Captured By The Sheikh ( His Hired Bride )

Birthday

Chapter Seven.





Kacie

The days passed by quickly, and soon it was already a month since I was forcefully abducted.

I inhaled deeply, as I strolled through the garden one lovely afternoon. It'd become my daily routine, in an order.

Sleep. Eat. Stroll through the garden.

And it began all over again. I patted a purple hibiscus, and bent to inhale its scent. When I was younger, I forced Josh to help me plant a garden full of pretty flowers.

The thought of him induced forlornness which I'd been trying to keep at bay. And the thought of a certain person.

Zayn. I hadn't seen him for days. Especially after our breakfast in the garden, which hadn't ended well.

“Thank you, Ameeyrah,” I said to the pretty-faced maid who accompanied me. She muttered something in Arabic, which I inwardly translated as ‘thank you,’ it didn't matter if I was wrong.

I gripped the edge of my dress, kicking at the air, trying to be happy and ignore the fact that I was a prisoner.

“A word with you, Miss Kacie.” A voice interrupted my train of thoughts.

Stunned, I abruptly turned to face a bland-faced Amad. He was dressed in a simple brown tunic, and his black hair shone in the sun. He was holding a long rolled-up list in his right hand. It was embedded with gold at the edge, and I was suddenly curious.

Realizing that I hadn't given him an answer, I smiled sweetly, “Sure.”

“Here is a list. I'd like you to look up some of them, and familiarize yourself with their statuses.” As he spoke, he stretched out the list towards me.

Still curious, I knew better than to ask any question. If I thought Zayn had a bad temper, his 6'1 friend was worse. Known to have a prickly temper, I always did my best to steer clear of his path as much as I could.

I collected the list with the calmness of a martyr, even though my insides churned.

Twenty-one names stared back at me, as I opened the list. None of which I was familiar with.

“Oh...” I raised my head and met his gaze.

“Al-Zayn's birthday is a week from now. You didn't know?” His scorn and obvious disgust at me, wasn't hidden.

The look on his face made me recall his discussion with Zayn in his study a few weeks back. It turned out Amad wasn't satisfied with Zayn's decision to make me his fake fiancèe.

In his words, “You have your reputation to protect, Zayn. She's bad luck, just look at what's happening.”

I hadn't stayed back to hear Zayn's response. But the decision made me like Amad further.

Anyone who could stand against Zayn was a friend. And what were we saying? Oh right-

A birthday. I smoothened the edge of my dress, and shook my head quickly. “No, I didn't. He told me nothing.”

He studied me for a moment, and then, “Zayn has always placed emphasis on his reputation, Miss Kacie. And I needn't remind you of the publicity a billionaire's birthday has, need I?” He drawled out his last words, and I suddenly felt self-conscious.

“No, you don't need to.” I said in a voice that barely qualified as mine.

We were out in the open, but I felt hot. And I was filled with the urge to get away from the garden. Breathing felt like a chore, as I met his gaze which was filled with accusation.

“Good, so-” He began saying, when I cut him off. And he didn't take it in a good stride.

“What business of mine is it, if it's his birthday?” I didn't see the use. I was a fake fiancèe only in the eyes of his parents. Everyone at the mansion knew the truth. So, of what use was it, pretending to be who I wasn't?

Amad's eyes narrowed into slits. “For the sake of peace, I'd advise you shouldn't interrupt me while I'm speaking, Miss Kacie.”

I shrugged nonchalantly. Not that I cared. My lips parted, to retort, when his phone rang out loudly.

Still scowling, he held it towards his ears. I watched him closely, feeling uncomfortable, as the look on his face changed.

“I'll be there in five.” He was already moving away, prompting me to hold back my question.

I stood there alone for a minute, feeling angry and curious all at once. I was partly furious at the fact that Zayn hadn't told me of his birthday, himself.

Even though we were a fake couple, we had to act like it, no?

Switch it off, Kacie. You hate him, so why do you care?

But then, my curiosity mounted, and I found myself racing back towards the mansion. At one point, I almost stumbled, but caught myself.

It was a frenzy when I got back. Servants hurried to and fro the floors of the first-storey. I backed against a wall, my mind feeling muddled. Just then, I spotted Amad hurrying towards the West wing. That was where Zayn's room was located.

Without thinking, I followed suit. Different thoughts and scenarios filled my mind. Was he hurt?

The door to his room was left ajar, and two guards manned the entrance. I swallowed, and made to step inside, but they blocked my path.

“What do you think you're doing?” I hissed.

“We're sorry, but we were instructed not to let anybody, except anyone close to the Sheikh, into the room.” One of them explained, in a thick Arabian accent.

My neck burned, and my nose flared in fury.

“You dare to block my path? I'm the Sheikh's fiancèe.” My chest heaved, as I tried looking past their tall frames into the room. I could hear muffled voices, and it only served to pique my curiosity.

“We are sorry, but we were instructed not to let anyone into the room,” His partner insisted, in a neutral tone.

A logical part screamed at me to get away from there. I had no right to meddle in Zayn's personal business.

Maybe he wasn't even hurt. Maybe he was handling an important business proposal.

But then again, the stubborn part of me refused to cave in. I moved closer to the guards, whose faces turned grim with each step.

I tilted my chin defiantly, as I stood in front of them. “Let me in, now.” My tone was calm, but unyielding.

“Please, don't make this hard for us. This was our order-” I cut him off, halfway.

“I don't care whose order it was. f*****g let me into this room, now!” I flared up.

They glanced at each other, and back at me. Just then, the door opened, and an angry-faced Amad walked out of the room.

“What's the commotion all about?” He asked, breathing heavily. His eyes alternated between I and the guards.

Momentarily distracted by the worried look in his eyes, it took me a while before I could find my voice.

When I finally did, I cleared my throat awkwardly and straightened up. “Well, I was about to come inside, but these gentlemen wouldn't let me.” I kept the smile on my face, without letting my nervousness slip.

“You can't.” He simply said, and turned back to go inside.

“Wait! Just like that?” I called out, but he didn't spare me a glance.

I pretended to leave, and when I saw the guards relax through the corner of my eyes, I turned abruptly and dashed into the room.

They hurried after me, but it was too late.

However, my breath stilled at the sight before me. Blood roared in my ears, and my mouth went dry.

I ignored Amad's furious glare, as I moved towards the king-sized bed, on which Zayn lay.

And he was completely unconscious.