Meeting his parents
1591 Words
Chapter three
Kacie
It was already a week since I was captured. A week since I'd been imprisoned at Zayn's mansion.
Two maids came into room, holding neatly folded clothes. I looked at them questioningly. “Is there something wrong?”
“It's time for your bath.” They simply said.
As I got out of my gown, I wondered at their use of vocabularies. Prisoner's room, Zayn had said. But this room didn't bear any resemblance to a prisoner's room.
If there was anything, my pathetic condo was more a prisoner's room, compared to this beautiful and expensive looking room. When I'd looked into the walk-in closet out of curiosity, my eyes had gone wide in shock.
Just how rich was Al-Zayn?
During breakfast, Zayn had an odd look on his face. For whatever reason, he had a guard bring me over to have breakfast with him. And boy, was I intimidated.
I barely ate, as I picked at my plate. “You should know about me, since you're my fake bride to be.” He suddenly said, after a thousand minutes of uncomfortable silence.
I raised my head abruptly, and slowly brought it down. “There's nothing I want to know.” I muttered.
“That wasn't a request, but an order.” His voice went a notch higher.
I lost whatever appetite I had left. “Why did you spare me?” I asked. It was a silly question, of course. But I wanted to know.
He scoffed. “Is that even a question? But I'd answer you. I told you already, it's because you're pretty.” He shrugged.
“That isn't enough reason, Al-Zayn. You can have as many pretty women as you wish.” And it was true.
“I don't know either. Ask whatever you want to know.” That was enough hint to stop pushing it.
I nodded. “What do you like, the most?” It was the first question which popped into my mind.
“Wits.” He simply said, and I watched him as he popped a strawberry into his mouth. “I love wits. Now it's my turn, Kacie. Why the hell did you sneak into my mansion, knowing my status fully well?”
“But you said you just wanted to-” I protested, and he cut me off.
“I don't care what I said, answer the damn question.”
I reached for a glass of water, and downed its content in one gulp.
“I did it for the money.” I whispered.
He rose from his seat, and leaned down. “I love wits, but unfortunately, you have none of it.”
Minutes after he left the dining room, I sat back there, frozen still. His words shouldn't hurt that much, but I didn't know why they did.
***
I found myself pacing the expansive room, my hands getting all sweaty.
They'd be here in an hour's time.
Earlier during breakfast, Zayn had told me that his parents would be visiting, and I'd be meeting them. My heart had almost jumped out of my body.
I inhaled and exhaled sharply, reminding myself that I had to do well, else everyone I cared for would die.
From the little time I'd known Zayn, I knew he hadn't been bluffing.
The door pushed open, and an exquisitely dressed maid walked in. She gave a low bow. “The Sheikh requests your presence in his room.” And she left, just as quickly as she came.
I had no problem finding Zayn's room. I'd been there before, after all.
The moment I walked in, the dread which I'd been trying to push to the back of my mind, surfaced yet again.
He was dressed in a black suit, and black pants. His hair had been styled, and he looked breathtaking. His room was even more so. Golden colored chandeliers hung down from the ceiling, casting beautiful lights on his black themed room. It was even more expansive, than mine. Probably more than any room, in the mansion.
“Done looking?” His voice shook me out my thoughts, and I cleared my throat awkwardly.
“You sent for me.” I said nervously.
He nodded, and reached for a box from the nearby dresser.
I watched him curiously, as he turned back towards me. “Remember, I won't tolerate any mistakes of sort. If you jeopardize this, I'd ruin you.” He warned, his eyes gleaming dangerously.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
He walked towards me, and finally opened the box. When I saw its content, I gasped audibly.
It was the most expensive and beautiful looking diamond ring I'd ever seen.
“Why are you giving me this?” I breathed, not taking my glance away from the ring.
“My parents aren't fools. What proof is there to show that we're engaged, without a ring? Put this on.” He pushed it into my hand.
This wasn't how I'd imagined my engagement to be. I'd always imagined my prince charming kneeling, and asking if I'd like to marry him. Imagined him spiraling me around, out of happiness when I said yes. And kissing me with love.
But that wasn't the case. Instead of the sweetness I'd imagined, I was about to convince my enemy's parents that I was his bride to be.
Ironic, wasn't it?
I slipped the ring on, and admired how it glinted in the light, against my fingers. It was a little too big.
I looked up at Zayn who was staring at me with a darkened gaze.
The door opened before he could say a word, and Amad dashed in.
“They are here.” He said, as his gaze darted between me and Zayn.
Zayn encircled my waist with his hand, and I almost flinched at his touch. His touch sent spams of pleasure coursing through my body.
I swallowed the non-existent saliva, and waited, as Amad pulled the door open.
“Are you ready?” I heard him ask, just as buzzing sounds filled my ears.
God help me, but I felt like I was about to lose consciousness.
In a tiny voice, I said, “Yes.”
***
The large hall was brightly lit, with dozens of bodyguards flanking both sides. There might have been more than a dozen.
Totally nervous, I took solace in the fact that the man holding my waist had the same agenda I did. Which was to please his parents.
I didn't spot his parents at first, since they were obscured from sight, by their convoy. But when I did, the bile like taste in my mouth, increased. If I had thought Zayn was intimidating, the man seated on the two seatee sofa, was more so. Right beside him, was a pleasant looking woman. Their gentle perfume whiffed into my nose, and I inhaled deeply.
They rose from their seats, as we got closer. The woman spoke first.
“My, my. You look beautiful. I've always known Zayn has good taste, like his father.” She pulled me away from Zayn's grip, and hugged me gently.
In the absence of Zayn's comforting hold, the nervousness came back in full force.
I forced some words out. “You flatter me, mother.” The words were out before I could stop them. I waited with bated breath, for her to flare up at my way of addressing her. But she didn't. Instead, her smile broadened, as she pulled away.
“So humble.” She looked past me, at Zayn and winked.
I turned to the unsmiling man behind her, who hadn't said a word. Zayn came forward at that moment, and placed an arm across my shoulder. “Father, mother, meet my fiancèe, Kacie Aurel. And Kacie-” He turned to me, and gestured at his parents.
“Meet Sheikh Khalid Fazzal, and my lovely mother, Humairah Fazzal.” His tone was as bland as always.
It might have gone unnoticed, but I'd always been sensitive of my surroundings for as long as I could remember. And the stare Sheikh Khalid threw at me, wasn't a welcoming one.
His mother was a different matter altogether, and I was sure cozying up to her wouldn't be a problem.
“I had a feast prepared for your arrival. Let's go.” Zayn said, and let the way out of the large living room.
As I walked closely behind my abductor, I tried to ignore the heavy stare behind me. To ignore the fact that these people wielded power, greater than anything I've seen before. And to ignore the fact that at any slightest mistake, I'd be dead.
It was a feast indeed. Laid out on the table, were different mouthwatering dishes. There were maids, standing in a clean line, as we all piled into the dining hall. They bowed, and chorused something in Arabic that I didn't understand.
It wasn't until we took our seats, did Sheikh Khalid speak to me. “So you're my son's fiancèe?” He asked, his voice making my heart skip.
What was it with these men, and their intimidating looks and voices?
“Yes, Sheikh.” I simply replied, and kept my head fixated downwards.
I was about to cut a steak, when he spoke again. “And who're you? Introduce yourself, Miss Kacie.”
My soul literally left my body. I quickly turned to look at Zayn who was seated beside me. How was I supposed to answer that question?
- Writer
