Captured By The Sheikh ( His Hired Bride )

Zayn

Chapter two.

Zayn

I stared down the window, my hands tucked in my pocket, different thoughts running through my mind.

The door pushed open, and Amad walked in. “I heard there'd almost been a theft, last night?” He asked, as he came closer to me.

“The allure of Floating shelves seemed to have attracted someone into my mansion.” I said, in reply. Floating shelves… That was the name of the art piece. I'd gotten it two months ago, from an auction.

“A woman? So bold. So, what are you going to do to her?” He asked, carefully.

I flashed him a brief glance, and turned back to the window. The scenery below, filled with lights, and vast space was beautiful. And they all belonged to me.

“What do you think?” I retorted.

“Well, it's hard to say. Your way of thinking is so different from ours.” And was he right.

I simply chuckled, without giving a response. He was about to continue, when my ringing tone came off, from my laptop.

“Get it.” I ordered, without moving an inch.

However, when some seconds passed, and he didn't say another word, I turned to face him. The look on his face had similarity to the one he had, when he'd eaten berries last night. And Amad hated berries.

“Who's that?” I asked.

“Your parents.” He replied.

“Leave.” I ordered, in a voice that bore no similarity to mine. He hurried out of the room, just as I took the laptop and headed towards the gallery.

. . .

A sharp knock at the door, and someone entering, made me turn back. I raised a hand at Amad, who had a box in his hand.

“I'll be back later.” My best friend said, as he rushed out of the gallery. I turned back to the laptop which was placed on the table in front of me.

“Was that Amad?” The man who was an older version of myself, asked.

I nodded. “Yes, father.” I stroked on the ring on my finger, dreading the conversation which was about to come.

“Have you found a bride yet? The last time we talked, you said you had a blind date with the daughter of a well known business man-” He was saying, then his words were interrupted by someone in the background.

It was unmistakably my mother's.

Her pretty face showed up in the camera, and I managed a smile. “Saba'ar Noor, mother.” I simply said, making myself comfortable on my chair.

“You look tired, Zayn. Have you rested at all?” A concerned look covered her face. My father interrupted her.

“He has many responsibilities to handle. Of course, he'd look worn out. I was asking him if he found a bride yet.” Khalid Fazzal said.

I shook my head, as my mother's gaze turned sharp. “Well, have you?” She asked.

“I've told you guys, I don't want to get married now.” This wasn't the first time I was having this conversation with my parents. But hopefully, this'd be the last.

“You dare go against my words, Zayn?” My father hissed, his face getting clouded with anger. My mother patted his shoulder.

“Calm down, Khalid.” She cooed.

I turned my face away from the camera, as my father began speaking in a more gentler tone.

“You know it's been a generational tradition in our family. You must get married, before claiming the family's business.” He said.

I suddenly felt dizzy. “You are still handling the business, father. I have no interest-” He interrupted me, while I was speaking.

“And what about your uncle? And your cousin? Don't be a fool, Zayn!” His tone was sharper than a blade, as he slammed his hand on a table.

“I worked so hard to build this empire, son. I won't stay idle, and watch it go to someone who didn't work for it. We're coming over to America in a week's time.” He informed me.

“Wait, what? Why?” I asked, as my stomach churned.

Trust my father to be as overbearing as always.

“You obviously don't want to get a bride. We're obligated as your parents, to do that for you.” He said in a tone that left no room for arguments.

“I have a fiancée.” I sighed.

The surprise on their faces were evident, as they blankly stared back at me through the camera.

“Is this a prank?” My mother asked, when they finally found their voices.

I was about to reply, when my father beat me to it. “I don't care. Expect us in a week's time.” My father said with narrowed eyes.

“But I just said-” He cut me off.

“I don't care what you said, son. If you truly have a fiancèe, we'd like to meet her and give our blessings. But if you're trying to pull a fast one on us, we'd give you a woman. Isn't that just great?” He finally smiled.

“Father, there is no need to visit me. I can handle this on my own.” I took on a more pleading tone.

The last thing I wanted, were my parents visiting while my plans were still underway.

“It's decided, Zayn. Prepare for our arrival.” And then, he ended the call.

I stared at the dark screen for some seconds, before slamming my hands on the table in anger. “f**k,” I cursed.

I hated how fast everything was spiraling without control. And I hated the fact that even though I wanted to go against my father's others, I just couldn't. The consequences were too great.

Amad rushed into the gallery. “Done with the call…Damn, what's that look on your face?” He hurried over to me. He'd obviously stowed the box away.

“They want to visit in a week's time.” I simply said to him, and a horrified look covered his face.

He sighed, and pulled a chair forward.

“What are you going to do?” He questioned, and I sighed.

My head ached. But I was more angry, than exhausted.

“Well, I have someone to act as my fiancèe, already.”

“Are you really going to make that thief your fiancèe? I mean, you could go for someone better. It's unlike you to make a rash decision.” He ruffled his hair, while crossing his legs.

“A thief?” My tone hardened, as I stared at him. He flinched, and raised both hands in apology.

“I'm sorry.” He muttered.

I rose from my seat and began pacing the gallery. The art piece was now back in place.

When she'd sauntered into my room last night, I'd been trying to get some rest. Already accustomed to the darkness, I'd already seen her.

But once I'd turned the lights on, her beauty had captivated me. What, with those fiery green eyes, and plump lips.

“You were about to tell me something?” I asked him, after a while. I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind.

“Ah, yes. I just got a report that your uncle has been trying to buy shares from your rivals.” He informed, and a cold smirk touched my lips.

“He's trying really hard, isn't he?” I asked.

“What should we do?” Amad stood up, and waited for my response.

“Let him do whatever he wants. He can only go so far.” I waved my hand dismissively.

He took that as his cue to leave. Once the door clicked shut, I was left alone with my thoughts.

That god-damned tradition. I grabbed at the laptop, and strolled out. Now, I simply had to ask her what her decision was.

***

The door to the prisoner's room was left open, on my orders. On the bed right in the middle of the room, was Kacie. I had my men look into her, and everyone around her too.

She sat up, her eyes going wide with fear, as I walked into the room.

“Decided yet?” I pulled at a chair, and plopped down on it, studying her closely. She had almond shaped green eyes, and a lush looking black hair. Her oval face accentuated the shape of her aquiline nose, granting her a fiery, yet subtle beauty.

“There's no decision to make.” She muttered, in a voice barely audible.

I chuckled lowly, trying to get a hold on my anger. “I'll take that as a no, then?”

She visibly swallowed, clutching the edge of the duvet, and pulling it around her body. She didn't respond.

“Josh, was it? That's the name of your partner, right?” I asked in a nonchalant manner, as I leaned back.

But that wasn't the same for Kacie, who now had a horrified look on her face. “You-” Her voice broke, and she swallowed. “What have you done to him?” She heaved.

I laughed. “Done? What do you take me for? An unfeeling being? Your friend is safe. But I'm not sure that'd be the case in a few hours time.” I stroked on the ring on my finger casually.

She blanched. “Please, don't. Don't hurt him, he's innocent. This was all my plan.” She pleaded.

I scoffed. Such naivety.

“What do I care? Even if this plan was yours, or his, if you don't make the right decision, you'd all be dead.” I warned, my calmness a contrast to my words.

She sucked in a breath. “No, you won't do that. You just said you weren't an unfeeling being.” She retorted.

I almost laughed. “And that's why we're having a decent conversation, Kacie.” I shrugged.

Her face turned pale, as she struggled to form a coherent sentence. “You know my name?”

I ignored her words, and rose to my feet. “I'd be back in two hours time. Your decision should be made by then.”

I was already pulling on the doorknob, when her voice stopped me. “Wait, I agree.”

I turned to her, with a triumphant look. “I thought as much. Now, I have a condition. You agree to it, and we have a deal.”

She had a hesitant look on her face, as she struggled to respond. “What condition?”

I approached her slowly. With each step I took, I could see how fast her breath was accelerating.

I stopped beside her, and bent to her eye level. “You must never fall in love with me, Kacie. The day you do, would be your end.” I warned.

I could fulfill my obligations, by getting married. But there was no way in hell I'd fall in love.

She nodded. “I agree, Al-Zayn. I'll be your fiancèe.”

I nodded in satisfaction, and moved away. “Good. We have a deal.”