
“Iappreciatethegesture,butyoudon’tneedtodothat.”Emmatriedtohandhimthecarkeybuthedid
nottakeit.Hejustkepthiseyesonher.
“It’sjustacar.”
“It’snotjustacar.It’sanexpensivecarandit’snotrightformetotakeit.”
“Justtakeit.”Kirogotoutoftheelevatorandwalkedoff.Emmastayedintheelevatorandpressedthe
buttonforthegroundfloor.
Whentheelevatordoorsopened,shewalkedoutandheadedbacktoherdesk.Sheputthecarkeybackin
thevelvetboxandjustlookedatit.Shedidn’tknowwhattodo.Kiroactedasthoughitwasnothing,it
wasjustasmallgesture.ToEmma,itwasabigdeal.Acarwasabigdeal.Shedidn’tknowwhetherto
acceptitornot.
Attheendofhershift,shewalkedintotheparkinglotpressingtheunlockbuttononthekeytoseewhich
caritwas.AwhiteBenzmadeasoundasitunlocked.Emmagasped.Shedidn’tknowmuchaboutcars
butshecouldtellthatthecarwasexpensive.Shewalkedovertothecarandtookagoodlook.
Emmalockedthecar.Shewasn’tgoingtoacceptanexpensivecarfromanyone.Justwhenshewasabout
towalkoff,Kiroapproachedher.
“Aren’tyougoingtogetin?”heaskedher.
“Um, Sheikh Besada, this car is just too much for me. I can’t accept it,” said Emma. Kiro sighed in
frustration.
“Whatwomanrefusesabrand-newcar?”Herubbedthetemplesofhishead.
“Thisisjustalittleawkward.I’veneveracceptedsuchanexpensiveitemfromanyone.It’snoteasyfor
metojusttakethecarandgo.”
Kirostaredatherwithadarkfacialexpression.ItmadeEmmanervousbecauseshewasn’tsurewhathe
wasthinkingabout.
“Ifyoudon’ttakethecar,Iwillhaveyourdentedcartowed,”hesaid.Emmadroppedherjawandstared
at him in shock. Kiro turned on his heel and headed towards his car. Emma shook her head. It was an
emptythreat.Shewalkedovertoherdentedcaranddroveoff.
Chapter10
Emma
“Youdidwhat?”Madisoncriedout.
“Icouldn’ttakethecar,”Emmarepliedasshepickedupherburger.Theywerejustabouttohavetheir
lunchbeforethenextclass.
“Whynot?”MadisonstaredatEmmawithherblueeyeswidened.
“Itwasabrand-newBenz.”
“Yourpoint?”
“It’s too expensive. I can’t accept something like that from the sheikh.” Emma took a bite out of her
burger.MadisonraisedaperfectlyshapedbrowneyebrowatEmma.
“Ofcourseyoucanacceptthecar.Youriskedyourlifetosavehis.It’sonlynaturalthathethanksyouin
suchadramaticway,”shesaid.Emmalaughedalittle.
“You’re right, it’s dramatic.” Emma took a sip of her drink. “He threatened to have my car towed if I
don’tusetheBenz.”
“ThenjusttaketheBenz.”
“Idon’tfeelcomfortable.Besides,Idon’tthinkhe’lldoit.”
“Whetherhedoesitornot,youneedtotakethatcar.Heowesyoualotmore.Yousavedhislife.”
Emmashruggedhershoulders.Shewasokaywithasimplethank-you.Therewasnoneedforlavishgifts.
“Ifeelsoweirdaboutit.I’veonlyworkedforhimforalmosttwoweeks.HowcouldIacceptacarfrom
him?”sheasked.MadisonnarrowedhergazeatEmma.
“Youriskedyourlifetosavehisafterknowinghimforaweek.Acceptingacarfromhimisn’tsuchabig
deal,”shesaid.Emmasmiled.
“Let’shurryupandeat.Wehavelessthantenminutesleftuntilournextclassstarts,”shesaid.Sheknew
thatnomatterhowfirmlyshespokewithMadisonaboutreturningthecar,shewasn’tgoingtoagreewith
her.EmmahadmadeuphermindtoreturnthecarkeytoKirowhenshewentintowork.
And Emma did exactly that. She arrived at the office fifteen minutes early. She left her bag behind the
receptiondeskbeforesheheadeduptothefifthfloor.
“HiEmma,”Daniagreetedherasshewalkedtowardsher.DaniawassittingatherdeskoutsideSheikh
Besada’soffice.
“HiDania,howareyou?”Emmareplied.
“I’mwell,thankyou.Whatbringsyouhere?”
“I’mheretospeaktothesheikh.”
Daniaraisedhereyebrows.“Why?Issomethingwrong?”sheasked.Emmashookherhead.
“It’snothingserious.It’sjustaboutaconversationwehadyesterday,”Emmareplied.Shecouldn’ttell
Daniaaboutthecarwithouttellingherwhyhegotitforher.
“Isheexpectingyou?”sheasked.Emmanodded.
“Kindof,ishebusy?”
“No,hedoesn’thaveameetingatthemomentbuthedoesn’tlikepeoplejustcomingtohisofficewithout
havinganappointmentunlessit’sfamily.”
“Isee.It’ssomethingthatwon’ttakeupmuchofhistime,couldyoujusttryandseeifhe’sokaywithme
goingintoseehim?”Emmaasked.
Dania sighed before she picked up the phone and called the sheikh. “Sheikh Besada, Emma is here to
speakwithyou.ShallIsendherin?”Dania’sjawdropped.ShelookedatEmmainshock.
“Icangoin?”Emmawhispered.
“Yessheikh.”Daniaputthephonedown.“Hesaidyoucouldgoin.That’squiteodd.”
“Thanks,”EmmasaidtoDaniabeforesheheadedtohisoffice.Sheknockedbeforesheopenedthedoor.
Kirowassittingathisdesk.Hewaswritingsomething.
“Isthisabadtime?”Emmaasked.
“What do you need?” he asked without looking up from his desk. Emma walked towards his desk and
stoppedinfrontofhim.Sheputthevelvetboxdownonthetable.
“I came to return this to you,” she said to him. Kiro signed some document and put it in a folder. He
closedthefolderandthenlookedupatEmma.
“Areweabouttohavethesamediscussionaswedidyesterday?”heaskedher.Hismanlyvoicemade
her stomach knot up. She wasn’t too close to him but she was close enough to smell him. He smelled
lovely.Thetoptwobuttonsonhisburgundyshirtwereunbuttoned.
“Ijustcan’tacceptitbutIacceptthethoughtbehindthegesture,”saidEmma.
“Whatthought?”
“I’msayingIunderstandwhyyouboughtthecarandIacceptthesinceritybehindyourreason.”
“Youarereadingtoomuchintothesituation.”
Emmaraisedhereyebrows.Hewasastubbornman.Whycouldn’thejustsaythankyouandthenkeepthe
car?
“Idon’tthinkIam,”shesaid.Kiroslowlyraisedhiseyebrows.“I’mgrateful,sir,thankyouverymuch,”
sheadded.Shedidn’twanthimtothinkthatshewasungrateful.Emmasmiledandrushedoutofhisoffice.
Shesighedwithreliefasthedoorshutbehindher.Hemadehernervous.
WhenEmmawasdownstairs,shegotonwithherwork.Thereweresomereportstotype,ande-mailsto
send.Thereweren’tmanyphonecalls.Shetransferredthemtothecorrectdepartment.Kirolefttheoffice
around7p.m.
“Areyouleavingalready?”Emmaaskedhim.
“It’sseven,”hereplied.
“It’sjustthatInormallyseeyouleavingaroundeight.Iguessyou’vebeenherealldayandyouaretired.”
KirostoppedatthegateandlookedatEmma.“Youtalkalot,”hesaidtoher.Emmasmiled.
Andyoudon’ttalkenough,saidhersubconscious.Shereallywantedtosaythattohimbuthewasher
boss and she couldn’t speak so freely to him. “I’m just a very friendly and outgoing person,” she said.
Kirojustturnedonhisheel.Hescannedhiscardatthegateandwalkedoff.
Hewassounfriendly,Emmathoughttoherself.Shejustsatdownatherdeskandfinishedoffherwork.
Whenitwastimetoleave,sheclearedherdeskasusual.Shetookherbaganddashedfortheexit.She
wasinarushtogohomebecauseshewasquitehungry,andsheneededtocompleteherassignmentthat
wasdueforthenextday.
“Whattheheck?”Emmabreathedasshefoundherparkingspotempty.Shelookedaroundtheparkinglot
andhercarwasn’tthere.Noway,shethoughttoherself.HadKirogottenhercartowed?
ShesawtheBenzstillthere.Therewasawhiteenvelopeonthewindshieldpinneddownbythewipers.
Shewalkedovertothecarandtooktheenvelope.Hernamewasonit.Sheopeneditandfoundthevelvet
box.
Emmascreamedinfrustration.Shehadthoughthewasjokingwhenhesaidthathew0uldhavehercar
towed. She wondered why it was so important to him that she took the Benz. It was probably a pride
thing.Seeingashewasunabletosaythankyou,heboughtthecarandnowthatshewasrefusingit,itwas
asifshewasthrowinghisgratitudeinhisface.Hisegowasprobablybruised.Richmendidnotmake
sensetoher.
She opened the velvet box and took the car key out. She unlocked the car and got in. Part of her had
wantedtojustleavethecarandtakethebushomebutthenbusestoDuncanValleywerenotfrequentand
she was in a rush to get home. She sat in the comfortable beige leather seat and stuck the key in the
ignition.Thesoundoftheenginepurringgavehergoosebumps.Itwasalittlebitexciting.Shehadnever
drivensuchaniceandexpensivecarbefore.
Emma arrived home half an hour later. Cynthia saw her from the kitchen and quickly rushed outside.
“Wheredidyougetthatcar?”shecriedoutasEmmagotoutofthecar.
“It’sacompanycar,”Emmareplied.Whatelsewasshetosay?
“Wow,really?Yourcompanyisquitegenerous.”
“Iworkforasheikh.Naturallyeverythingthereisofhighstandards.”
Cynthiatouchedthehoodofthecar.“Youhavetodrivemetoschooltomorrow,”shesaidtoEmma.
“Let’sgoinside,”shesaid.Cynthianodded.Theyheadedintothehouse.
“Mia!”Cynthiacalledout.
“Whyareyouholleringlikethat?”theirmotheraskedasshewalkedoutofthekitchen.Miarusheddown
thestairs.
“EmmacamehomewithaBenz,”Cynthiashouted.
“OhGod,”Emmawhispered.
“Wheredidyougetitfrom?”theirmotherasked.
“It’s a company car. They’re letting me use it because of what happened to my car,” said Emma. Yet
anotherlie.Shedidn’tlikelyingtoherfamilybutwhatchoicedidshehave?Shecouldn’ttellthemthat
thesheikhgotitforherwithoutexplainingwhy.
“Really?”Hermotherraisedhereyebrows.“They’reabittoogenerous.You’veonlyworkedtherefor
twoweeks.”
Emmashruggedhershoulders.“IguessthosearetheperksofworkingforthecrownprinceofElSourial.
Theymentionedsomethingaboutkeepingthecompanyimage,”shesaid.Shewalkedintothekitchen.“I’m
hungry,what’stheretoeat?”sheadded.
“Wow.Yourjobisofficiallythecoolest,”saidCynthia.Emmajustsmiledandnodded.
Chapter11
Kiro
KirosatathisdinnertablethinkingaboutEmmaasheatehisdinner.Hewonderedhowshehadreacted
tofindinganemptyparkingspace.Hehadgottenherdentedcartowedandtakenforrepair.Shehadn’t
takenhimseriouslywhenhesaidthathewouldgetittowed.Everythingwouldhavebeeneasierifshe
hadjusttakenthecar.
Emmawasastrangewoman.Kirohadnevermetawomanwhowouldrefusesomethingjustbecauseit
was expensive. If anything, they always wanted more expensive items. Emma had refused the car and
givenhimbackthekey.Kirodidn’tlikethat.Shehadriskedherlifetohelphimandsohewantedtopay
herback.
Kiro took a sip of his drink and headed up to his room. Sadiq was now in El Sourial, Kiro thought to
himselfasheunbuttonedhisshirt.HewonderedifSadiqwasgoingtofindoutquicklywhowasbehind
thekidnapattempt.Kirowasmeetingwiththepolicethenextday.Theyhadtakenthevanintocustodyto
haveitdustedforfingerprints.Hehopedthattheywouldfindsomethingthatwouldhelphimfindoutwho
thekidnapperswere.
Thenextafternoon,EmmacametoKiro’sofficeasexpected.Heknewthatshewasgoingtocomeupto
hisofficetodiscusshercar.Hejustwasn’tsurewhatkindofreactionhewasgoingtoget.
“Goodafternoon,SheikhBesada,”Emmagreetedhim.
“Yes?HowcanIhelpyou?”Kirolookedupfromhisdeskandleanedbackinhischair.Shehadthecar
keyinherhand.
“What happened to my car?” She was wearing a knee-length black dress that complemented her figure
andblackhighheels.Herbrunettehairwastiedupintoaponytail.
“Youtellme,youhavethekeyinyourhand,”hereplied.
“Notthiscar,thisoneisyours.I’maskingaboutmycar,didyouhaveittowed?”
“Yes,”herepliedsimply.Emmablinkedacoupleoftimesbeforeshespoke.
“Thatwasmycar,”shesaid.Hervoicesoundedsmallerandadorable.
“Thathadadentinit.”
“Itwasstillmine.Ishouldhavegottenittowedorrepaired.Thatwasmydecision.”
“Youhaveabrand-newcarnow.”
“Idon’tevenknowwhatI’msupposedtosaytomyfamily.ItoldthemthatitwasaworkcarbutIdon’t
thinktheybelievedme.”Emmaplacedherhandsonherhips.
“YounevertoldthemaboutwhathappenedlastSaturday?”Kiroasked.
“No,Icouldn’t.Theywouldn’twantmeworkinghere.”
“Youstillwanttoworkhere;you’renotworriedforyoursafety?”
Emma shook her head. “I doubt that they would try anything at your workplace again. That would be
stupid.Theywouldtryatadifferentlocation,”shesaid.
“WhatareyoudoingonSaturday?”heaskedher.
“Nothing.Doyouneedmetocomeinforwork?”
Kiroopenedhisdeskandpulledoutawhitecard.Heputitonthetable.“Wearsomethingnice,”hesaid
toher.Emmaraisedhereyebrowsasshereachedoutforthecard.Shetookitandopenedit.
“Acharitygala,”shesaid.“I’veneverbeentooneofthese.DoIhavetowearacocktaildress?”
“It’sablack-tieevent.”HesuddenlywantedtotakeEmmatothecharityeventbecausehewasinterested
inlearningmoreabouther.Hewantedtoknowwhatkindofawomanshewas.
Kiro’sphonerang.Hepickeditup.“Yes?”heanswered.ItwasDania.Shewasinforminghimthatthe
policehadarrived.Hetoldhertoescortthemintohisoffice.
Daniaknockedbeforesheescortedthepolicedetectivesintohisoffice.Kirorosetohisfeetandgreeted
thetwomen.“Thankyouforcoming,”Kirosaidtothem.
“Ishouldgo,”Emmasaidbeforeshewalkedout.Sheheadedoutofhisoffice.
“SheikhBesada,wearesorrytotellyouwedidn’tfindanythinginthevan,”oneofthedetectivessaidto
him.
“There were no fingerprints or hairs in the van. The van also didn’t have a valid license plate. These
peoplewereverycleveraboutthis.Theymadesurethattheydidn’tleaveanyevidencebehind,”saidthe
otherdetective.
“I’mnotsurprised,”saidKiro.Pettythievesandsmall-timecriminalswouldn’tdaregoafterthecrown
prince.Itwouldhavetobesomeinfluentialpersonwithsomethingtogain.Theywouldneedtoknowhow
tocovertheirtracks.
“We’llkeeplookingandwewillinformyouifwefindsomething.”
“Okay,pleasedo,”saidKiro.
***
It was around 5 p.m. Saturday when Kiro started getting ready for the charity gala. He wore a black
tuxedowithasilklining,acrispwhiteshirtandablackbowtie.Heputonblackshoesandthenheaded
downstairs.Hismaidsstaredathimlustfully.Theywhisperedhowgoodhelookedamongthemselves.
Kiroheadedoutofthehouse.HisdriveropenedthecardoorforKiroasheapproached.Kirogotinand
satinthebackseat.Theydroveoffandheadedtothevenuewherethecharityeventwasbeingheld.The
charityeventwastoraisemoneyforcancer.Kiroattendedeveryyearandalwaysdonated.
When Kiro arrived at the venue, he got out of the car and headed inside. The room was already filled
withguests.HescannedtheroomforEmmaandhecouldn’tseeher.Oneoftheguestsapproachedhim
andgreetedhim.
“SheikhBesada,it’sgoodtoseeyou,”hesaid.
“Likewise,Mr.Lee,”Kiroreplied.Mr.Leewasabusinessman.HehadnobusinesswithKiro.However,
theyoftenmetatcharityevents,galasandhorseraces.Theyraninthesamecircles.
As Kiro was talking to Mr. Lee, he turned his head towards the entrance of the venue and saw Emma
walkingin.Shewaswearinganavy-blue,high-neck,backlessfishtaildressthatcomplementedherfigure.
Herhairwaspinnedupintoahighbun.Shestoodattheentrancescanningtheroom.WhenshesawKiro,
shesmiledandimmediatelywalkedtowardshim.Shelookedabsolutelygorgeous.
“SheikhBesada?”Mr.Leesaidtohim.
“Sorry,Ididn’thearwhatyousaid,”Kiroreplied.HehadbeentoobusystaringatEmmatohearwhat
Mr.Leewassayingtohim.
Chapter12
Emma
Emmafeltnervousasshewalkedtowardsthesheikh.Shehadneverbeentosuchaneventbefore.She
nevergottheopportunitytodressupinacocktaildress.Herlifeinvolvedgoingtotheuniversity,working
part-timejobsandhangingoutwithherfriendsandfamilyatgatheringsandintown.Sheneverwentto
black-tieevents.
Kirowasspeakingwithsomeone.Hewaswearingablacktuxedo.Hisjet-blackhairwaspartedatthe
sides. He had a clean shave. He looked so handsome. Emma felt even more nervous as she walked
towardshimbecausehewasstaringather.Hisfacegavenothingaway.Shecouldn’ttellifhewasstaring
atherbecauseshelookedgoodorbecauseshedidn’t.
“Goodevening,sheikh,”Emmagreetedhim.
“HelloEmma,”hereplied.
“Hellosir,”shesaidtothemanwhowasspeakingwiththesheikh.“IhopethatI’mnotinterruptingyour
conversation.”
“Notatall,”themanrepliedwithasmile.Helookedatthesheikh.“Excusemeforamoment,”hesaidto
himbeforehewalkedoff.Kirodidn’tevenrespond.HejustkeptlookingatEmma.
“I’veneverbeentoaneventlikethis.IhopeI’mdressedappropriately,”shesaid.Itwastheonlything
shecouldthinkofsaying.Kiro’sgazemadeherfeelshyandnervous.
“Iguessit’sfine,”hereplied.Emmanodded.Shelookedaroundtheroom.Thereweresomanyguests.
Theyweredressedinexpensiveclothingandjewelry.
“SheikhBesada,”awomandressedinblacksaidassheapproachedthem.“It’ssogoodtoseeyou.”Kiro
greetedherwithakissonbothcheeks.
“Howhaveyoubeen?”heaskedher.
“I’vebeenwell.Whoistheyoungladyyou’rewith?”ShelookedatEmma.
“This is Emma. We work together,” Kiro said to her. He looked at Emma. “Emma, this is Sheila. She
organizesthiseventeveryyear.”
“HelloEmma.”Sheilaextendedherhandforahandshake.Emmashookitwithasmile.
“It’snicetomeetyou,”saidEmma.SheilalookedatEmmafromheadtotoe.
“She’sbeautiful.Iwouldliketoincludeherintheauction.”
Emmaraisedhereyebrows.“Whatauction?”sheasked.Kiroslippedhishandsinhispockets.
“Asyouplease,”hesaidtoSheila.EmmagaveSheilaaquestioninglook.
“We have some ladies up for auction. All proceeds go to the charity of course,” Sheila explained to
Emma.
“Thewomenareputupforauction?”Emmalookedsurprised.Sheilasmiledgently.
“It’sallingoodfun.Themenbidonawoman.Thehighestbiddercantakeheroutforadate.”
“Hmm,interesting.”ThatmadeEmmanervous.Shedidn’twanttobepartoftheauction.Whatifnoone
bid on her? It would be so embarrassing. She had never been that popular with men. She had had two
boyfriendsinherlife,andtherelationshipshadnotlastedmorethanfourmonths.
“Don’t worry, dear,” Sheila said as she touched Emma’s arm. It was as if she knew what Emma was
worriedabout.SheilawalkedoffandleftEmmawiththesheikh.
“Idon’twanttobepartoftheauction,”shesaidtothesheikh.
“It’stoolatenow,”Kirosaidtoher.Emmalacedherfingerstogether.
“Didyoudrivehere?”
Emma looked at Kiro. “Yes, I drove in the car you bought me,” she said. A smirk appeared on Kiro’s
face.Itwasasifhehadwonsomething.“Busesaren’tfrequentfrommytown.Ineedtodrive.Asyouhad
mycartowed,Ihadnochoice,”sheadded.
“Whichtowndidyousayyouwerefrom?”Kiroasked.
“DuncanValley.It’saverysmalltown,thekindwhereeveryoneknowseachother.”
“Isee.”
“WhatisitlikeinElSourial?”Emmaasked.Kirosighed.
“Woman,youreallydotalkalot,”hesaid.“It’sawarmcountry.”
Emmaburstintolaughter.“Isthatit?”sheaskedhim.Kiroshruggedhisshoulders.
“It’swarmandbeautiful,”headded.Emmasmiled.Kirowasn’tmuchofatalker.
“IfImayask,whydidyoudecidetocomeandliveinDallas?”Shehadbeenwonderingwhyhelivedin
Dallas.Afterall,hewasthecrownprinceofElSourial.
“BesadaOilsneedstoberunbysomeonecapableandtrustworthy.”
“Youhaven’tfoundsomeonelikethat,soyoudecidedtodoityourself?”
“Yes.”
“Whathappenswhenyoubecomeking?”
“ThenIwillfindsomeoneelsetodoit.”
EmmaandKirotalkedastherestoftheeveningprogressed.Emmadidmostofthetalking.Kirowasn’t
muchofatalker,butheatleastansweredherquestions.Whenitwastimetohavedinner,KiroandEmma
sat with some of the other guests. Oddly, Emma felt normal sitting next to Kiro. She had been nervous
aboutitbutwhenthetimecame,shewasquitecomfortablesittingnexttohim.Itwasasifshehaddoneit
thousandsoftimesbefore.
Thetimeshehadbeendreadingfinallycame.Itwastimefortheauction.Shewatchedthefirstwomango
onstage.Sheilaintroducedherandthenthemenraisedtheirpaddlesastheybidonher.Herhighestbid
was$5,000.Emmawasprettyshocked.Howcouldsomeonepaythatmuchjusttogoonadatewithher?
Thensherememberedthatalotofrichpeopleattendedthegala.
Emma watched the women go on stage one by one until it was her turn. She looked at the door and
contemplatedboltingoutoftheroom.Sheshookherheadandgotup.Sheslowlywalkedtothestage.She
hopedthatatleastonepersonwouldbidforher.Shedidn’twanttostandtherewithnoonebiddingfor
her.Atthesametime,sheworriedaboutgoingonadatewithacompletestranger.
SheilaintroducedEmma.“Biddingwillstartat$200.”Shesaid.Foramomenttherewassilenceinthe
room.Emma’scheeksturnedredasherfearmaterialized.OnemanlifteduphispaddletobidonEmma.
So I will only have one bid and it will be the lowest at $200, Emma thought to herself. Another man
raisedhispaddle.Thetwomenbidonheruntiltheyreached$1,400.
“Thebidisat$1,400.Goingonce,twice—”BeforeSheilafinishedspeaking,Kiroliftedhispaddle.
“$20,000,” he said. Emma’s eyes flew wide open. She had not expected him to bid on her at all. The
thoughthadn’tevencrossedhermind.EveryoneintheroomgaspedandlookedatKiro.
“Doesanyonehaveanyhigherbids?”Sheilaasked.“Thefinalbidis$20,000bySheikhKiroBesada.
Thisconcludesourauction.”
Chapter13
Emma
“Howwasthecharitydinner?”CynthiaaskedEmmawhenshearrivedhome.
“Itwasgood,”Emmareplied.MiawalkedintoEmma’sroomandthrewherselfonherbed.
“Howwasit?”Miaaskedher.
“Itwasfine,”Emmarepliedasshetookoffhershoes.
“I heard such charity events cost like $2,000 a ticket,” said Cynthia. Emma turned and looked at her
wide-eyed.
“Dotheyreally?”Emmaaskedher.
“Yes.”
“Wow.”
“You’reworkingwiththereallyrichpeoplenow.”
“Notreally.”
“Whatwasthefoodlike?”Miaasked.
“Fine,”Emmareplied.
“Justfine?”
Emmanoddedasshetookherearringsoff.Sheslippedoutofherdressandgotonherbed.“Move,”she
saidtoMia.
“You’renotevengoingtowearyourpajamas?”Cynthiaasked.
“I’mnotbothered,”Emmareplied.
“Wastheballnotgood?You’renottalkingasmuch,”saidMia.
“Itwasfine.I’mjusttired.”
“Didyouseeanyhandsomemen?”Cynthiaasked.Emmalayinherbedfacingtheceiling.
“Iwasn’treallylookingatthat,”shereplied.
“Howcouldyounot?Thiswasyouropportunitytofindahandsomerichman,”saidCynthia.Miaburst
intolaughter.
“Bynowyoushouldknowthatouroldersisterdoesn’thavedatingskills,”Miateased.Thethreesisters
laughed.Emmasatup.
“Actually,therewasanauction,”shesaidtothem.“Menbidonwomentowindateswiththem.”
“What?”CynthiaandMiaspatoutinunison.
“Yes,andIreceivedthehighestbidof$20,000.”
“What?”hersisterssaidatthesametimeagain.
“Yes,andIhavetogoonthedatetomorrow.”
“Thisisshocking.”Cynthiaranherhandthroughhersandyblondhair.Emmasmiledandnodded.
“I’mgoingtobednow,goodnight,”shesaid.MiaandCynthiarosetotheirfeet.
“Thisisabsolutelyshocking.Ireallywanttoseewhatthemanlookslike,”saidMia.
“Metoo,”Cynthiaechoed.
CynthiaandMiabothwalkedoutofEmma’sroom.Emmathrewherselfbackwards.Shelayinbedjust
staringattheceiling.Shehadgottenridofhersistersbecauseofhermuddledthoughts.Shewasstillnot
over the fact that Kiro had bid on her. Not only had he bid on her, he had actually paid $20,000. She
understoodthatitwasforcharitybutitstillmeantgoingonadatewithher.
Afterthegala,Kirowroteachecktothecharityforthe$20,000.ThenhetoldEmmathathewouldpick
herupfromherhomeonSundayafternoon.Theywenttheirseparateways.Emmawastotallyconfused.
Shedidn’tknowwhattothink.Kirowasamanoffewwords.Hedidn’teasilyrevealmuchabouthimself.
ItwasveryhardforEmmatoguesswhathewasthinkingorwhathewoulddonext.
Emma sighed as she rolled to her side. Just what was she going to wear for her date with Kiro? She
didn’twanttooverdressandlooklikeshewastryingtoohardtoimpresshim.Shedefinitelydidn’twant
tolooktooplain.Shewantedtolookgoodinfrontofhim.Shewonderedwherehewasgoingtotakeher.
Whatwouldtheydoandwhatwouldtheytalkabout?
***
Emmaheadedstraightfortheshowerassoonasshewokeup.Kirowastakingheroutonalunchdate
andsosheneededtolookherbest.Aftertakingashower,shewrappedatowelaroundherself.Shestood
in front of her closet pulling out different outfits. She really didn’t know what to wear. It would have
helpedifsheknewwhereKirowastakingher.
Eventually Emma wore a white knee-length dress with thin straps and a flower pattern. She wore the
dresswithwedgesandals.Shebrushedherhairandleftitdown.Shetookasmallwhitebagandputher
phone,housekeysandpeppermintsinsideit.Sheheadedoutofherbedroomandrusheddownstairs.
“Is that what you are wearing to your date?” Cynthia asked her as she walked into the kitchen. Emma
lookedatherdress.
“What’swrongwithit?”sheasked.
“It’splain.”
“Ithoughtitwasokay.Ididn’twanttooverdress.”
Theirmotherwalkedintothekitchen.ShelookedatEmmafromheadtotoe.“Youlooknice,whereare
yougoing?”sheasked.
“Thankyou,”Emmareplied.
“Shehasadatewitharichman,”saidCynthia.TheirmotherlookedatEmmawithaquestioninggaze.
“Shewaspartofanauctionatthecharitygalalastnight.Somerichmanbidtowinadatewithher,”Mia
explained.
“Thatsoundsexciting,”saidtheirmother.Emmapouredherselfaglassofjuice.
“Itwasn’texciting.Itwassoawkwardandembarrassing,”shesaid.Theirmothersmiled.
“Whoisthemantakingyououtthen?”
BeforeEmmacouldanswer,thedoorbellrang.Cynthia’sgreyeyeslitup.“Thatmustbehim,”shesaidas
sheranoutofthekitchen.Emmawalkedoutafterher.
“Wait!”shecalledouttoherlittlesister.IfCynthiaspoketothesheikh,shewouldaskaboutamillion
and one questions. She would also say things about Emma to him. Emma didn’t want that. It would
definitelymakethingsawkwardforher.
When Cynthia opened the door, there was a man standing there in a black suit. “Hello sir,” Cynthia
greetedhim.
“Goodafternoon,ma’am,”hereplied.EmmarushedtoCynthia’sside.“Thesheikhhassentmetopickup
MissGrey.”
“A sheikh?” Mia called out from the kitchen doorway. Even their mother was standing in the doorway
tryingtoseewhowasatthedoor.
“Thatmakesthingsthatmuchmoreinteresting,”saidCynthia.
“I’llseeyouguyslater.”Emmaheadedoutofthedoor.Shewasbothdisappointedandrelievedthatit
wasn’t the sheikh at the door. Part of her wanted him to pick her up from her house; the way any man
wouldpickuphisdate.Theotherpartofherwasn’treadyforhimtomeethercurioussisters.
Emmafollowedthemantothecar.Heopenedthedoorforher.Shethankedhimbeforeshegotintothe
backseatofthecar.Themanshutthedoorbehindherandthengotintothedriver’sseat.Hestartedthe
car.
They arrived at their destination half an hour later. The driver had taken Emma to an affluent part of
Dallas that she had never been to before. They drove up to a large residence and parked outside the
house.Emmacouldn’ttellifitwasahouseorahotelbecauseofthesizeofthebuilding.
“Whatisthisplace?”Emmaaskedthedriver.
“Thisisthesheikh’shome,”hereplied.Emmagasped.Shewassurprisedathowbigthehousewasand
atthefactthatsheikhhadherbroughttohishome.
Emmagotoutofthecar.Therewasamaidwaitingforherattheentranceofthehouse.“Goodafternoon,
MissGrey.Pleasefollowme,”shesaidtoEmma.
“Sure,”Emmareplied.
Themaidopenedthefrontdoorofthehouseandthenwalkedin.Emmafollowedherintothehouseand
thendownthehall.Theywentintoamassivelivingroomwithhighceilings.Therewasawhitestaircase
to the left side of the entrance. The room was furnished with expensive white sofas with burgundy
cushions. There were glass doors opposite the sofas. Outside the glass doors was a breathtakingly
beautifulgardenwithaneatlycutgreenlawnandlotsofdifferentflowers.
“Thesheikhwillbewithyouinamoment,”themaidsaidtoEmma.“Pleasehaveaseatwhileyouwait.”
“Okay.”Emmatookaseatatthesofas.Shesatonthesofaplayingwithherfingers.Shefeltnervousas
shewaited.
Momentslater,thesheikhwalkeddownthestairs.Hewasdressedinapairofbeigetrousersandablack
poloshirt.Helookedsoconfidentandsorelaxed.Hisclotheshuggedhisstrongmuscles.Hewassuchan
attractivemanandEmmacouldn’tbelievethatshewasgoingtohaveadatewithhim.Sherosetoherfeet.
“Goodafternoon,SheikhBesada,”shegreetedhim.Kirostoodinfrontofherandlookedatherslowly
fromheadtotoe.
Chapter14
Kiro
Kiro said nothing as he stared at Emma. She looked simple but beautiful. When invited to be in his
company,mostwomenworenexttonothing.Theyworerevealingclothingandalotofmakeup.Emmajust
woreasummerydressandnomakeup.Shehadtiedupherlong,wavybrunettehairinaknot.
“Sir?”shesaid.
“Ithoughtwe’dhavelunchinmyhome,”hesaidtoher.Kirowasn’tthatgoodatdates.Hewasn’tthe
romantictypetobuyflowersandtakeawomantoafancyrestaurant.
“Ithinkthat’snice.”
Kirowalkedovertotheglassdoorsandslidthemopen.“Come,”hesaidtoEmma.Shefollowedhim
outside.Therewasatableinthegarden.KirowantedtohavelunchwithEmmainthegarden.
“Thisgardenisamazing,”shesaidasshewalkedoutside.
“It is. I like sitting out here because it reminds me of home.” Kiro pulled out a chair for Emma. She
smiledasshesatdown.Hesatinthechairoppositeher.
“Youmustmissyourhome.”
“Everythingiscompletelydifferenthere;theculture,thefoodandthepeople.”
Afewmaidscameoutintothegardenwithtraysoffoodandplates.Theysetthetableandthenserved
KiroandEmmatheirfood.Theypoureddrinksoutforthembeforetheydisappearedbackintothehouse.
“Thisfoodlooksdelicious,”saidEmma.
“Thisistraditionalfoodfrommycountry.Ihopeyoudon’tmind,”saidKiro.
“No,Idon’tmind.Iliketryingoutnewfoods.”Emmapickedupherforkandstartedeating.“Wow,this
ricetastesgood.It’sreallydifferentfromthewaywemakeourrice.”
“IthasArabicspices.Westernwomenaren’tgoodatcooking,”Kiroreplied.Emmastartedlaughing.
“I’magoodcook.”
“Idoubtthat.”
Emma gasped. “Why?” she asked him. Kiro responded with a grunt. She looked at him for a moment
withoutsayinganything.“SheikhBesada,whydidyoubidonme?”sheaskedhim.Kirochewedhismeat
slowlywithoutremovinghiseyesfromhers.Shehadgorgeousbiggreyeyes.
“Iwantedto,”Kiroreplied.Emmaletoutalaugh.
“Whydidyouwantto?”
“Ijustdid.”
“OhmyGod.”Emmalaughedagain.“Boy,itishardtogetanythingoutofyou.Sir,couldyoupleasegive
moredetails.”
“Youarecurious,”hesaidplainly.
“OfcourseIamcurious.Iwasprettyconvincedthatnoonewasgoingtobidonmeandthenyoudid.You
actually paid $20,000. That’s a lot of money. Of course I would be curious as to why you would be
willing to spend that much money to go on a date with me, even if it was for charity,” she said. Kiro
raisedhiseyebrows.Hewouldsayonethingandshewouldgivehimathousand-wordanswer.
“Whywouldnoonebidonyou?”heasked.
“What?”
“Yousaidthatyouwereconvincedthatnoonewouldbidonyou.”
“Idon’tknow.”Emmatookasipofherdrink.“Ijustdon’tstandoutoranything.”
“Youdostandout.”
Emmaraisedhereyebrows.“Ido?”sheasked.Ofcourseshestoodout.Shehadlookedsobeautifulat
thegala.Kirowassurprisedthatshewasn’tawareofjusthowbeautifulshewas.
“Iguessyoudon’townamirror,”hesaidwithacheekysmirk.Emmarolledhereyesbeforesheburst
intolaughter.
“Thesheikhhasasenseofhumor,”shesaid.
“WhatmadeyouthinkthatIdon’t?”
“Youdon’ttalkmuch.It’sverydifficultformetoknowwhatyouarethinking.”
“Youwishtoknowmythoughts?”
“Iwishtohaveaconversationwithyouthatdoesn’tinvolvemebeingtheonlypersontalking.”
“Youtalkalot.Soitcan’tbehelped.”
Emmasighed.“Idon’ttalkthatmuch,”shemumbled.Shecutapieceofmeatandateit.Kirosmiledto
himself.Shewasadorable.
“Itakeitthatyoudon’thavealover,”hesaid.Emmalookedupfromherplatewithhereyeswidened.
Sheplacedherhandoverhermouthandstartedlaughing.“Whatisamusing?”Kiroaskedher.
“The word lover,” she said and started laughing again. “It’s such an odd word. A lover sounds like
someoneyoujustsleepwith.”
“I’llrephrase.Areyouinarelationshipwithaman?”
“Nosheikh,Iamnot.Areyou?”
“I’mnotinterestedinmen.”
“Imean,areyouinarelationshipwithawoman?”
“No.”
“Whynot?”sheasked.Shelookedsurprised.
“Whyaren’tyouinarelationship?”heaskedher.
“Thisisdifferent.Youareahandsome,intelligentandrichsheikh.Idon’tthinkyouwouldhaveproblems
finding a girlfriend,” she explained. Kiro raised his eyebrows slightly. So that was what she thought of
him;handsomeandintelligent.
“Idon’thaveproblems,”hereplied.
“Howcomeyou’renotmarried?”
“ShouldIbe?”
“You’realreadythirtyandacrownprince.I’msureyouareexpectedtobehavinganheirsoon.”
Shewasverymuchcorrect.Hewasexpectedtohaveanheir.“Mymotherisworkingonthat,”hesaid.
“Workingonwhat?”sheasked.
“Sheislookingforawifeforme.”
“Anarrangedmarriage?”Emmalookedsurprised.KirostartedtellingEmmaallabouthismotherandher
wishforhimtobemarried.Hefoundhimselftellingheralotmoreinformationthansheneededtoknow.
Itwasoddlyeasytospeaktoher.Herresponseswereveryanimated.Shewasveryfunandeasytotalk
to.
Aftertheywerefinishedeating,theywentforawalkinKiro’sbackyard.Hisyardwasquitemassiveand
stretchedformiles.Emmatalkedtohimaboutherfamilyandhertown.Kirofoundhimselfgettingcurious
aboutherlife.Hereallywantedtoknowmoreabouther.
Ontheirwaybacktothehouse,itstartedraining.“Ohno!”Emmacriedout.
“Let’shurrybacktothehouse,”KirosaidtoEmma.
“Wait.” Emma took her shoes off and held them by the straps in her left hand. She grabbed Kiro’s left
hand with her right and started running back towards the house. Kiro was surprised but he didn’t pull
away.Hejustheldherhandtightlyandranbacktothehousewithher.
Emmagiggledasshewipedherfeetonthematattheentranceofthelivingroom.Kiroslidthedoorsshut
behindthem.
“Ididn’tthinkitwasgoingtoraintoday,”shesaidtohim.Sheranherhandthroughherwethair.
“You’rewet,”hesaidtoher.
“Soareyou.”
“Weneedtogetyouchanged.Ican’tletyousitaroundinwetclothes.”
“Youhappentohavefemaleclothesstashedsomewhere?”
“No,butyoucanwearmine.”
Chapter15
Emma
EmmafollowedKiroupstairs.Theywalkeddownawidehallwaydecoratedwithpaintings.Themaids
greeted the sheikh and then just stared at Emma as they walked past them. Emma awkwardly smiled at
them.Theywereprobablywonderingwhoshewastothesheikh.
“Comein,”Kirosaidtoherwhentheyhadreachedtheendofthehall.Heopenedthewhitedoorand
thenwalkedintotheroom.Emmafollowedhimintothemassiveroom.
“Is this your bedroom?” she asked him as she looked around. The room had plush cream carpets that
matchedthecreamandgoldcurtains.Thebedwasquitebig;Emmajustwantedtojumponit.Therewere
glassdoorsthatledtoabalcony.
“Yes.”Kirowalkedintohiscloset.
Emmastoodinthemiddleofhisbedroomwithsomanythoughtsrushingthroughherhead.Itwascrazy
thatshewasstandinginthemiddleofSheikhKiroBesada’sbedroom.Itwasnerve-wrackingandexciting
at the same time. She had been interested in getting to know what kind of a man he was, and she was
quicklyfindingout.
Shewassurprisedthathehadopeneduptoherabouthislife.Hehadtoldherabouthismothertryingto
arrangeamarriageforhimandaboutnotwantingtogetmarried.Hehadn’tmetawomanthathethought
hecouldtoleratefortherestofhislife.Emmahadgottentotalktohimaboutherupbringingandhertown.
“Here.”Kirowalkedoutoftheclosetwithatowelandsomeclothes.“Thesemightbeabitloose,but
youcanwearthemuntilyourclotheshavedried.”
“Thankyou.”EmmatooktheclothesfromKiro.
“I’ll get changed in the bathroom. Call out when you’re finished.” With that, Kiro disappeared to the
bathroom. Emma slipped out of her wet clothes and dried herself with Kiro’s towel. She then changed
intohiswhiteT-shirtandgreytracksuit.Hisclotheswerecomfortable.
EmmawenttotakeapeekatKiro’scloset.“Ohwow,”Emmawhisperedasshewalkedintothecloset.
His clothes were arranged according to color. Everything had its own section. Shirts, blazers, trousers,
shoes, T-shirts and ties were separated. He was quite organized. Emma walked out of his closet and
returnedtohisbedroom.
“What do I do with the wet clothes?” she called out. Kiro walked out of the bathroom dressed in a
tracksuitandT-shirt.
“I’llhavethemaidswashanddrythem,”hereplied.Kirowalkedtothedoorandopenedit.Hecalled
foramaid,andoneappearedmomentslater.Shetookthewetclothesanddisappeared.
EmmaandKirowentdownstairstothelivingroom.Theysatonthesofasdrinkinghotteaastheywaited
forEmma’sdresstodryandfortheraintostop.
“Howistheinvestigationgoing?”EmmaaskedKiro.
“Thedetectiveshaven’tfoundasuspectyet,”hereplied.
“Theydidn’tfindanyforensicevidenceinthevan?”
“No.”
“Oh, that’s not good.” Emma shrugged her shoulders. “Do you have any idea who would try to harm
you?”
“Iimaginethatthereareplentyofpeoplethatwouldwanttoharmme.”
EmmalookedatKirowithsympathy-filledeyes.Shecouldn’timaginelivinglifelikethat;knowingthat
someonewouldtrytokillyou.“Itmustbehard,”shesaidtohim.
“What?”heasked.
“Beingacrownprinceandknowingthatpeoplewilltrytokillyou.”
“It’s life.” Kiro shrugged his shoulders. He acted as though it was completely normal but it wasn’t
normal.ItwasscaryandEmmaworriedforhim.
***
“Goodness, it’s already past eight,” Emma said. She had been in the living room talking to Kiro and
didn’tevenrealizethatthetimehadgonebysoquickly.
“I’llhavemydrivertakeyouhome,”Kirosaidtoher.
Emmanodded.“Thankyou,”shesaid.
“Doyouwanttogetchangedbeforeyougo?”heaskedher.
“Ah.” Emma looked at herself. She had forgotten that she was still wearing Kiro’s clothes. “I feel too
lazytochange.I’llbringyourclothestomorrow,”sheadded.Kirosmiledandnodded.
Heaskedoneofhismaidstofetchhisdriverandtellhimtogetthecarready.Whenitwastimetogo,
KiroescortedEmmatothecar.Heopenedthedoorforher.
“Thankyou,”Emmasaidasshegotintothecar.Kironoddedandthenshutthedoor.
Thedriverdroveoff.EmmasatinthebackseatthinkingaboutherdaywithKiro.Shehadgonetohim
thinkingthattheywerejustgoingtoshareameal.Insteadtheyhadspenthourstogetherandsharedstories
abouttheirlives.Emmastillhadn’tgottentheanswertoherquestion.Kirostillhadn’ttoldherwhyhe
hadbidonher.
Emma arrived home half an hour later. She thanked the driver as she hopped out of the car and then
headedintoherhouse.
“Madison,whatareyoudoinghere?”shesaidasshewalkedintothelivingroom.MiaandCynthiaboth
crossedtheireyebrowsatEmma.
“Thoseweren’ttheclothesyouwerewearingwhenyouleft,”Miapointedout.
“Icametoseeyouofcourse,”saidMadison.“Igothereafewminutesago.”
“Arethosethesheikh’sclothes?”theirmotheraskedwithasuspiciouslook.Emmanodded.
“What?”MiaandCynthiaspatoutinunison.
“Whichsheikh?”MadisonaskedasshelookedatEmmafromheadtotoe.
“Wewerewalkingoutsidewhenitstartedraining.Soheletmeborrowhisclothes,”Emmaexplained.
“Thatbetterbeall,”saidhermother.
“Itis,Iswear,”saidEmma.
“This is Emma we are talking about. She is a goody two-shoes. I bet there wasn’t even a kiss,” said
Cynthia.Emmaraisedhereyebrows.
“Fromthethingsyousay,Iforgetthatyouarefourteenyearsold.”Emmashookherhead.“I’mgoingup
tomyroom;Madison,comewithme.”
MadisonrosetoherfeetandfollowedEmmauptoherroom.Madisonshutthedoorandthensatdownon
Emma’sbed.
“Tell me everything,” she said. Emma sighed as she sat down on the bed. She told Madison how the
sheikhhadinvitedhertothecharitygalaandthenbidonher.“SoKiroisthemanthatyouspentyourday
withtoday?”saidMadison.
“Yes,”Emmareplied.
“Thosearehisclothes?”MadisonpointedattheclothesEmmawaswearing.
“Yes.”
“YouhaveworkedatBesadaOilsfortwoweeks,andinthattimeyousavedhislife,heboughtyouacar,
hebid$20,000togoonadatewithyouandthenhegaveyouhisclothes,”saidMadison.
“Yes,prettymuch.”Emmashruggedhershoulders.
“Somuchhashappenedinsuchashorttime.”
“Tellmeaboutit.”
“Soundslikesfate.”
Emmaburstintolaughter.“Whatfate?”sheasked.
“YouandKiroarefatedtobetogether.”
Chapter16
Emma
EmmawasalittlebitsaddenedbythefactthatKirodidn’tcometowork.Daniahade-mailedEmmato
tellherthatsheandthesheikhweregoingtobeoutoftownforafewdaysforbusiness.Emmahadbeen
looking forward to seeing him. She was going to use the excuse of returning his clothes to get an
opportunitytospeakwithhim.Sadlyhewasn’tatworkandsoEmma’splanhadtowaitafewdays.
TheweekprogressedratherslowlyforEmma.Shewenttoworkanddidherjob.Shejustsatatherdesk
takingcalls,replyingtoe-mails,greetingemployeesandguests.WorkseemedratherdullwithoutKiro.
Notseeinghimforthatweekmadeherrealizethatshelikedseeinghim,evenifitwasforafewseconds.
OnSaturdaymorning,Emmawassittingatthekitchentablehavinghercerealwhenhermothercameinto
theroomwithasmileonherface.
“Whyareyousohappy?”Emmaaskedhermother.
“Igotajob,”shereplied.Emmadroppedherspoonintoherbowl.
“Youdid?”
“Yes.”
Emmajumpedupandthrewherarmsaroundhermother.Sheknewhowbadlyhermotherwantedanew
job.Shehadbeensostressedaboutit.
“I’msohappyforyou,”Emmasaidtohermother.
“Metoo,”shereplied.Emmaheldhermother’shandsinhers.“Iwillbeworkingasabookkeeperata
smalllawfirm.”
Emmasmiledandnodded.“I’mproudofyou,”shesaid.Hermotherrubbedherback.
“Areyougoingout?”sheasked.Emmanodded.
“I’mgoingtothemallwithMadison.”
“Okay.Don’tbehometoolate.”
Emmanoddedasshesatdown.Shefinishedhercerealandthenwentupstairstogetready.Sheslipped
intoagreyplaysuitandsandals.Shegrabbedthecarkeyfromherdressingtable.Shelookedatitfora
moment. She was actually driving an expensive car that Kiro had bought for her. She felt odd about
drivingit.Shewasn’tusedtoreceivinganythingexpensive,andsoshewasn’tsurehowtofeelaboutit.
EmmaarrivedatthemallwhereshewasmeetingMadisonfifteenminuteslater.Sheparkedhercarand
thenwaitedforherfriend.Madisonarrivedmomentslater.
“Checkyouout,”shesaidasshegotoutofhercar.
“What?”Emmaasked.
“Youlookniceandthecarsuitsyou.”
“Istillfeelweirdaboutdrivingthiscar.”
Madisonrolledhereyes.“Thereisnothingwrongabouttakingit.Youacceptingitfromhimdoesn’tmake
youagold-digger,”shesaid.Emmashruggedhershoulders.
“Iguessyouareright,”shesaid.“I’mjustnotusedtoit.I’vehadtoworkforeverything.Nothingwas
everfreelygiventome.”Emmahadalwaysworkedhardforeverythingshehad.Wheneverhermother
wanted to spend money on her, she would refuse. She preferred that her mother spend more on her
youngersisters.Astheeldestchild,Emmafeltthatitwasherdutytolookafterhersistersandhelpher
mother.Shehadevenworkedhardtogetascholarshipjustsohermotherdidn’thavetopayhertuition.
Madison linked her arm into Emma’s. “I understand but look at it this way; you didn’t ask for it. Kiro
wantedtobuyitforyouandit’snotabigdealforhim.
Sodon’tmakeabigdealoutofit,”shesaid.
“Hehasn’tcometoworkallweek,”Emmasaidastheystartedwalking.
“Youmusthavebeendisappointed.”
“What?No,Iwasn’t.”
“Youknowyouwerelookingforwardtoseeinghimafteryourhotdate.”
“Itwasjustanormaldate.”
“Soyoudon’tdenythefactthatyouwerelookingforwardtoseeinghim.”
Emma laughed guiltily. “I’m curious as to how things are going to be. It’s a little awkward,” she said.
Madisonlaughed.
“No,you’realittleawkward;especiallywhenitcomestomen,”Madisonretorted.Emmalaughed.She
couldn’tevensayanythingbecauseMadisonwasright.Emmawasquiteawkwardwhenitcametomen.
Sheneverknewwhattherightthingtosayordowas.
Theywalkedthroughthemallandwentintodifferentshops.EmmaboughtonepairofshoesforCynthia
andoneforMia.Sheboughtanewbagforhermother.Shewantedhertostarthernewjobwithanew
bag.
EmmaandMadisondecidedtohavelunchataLebaneserestaurant.Thetwoofthemhaddinedatmany
restaurantsatthemallbuttheyhadn’tdinedattheLebaneserestaurant.Madisonsaidthatshewaskeento
tryit.Emmaagreedbecauseshewasalwaysinterestedintryingoutnewfoods.Shehadrecentlytriedout
foodfromElSourialatKiro’shouse.Shehadlovedit.Thefoodhadbeenabsolutelyamazing.Thewaiter
showedthemtotheirtableandgavethemtheirmenus.
Thewaiterreturnedmomentslater.“Areyouladiesreadytoorder?”thewaiteraskedthem.
“Yes.”Emmalookedupfromhermenu.Justasshewasabouttoorderherfood,shenoticedahandsome
darkmanattheoppositetablewithanotherman.Emmagaspedandhidbehindhermenu.
“Whatisit?”Madisonaskedher.
“It’sKiro,”shewhispered.
“What?”Madisonturnedaroundandstartedsearchingtheroom.
“Welldon’tturn!”
“Whynot?Whyareyouhiding?”
“Idon’tknow.Thatwasjustmyfirstreaction,”shereplied.Madison’sjawhungopenasshestaredat
Emmawithanarrowedgaze.Emmalookedattheamusedwaiter.Shesmiledathim.“Sorryaboutthat,”
shesaid.
“Noworries,”hereplied.
“I’llhavepitabreadforstarters.Forthemaincourse,I’llhavericeandlamb,”shesaid.Henoddedas
hewroteherorderdownonhisnotepad.HelookedatMadison.
“I’lljusthavethesameplease,”shesaid.Thewaiternoddedbeforehewalkedoff.Emmatuckedherhair
behindherear.ShehadwantedtoseeKiroandnowshewasinthesamerestaurantwithhim.Shewasn’t
surewhattodo.
“Thisissoawkward,”saidEmma.
“Gooverandsayhitohim,”Madisonsuggested.Emmagiggled.
“No.”
“Whynot?”
“He’swithsomeoneandit’sawkward.”
“Soyouaregoingtositthereandpretendnottoseehim?”
“Yup,basically.”
Madison burst into laughter. “You are ridiculous,” she said. She turned around and looked at Kiro.
“SheikhBesada,”shecalled.Emma’seyesflewwideopen.Kirolookedup.Heraisedhiseyebrows.
“Ican’tbelieveyoujustdidthat,”Emmawhispered.Themanhewassittingwithturnedaround.Itwas
Raphael.Heimmediatelysmiled.Emmaawkwardlywavedatthem.
“Emma!Comejoinuswithyourfriend,”saidRaphael.
“We’re—”EmmawasjustabouttorefusewhenMadisoncutheroff.
“Yes,wewouldlikethat,”shesaid.ShelookedatEmma.“He’ssohandsome,”shewhisperedbeforeshe
grabbed her shopping bags and rose to her feet. She didn’t even give Emma the opportunity to say
anything.Shejustgotupandheadedovertotheirtable.Raphaelaskedoneofthewaiterstoaddchairsto
theirtable.
EmmareluctantlypickeduphershoppingbagsandfollowedMadison.Kiroleanedbackinhischairand
watchedEmmaasshewalkedovertotheirtable.Hisgazemadehernervous.
“Good afternoon, Sheikh Besada,” she said as she sat down. She turned to face Raphael. “Good
afternoon,sir,”shesaidtohim.
“PleasecallmeRaphael,”saidRaphaelwithasmile.
“Okay.”Emmanodded.
“HelloEmma,”Kirogreetedher.Hisvoicewassmoothandalluring.Emma’sinsidesmeltedlikebutter
on a hot pan when she heard her name on his lips. He gave her a small smile that made her heart beat
fasterthannormal.
“Hi.”Emma’svoicecameouthigh-pitched.Madisonplacedherhandoverhermouthtostopherselffrom
laughing.Emmaclearedherthroat.“Didyouhaveagoodtrip?”sheaskedhim.Thistimesheputsome
bassinhervoice.
“It was fine,” he replied. He kept his dark gaze on her. Emma stared back at him. It suddenly felt like
therewasnooneelseintheroom.Sheshylysmiledandtuckedalockofhairbehindherear.
Raphaelclearedhisthroat.“I’mRaphael,”hesaidtoMadisonassheextendedherhandforahandshake.
“I’mMadison,Emma’sbestfriend,”shesaidassheshookhishand.
“Oh,I’msorry.”Emmaburstintolaughter.“I’mawfulatintroductions,”sheadded.Raphaellaughedwith
her.Madisonsmiledandshookherhead.ShetooknewthatEmmawashorriblewithintroductions.The
waiterbroughttheirfoodanddrinks.
“SoyouareEmma’sboss,”MadisonsaidtoKiro.
“Iam,”hereplied.
“Sheturnedaroundandcalledoutyournameasifsheknewyou,”saidRaphael.
“ItmeansEmmawastalkingaboutme,”saidKiro.Emma’seyeswidened.
“Sheonlypointedyouout,”saidMadison.
“Doesshetalkaboutmeoften?”
“No,”Emmareplied.
“Ihopeyouspeakhighlyofme,”saidKiro.
“Hmm.” Madison gave Kiro a cheeky grin. Emma shook her head and looked away. Madison seemed
determinedtoseeEmmameltinKiro’spresence.
Thefourofthemtalkedwhiletheyate.EmmacaughtKirolookingatheronmanyoccasions.Itmadeher
incredibly shy. She had to resist the urge to giggle. Madison also caught Kiro looking at Emma a few
times.ShewouldwigglehereyebrowsorwinkatEmma.ItmadeEmmafeelawkward.
After they finished eating, Kiro paid the bill. Madison smiled and nodded at Emma. She was clearly
impressedbyhim.
“Thankyouforthelunch,”EmmasaidtoKiro.
“Yes,thankyousomuch.Thatwasverygentlemanlyofyou,”saidMadison.KirotouchedEmma’slower
back. She inhaled sharply. His touch was so unexpected. He moved closer to her and kissed her cheek
lightly.
“I’llsendadriverforyoutomorrow,”hesaidtoher.
Chapter17
Kiro
KirowaitedforEmmaoutsidehisprivatejet.Raphaelhadtoldhimthathewascluelessaboutwomen
becausehisdatewithEmmahadbeeninhishome.KirothoughtthatitwasfinebutRaphaelinsistedthatit
hadbeenalameidea.SoKirodecidedtotakeEmmaonanotherdate,especiallysincehehadn’tseenher
fortheentireweek.
Emmaarrivedmomentslater.Shegotoutofthecar.Herfaceimmediatelylitupwhenshesawhim.She
waswearingblackhigh-waistedtrousers,ablackthin-strappedtopandbrownflatsandals.Herhairwas
tiedupinahighponytail.Sheworeplainclothingbutshelookednice.Kirolikedthefactthatshedidn’t
trytoohardtoimpresshim.
“Goodmorning,”Emmasaidassheapproachedhim.
“Hello,”Kiroreplied.“Let’sgo.”Emmafollowedhimupthestairsandintothejet.Emmagasped.
“I’veneverbeenonaprivatejetbefore,”shesaid.
Theysatatthebeigeleathersofasandbuckledtheirseatbelts.KirosatintheseatoppositeEmmasothat
hecouldlookatherface.Helikedseeinghowanimatedshewasinconversation.Shewassoadorable.
“Wherearewegoing?”EmmaaskedKiromomentsaftertheytookoff.
“Mexico,”hereplied.Emma’seyeswidened.
“Mexico?”shespatout.
“Yes.”
Sheblinkedacoupleoftimesbeforeshesaidanything.“YouaretakingmetoMexicorightnow?”she
askedhim.
“Yes,”Kirorepliedplainly.
“Ohmygoodness.Howlongdoesiteventaketogetthere?”
“Alittleovertwohours,”hereplied.
“Oh,Ithoughtitwouldtakelonger.”Emmasatcomfortablyinherseatandlookedathim.“Wheredid
yougothisweek?”
“Morocco.”
Emmaraisedhereyes.“YouhavebusinessinMorocco?”sheasked.Kironodded.BesadaOilssupplied
oil for a few countries. Morocco was among those countries. Kiro talked to Emma about his trip to
Morocco.
Theflightattendantbroughtthemdrinks.KiroandEmmatalkedastheydrank.OfcourseEmmadidmost
ofthetalking.Shewasaverytalkativewoman.However,Kirodidnotmindit.Helikedlisteningtoher
and learning about her life. It was insane how different they were. She and he had such different
upbringings.Therewerehugeculturaldifferencesbetweenthem.
The jet landed at a private airstrip in Mexico around noon. There was a car already waiting for them.
ThedrivergreetedKirowithabowandthenopenedthedoorforhim.KiroletEmmagetintothecarfirst,
andthenhegotinandsatnexttoher.ThedrivershutthedoorbehindKiroandthengotintothedriver’s
seat.
Astheydrovethroughthecity,KirocouldseeEmma’sexcitementwhileshestaredoutofthewindow.
Shewasgaspingandsmiling.Herexcitementmadehimfeelexcited.HehadbeentoMexicomanytimes
buthehadneverbeenasexcitedasshewas.Shepointedthingsoutthathehadnevernoticedorcared
about.Shelookedatthingsfromadifferentperspective.
They arrived at the hotel a little while later. They were greeted by hotel staff with large sombreros.
Emmatookthesombrerowithabigsmileonherfaceandimmediatelyputiton.Kirorefusedtowearhis.
Hethoughtitwasaridiculousidea.EmmatookitfromthehotelstaffandputitonKiro.
“Emma,”hesaid.
“Itsuitsyou,”shesaidwithagiggle.Shetookherphoneoutofherbagandtookapictureofhim.She
stoodnexttohimandtookaphotoofthebothofthemintheirhats.TheoddthingwasthatKirodidn’tlike
thehat,andhenormallydidn’ttakephotoswithjustanyone.Heonlyletpeopletakephotographsofhimat
eventsandpublicappearances.However,heletEmmaputthehatonhimandtakeapictureofhim.
“You’ve had your fun,” Kiro said as he took his hat off and handed it to a hotel staff member. Emma
giggledassheputherphonebackinherbag.
***
Emma
AhotelstaffmemberescortedEmmaandKirointothehotel.Theyheadedintotheelevatorandwentup
to the rooftop. They were escorted to a table overlooking a breathtaking view. Emma just took in the
beautiful view. The sky was clear, the sun was warm, she had a handsome date; everything was just
perfect.
TheywereservedwitharangeofMexicanfoods.Everythinglookedsoappetizing;Emmacouldn’twait
totasteit.
“How’syourmother’ssearchforyourbride?”Emmaaskedasshepickedupherfork.Kirolookedather
withaneyebrowraised.
“You’reworriedthatshewillfindsomeoneformesosoon?”heaskedher.
“What?”Emmaburstintolaughter.“I’mnotworried.”Shewasdefinitelyworried.Shehadonlyknown
Kiroforalmostamonthbutshewasstartingtodevelopfeelingsforhim.Shedidn’twanttobecauseshe
didn’tthinkthathehadfeelingsforher.HewasthecrownprinceofElSourial.Hecouldhaveanywoman
thathewantedandEmmaknewthatitwouldn’tbeher.
“I’lleaseyourworries.Shehasn’tfoundanyoneyet,”Kiroreplied.
“I’mnotworried.”Emmastartedeating.Kirojuststudiedherforamoment.
“Sheisstilllookingthough.Mymotherisrelentless.”
“This food tastes good.” Emma closed her eyes and chewed slowly as she savored the taste. She had
eatenMexicanfoodbeforebutithadn’ttastedthatgood.ItwasdifferenteatingMexicanfoodinMexico.
Kirostartedlaughing.“Youaredefinitelyenjoyingit,”hesaid.Emmaswallowedwithasmile.
“Doyouhaveanysiblings?”sheasked.
“No.”
“Aww,youmustbelonely.”
“WhywouldIbelonely?”
“Ican’timaginelifewithoutmysisters.Theymaybenoisyandenjoymakingfunofme,butitwouldbe
lonelyformeifIdidn’thavethem,”shesaid.Kirotookasipofhisdrink.
“Iamusedtoit.Idon’tknowwhatlifewouldbelikewithsiblings,”hereplied.“However,Idohave
Raphaelandhisyoungersister.Thetwoofthemhavebeenlikesiblingstome.”
“Thatisamazingthattheyarethatclosetoyou.Iimagineitisdifficultforyoutofindgenuinepeople,”
saidEmma.
“It’sverydifficult.Atleast95%ofpeoplethatcomeintomylifearelookingtogainsomething.There
aren’tmanypeoplethatIcantrust.”
“That’ssad.”
“Notreally,Iamusedtoit.”
Emmaofferedasympatheticsmile.Shecouldn’timaginelivingalifethatinvolvedopportunists,gold-
diggersandassassins.Kirolivedatoughlife.Emmachangedthetopicandtalkedaboutsomethinglighter.
She liked talking to Kiro. Even though he wasn’t much of a talker, he kept his gaze on her. He paid
attentiontoherandlistenedtoher.
After their delicious lunch, Emma and Kiro went for a walk. Then they drove through the city and
admired the beautiful views. It was something so simple but so fun for Emma. She excitedly pointed
thingsoutandtookphotoswithherphone.
“Youaresoanimated.Itisamusingtowatch,”KirosaidtoEmma.Shesmiledandlookedathim.
“YouthinkI’manimated?”sheasked.
“Among other things.” Kiro stared at Emma with an intense gaze that made her stomach knot up. She
shylytuckedalockofhairbehindherear.
“Whatotherthings?”sheaskedhim.Kirosnakedhisarmaroundherandpulledherclosertohim.Emma
gaspedasherchestlandedagainsthis.Shestaredathimwithhereyeswidened.
“Youhavegorgeouseyes,”Kirocomplimented.Itwasthefirsttimethathehadcomplimentedher.Itfelt
goodhearinghiswordsespeciallysincehehadsuchanalluringmanlyvoice.
“DoI?”Emmaasked.Shewassoshy.Shedidn’tknowwhattosayordo.Shehadneverbeenthatclose
tohim.Shecouldfeelhisrock-hardchestandshecouldsmellhismanlyscent.Kiroranhishandthrough
herhairandsearchedhergreyeyes.Hegroanedinresponse.
KiropulledEmmaevenclosertohim.Hepressedhislipsagainsthers.Hepulledawayforasecondand
justcaressedherjawwiththisthumb.Hekissedheragain.Thistimethekisswaslonger.Hekissedso
slowlyandgently.Emmaheldontohisstrongarmsandlethimkissher.
Thecarsuddenlycametoahaltatatrafficlight.KiroandEmmastoppedkissing.ThedriveraskedKiro
wherehewantedtogonext.EmmapulledherselfawayfromKiro.Shetuckedherhairbehindherearand
lookedaway.Nomanhadeverkissedherlikethatbefore.Herbodywasonfirebecauseofthatkiss.She
wanted to kiss him more but she didn’t have the guts to initiate another kiss. She smiled to herself and
hopedthatKirowouldkissheragainsoon.
Chapter18
Emma
Emma’smotherwalkedintoherbedroomasEmmawaspackinghersuitcase.ShesatdownonEmma’s
bed.“Howlongwillyoubegonefor?”sheaskedher.
“IwillbeinElSourialforacoupleofdays,”Emmareplied.ShewasflyingouttoElSourialwithKiro.
Shehadfinishedherclassesat1p.m.asshealwaysdidonFridays,andthenshehadrushedhometostart
packing.ShewasgoingtobeinElSourialuntilTuesday.Shecouldn’tstaytherefortoolongbecauseof
herclasses.KirohadinvitedhertoflyouttoElSourialwithhimbecausehehadsentDaniaonbusiness
toKuwait.
It had been two weeks since she had been to Mexico with Kiro. In the past week, they had spent time
togetheroutsidetheoffice.Emmahadbeentohishousefordinner.SheandKirowoulddinetogetherand
sitinthelivingroomandjusttalk.Everythinghadbeengreatexceptthefactthathehadn’tkissedher.He
oftenteasedherorkissedhercheekbutnotherlips.Emmawasstartingtogetimpatient.Shewasn’tsure
whatkindofrelationshiptheyhad.Shewantedtoknowiftheywereofficiallydatingbutiftheywerewhy
hadhenotkissedhersinceMexico?
“Whyisthesheikhtakingyoualong?”hermotherasked.
“I’m covering for his secretary. She’s in Kuwait,” Emma replied. She dumped a pair of shoes in her
suitcase.Hermotherraisedhereyebrows.
“Youhaven’tbeenworkingforhimforthatlong.I’msurethereissomeonemoreexperiencedthatcould
gowithhimtoElSourial.”
“That’strue.Iguessit’sanopportunityformetolearnmoreaboutthebusinesstoo.”
“Whatisgoingonbetweenyouandthesheikh?”
“Nothing.”
“Ishethesheikhthatbidonyouatthecharitygala?”Hermothercrossedherarmsoverherchest.Emma
knewthathermotherwasontoherandtherewasnopointinlying.
“Yes,”Emmareplied.
“Soheisthemanthatyouhavebeenspendingtimewith.”
“Yes.”
“Emma.It’snotwisetodateyourboss,”hermotheradvised.
“Wearenotdating,”Emmareplied.Hermotherraisedhereyebrows.Shedidn’tbelieveher.Emmasat
downonthebednexttohermother.“Idon’tknowwhattocallit,”sheadded.
“First tell me everything,” said her mother. Emma told her most of what had been happening between
herselfandKiro.Sheleftoutthepartabouthimalmostgettingkidnapped.Sheknewthatifshetoldher
motheraboutthat,shewouldtrytostopEmmafrombeingaroundKiro.
Emma felt comfortable talking to her mother about Kiro because she had a close relationship with her
mother.Shewasabletotalktoheraboutalmostanything.Hermotherwasveryunderstandingandalways
gavehergoodadvice.
“It’snoteasybeingaroundarichman.Iunderstandthatheisahandsomeprinceandthatheischarming.
However,relationshipslikethatoftenendbadly,”saidhermother.
“Whydoyousayso?”Emmaasked.
“Thereisagoodchanceheiswithotherwomenandthat’swhyhehasn’tfullycommittedtoyou.Thereis
alsoagoodchancethathewillgetmarriedsoon.Ijustdon’twantyoutogethurt.”
Emmanodded.Hermothermadesense.Emmaunderstoodhermother’spointandwasalreadyworried
becauseshewasn’tsurewhereshestoodwithKiro.However,shewasn’treadytojustgiveup.Hewas
anamazingmanandshefeltthathewasworthit.
“Ireallylikehim,”Emmaadmitted.Itwasthefirsttimeshehadsaidthatoutloud.Hermothertookher
handsintohers.
“Iwon’ttellyouwhattodo.You’reabiggirl.Soyoudecidewhatyouwanttodobutjustbecareful,”
hermothersaidtohergently.
“Iwill.”
Emmafinishedpackinghersuitcaseandthenheadeddownstairs.Shegavehersisterssomepocketmoney
to spend while she was gone. She wasn’t staying away for long but she had never been away from her
sistersformorethantwodays.HerfamilyescortedheroutsidewhenKiro’sdriverarrivedandbidher
farewell.
KirowaswaitingforEmmaoutsidehisprivatejetwhenshearrived.Shefeltexcitedabouthavingthe
opportunitytogotoElSourial.ShewantedtoseethecountrythatKirowasfrom.Shewasalsoexcited
aboutspendingtimewithhim.ShewasgratefultoDaniaforbeingoutoftown.
Emma and Kiro walked up the stairs and got into the jet. Emma sat in the seat next to Kiro. She felt
excitingaboutbeinginaprivatejetagain.Shedidn’thavetowaitatalonglineintheairportonlytofly
economywithacryingbabysomewhere.Everythingfeltlikeadream.Theytookoffmomentslater.
“HowlongdoesittaketogettoElSourial?”EmmaaskedKirooncetheywereintheair.
“Tenhours,”hereplied.Emmawhippedherheadinhisdirection.
“Thatisalongflight.”
“Itisindeed.”
Emmasankinherchairandfoldedherarmsoverherchest.Kirotookouthistablet.Emmadecidedto
readanovel.Itwasgoingtobealongflight.Shedefinitelyneededtodosomethingtokeepherselfbusy.
As she was reading, Emma found it hard to concentrate. There was a question that she needed to ask
Kiro.“Whyme?”shesaid.
“What?”Kirorepliedwithoutlookingupfromhistablet.
“Whydidyoutakemealongwithyou?”
“DaniaisinKuwait.”
“Youcouldhaveaskedtheotherreceptionist,”shesaid.Itwouldhavemadebettersenseifhehadasked
thefull-timereceptionist.ShehadbeenworkingforBesadaOilsforafewyears.
“Shehaschildcareproblems,”hereplied.Thatwasn’ttheanswerEmmawashopingtohear.Shewanted
himtosaythathewantedhercompanyorsomethinglikethat.
“Oh,”shereplied.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Emma cleared her throat. “Where are we going to stay? Well, you can stay in the palace.
WherewouldIstay?”
“Inthepalace.”
Emmaraisedhereyebrows.“Inthepalace?”sheasked.
“Ofcourse.That’swhereDaniastaystoowhenshecomesforworkwithme,”hesaid.Emmanarrowed
hergazeathim.Hereallywasn’tsayingtherightthings.Shejustwantedtoknowwhereshestoodinhis
lifeandhowhefeltabouther.
“Isee,”Emmarepliedasshesatupstraight.Shereturnedherattentiontohernovelbutshestillcouldn’t
concentrate.ShelookedatKiroandthenbackathernovel.Shelookedathimagain.
“Whatisit?”heaskedher.
“Huh?Ididn’tsayanything.”
KiroputthetabletdownonthetableandlookedatEmma.Heheldherchinwithhisfingersandturned
herhead.“What’swrong?”heaskedher.Emmawassuddenlyfeelingverynervous.Shewantedtoknow
what she was to him but she was scared of the answer. It didn’t help that he was so close to her and
staringinhereyes.
“Nothing,”shesaidsoftly.
“Whateveritis,youcansayittome.”
Emmatookadeepbreath.“WhatamItoyou?”sheaskedquietly.
Chapter19
Kiro
“Myreceptionist,”herepliedplainly.
“Okay,” she replied. She looked disappointed but she was clearly trying to hide it. Kiro held her chin
againandgentlyturnedherheadtofacehim.Hesearchedhergreyeyes.
“Emma,”hesaidsoftly.
“Yes?”
“Youaremyreceptionist.”
“You’vealreadysaidthat,”shespatout.
“Mytalkative,beautiful,recklessandbravereceptionist.”Kirocontinuedcaressingherjaw.
“YouthinkI’mbeautiful?”EmmalookedintoKiro’seyes.
“I do,” he replied. Kiro understood that when Emma asked him what she was to him, she was asking
abouttheirrelationship.Hehadn’tclaimedherashiswomanortalkedaboutarelationshipwithher.All
thewomenhehadeverbeenwithoftenaskedhimifhehadfeelingsforthem.
However,itwasdifferentwithEmma.Hethoughtshewasadorablewhensheaskedhim.Shewasjustso
shy.Shecouldn’tdirectlyaskhimifhehadfeelingsforher.Itwassocute.Kiropressedhislipsagainst
hersoftlips.HerlipsfeltjustasgoodastheydidwhenhehadkissedherinMexico.
Kiroranhishandthroughhersilky,wavybrunettelocksashekissedher.Herlipsfeltsogood.Hepulled
herclosertohimanddeepenedthekiss.Emmatouchedhisforearmandrespondedtohiskiss.
Kirobrokeoffthekissmomentslater.HelookedatEmma’sface.Sheshylylookeddownandtuckeda
lockofhairbehindherear.Hercheekshadturnedbrightred.“I’veneverhadawomanlikeyou,”hesaid
toher.
“Isthatagoodthing?”sheasked.
“Maybe.”
Emmalookedupandcrossedhereyebrows.“Maybe?”sheasked.Kirogrinnedathercheekily.
“You’reaspecialwomanandsoyouneedtobetreatedwithrespect.”
“Isthatwhyyoudidn’tkissmesinceMexico?”
Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.“YouweredisappointedthatIdidn’tkissyoufortwoweeks?”heasked.He
hadwantedtokissherbutheheldhimselfback.Inthepast,hisrelationshipswithwomenwerestrictly
physical.Hewasneverabletoconnectwiththemonanintellectualoremotionallevel.
“That’snotwhatIsaid,”Emmamumbled.“Ijustthoughtmaybeyouwereregrettingit.”
“Ifyouwantedtokissme,whydidn’tyoudoso?”heaskedher.Emmagiggledandlookedaway.
“It’snotthateasy,”shesaid.
“It’sveryeasy.Mylipsarehereifyouneedthem.”
Emma’scheeksturnedredagain.“Ohgosh,”shesaid.Shepickedupherbookandpretendedtoreadit.
Heknewverywellthatshehadnotreadasinglewordonthatjet.Thefirsttimeshehadtakenitout,she
hadbeenlookingatKiro.Nowshewaspretendingtoreaditbecauseshewasavoidingeyecontactwith
Kiro.Hiswordshadmadehersoshy.
“MyfathersummonedmebacktoElSourial,”hesaidtoher.Emmalookedupathim.
“Didhe?Doesthatmeanyou’reintrouble?”sheaskedhim.Kirolaughedsoftly.
“No.Itdoesn’tmeanthatI’mintrouble.Heprobablyhassomethingimportanttodiscusswithme.”
“Summon,thatwordjustsoundssoserious.”
“I’mnotintrouble.Sodon’tworry.”Kirowinkedather.Emmacurledherupperlip.
“I’mnotworriedaboutyou,”shesaid.Kirolaughedinresponse.
Kiro had always hated the long flights to El Sourial. However, this time was different. He was with
Emma.Shewasverytalkativebutshekepthimentertained.Herenergywascontagious.Hefeltlivelier
whenevershewasaround.
TheyarrivedinElSourialat7a.m.Emmahadfinallyfallenasleepbytheendoftheflight.Kirolooked
atherforamoment.Shewassocutewhensheslept.Hestrokedherfacewiththebackofhishand.
“Emma,”hesaidsoftly.Heleanedclosertoherandkissedherlips.“Wakeup.”
“Hmm.”Emmaslowlyopenedhereyes.
“Wehavearrived.”
“Havewe?”Shesatupandlookedoutofthewindow.KirotookEmma’sarmandhelpedheruptoher
feet. They headed out of the jet. There were three cars waiting for them. They got into the one in the
middle.Thecarinfrontofthemandtheonebehindhadbodyguards.SincehewasthecrownprinceofEl
Sourial, he had to have such heavy security. He didn’t travel with that amount of security in America
because he felt like it attracted more attention to him. When he was in El Sourial, he had no choice
becausehisparentsforceditonhim.
“Wow,it’sonly7a.m.herebutit’salreadyquitewarm,”saidEmma.
“Itgetsquitehotsometimes,”Kiroreplied.Shelookedoutofthewindow.
“Therearepalmtreesinthemiddleofthehighway.Thisplaceisincredible.”
Theyarrivedatthepalacemomentslater.Theydrovethroughthelargewrought-irongates.Theyparked
atthepalacegarage.ThesecurityguardsatthegarageopenedthedoorsforEmmaandKiro.
They headed towards the massive palace. It was a ten-minute walk. The guards bowed to Kiro before
theyopenedthedoorforthem.ThemaidsimmediatelybowedtoKiroashewalkedintothepalace.Emma
gapedatthepalacewithgreygazewidened.KirocalledoneofthemaidsandaskedhertotakeEmmato
oneoftheguestroomsinhiswingandhelphergetsettled.HepartedwayswithEmmaandheadedtothe
king’squarters.
“Thecrownprincehasarrived,”theking’sbutlerannouncedasKirowalkedintohisoffice.Hisfather
wassittingathisdesk.HelookedupasKirowalkedin.Kiroapproachedthedeskandthenbowedtohis
father.
“Goodmorning,Father,”Kirogreetedtheking.
“Sitdown,”thekingdemanded.Kirodidastold.“Whydidyounotinformmeabouttheattemptonyour
life?”hisfatherasked.Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.Sothatwaswhyhisfatherhadsuddenlysummonedhim.
“Theywerenottryingtokillme,”hereplied.
“Theywouldhaveendedyourlifeeventually.Youshouldhavetoldme.”
“Howdidyoufindout?”
“IamthekingofElSourialandyourfather.DidyouthinkthatIwouldnotfindoutaboutsomethinglike
that?”
“You heard from the police,” said Kiro. Of course his father knew someone in the Dallas police
department.Hisfatherwasapowerfulkingandhadalotofconnections.
“IknowthechiefoftheDallaspolicedepartmentverywell,”hereplied.Kironodded.
“Ididn’twanttoworryyouormother.”
Thekingsighedbeforehereplied,“Ihaven’tinformedheryet.”
“Iappreciatethat.Idon’twanthertobeworried.Iwilltakecareofit,”hesaid.Hisfathershookhis
head.
“Ihavetostepin,”saidtheking.
“Youhaveothermatterstoattendto.”
“If someone is threatening my only son’s life, it becomes my priority to find out who is behind such a
recklessattempt.”
Kironodded.“Iunderstand,”hereplied.
“Thisiswhyyourmothersuggestedthatyouhavemorebodyguardswithyou,”saidtheking.
“Iguessshewasright.”
Kirorosetohisfeetandbowedtohisfatherbeforehelefttheroom.Heheadedoutoftheofficeandtook
arightturn.Hewasgoingtohisparents’bedroom.Hewalkedthroughthearcheddoorwayandintothe
seating area outside his parents’ bedroom. There were maids there cleaning the area. They greeted him
withdeepbows.
“Isthequeenawake?”heaskedthem.
“Yes she is, your highness,” one of the maids replied. She knocked on the bedroom door. “The crown
princeisheretoseeyou,”shesaid.
“Mysonishere?”thequeencriedout.Sheburstoutofthebedroommomentslater.“Kiro!”hismother
saidjoyfullybeforeshewrappedherarmsaroundhim.
“Hello,Mother,”hesaidtoher.
“Iamdelightedtoseeyou.”
Kirosmiledather.“Howhaveyoubeen?”heasked.
“Apartfrommissingyou,Ihavebeenwell.”
“Iwilltrytocomehomemoreoften.”
“It’sgoodthatyouarehomethisweekend.IhaveaniceyoungladythatIwouldlikeyoutomeet.Ithink
youwillreallylikeher,”shesaidwithabigsmileonherface.Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.Hefeltweird
aboutmeetingawomanthathismotherintendedforhimtomarrywhenhewasintownwithEmma.
Chapter20
Emma
ThemaidshadtakenEmmatothemostbeautifulbedroomshehadeverseen.Thefloorsweremadeof
whitemarble.Anexpensivechandelierhungfromthehighceiling.Therewasamassivebedwithacream
tufted headboard with cream and royal purple bedding. The room looked like one from an expensive
hotel.
Emma decided to take a shower while she waited for Kiro. She changed into a dress. She had only
packeddressesandskirtsforthetrip.ShehadreadabouttheElSourialianculturebeforecomingover.
Womenweretodressappropriatelyinthepalace;nobody-huggingorrevealingclothing.
Therewasknockonthedoor.“Comein,”Emmacalledout.Kirowalkedintotheroom.Hestoodinfront
ofherandslippedhishandsinhispockets.HelookedatEmmaslowlyfromheadtotoe.
“Youlooknice,”hesaidtoher.
“Thankyou,”Emmarepliedwithasmile.“Howdidthetalkgowithyourfather?”
“Hefoundoutaboutthekidnapping.”
Emmaraisedhereyebrows.“Howdidhefindout?”sheasked.SheknewthatKirohadkeptitasecret
fromhisparents.
“HeknowsthechiefoftheDallaspolice,”hesaid.Emmagasped.
“Ahh.Washeangrythatyoudidn’ttellhim?”
“Hewas.”
“What’sgoingtohappennow?”
“Heisgoingtotrytofindoutwhoisbehindit.”KirosnakedanarmaroundEmmaandpulledhercloser
tohim.Heranhishandthroughherhairandkissedherontheforehead.
“Whatistheplanfortheday?”sheasked.
“ItwasalongjourneyfromDallas.Webothneedtorest.”
“IamabittiredbutI’malsohungry.”
“I’llhaveoneofthemaidsbringyoubreakfast,”hesaidtoher.
“That’llbenice,thankyou,”shereplied.
“Myroomisjustdownthehallifyouneedme.”
KirokissedEmma’slipsbeforeheheadedoutoftheroom.Emmasmiledtoherself.Shelikedbeingin
hisarmsandbeingabletokisshim.Hehadjustheldherandkissedasifthosewerethingsthathedidall
thetime.
Themaidsbroughtherbreakfastabouttwentyminuteslater.ThiswasallnewtoEmma.Shewasn’tused
to flying on a jet with a prince and then getting served by maids. Emma took her phone and called
Madison.
“Hey,”EmmagreetedMadisonwhenshehadansweredthephone.
“HeyEmma.Howwasyourflight?”sheasked.
“Itwasfine.Ittookusovertenhourstogethere.”
“That’salongflight.”
“Tellmeaboutit.”
“Sowhereareyounow?Whatareyoudoing?”
“I’matthepalacerightnowandI’mhavingbreakfast,”Emmareplied.
“Breakfast?Whattimeisittherenow?”Madisonreplied.
“It’sjustafter8a.m.”
“SowhereisKironow?”
“He’sinhisroom.”
“Iwonderhowheisgoingtointroduceyouwhenyoumeethisparents,”saidMadison.Emmaraisedher
eyebrows.Shehadn’tthoughtofthatandnowthatMadisonhadmentionedit,shewasthinkingaboutit.
Obviouslyhisparentsweregoingtoaskhimwhoshewas.
She wondered if Kiro would introduce her as his receptionist or as his girlfriend. Would his parents
accepther?ThatworriedEmmasincesheknewthathismotherwaslookingforawifeforhim.
“IguesshewouldjustsaythatIamhisemployeeandI’mheretoassistwithbusiness,”saidEmma.
“Wouldyoubeokaywiththatkindofintroduction?”Madisonquestioned.Emmasighed.
“Ionlyjusttoldmymomabouthimyesterday.”
“Youdid?Whatdidshesay?”
“Shedidn’tliketheideaofmedatingmybossbutshesaidthatshewon’ttellmewhattodo.Shealso
toldmetolookaftermyselfandbecareful.”
“Onascaleofonetoten,howmuchdoyoulikehim?”
Emmagiggledbeforesheresponded.Themoreshespenttimewithhim,themoreshelikedhim.Shenow
likedhimmorethanshedidthedaybeforebecauseoftheirconversationandflirtingonthejet.Hehad
calledherbeautifulandsaidthatshewasdifferentfromalltheotherwomenthathehadeverbeenwith.
“Iwouldsaysixandahalf,”Emmareplied.
“Liar,”Madisonretorted.Emmaburstintolaughter.
“Okay,seven.”
“Emma,Iknowyouwell.”
“Okay,nine,”Emmaadmitted.“Ireallylikehim.Itriedholdingmyselfbackforsomanyreasonsbutyou
can’tstopyourselffromfallingforsomeone.”
“Youareofficiallyinlove,”Madisonstated.Emmacrossedhereyebrows.Wassheinlove?sheasked
herself.Shedidn’tknowwhatlovefeltlike.Shehadneverbeeninlovewithanyone.
“It’stoosoontobeinlove,”shesaid.
“Lovedoesn’thaveatimeline.It’sdifferentforeveryone.Besides,youandKirohavebeenthroughalot
inthepastfiveweeks.Mostpeopledon’tevengothroughthatinsixmonths.”
“Youarerightandthatmakesmenervous.”
“Why?”
“Whatifhedoesn’tfallinlovewithme?Whatifhismotherfindssomeoneforhimandthenhegoesoff
andgetsmarried?”
Madisonsighed.“Loveisn’teasynorisitstraightforward.Youjusthavetotakearisk.Ifyougiveupon
himnow,youwillhaveregrets,”shesaid.
Emmasighed.SheknewthatMadisonwasright.IfshegaveupanddecidedtomoveonfromKiro,she
wasgoingtoregretit.
***
Kiro
Intheevening,Kiroheadedtothediningroomtohavedinnerwithhisparents.Hefigureditwasthebest
timetoupdatethemonhowthebusinesswasprogressinginDallasandalsotellthemaboutEmma.He
stillwasn’tsurewhatexactlyhewasgoingtosayaboutEmmabutheknewthatheneededtotellthem
abouther.
When Kiro walked into the dining room, he found his parents sitting at the table with an unfamiliar
woman.SheimmediatelyrosetoherfeetwhenshesawKiro.Shebowedherheadtohim.
“ThisisZara.SheisSheikhOmari’seldestdaughter,”saidthequeen.
“Hello,”Kirogreetedherashesatdownatthetable.
“It’snicetomeetyouyourhighness,”ZarasaidtoKiro.Shewastallandhadaslenderfigure.Shewas
quitebeautiful.Sheworearoyalpurpledressandnojewelry.Shewasquitepoised.Hecouldseewhy
hismotherwantedherforhim.
“Since you don’t come home often, I figured that it was imperative that Zara met you today,” said his
mother.Kirowasn’tpleased.HehadcometodinnerwiththeaimofdiscussingEmmaandnowitseemed
likehewasnotgoingtobeabletodothat.
“Isee,”saidKiro.
“HermajestytoldmethatyouarelivingandworkinginDallas.Whatisitlikeoverthere?”Zarasaidto
him.
“It’sfine,”Kiroreplied.
“Forgive my son; he has never been much of a talker. He takes after his father,” the queen said with a
smile.Zarareturnedhersmileandnodded.
Asdinnerprogressed,Kirodidn’tspeakmuch.Zaraprobablythoughtthathewasrudebutthat’showhe
was. He was not much of a talker. He also didn’t want to speak to her. Her conversation wasn’t
interesting.Shewasn’tasanimatedandintriguingasEmma.
Kirohadn’tbeentoosureabouthisfeelingsforEmmaorhowhewasgoingtobringheruptohisparents.
However,afterthatdinneritwasprettycleartohim.Ifhewasgoingtogetmarried,hewasgoingtodoit
on his terms. It had to be with someone that he could have a great conversation with. It had to be with
someonethatwasashumble,fearless,intriguingandamusingasEmmawas.
Allthewomenthathismotherhadeverintroducedhimtoweretooprimandproper.Theywereboring
andeasytoforget.WhenEmmaandKirogotcaughtupintherain,shetookhershoesoffandrantothe
housebarefoot.Heneverforgothowshetookhishandandjustran.Haditbeenoneofthosewomenhis
mother brought his way, they would have never taken their shoes off. And they definitely would have
complainedaboutgettingwet.Emmarespondedtotherainwithgiggles.
“Kiro,”thequeenbreathed.
“Yes,Mother,”hereplied.
“Istheresomethingonyourmind?Yourmotherhasbeentalkingtoyou,”saidtheking.
“Excuseme.”
“Would it be alright if you and Zara had lunch tomorrow? The two of you need to spend some time
together and get to know each other without us interfering,” said his mother. Zara smiled at Kiro. She
clearlywashappyabouthismother’ssuggestion.
“Ihaveawoman,”Kirospatout.
Chapter21
Kiro
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”hismotheraskedhim.Hisfatherstaredathimwithconfusionwrittenall
overhisface.
“ImeanthatIhaveawomanthatIwishtomarry,”Kiroreplied.
“Youdo?”hisfatheraskedwithhiseyebrowsraised.HismothertouchedZara’sarm.
“Iamsorryaboutthis,”shesaidtoher.Shecalledoneofthemaidsintotheroomandtoldhertohavea
cartakeZarabackhome.
“Thankyouforinvitingme.Ihadawonderfultime,”Zarasaidassherosetoherfeet.Shebowedtothem
beforeshelefttheroom.
“Tellmeclearly.Youhaveawomanthatyouwanttomarry?”hismotheraskedhimonceZarahadleftthe
room.
“YesIdo,”hereplied.
“Sincewhen?”
“Iwasactuallygoingtotellyoutonight.”
“Whichfamilyisshefrom?”
“Doesthatmatter?”
“Yes,itmattersalot.Sheneedstobefromareputablefamily.”
“This is astonishing. You were so against the idea of marriage,” said the king. It was true. Kiro didn’t
wanttogetmarried.HewasonlyentertainingtheideabecausehewasthecrownprinceofElSourial.He
wasgoingtoneedtohaveaqueenandanheirwhenheinheritedthethrone.
“Iwasagainsttheideaofmarriage.However,ifIamtomarry,Iwouldratheritwasmychoice,”hesaid.
Hismotherlaughedsarcastically.
“Isshepregnant?”hismotherasked.
“No,sheisn’t.”
“Thenwhydoyouwanttomarryher?Youcan’ttellmethatitisbecauseyousuddenlyfellinlove.”
Love;hehadn’tthoughtaboutthat.WasheinlovewithEmma?heaskedhimself.
“SheisAmerican,”hesaid.
“Ha!Overmydeadbody,”saidhismother.ThekinglookedatKiroasthoughhehadsaidthemoststupid
thingintheworld.
“YouwantthefuturequeenofElSourialtonotevenbeanElSourialian?”hisfatherasked.
“Wouldthatbesobad?”Kiroasked.
“It’satrocious.ThereisabsolutelynowaythatIwillallowyoutomarryaWesternwoman.”Thequeen
rosetoherfeet.“IwillstartpreparingtheweddingforyouandZara.”Shebowedtothekingbeforeshe
lefttheroom.
“Zaraisasmartandgracefulwomanwithanimpeccablebackground.Thatisthewomanthatyouwill
marry.Endofdiscussion.”Thekingrosetohisfeet.Kiroimmediatelyrosetohisfeetalsoandbowedhis
headtohisfatherasthekingheadedoutofthediningroom.
Kirohadnotthoughtthingsthrough.Hewasn’tevensureifhelovedEmma.Hejustsaidthathewantedto
marryherassoonasthethoughthadcrossedhismind.Hehadn’tevendiscussedmarriagewithEmma.If
sheknewthathewantedtomarryherandthathisparentswereagainsttheidea,shewouldprobablyback
offandlethimmarrysomeoneelseifshethoughtthatwaswhatwasbestforhim.Emmahadagoodheart.
She was used to caring for others and putting them first before herself. That was one of the things that
madehersuchanamazingwoman.
***
Emma
Emma was woken up by a maid early the next morning. She told Emma that Kiro wanted to take her
riding.ThemaidgaveEmmaridingclothesbeforesheleft.Emmawokeupandgotdressedintheriding
clothes.Sheworekhakitrousersandawhiteblouse.Sheworeherownboots.Sheheadedoutoftheguest
roomandfoundKirowaitingforheroutside.
“Hi.”Emmayawned.
“Morning,”hegreetedher.“Didyousleepwell?”
“Idid.”Shehadsleptwellonthecomfortablebed.
“Good,”Kirorepliedashestartedwalking.Emmawalkedwithhim.
“Whyarewegoingridingsoearly?”
“It’s the best time to go riding,” he said. Emma crossed her eyebrows. She didn’t see the difference.
Surelyridingwasthesamenomatterwhattimeofthedayitwas.
Itwasalongwalkfromthepalacetothestables.EmmawasamazedthatKirohadgrownupinsuchan
incredibleplace.
Theplacewassimplybeautifulandbig.Emmaknewthatifshewantedtogetaroundshe
wasgoingtoneedanescortbecausetherewasnowayshewasgoingtorememberhowtogetbacktoher
room.
“Haveyoueverbeenhorsebackriding?”Kiroaskedherwhentheyhadreachedthestables.
“No,Ihaven’t,”Emmareplied.
“Iguessyouwillhavetoridewithme.”
OneofthestablehandsbroughtoutKiro’slargebrownArabianmare.Emmastaredatthemassivebeast.
She had never been so close to a horse before. She reached out and stroked it. The horse was already
saddledup.Kirogotonthehorsefirst.HepulledEmmaupontothehorse.Emmawasimpressedbyhis
strength.Hehadheavedherupasifsheweighednothing.
Emma settled in behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist. He tugged on the reins and the
horsestartedtrotting.Theyweremovingslowly.Itwasn’tsobad,Emmathoughttoherself.
“Howoftendoyouride?”EmmaaskedKiro.
“Quite often. I still ride whenever I come home,” he replied. Emma rested her face against his large
strong back. She felt so comfortable against his body. They rode slowly at first. Then they started
gallopingfaster.Emmaletoutasqueak.
“Areyouokay?”KirocalledtoEmma.
“I’mfine,”sheshoutedabovethenoiseofthehorse’shoovespoundingtheground.Thefastertheyrode,
theymoreexcitedEmmafelt.Itfeltsogoodtohavethewindwhippingthroughherhair.Thespeedofthe
horsewasthrilling.
Theyfinallycametoahaltatahill.Kirojumpedoffthehorse.HeheldouthishandtoEmmaandhelped
herdownfromthehorse.Hetiedthereinsontothetreesothatthehorsedidn’trunoff.
“Thatwassoamazing,”EmmasaidtoKiro.Hesmiledatherandheldherbythewaist.
“Youlikedthat?”heasked.Emmasmiledandnodded.
“Whydoyoupreferridinginthemorning?”
“It’snottoohotandnottoocold.IusedtolikeridingearlyinthemorningbeforeIgotmydaystarted.”
EmmaclungontoKiro’sshirt.“Ican’tbelieveyougrewuparoundhere.Thisplaceisjustamazing,”she
said. She looked up at the clear blue sky. They were in such a beautiful place. Kiro was holding her
waist. It was the perfect moment for a kiss. However, Emma felt too shy to initiate a kiss. She moved
closertohiminhopesthathewouldgetthehintandkissher.
Kiropulledherclosertohimandheldhertightly.“Ifyouwanttokissme,thenjustdoso,”hesaidtoher.
“Huh?WhatmakesyouthinkthatIwanttokissyou?”Emmaaskedhim.Shefelthercheeksturningred.If
Kiroknewthatshewantedtokisshim,thenheshouldhavejustkissedherinsteadofpointingitout.
“You’renotafraidtoriskyourlifetosavemebutyou’reafraidtokissmefirst?”heaskedher.
“WhosaidthatIwasafraid?”sheasked.Shewasafraidtoinitiateakiss.Shewasafraidofrejection.
Kiroraisedhiseyebrowsandtiltedhishead.HisjawtwitchedashewasstaringatEmma.Shelooked
downforasecond.ShelookedupandquicklykissedKiroonthelips.Justshewastryingtowalkoff,
Kiropulledherclosertohimandstoppedherfromdashingoff.Heleanedincloserandpressedhislips
againsthers.EmmameltedintoKiro’sarmsashekissedher.Itwasexactlywhatshehadwanted.
Kirobrokeoffthekissandkissedherforehead.Emmapulledawayandlookedathim.
“Whathappenedtomycar?”sheaskedhim.Kirolaughedalittle.
“Thatwasrandom,”hereplied.
“Isuddenlyrememberedthatyounevertoldmewhatyoudidwithmycar.”
“It’sinmyhomeinDallas.”
“Doingwhat?”
“It’sinthegarage.Ihaditrepaired.”
Emmashookherhead.“Whydidn’tyoutellmesooner?”sheaskedhim.
“IwasgoingtobutIhonestlyforgot.”Hegrinnedather.Emmapushedhimawayplayfully.Kirosmiled
andkissedhercheek.
Chapter22
Kiro
On Monday morning, Kiro and Emma headed into Besada Oils headquarters in El Sourial. Kiro had a
meetingtoattend.HehadaskedEmmatocomewithhimforabusinessmeeting
butthetruthwasthathe
wantedtoshowherwherehewasfromandtospendmoretimewithher.
Whentheywalkedintotheconferenceroom,everyonerosetotheirfeetandbowedtheirheadsatKiro.
Hewasmeetingwithengineers,geologistsandrigmanagers.
“Good morning, everyone,” Kiro greeted them. He walked in with so much confidence. He had such a
commanding,sternpresence.Hesatdownattheheadofthetable.Emmasatdownintheseattohisright.
The meeting commenced moments later. It was just a short meeting for the staff to update him on the
companyprogress.Kirolookedatthereports.Henodded.Helistenedtohisstaff’sreports.
“Wherearewegoingnow?”EmmaaskedKirowhenthemeetinghadfinishedandtheywereinthecar.
“IwouldliketoshowyouElSourialCity,”Hereplied.
“Wedon’thaveothermeetings?Wasthattheonlymeetingfortheday?”
“Wehavenootherbusinesstoattendto,”saidKiro.Emmaraisedaneyebrow.
“Whatwasmypurposehere?Surelyyoudidn’tneedme.”
Kiroflashedacheekygrin.“Idoneedyoubutnotforbusinesspurposes,”hesaid.
“Thenforwhichpurposes?”Emmaquestioned.Theyturnedintoaquietone-waystreet.
“Ijustwantedyoutobeherewithme,”hereplied.Emma’sfaceimmediatelylitup.Justbeforeshecould
respond,avanranintothecarinfrontoftheirs.Theircarimmediatelycametoahalt.
“What’s going on?” Emma asked as she looked forward. They saw six masked men coming out of the
van.Theyopenedthedoorsofthecarinfrontofthem.ThereweretwoofKiro’sbodyguardsinthatcar.
Themaskedmenpulledthemoutofthecarandafightimmediatelybrokeout.
“It’s an ambush!” Kiro’s driver cried out. He couldn’t reverse the car because there was another car
behind them. Four men rushed towards the car that Kiro and Emma were in while the other two fought
Kiro’sbodyguards.
“Ohmygosh!”Emmacriedout.Hereyeswidened.
“It’sokay.Iwon’tletanythinghappentoyou.”KirokissedEmma.Heopenedhisdoor.“Lockthedoors
behind me!” he instructed his driver. He had a feeling that the same person that had tried to have him
kidnappedinDallashadsentthesemenafterhim.Kirowasdeterminedtocatchoneofthesemenwithhis
ownbarehands.
HealsowantedtoprotectEmma.Ifhewasoutofthecar,theyhadnoreasontoopenthe
carandattackEmma.
TwoofKiro’sotherbodyguardscameoutofthecarbehindKiro’scarandimmediatelyrushedtoKiro’s
aid.
“It’s him!” one of the masked men shouted in Arabic. Kiro took his suit jacket off and threw it on the
ground. Two men rushed towards him and started fighting with him. Fortunately, Kiro had taken mixed
martialartsclasseswhenhewasyounger,sohewasabletoblocksomeoftheirpunchesandkicks.He
wasabletokeepupwithtwoofthemaskedmenthatwerefightinghim.
SuddenlythecarwindowrolleddownandEmmapoppedherheadout.Shestartedthrowinghershoesat
oneofthemenfightingKiro.ItcausedadistractionandKirowasabletocapitalizeonherinterruption.
Hebodyslammedoneofthemenintotheground.
“Abort!”oneofthemaskedmenshoutedinArabic.Themaskedmenretreatedtotheirvan.Kirograbbed
themanthathehadbodyslammedintotheground.Hewasnotgoingtoallowhimtogetaway.Theman
triedtofightKirooffbutKirowasmuchstronger.
The tires screeched as they drove off. Kiro looked at the man that he had pinned down and pulled his
maskoff.Itwasn’tanyonethatheknew.
“Takethismanintocustody,”Kirosaidtohisbodyguards.
“Yessheikh,”oneofthebodyguardsanswered.
Emma opened the door and got out of the car. She jumped into Kiro’s arms. She wrapped her arms
aroundhimtightly.“Areyouokay?”sheasked.
“I’mfine.”Kirokissedher.Heputherdownonthegroundandheldherbytheshoulders.“Itoldyouto
stayinthecar,”hesaid.Hecouldn’tbelievethatshehadpoppedherheadoutofthewindowandstarted
throwingthingsatthemaskedmen.Whatifoneofthemhadcaughtherandharmedher?
“Thenyoushouldhavestayedwithme,”shesaid.Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.“Howcouldyoujustgetout
ofthecarwhentherearepeopleafteryourlife?Somethingcouldhavehappenedtoyou.”
“Nothinghappenedtome,”hesaidtoher.Hepulledherintohisarmsandkissedher.Itwasnowobvious
to him that she would always risk her life to save him. She cared about him much more than any other
womanhadeverdoneinhislife.
KiroheldEmma’sfaceinhispalmsandsearchedforhereyes.“Iloveyou,”hesaidtoher.
“What?”Emmabreathed.Shestaredathimwide-eyed.Kirosmiledather.
“IsaidthatIloveyou,”hesaid.Emmaclungtohisshirt.
“Iloveyoutoo.”Shestoodonhertoesandpressedherlipstohis.
“Iseeyouhavecouragenow,”Kiroteased.Emmagiggledandshookherhead.
“Ialwayshadit,”shesaid.
***
Theking’smen
hadbeeninterrogatingthemaskedmanforsometimebuthewasn’tsayinganything.The
kinghadgrowntiredofwaiting,sohewentintotheinterrogationroomhimself.Kirofollowedhisfather
in.
“Ihavenotimeforthis,”thekingsaid.“Ifyoudon’tstarttalking,Iwillcutyoumyself.”
The king was known for his no-nonsense personality. He was quite short-tempered. So it wasn’t
surprisingwhenthemanstartedtalking.
“IguessIwilldieeitherway,”hesaid.Hisvoicewasalittleshaky.Clearlytheking’sappearancehad
hadaneffectonhim.“WeweresentbythekingofAlHabuara,”hesaid.
“What?”Kirospatout.Thekingranhishandthroughhisgreyhair.
“ThekingofAlHabuarasentyoutoabductmyson.Why?”thekingasked.
“HewantstheElSama.”
Kiroshookhishead.ElSamawastheirterritory.Itwasnotthatbigbutithadrecentlybeendiscovered
thatithadalotofoil.
“Take him into custody,” the king said to the guards. They bowed their heads and took the man into
custody.
“Thisisunbelievable.Theycameaftermetwicejustbecauseofourland?”saidKiro.
“Fine,ifthat’showhewantstoconductthings.Bringhissontome.”
Kirowhippedhisheadinhisfather’sdirection.“YouwanttokidnapthecrownprinceofAlHabuara?”
heaskedhisfather.
“Yes.ThatiswhatIwantandtherebetterbenomistakes.”
Chapter23
Emma
EmmafeltnervousasshewaitedinthepalacediningroomwithKiro.Hehadaskedhertohavedinner
with him and his parents. Emma wore a long yellow dress and tied her hair up. She wanted to look as
presentableaspossibleinfrontofhisparents.Shewantedthemtohaveagoodimpressionofher.
Whenthekingandthequeenenteredthediningroom,KiroandEmmarosetotheirfeet.Kiro’sparents
looked at Emma with questioning looks on their faces. She smiled and bowed her head to them in
response.EmmaandKirosatdownafterthekingandthequeenhadsatdown.
Emma’sfirstthoughtsonKiro’sparentswerethattheywereintimidating.Hisfatherwastallandhehad
anaverage-sizedbody.Hehadalotofgreyinhishair.Helookedquitestern.Thequeenlookedelegant.
Shehadbeautifulsilkyskinandhair.
“Whoisthisyounglady?”Kiro’sfatheraskedhisson.
“This is Emma; my woman,” Kiro replied. Emma’s eyes widened. Hearing him introduce her as his
womanmadehersohappy.
“What?Youbroughtherintomyhome?”thequeenspatout.
“Witheverythingthatisgoingon,itishardlythetimetointroduceher,”saidtheking.
“Thisistheperfecttime,”saidKiro.
“Idon’twanttolistentoit.Getheroutofmyhomerightnow,”saidthequeen.EmmalookedatKiro.She
hadn’tevensaidanythingyetandhismotheralreadywantedhergone.Kiroheldherhandandgavehera
reassuringlook.
“Awhileago,acoupleofmentriedtoabductmeinDallas,”saidKiro.Hismothergaspedandcovered
hermouthwithherhand.
“Kiro,”hisfatherwarned.Theyhadagreednottotellher.
“Theabductionwouldhavebeensuccessfulifithadn’tbeenforEmma.Shewastheonewhocalledthe
policeandthenblockedtheexitwithhercar
topreventthemfromtakingmeaway.”
“What?”hisparentsspatoutinunison.TheybothlookedatEmmaandthenatKiro.
“Whydidn’tyoutellmeabouttheabduction?”hismotheraskedhim.
“Ididn’twantyoutoworry,”Kiroreplied.
“Itoldyouthatonebodyguardwasn’tenough.Sometimesyouarejusttoostubborn.”Tearswelledupin
hismother’seyes.
“YouwererightandIshouldhavelistened.”
“Whydidyouhelpmyson?Wereyourintentionspure?”thekingaskedEmma.
“I didn’t think the situation through. I just reacted. I saw the men trying to take him away and so I did
whatIthoughtwasbest,”Emmareplied.
“YouknewthatyouwouldgainalotfromsavingthecrownprinceofElSourial.”
“No,sir.Iwouldhavedonethesamethinghaditbeenanyoneelse.”
“I bought her a new car to replace her damaged one but she refused the new car,” Kiro explained. He
turnedhisattentiontohismother.“Justthismorning,moremencameaftermeandonceagainEmmasaved
mylife.”
“OhGod.”Thequeenlookedasthoughshewasgoingtofaint.“Thesepeoplecameafteryouagain?This
isabsolutelyridiculous.”
“Wecaughtoneofthemenandbroughthimin.Weknowwhowasbehindtheattacks.”
“Who?”
“ThekingofAlHabuara.”
“What?”thequeenspatoutangrily.
“I am trying to say that in both situations Emma has been by my side. I’ve never met a woman that
fearless,”saidKiro.
“NeitherhaveI,”saidtheking.
“IappreciatehercouragebutIcan’thaveherasmydaughter-in-law.Thedifferencesinculturearetoo
many,”saidthequeen.Emmajerkedherheadupandlookedatthequeen.Daughter-in-law?Emma was
startingtogetthefeelingthatKirohadtalkedabouthertohisparentsbefore.Itwouldexplainwhythe
queenalreadywantedEmmagone.
“SheistheonlywomanIhaveeverloved,”Kirosaid.Hismothergasped.ThekinglookedatEmma.
“Howoldareyou?”heaskedher.
“Iamtwenty-fouryearsold,sir,”shereplied.Thekinghadsuchanintenseandintimidatingglare.
“WhatdoyoudoinDallas?”
“Iamcurrentlyattheuniversityinmyfinalyearstudyingeconomics.”
Thekingraisedhiseyebrows.“Doyoulovemyson?”heaskedher.
“Morethananything,”shereplied.Hewastheonlymanthatshehadeverloved,andhewasprobablythe
onlymanthatshewouldeverlove.
“YoualreadyknowthatKiroisgoingtobethekingofElSourial.HeneedstomarryanArabicwoman
withanexceptionalbackground,”hesaid.Hiswordshitherhard.Itfeltasthoughsomeonehadstucka
daggerinherchest.
“Iunderstand,”Emmasaidwithashakyvoice.Kirowhippedhisheadinherdirection.
“Whatdoyouunderstand?”heaskedher.“IshouldbeallowedtomarrywhomeverIwant.”
“Doyouwanttomarryme?”Emmaaskedhim.Hehadn’tactuallytoldherthathewantedtomarryher.
“Ido.”
Emma blinked a couple of times to stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks. It wasn’t the type of
romanticengagementthatawomanwouldwant.However,shewasokaywithitbecauseshelovedKiro.
Allshewantedwashisheartandhehadalreadygivenittoher.Hehadtoldherthathelovedher.
Emma looked at the king. “My father passed away many years ago. I live with my mother and my two
sisters.Iknowthatmybackgroundisn’tamazingbutIamwillingtodowhateverittakestobewithKiro,”
shesaid.Kiroraisedhiseyebrowsinshock.
“Theonlyreasonthatweareevenhavingthisconversationisbecauseyousavedmyson’slife,”saidthe
king.Emmanodded.
“I will learn Arabic language and culture. I will be a good wife to him and a good mother to his
children,”shesaid.
“Thetwoofthemarestubborn,”saidthequeenassheshookherhead.
“Iagree,”saidtheking.
“IneedtimetoprocesseverythingthatIjustlearned.Fornow,pleasereturntoDallas,”saidthequeen.
Emmanodded.
“IwillreturntoDallas,”shesaid.
“Emma!”Kirobreathed.
“I understand this is all too much for your parents to take in. I would like to give them space to think
thingsover.MyreturntoDallasdoesn’tmeanthatIamgivinguponus,”shesaidtoKiro.Thekingraised
hiseyebrows.Emmasmiledandbowedherheadtohim.
Afterdinner,EmmaandKiroreturnedtothebedroomthatshewasstayingin.Emmastoodinthemiddle
oftheroomwithherhandsonherhips.
“Whendidyoutalkaboutmetoyourparents?”Emmaaskedhim.
“OnSaturdaynight,”Kiroreplied.Hesimplysaidthreewordsanddidn’tbothertoexplain.Itwasmuch
likehim.
“Kiro,pleaseelaborate.”Hisnamerolledoffhertongueasifshehadbeencallinghimbyhisfirstname
forthelongesttime.Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.
“I like how you say my name,” he said as he moved closer to Emma. She quickly pressed her palms
againsthischesttostophimfromcominganyclosertoher.Theyhadanimportantdiscussiontohaveand
she knew that if he was too close to her, she would easily lose her train of thought. He was such a
distractingman.
“Didyoutellyourparentslastnightthatyouwantedtomarryme?”sheaskedhim.
“Idid,”hereplied.
“Whydidn’tyoutellme?”
Kiroshruggedhisshoulders.“Mymotherhadawomanover.AsIspoketoher,Irealizedthattherewas
never ever going to be another woman like you in my life. So in that moment I made a decision that I
wantedtomarryyou,”hesaid.Emmacrossedhereyebrows.Itwasn’tsoromanticbutitwassweet.She
feltherheartflutterinsideherchest.
“I’venevermetamanlikeyou,”shesaidwithasmile.Kirosnakedhisarmaroundherandpulledher
closertohim.
“Ofcoursenot,”hereplied.Emmarolledhereyes.
“Whatifyourparentsdon’teveracceptme?”
“TheywillhavetobecauseIamnotgoingtomarryanyoneelse.”
Emmagiggled.Itfeltgoodtoknowthathewasthatdeterminedabouttheirrelationship.“You’regoingto
havetowinmymotheroverbecauseshe’sskepticalaboutyou,”shesaid.Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.
“Youtoldyourmotheraboutme?”heasked.Emmanodded.
“Itoldheraboutyoubeforewecameandsheexpressedherconcerns.Shewasworriedaboutmehaving
arelationshipwitharichprince.Shewasworriedthatyouwouldbreakmyheart.”
“ShehasnothingtoworryaboutbecauseIwouldneverbreakyourheart,ever!”saidKiro.Hepressed
hislipsagainsthers.“IwillcometoDallasandwinherover,”headded.
Emmasmiled.“Iwouldlovethat,”shesaid.
***
EmmareturnedtoDallasinKiro’sprivatejet.HewasabitreluctanttosendherbackbutEmmadidn’t
mind.ShewantedhisparentstotakesometimetothinkaboutherandKirogettingmarried.Emmaalso
wantedtogobackandtalktoherfamilyaboutit.
MadisonwasalreadyatEmma’shousewhenshearrived.Emmahadcalledherfromtheprivatejetand
toldhertowaitforheratherhome.
“HowwasDallas?”Emma’smotheraskedwhenshearrived.
“Itwasfine,”Emmareplied.CynthiaandMiarusheddownstairstogreettheirsister.
“What did you bring us back?” Cynthia asked. Emma smiled and shook her head. It was so typical of
Cynthia.
“Weneedtotalk,”Emmasaidtothem.Shesathermother,sistersandMadisondowninthelivingroom.
“Youlooksoserious,”Cynthiapointedout.Emmanodded.
“ItisseriouswhatIamabouttotalktoyouabout.”
“Areyoupregnant?”Miajoked.
“Shewouldneedamanforthat,”Cynthiareplied.Thetwoofthemlaughed.
“Iwouldliketogetmarried,”Emmasaid.
“What?”everyonespatoutatthesametime.
“Towho?”Miaasked.
“Kiro.CrownPrinceKiroBesadaofElSourial.”
“You’renotmakingsense.”
Emma told them everything that had happened from the beginning, including the kidnap attempt. Her
sistersandhermotherstaredatherinshock.
“Allthiswashappeningandyoudidn’tsayanything?”MiaaskedEmma.
“I’msorry,”saidEmma.Shedidn’tnormallykeepthingsfromthem.
“Idon’tfeelcomfortablesendingyouofftoadifferentcountrywhereyourlifemightbeindanger,”said
Emma’smother.
“Iwillhavebodyguards.”
“Shewillbeaqueen,”saidCynthia.Hereyeslitupwithexcitement.
“Hisparentsdon’tevenapprove.Idon’twantyouthereatall.Iamagainstthis.”
“But,Mom,”Emmacriedout.Hermotherdismissedherwithherhand.
“Ialreadydon’tlikehimbecauseyoucouldhavebeenkilledontwooccasions.Ijustwantyousafeand
alive.Justmeetaniceboyfromtownorsomething.”
“IspentmyentirelifehereinDuncanValley.Ihaveneverhadaproperrelationship.Noneofthesemen
paidattentiontome.Theydidn’tseemeasawoman.Kiroistheonlymantohaveeverlovedandcared
forme.IfIlethimgo,Idon’tthinkthatIwillfindeveranyoneelse,”shesaid.Madisonnodded.
“Itooamworriedaboutyoursafety.However,Ithinkit’sbestifhecomestomeetyourmother.Maybehe
canputherworriestorest,”shesaid.
“Hewillcomesoon.FornowhehastodealwiththekingofAlHabuara.Heneedstoanswerforthe
kidnappingattempts.”
“Doesheloveyou?”Miaasked.
“Hedoes,”Emmareplied.
“Anddoyoulovehim?”
“Ido.”
“Thenthatisallthatmatters.”
Chapter24
Kiro
IthadbeenalmosttwoweekssinceEmmahadreturnedtoDallas.Althoughtheyhadbeenspeakingdaily
over the phone, he missed her and wanted to see her. He missed her bright smile and animated facial
expressions.Shealwaysputhiminagoodmood.Shealwayshadafreshperspectiveonthingsanditwas
refreshing.
While Kiro had been in El Sourial, his father’s men had been able to kidnap the crown prince of Al
Habuara.Theking’smenwereholdinghim
hostageaspartoftheking’splanforrevenge.KingBesada
haddecidedthatthekingofAlHabuaraneededtogetatasteofhisownmedicine.
“Goodafternoon,”Kirogreetedhisfatherashewalkedintothecabinetroom.Thekingwassittingatthe
tablecomfortably.
“Haveaseat,son,”hisfatherreplied.Kironodded.Hejoinedhisfatheratthetable.
“Whatisgoingon?”
“ThekingofAlHabuaraisonhisway.”
Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.“Really?”heasked.
“Yes.”
“Didyouinvitehimover?Howdidheagreetocomeover?”
“Ihavehisson.Ofcoursehewillcomeoverforhissonunlesshewantstostartawar.”
Before Kiro could reply, there was a knock on the door. The king’s butler walked into the room and
announcedthatKingAbasofAlHabuarahadarrived.
“Escorthimin,”saidKingBesada.Kirowonderedwhathisfatherwasupto.Hewasanunpredictable
man.HehadkidnappedthecrownprinceofAlHabuaraandthentoldhisfatherthathehadhisson.Kiro’s
fatherwasquiteballsy.
ThekingofAlHabuarawalkedintotheroom.Hewasashortmanwithapotbelly.Hewalkedintothe
roomwithhisgreyeyebrowscrossed.
“Youhavemyson?”hesaid.“Whereishe?”
“Haveaseatfirst,”saidKingBesada.
“Iwanttoseemysonfirst!”hedemanded.
“You will see him in good time. First take a seat, if you don’t want anything to happen to him.” King
BesadawasnotintimidatedbyKingAbas.Hejustsattherecalmly.KingAbashissedbeforehesatdown.
“Doyourealizethatthisisastupidmove?Areyoutryingtostartawar?”
“You tried to kidnap my son first. You should have realized that it was a stupid move. You can’t do
businesslikethis.”
KingAbasnodded.“IunderstandthatIwaswrong.Ifyougivememysonback,Iwillneverdoanything
likethatagain,”hesaid.
“Of course you will not because if you send a boomerang, it will come back to you.” King Besada
noddedatoneofhismen.ThemanimmediatelyapproachedthetablewithpaperworkandgaveittoKing
Abas.
“Whatisthis?”KingAbasasked.
“It’sapeacetreaty.Youwillsignitandpromisenottocauseanymoreproblemsinthefuture.”
King Abas took the paperwork and signed it. He looked so angry and defeated. He slammed the pen
down.“I’vesignedit.Nowhandovermyson,”hesaid.
“We have already discussed a ransom price. You have to wire the money into the account I provided
first,”saidKingBesada.KirosatinhischairwatchinghisfatherdominatingKingAbas.
KingAbascalledoneofhismenandtoldhimtocallthepalacetreasurer.KingAbasgrabbedthephone
whenthecallhadconnected.“Wireitover,”hespatout.
King Besada’s secretary was on standby with a laptop. “The money has been transferred,” he said
momentslater.
“Allofit?”KingBesadaasked.
“Yes,all$100million.”
“It’sasmallpricetopaytogetyoursonback,isn’tit?”KingBesadasaid.“Bringhisson,”hesaidtoone
ofhismen.
ThecrownprinceofAlHabuarawasbroughtintotheroommomentslater.KingAbasrosetohisfeetand
wrapped his arms around his son. He looked so happy to get his son back. That was a lesson he was
nevergoingtoforget.Thepeacetreatyhehadsignedmeantthathecouldn’tstartawarwithElSourial
andthathecouldn’ttrytotaketheirland.
KirofeltrelievedafterKingAbasandhissonhadleft.Finallytheentirethingwasover.“Thatwasalot
ofmoney,”hesaidtohisfather.
“AbasisluckythatIdidn’tdemandmore.Whatanamateur.Hefailedtokidnapyou.AllIdidwasshow
himhowit’sdone,”saidKingBesada.Kirosmiledandnodded.
“HaveyougivenathoughttomymarriagewithEmma?”Kiroaskedhisfather.Thekingsigheddeeply
beforeheresponded.
“YourmotherhasbeenlookingintoEmma’slife.”
“What?”
“She checked if she had a criminal past, if her family had a criminal past, health checks, employment
historyandeverythingelseabouteveryonearoundEmma.YourmotherevenknowswhatEmma’sblood
typeis.”Thekinglaughed.
“Sowhatwasherverdict?”Kiroasked.
“IfyouloveEmmasomuch,won’tyouconsiderhavingherasaconcubine?”
Kirocrossedhiseyebrows.“Absolutelynot,”hereplied.Hisfathernodded.
“ThenIwillgiveyoumyblessing,”hesaid.
“Really?”Kiro’sfacelitup.
“Aslongasshepromisestolearneverythingaboutourculture.”
“Thankyousomuch.”
Thekingnodded.“Idon’tmindhertoomuch.Shesavedyourlife,andsheshowedcharacteratthedinner
table.Shewaspoliteandshewasn’tintimidatedbyme.Icouldsensethesinceritywhenshetalkedabout
herfeelingsforyou,”hesaid.
“Sheisaspecialwoman.”Kirorosetohisfeet.“IamofftoDallastogetmywomanback.”
***
KirohadbeenanxiousforthedurationoftheflightfromElSourialtoDallas.Hecouldn’twaittosee
Emma and let her know that his father had approved their marriage. He felt as though they had been
separatedformonths.
Itwasnightwhenhearrivedatherhouse.Hefeltnervousaboutseeingherfamily.Emmahadpreviously
toldKirothathermotherhaddoubtsabouthim.Shewasn’tsureifhewasgenuineornot.Hehopedthat
hermotherwouldnotobjecttotheirmarriage.Kirotookadeepbreathbeforehepressedthedoorbell.
“Whoareyou?”ablondgirlwithgreyeyessaidtoKiro.ShelookedsomuchlikeEmma.Herecognized
herfromthepicturesEmmahadshownhim.
“YoumustbeCynthia,”saidKiro.
“Iambutwhoareyou?”
“Kiro.”
Cynthia’seyeswidened.“Mia!Mom!Emma!”sheshouted.Kiroraisedhiseyebrows.Cynthiasmiledat
himandopenedthedoorwider.“Comein,”shesaid.
“Thankyou,”Kirosaidashewalkedin.MiaandEmmarusheddownthestairs.
“Where is the fire?” Emma said as she came down the stairs. She gasped when she saw Kiro. She
immediatelyranintohisarms.Kiroheldhertightlyandkissedthetopofherhead.
“ThismustbeKiro,”Miasaidasshecrossedherarmsoverherchest.
“Itis,”Emmareplied.
“Mom!”CynthiaandMiashoutedatthesametime.Emmashookherhead.
“Everyone has been dying to meet you,” she said to him. Their mother walked out of the kitchen and
joinedherchildreninthehallway.
“Whatishappening?”sheasked.Emma’smotherwaslikeanolderversionofEmma.Shehadbrunette
hairandgreyeyes.ShewasthesameheightasEmma.Kirocouldseewhereshegotherbeautyfrom.
“Goodevening,ma’am,”Kirosaidtoher.
“Kiroishere.”Cynthiapointed.
“Isee.”Theirmotherheadedintothelivingroom.“Followme,”shesaid.Theyallfollowedherintothe
living room. She sat down on the sofa. Mia and Cynthia sat down next to her and just stared at Kiro.
EmmasatdownnexttoKiro.
“Ihavecomeheretoofficiallyintroducemyselftoyouandaskforyourdaughter’shandinmarriage,”he
said.
“Emma has been chewing my ear off about you every day. I’ve never seen her so determined about
something,”saidEmma’smother.Kirosmiled.
Emma’smothertoldKiroaboutherconcernsregardingthemgettingmarried.Kiroconfidentlyanswered
allherquestions.HetoldherabouthowmuchhelovedEmmaandthathewoulddoeverythinghecould
tokeephersafeandhappy.
“Whataboutyourparents?”Miaasked.
“Theyhavegiventheirblessing,”Kiroreplied.Emmagasped.
“Theyhave?”shecriedout.Kirosmiledandnodded.Emma’smothersigheddeeply.
“Ican’tstopthetwoofyoufromgettingmarriedifthat’swhatyoureallywant.However,ifsomething
everhappenstomydaughter,youwillfacemywrath,”shesaid.
“Yes,ma’am,”Kiroreplied.
“AndshehastofinishherdegreebeforeshemovestoElSourial.”
“Iagree.”
“Emma’sgoingtobeaqueen!”Cynthiagiggled.
“NowthatIhaveyourblessing,Ihavetodothisproperly,”Kirosaid.Hefishedavelvetboxoutofhis
pocketandgottohisknees.MiaandCynthiagasped.Emma’seyeflewwideopen.
“Whatishappening?”shesaid.
“I’mnotgoodatromanticgestures,”hesaid.“EmmaGrey,wouldyoudomethehonorofbecomingmy
wife?”
“Tellherwhy!”Cynthiawhispered.
“Youdon’thaveto.Iaccept!”Emmacriedout.
“You have a beautiful soul and such a warm heart. You put others first. I have never met a woman as
kind,intelligentandfunnyasyou.Ineedyouinmylife,asmyqueenandmywife,”saidKiro.
“Awww,”MiaandCynthiasaidinunison.Emma’smothersmiledandputherhandsonherchest.
“Iloveyou,Kiro,”saidEmma.Atearrolleddownfromhereye.Kirotookoutthemassivediamondring
fromthevelvetboxandsliditonherfinger.Emmajumpedintohisarmsandwrappedherarmsaround
him.
“Iloveyoutoo,”hereplied.
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Chapter1
Taracoughedfromallthedustandsandinhermouth.Shelookedoutsideandsawnothingbutsand;they
wereinthemiddleofthedesert.SheturnedtoherlefttoseeifhersisterTamiwasalright.Thetwoof
them had flown from the U.S. for a holiday in Omani. It was Tara’s graduation present to Tami. Her
youngersisterhadjustgraduatedwithanaccountingdegree.Shewassoproudofher.Theyhadnoonebut
eachother.TheirfatherdiedwhentheirmotherwaspregnantwithTami.Theirmotherhadpassedafew
yearsago.
“Tami,areyouokay?”Taraaskedhersisterwhowasstillsittingnexttoher.Theplanehadjusttakena
roughlanding.
“Iamokay,”Tamireplied.
Taralookedaroundtheplane,someofthepassengerswereinjuredbutitdidnotseemlikeanythingfatal.
Taratriedtounbuckleherseatbeltbutitseemedjammed.Shesworeunderherbreathasshetriedtoset
herselffree.“Tara,look,”Tamisaid,pointingatthefrontoftheplane.Taralookedinthedirectionher
sisterwaspointing,shesawagroupofmenenteringtheplane.Theyweredressedinblackclothesand
redheadscarves.
“Nomads,”TarasaidtoTami.Shehadreadaboutthembutneverseentheminreallife.“Theymustbe
heretohelp,”sheadded.
Themen stood atthe entrance scanningaround. The passengers werecalling out forthem to help. One
manspokeinArabicandjerkedhisheadtotheside.Theothernomadsstartedsearchingthepassengers
andtakingtheirvaluablethings.Thepassengerswereaskingthemwhytheyweretakingtheirthingsbut
thenomadsdidnotreply.
Tara gasped when she realized that the nomads had weapons on their waists. They had swords and
knives. She immediately felt scared. This did not seem like a good situation. No one knew what they
wouldorcoulddo.Whatwasthereasonforthemtocarrysuchweapons?
Someofthenomadscuttheseatbelts,releasingthefemalepassengers.Theycarriedthemoutoftheplane.
Anymanthattriedtohelpwaseitherkickedorpunched.Taranoticedthattheyweretakingtheyounger
women. “They’re kidnapping women,” Tami said and immediately got into panic mode. Tara held her
hand. She wanted to tell her to calm down and that everything was going to be okay but she too was
frightened.Shehadnoideaiftheyweregoingtobeokay,shehadnoideawhatwashappeningorwhy.
Taralookedthroughthewindow.Therewereplentyofhorsesoutside.Shefiguredthattheyhadcomeon
horseback.OneofthenomadsapproachedTaraandTami.Heimmediatelystartedsearchingthem.“Take
whatyouwantbutpleaseleaveusalone,”Tarasaid.ThemanlookedupatTaraandsawhernecklace.
Herippeditoffherneck.Tarascreamedforhimtoreturnittoher.Itwastheonlythinghermotherleft
her.
The man who gave the orders at the beginning shouted something to the nomad that had taken Tara’s
necklace. He quickly nodded and cut Tami’s seatbelt. Tami started screaming for him to put her down.
TaraheldontoTami’shandandscreamedforhimtoleaveher.HeshoutedsomethinginArabic.“Please
let her go or take both of us,” Tara pleaded with him. He slapped Tara as she was not releasing her
sister’shand,thenpickedTamiupandranoutoftheplanewithher.
Taratrieddesperatelytogetoutofherseatbelt.Shegroanedloudlywithangerandfrustrationwhenshe
couldnotgetoutofit.Thenomadsranoutoftheplane.Taracouldseethemthroughthewindow.Theygot
ontheirhorsesandrodeoff.Thefemalepassengerstheyhadtaken,includingTami,wereforcedontothe
horseswiththenomads.Tarastartedcryingforhersister.ShedidnotknowwhyTamihadbeentakenor
ifshewasevergoingtoseeheragain.
Not long after, a few jeeps drove up and parked up beside the plane. A group of Middle Eastern men
jumped out. Tara creased her eyebrows. More men? she asked herself. Were they coming to kidnap the
restofthem?Itseemedthatthenomadshadtakenthefemalepassengersthatappearedtobeintheirearly
twenties. The men from the jeep got on the plane. The passengers immediately started screaming and
shouting.
“Pleasedonotpanic.Weareheretohelp,”oneofthemsaid.Hewasverytallandmuscular.Hehadjet-
blackhairandaday-oldbeard.HesaidsomethinginArabic.Theothermenwenttothepassengersand
helpedthemoutoftheirseats.
Tarahesitatedatfirstwhenoneofthemapproachedher.Helookedatherandnodded,asiftoaskherto
trust him. She let him help her out and he helped her into the jeeps along with other passengers. “We
help,”hesaidtothemandnodded.Hereturnedtotheplanetohelptheremainingpassengers.
Someofthemendrovethepassengerstoacampsiteandreturnedtogettherestofthepassengers.Other
men stayed guarding the plane. They had to take a few trips until all of the passengers were safely
evacuatedfromtheplane.
Thecampsitetheyweretakentohadplentyoftentssetup.Therewereplentyofpeoplethereandsome
horses.Theinjuredpassengerswerereceivingmedicalattention.Luckilynoonewasbadlyinjured.The
injuries were all minor cuts and bruises from when the plane crash-landed. Tara stood there holding
herself,gazingatthearea.Wasshereallysafethere?sheaskedherself.Shedecidedtofindthemanthat
cameontheplanefirstandspoke.Heseemedtobetheoneincharge.
Tara started regretting the trip. It was her idea to go somewhere interesting and exciting. She really
wantedtodosomethingforhersister’sgraduation.Shedidnotwantittobeanordinarygiftordinner.
Shesaveduphermoneyandpaidforthetrip.Tamiwasexcitedaboutit.Shewasreallyhappy.Thetwo
ofthemhadneverbeenoutsidetheU.S.Thiswastheirfirsttripandthenthishappened.
Tara finally found the man after searching for a while. The campsite was pretty massive. He had been
standingwithothermenspeakinginArabic.“Excuseme,please,”Tarasaidassheranherhandthrough
herhair.Theyallstoppedtalkingandlookedather.
“Yes?”themanreplied.Hisvoiceseemedmuchdeeperandmorerelaxedthistime.Hewasquitetall.
Tarahadtolookupwhileshespoketohim.
“Thankyouforhelpingus,”Tarasaid.
“It’sfine,”themannodded.Tarasighedasshefoughtbackthetears.
“Somepassengerswerekidnapped.”Shewantedtoaskhimsomanythings.Shewasnotsurewhereto
start.
“Iamaware.Wehavebeenhavingissueswiththosenomadsforawhile.”
“Arewesafehere?”
“Yes.”
Tara wanted to believe him. She silently prayed that they were safe. “What about the passengers that
weretaken,willtheybeokay?”
Hewasnotsurehowtoreplytoher.Thosenomadshadbeencausingproblemsinthedesertforawhile.
They mostly robbed people but on some occasions they kidnapped women. He was not sure for what
reason.“Ihopeso,wewilldoourbesttofindthem.”
Tarawantedamorereassuringanswerbutiftheyhadbeenhavingissueswiththemforawhilethenitdid
notseemgood.Shejustnodded.“Okay,”shesaid.Hervoicewentassmallasachild’s.Shewastrying
herbestnottocry.
“Someoneyouknowwastaken?”
“Myyoungersister.”
Henoddedandexpressedhissympathy.Hetoldheroncemorethathewasgoingtodohisbesttoreunite
them. Tara nodded and walked off. The tears were really burning her eyes. She never cried in front of
people,sosheheldtheminuntilshewasawayfromhim.
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AboutKateGoldman
InchildhoodIobservedahugelovebetweenmymotherandfatherandpromisedmyselfthatonedayI
would meet a man whom I would fall in love with head over heels. At the age of 16, I wrote my first
romancestorythatwaspublishedinastudentmagazineandwasreadbymyentireneighborhood.Ienjoy
writingromancestoriesthatreaderscanturnintocaptivatingimaginarymovieswherecharactersfallin
love,overcomedifficultobstacles,andparticipateinbestadventuresoftheirlives.Mostofthetimeyou
canfindmereadingagreatfictionbookinacozyarmchair,writingaromancestoryinahammocknear
theocean,ortravelingaroundtheworldwithmybelovedhusband.
ACOMPLETELISTOFKATEGOLDMAN’SBOOKS
Document Outline
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- About Kate Goldman
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