Forbidden attraction (The stars book 3)

2: Secrets in the garden

*Dean*

 "Wow, this is amazing and kind of crazy. I didn't know people actually lived like this, I thought things like this only existed in fairy tales". I am looking at the giant palace. It is truly overwhelming, a giant mass of towers and gilded domes, blinding white in the shimmering sunlight.

 Joel's mouth is slightly open and his eyes wide. "s**t ! It really is mind boggling, but also kind of cool that we get to stay here".

 Scott walks over, he has an almost fatherly expression on his face. "Remember lads, be polite to our host, even if you don't agree with him and keep your hands off the ladies, literally... not even a handshake".

 "Of course, not really interested in losing a hand or any other limbs". Joel says with a grin.

 We walk towards the main entrance and a middle-aged man in typical saudi arabian clothes steps out to greet us in broken english. "Welcome my friends I am Prince Imad Al Din Abadi, you can say Imad".

 "Thank you so much and thank you for letting us stay here to make our little movie". Scott steps forward to shake his hand. Joel and I do the same.

  Imad smiles brightly and throws out his arms. "It is honour, great honour. Now come see palace, waiter will take bags".

 We follow him into the palace. It is surprisingly cool inside and a bit dim. The prince is chatting away, showing us around. I sent him a friendly smile "It is a very beautiful and impressive home you have here Imad".

  "Many many thanks, I am very proud to". The prince answers, looking indeed very proud, almost like he had built it with his own hands.

 There are a lot of servantes moving around and they all, both male and female, give us a nod with downcast eyes as we pass. I can't help notice that the women wear long cloak-like dresses and headscarves. But at least their faces are uncovered, so I guess it could be much worse.

 "This my first wife princess Asha Abadi". He presents a woman who walks over. She looks to be about forty, with heavily painted eyes. She has a sad look to her and she looks kind of drawn and tired, but she is still a beautiful woman.

 I give her a nod and a friendly smile, which is as much as I am allowed. "An honour to meet you, your grace".

 "Thank you sir and welcome". She says with a nod in response. She has a heavy accent and a quite deep voice. She nods at the others too, and then she walks on.

 I can't help wondering how many wives he might have, considering he introduced her as the first. Maybe he actually has a harem ? But I am pretty sure it would be impolite to ask.

 Imad looks at us, smiling brightly again, like we are his best friends. "Now my waiter show you to you rooms. You welcome over whole palace and just ask if need anything. Please excuse me".

 "Thank you for taking the time to personally show us around your highness". Scott says and we all shake Imads hand again before he leaves.

 A male servant shows up, bowing deeply and telling us he will take us to our rooms. I am the first to be shown mine and left to myself. I walk into the suite and look around, then I throw myself on the grand canopy bed. Wow, this is spectacular.

 I look up at the high ceiling. Luckily the room has air conditioning or I would probably have a hard time sleeping. I roll off the bed and walk to the big glass veranda doors, realising that there is a beautiful enclosed garden right outside.

 It takes me a few seconds to realise that there is a young woman in the garden. For a second I thought her to be a statue. She is standing on the grass. Her eyes are closed and her face turned up towards the sun, like she is soaking up it's rays. She seems in her own world.

 She is wearing a beautiful green dress, more reminiscent of a princess from 1001 nights, than of the tent-like things the other women I have seen were wearing.

 The young woman is wearing a matching headscarf and a thin black veil is covering her lower face almost completely. The eyes are pretty much all I can see and when she opens then I realise they are beautiful.

 I clear my throat, to let her know she isn't alone. And her eyes flash to me. "Uh hello there. I didn't mean to startle you. My name is Dean and I'm a guest here".

*Zara*

 I am in the small garden just outside my private bedroom, when a voice surprises me and I realise a man has stepped out from one of the other rooms.

 He has to be one of those actors from America, because he is definitely not saudi. He is very tall, probably the tallest man I have ever seen, standing about 6'4. He has dark brown hair, a bit ruffled with a bit of curl to it.

 On his chin and cheeks are a heavy stubble, just on the verge of turning into a beard and he is looking at me with warm hazel eyes that seem both kind and intense. When he introduces himself as Dean his whole face lights up.

 I hurriedly look down, I am not supposed to look at another man's face. "Welcome to the palace, sir. I am Zara Abadi".

 "Thank you. This is a very beautiful garden, do you come here often ?" He steps away from the door and out on the grass. He is wearing shorts and a t-shirt and I am definitely not used to seeing men's legs. They look very strong.

 His voice is rich and warm and I instantly like it. It makes him sound like a nice man. I smile under the veil. "Yes… this is my peaceful place and I like to be alone sometimes".

 "Then I shouldn't interrupt you anymore. It was a pleasure and honour meeting you". He says softly and I forget I am supposed to look down. My eyes get caught in the dark warm orbs that are his eyes.

 I feel almost like falling and hurriedly look away, retreating towards my own door. "That's fine, sir. You don't have to leave, I was about to go inside anyway. I hope you have a nice stay".