Ashley stirred her steaming cup of cappuccino with her spoon.
“So, is it serious?”
“No doubt at all; I’m certainly willing to do my best here.”
“You always do your best,” she replied with a smiled. “In general, it’s your counterpart the one who doesn’t get the point.”
Carry grunted. She looked at the tray of butter cookies the waiter had just brought and ate one. Then, she took a sip of her hot cocoa.
“Come on! Don't be so sensitive. You know you get your hopes up very easily. I just don't want to see you hurt again.”
“Are you just saying that because of my stupid ex-husband? I got over Xavier already.”
“We know that, but be careful with this Guy, okay?”
“Okay… I’d really like you to meet him. That way, you can tell me what you think once you’ve talked to him. After all, you’re a good judge of character.”
A smile stretched across Ashley’ face when she heard that comment.
“How is your lingerie store? Did you use that to captivate Guy?”
Carry let out a laugh.
“It’s part of my charm, yes,” she replied with a wink. It feels so good to smile, Ash thought, especially because what was coming for her marriage was anything but happy. “What do you think if I give you an early birthday gift for you to wear for Caine?”
“Maybe…”
“We’ve launched a new line. It’s gorgeous! Red and blue silk, lace, garter belts, you can’t even imagine!”
“Well, you’re the expert.”
In the middle of her enthusiasm, Carry didn’t notice Ashley’s monotonous tone.
“His jaw is going to drop! But he always drools for you. I’m sure this little outfit will make him so lusty, you’ll have to take him to the hospital so they can lower his pressure.” When they realized a couple behind them was listening and were laughing, Ashley also let out a laugh. “Let’s ask order our dinner and then we’ll go to one of my stores. The closest one is at Guardian Hotel, ten streets from here.”
“We can go in my new car.”
“With those commissions, you’ll have to hire me as your new seller.”
Ash rolled her eyes at her friend.
“It was a present for our second wedding anniversary.”
“Wow! And what did you give Caine?”
“Gold cufflinks, a whole set of new golf clubs and a professional coffee maker for his office, because he loves coffee.”
“Who doesn’t like an extra present?” She asked smugly. “So let’s get that little present already. I’m the best assistant buyer.”
“Caine is leaving town…” she said in a voice tinged with sadness.
Carry’s expression lost all traces of joy. She placed her hand lovingly over her friend’s.
“What happened?”
Ashley told her everything; all the words came spilling out as if she were a water fountain that had been turned off for too long and needed oxygen, and she could only do that by talking. She did just that for over half an hour, while her friend heard her, advised her and ranted. Yes, that was Carry: impulsive, dynamic and fearless.
“He’s a jerk…”
“It’s mostly my fault.”
“What exactly is your fault?” She inquired in a sharp tone. She continued without waiting for an answer. “I think not telling him about your brother was your mistake, no doubt. He’s your husband and he has the right to know why you refuse to face that chapter of your life that hasn’t let you explain to him your fear of being a mom. Accusing him and being defensive isn’t going to help you at all. On the other hand, the way he acted last night was terrible.”
“I know…”
“I understand that we all can feel overwhelmed with work and business issues; it’s normal. But you tried to talk to him twice and he was just plain rude; he was such an idiot. You should’ve kissed Doug Pritchard, he’s so hot.
“Carry!”
This time, Carry let out a laugh.
“You introduced him to me on your wedding and if he weren’t such a flirt, I would have tried to catch him. Now I have Guy, so I only want him!
“You’re hopeless.”
The woman only shrugged.
“But I have fun,” she smiled. “Now, even if your husband is flying his ass to Melbourne, you’re going to the store with me. If you don’t wear the lingerie for him, wear it for yourself. You have to feel sexy, that can cheer up anyone.”
“Thanks, Carry. You’re absolutely right. Let’s go…”
“No, no; let me finish my butter cookies first, then we’ll go,” her lips quirked upwards in a joyous smile. She loved cookies and she wasn’t going to waste them. Ashley smiled and finished her coffee.
CHAPTER 4
Ashley had just received a call from her boss in Adelaide’s central agency. The branch office she managed in Sydney had generated 5% more profits than the other branches and she was going to be rewarded with a bonus; a very interesting one, she thought with a smile while she typed on her computer.
The atmosphere at work felt more relax. Her employees almost seem more incline towards the pressure she had to produce because of the monthly goals required by the top management. It had been a good idea to go to the bar with them and show them she was just as human as them.
“Knock. Knock,” Doug said with a grin as he stood by the door.
She stopped typing and returned the gesture.
“Hi, how was the open house today?”
Without waiting for an invitation, Doug settled himself on a chair in front of Ashley. He crossed his arms with his grin still on his face.
“Our morning was a complete success. We sold the mansion.”
She raised her eyebrows in surprise and put her hand over her heart.
“Really? Wow! That’s fantastic! It was the most expensive property we’ve had this year. I thought he would never get rid of it.”
“Well, you see, your best seller did it again. What do you think if we go celebrate?”
Ashley leaned against the back of her seat. Cain had been out of Sydney for a week and not two days as he mentioned. Apparently, there had been a problem. The king of Bhuran had moved forward with the negotiations to form an alliance with House Valliard and that’s why Caine was currently in the Middle East. He had to arrange everything to fly directly from Melbourne and couldn’t go back to Sydney until everything was settled, he told Ashley over the phone. It was the most important contract of her husband’s career and she was well aware of that.
Caine called her every night, but the truth was that Ashley didn’t feel like talking so much. She preferred to focus on her job until he came back. Long distance arguments and reconciliations weren’t her cup of tea.
“I appreciate the invitation, but I don’t think it’s appropriate, Doug,” she replied softly. He was about to add something but Louisa, Ashley’s assistant, popped in. When she saw the man sitting in front of Ashley, she came to a halt and was about to stepped back but Ashley didn’t let her. “Hi, Louisa, is something wrong?”
“No, I don’t want to interrupt your meeting.”
“Doug, is it okay if we talk about your commission and the paperwork later?” The handsome seller stood up and nodded. “Congratulations again.”
“Thank you, boss. I guess we’ll leave it for another time.” He left the room without waiting for Ashley’s reply. The fact that Doug was a hopeless flirt wasn’t news for anyone in the company, but they knew Ashley and she was not only married but also an upstanding professional. Doug never went farther than an invitation or a silly flirtation.
“Ashley, I’m so sorry…” Louisa said in a tone she had never heard.
“What’s wrong?” She felt a chill running up her spine. Louisa always maintained her composure no matter what… but something was seriously wrong at the moment and it had managed to alter her usual serenity. “Speak, please, you’re getting me nervous.”
“King Muffat Al Bin-Habbar
has called… or actually his secretary; someone by the name Zarik.”
“Louisa…” She said in a voice purposefully exasperated as she clasped her hands and squeezed her fingers.
“He asked me to accept the private plane they’re going to send for you from Bhuran.”
“Why?”
Louisa pursed her lips tightly.
“Ma’am, your husband had an accident in an area of the Pheteh desert in the Middle East.”
Ashley’s heart froze and she started panting.
“Is he…? Is Caine…?” She whispered the questions she didn’t dare to ask. She just couldn’t picture her life without him.
“They haven’t given me more details. I only know his alive,” Louisa said. “The king’s secretary said this information couldn’t be shared over the phone. He refused to add anything else.”
“Louisa, call Misty, my housekeeper, tell her to prepare my travel clothes. Make the necessary arrangements for Doug to take over while I’m out. I’ll send an email to my boss in Adelaide and send you a copy. Is the king’s secretary still on the phone?”
“He said he’ll call again in ten minutes.”
Ashley nodded.
“Good; when he does, please ask him the address of the place where I need to be in Bhuran.”
“Yes, of course, right away.”
When Louisa closed the door behind her, Ashley felt her world was falling apart; she needed to calm down.
She was going to need as much strength as possible to endure the situation. How bad were her husband’s injuries? She was angry at Caine but knowing he was hurt and so far away still crushed her.
***
The flight from Sydney to Bhuran’s kingdom was relatively peaceful. Ashley was a nervous wreck as she pictured several different scenarios regarding Caine’s health condition.
She was the only passenger in that flight. She was using the king’s private jet for a seven-hour flight with no scales.
The heat hit her as soon as they entered their destination. The scenery was composed of a burning sun and the humidity. In spite of being under a roof, protected by the shadows, the heat could reach every corner. Her hair was sticking to the back of her neck so she pulled it up into a ponytail.
“Mrs. Valliard,” a man with a long, grey beard and eyes black as the night greeted her. He was wearing a kaffiyeh, the traditional headwear people used in Arabic countries; in this case, it was red and blue as the kingdom’s flag. He was also wearing the traditional suriyah, a long, white robe wore only by men. “Welcome to the Honorable Kingdom of Bhuran. I’m sorry we’re meeting you in such an unfortunate situation. Our Majesty, King Muffat Al Bin-habbar has reserved a room for you in the royal palace. I’m Zarik Amuhallar, the king’s secretary.
The royal palace no less! She thought. She needed to see Caine right away.
“I appreciate it but I have a reservation in Hotel Thahal…”
“Don’t worry about it. The accident happened in our territory and is our duty to take care of everything,” he replied in a tone that wouldn’t accept no for an answer.
Ashley, being aware that that country still had some outdated thoughts regarding women’s rights and how they should be treated, she preferred not to make a scandal by talking about free will. She hated being told what she could and couldn't do. But she had another priority.
With a movement of his hand, Zarik led the way towards a very elegant limousine; a high contrast against the horizon full of dunes. How could a Mercedes Benz survive in this environment?
Zarik was about to move on towards another limousine that was ahead of Ashley’s when she called him.
“Wait, Zarik, please.”
He turned around.
“I… need to know how my husband is.”
“It’s not my place to inform you about that, the king will.”
“Please… I can’t take this uncertainty anymore,” she asked with her eyes full of desperation.
Around them, the wind could barely be felt.
It looked like they were in the middle of nowhere.
“The king will handle that,” he insisted before turning around and getting into his limousine.
She whispered a curse. Why couldn’t they just tell her? Was her husband so badly hurt?
Ashley got into the car that was sent for her. With the AC on full speed, she contemplated the road trying to calm her speeding heart, doing her best to contain her worry and be optimistic. Caine was hurt but he was alive, that was very important. Through the polarized window she saw a rustic road that started to appear. She admired the dunes from the distance and noticed a few tents were coming into view.
“What are those tents?” She wanted to know.
Second later, the driver answered.
“It’s a tribe that inhabits this area. They share their knowledge about the desert with anyone who asks, but it’s not a group easy to access. It’s a privilege to be accepted by them,” he said in a calm and mysterious tone. His comment didn’t scare Ashley, it just intrigued her. “They are highly respected and their knowledge is very valuable.”
“What do you mean with their ‘knowledge’?
“They understand the air, the weather, the sand. It’s a millenary tribe called Bereberes. Bhuran’s princes usually spend a year with them in order to learn some of that millenary culture that has been here way before the Arabs conquered this territory, ma’am.”
She stared at the man to rearview mirror. The man hadn’t lifted the glass that separated the driver’s space from the back of the limousine. He had strong features, a chiseled chin, impressive green eyes and brown skin as most of the Arabs she’d seen since she got to Bhuran, which weren’t that many.
“I have no idea if I’m doing something wrong for not wearing a hijab, but our dress code in Australia is very different…”
“It was abolished last year. The king’s only daughter, princess Amira, studied abroad and asked her father to start modernizing the kingdom or she would go live in the United States and wouldn’t come back to Bhuran ever again.”
“She’s a princess to be reckoned with.”
“I don’t have the right to share my opinion, I’m just explained a fact known by the whole palace. The princess is our Majesty’s only daughter. Everyone in the palace usually knows what she does in order to take care of her and protect her,” he replied coldly.
They entered a tunnel that led into a gravel road, which took them to the palace’s main entrance.
“Is driving your only job? That’s it?”
“This is a special service I do from time to time. I’m the palace’s chief of security.”
“Well, then I appreciate the gesture of picking me up.”
“I’m just obeying orders,” he said without changing his neutral tone. “We’ve arrived to our destination, Mrs. Valliard.” He turned off the engine.
“You didn’t tell me your name.”
“Jamal Salamtha, ma’am,” he got out of the car and opened Ashley’s door. “Zarik is waiting for you at the entrance. They’ll take your suitcases to the room they prepared for you. The palace is completely safe; there’s nothing to fear.”
She stared at him briefly. He seemed to be a man perfectly capable of killing someone in a second; he looked like a warrior from the desert.
“I… thank you…” she responded, feeling overwhelmed with so much ceremony. Everyone acted in a very confusing way; secrecy on one side, loquacity on the other, and then again secrecy.
“It was a pleasure.”
Ashley took a look around while she made her way through the gravel road until she reached the stairs that led to the palace’s entrance. She was marveled by the magnificent water fountain that shown under the sun in the middle of the yard. It looked like it was made of gold; no other material had such a gleam. The fountain was surrounded by beautiful flowers, just like many other areas there. Everything screamed opulence.
“The king is waiting for you in the Gold Room,” Zar
ik said ceremoniously. “He will then take you to where your husband is.”
She nodded and then was guided through gorgeous corridors. Everything was made of marble and gold with gothic designs and royal shields. Some of the walls look very antique, stuccoed, with shells, stars and flowers. She couldn’t contain herself and looked at the ceiling; its design made it look like the sky. Ashley assumed that the red, yellow and blue stars were precious gems and not just decorative stones. It was absolutely impressive.
They went up the stairs and Zarik turned to her.
“We hope you feel comfortable with all the preparations we’ve made for you. You’re our guest of honor, just like your husband,” he opened the blue door in front of them. “Please, come in, the king is waiting for you,” he said and then walked away.
When she entered the room, Ashley found herself face to face with an old, robust man with aquiline nose. The king’s kaffiyeh wasn’t red and blue, but red and gold. Apparently, the dress code of that kingdom was very different from other Arabic countries she had read about; they were complete opposites.
“Your Majesty,” she greeted, bowing her head slightly. Unintentionally, Jamal had showed her the right way to address the master of that country.
“Mrs. Valliard, welcome to Bhuran, my country, and its main city, Quarut. I hope you had a nice trip from Sydney.”
She nodded.
“Thank you, it’s been a long trip but your staff has treated me really well.”
He gestured for her to take a seat and she did.
“I’m sorry they had to keep you in suspense regarding your husband’s medical condition,” she nodded as her heart suddenly sped up. “I prefer to communicate delicate issues such as this in person.”
“Thank you… I wouldn’t like to seem rude but it’s been hours of uncertainty. I’d appreciate it if you could tell me what happened.”
“Yesterday we closed the deal with House Valliard. After the lawyers signed everything, Caine accepted the invitation made by my oldest son and prince heir, Malek, of taking a trip through the desert in a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. The idea was to give him the best touristic experience because we were going to be partners,” she nodded feeling pleased by Caine’s success. “Your husband, however, took a path that he was told not to take. I imagine he didn’t do it on purpose because it’s easy to get lost in the Pheteh desert,” Ashley lifted her hand to her mouth to contain a gasp as he heard the king speak ceremoniously. “The vehicle flipped over.”
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