by Leah Leonard
“Yeah, but shouldn’t you two be going on your honeymoon after the wedding?”
The question appeared to shock her newly demure friend whose eyes lowered.
“No. Not at all.” Khalil must have noticed Kelley’s shocked expression, adding, “Later.”
“I see…Well, just so long as I’m not in the way...I will be out of town a lot though, of course.”
“Think nothing of it,” Khalil stared right at her.
Kelley felt his gaze burn through her. She sucked in her breath, tried to ignore his incredible magnetism. She couldn’t allow herself to have the hots for her friend’s husband. It wasn’t right, it couldn’t happen. Not now, not ever.
She wondered if looking at Khalil would ever get any easier. Some men were just too good looking.
There were other men in the sea, she tried telling herself. True, but none of them felt like Khalil. “As it stands, I don’t have a return flight yet. I hadn’t planned to leave until the middle of next month, but of course I can make other arrangements.” When neither of them responded, she added, “Of course I’ll be in Ephesus most of the time.”
“I told you it is fine, Kelley. I am happy you will be here for my wedding. Aren’t you, Khalil?”
“Absolutely.” He locked his brown eyes on hers.
Okay, message received. Kelley turned away, glanced out the window while the domed mosques and Byzantine architecture faded into the background and the limo crossed over several huge water bridges, passing through seaports where mighty ships carried cargo and passengers.
They climbed in altitude and drove away from the water, winding through tree-covered hills, higher in to the mountains, away from the ten million plus residents of one of the greatest cities on earth. She tried to think about the reason for her visit, to see and study the history up close, to make the discovery of a lifetime, and to visit one of the best friends she ever had.
Once Istanbul was out of sight completely, the ride took over an hour longer. Most of that time, they were out in the middle of nowhere, in the arid sandy mountains. Kelley stared out at the huge brown mountains speckled with scrubby green trees and ran over the itinerary in her mind. She initially planned spend the next few days with Safina, perhaps tour around Istanbul. Now that the wedding was part of the equation, she wondered what they would do. She would have to ask Safina once the two of them were alone. If she needed help, Kelley could potentially postpone her trip, or if the two of them wanted to be alone, she could leave sooner.
The painful silence continued on and by the time Kelley felt as though they had literally driven through the entire country, their destination appeared like a beacon atop the largest mountain anywhere around. Surrounded by a thick stucco white barrier, a long driveway snaked up a steep incline to a gold gilded gate with a guard station. The driver called on a radio, said something in Arabic and the gate slowly opened.
The limo crawled up a paved drive, around a hill and parked in front of a white domed palace. Kelley knew she should mind her manners, but she couldn’t control her shock. “This is your house?”
“Yes,” Khalil reported matter-of-factly, as if the luxury was perfectly normal and everybody in the world lived like a king. “You approve?”
“Uh…yes.” To say the very least… The home would make a Hollywood mansion look bland and small.
The driver pulled as far forward as possible on a semi circle drive, parked the limo and rushed to open the doors. He assisted Kelley out of the limo, while a swarm of servants stood in line to welcome them and another removed her bag from the trunk.
Kelley followed her friends to the front of the mansion where she counted a neatly dressed staff of twelve. Six men and six women all wore perfectly starched white robes. They bowed and greeted them warmly and Kelley felt like she’d just stepped out of her former reality and into the life of Lawrence of Arabia.
The entire scene was absolutely unreal. Kelley didn’t know what she would find coming here, she knew it would be different, but she hadn’t expected anything like this. The place looked like something out of a fairy tale, and then some.
From what she had always been told, Safina’s family was upper middle class, not super rich. She knew her father was a businessman, and perhaps fairly well off, but this seemed beyond anything her family could afford, and made Kelley realize how little she knew about Safina. The fact that she attracted such wealth into her life was incredible. She couldn’t wait to get Safina alone to ask her more about how she and Khalil met and why she never bothered to mention him earlier.
High heels crunching on the gravel circular drive, Kelley stretched her skirt over her thighs, and followed the staff up to the door of the palace. The majestic entryway featured a long covered area complete with enormous circular columns that looked more like a museum than a house.
Servants held double doors open that led into a grand ballroom, like something out of Cinderella.
Stunning white marble floors extended as far as her eye could see and gigantic crystal chandeliers were placed every twenty or so feet around the room.
Kelley didn’t want to gawk, so she literally chewed the inside of her lip to keep her mouth closed. After a minute of more awkward silence, she realized she had to say something so as not to appear rude. “Your home is amazing.”
Khalil chuckled, “This is not my home, merely a meeting area. The house is behind.”
“I see,” Kelley said, still trying to take in the vast expanse of the dwelling.
The fact this one room could easily house the entire United States Army was apparently no big deal to Khalil.
Safina appeared surprisingly calm about the whole things as well. She couldn’t wait to ask her just exactly who this man was, what he did for a living, and where he came by such extravagant wealth.
“We hope you enjoy your stay.” Khalil told her, with a slight bow. “The staff will show you to your room shortly.”
Too sexy! Kelley realized she would have to control herself. Sexy or not, he was taken. Somehow she would have to figure out a way to think of something else when Khalil was around. Maybe she could find a spot on the wall to stare at.
Despite her best intentions, she found herself gazing at his perfect teeth again. She’d never seen a brighter smile. His dark skin was perfect in every way and his eyes were like two scoops of the most delicious chocolate ice cream she’d ever eaten. Her friend’s future husband was a true dreamboat in every sense of the word. He belonged on a magazine cover, not all the way out here in the middle of nowhere.
“Come,” Khalil led them to a lavish table near a window that featured a stunning view of the hills and open fields in the back of the property.
The servant held out her chair and she took a seat as plates upon plates of foods were brought out. The staff poured everyone a cup of rich smelling tea from a gorgeous gold decanter and the three of them sat admiring the lavish spread that lay out before them.
“We thought you might be hungry after your flight,” Safina said.
Kelley couldn’t help but laugh. “I am, but who could eat all of this?” Before anyone answered, Kelley realized her reaction might be taken as offensive to her host, so she quickly added, “This is so generous, thank you for everything.”
“Our pleasure.” Khalil lifted his cup. “To friends.”
“To friends,” she and Safina echoed.
Before she could take a sip, Kelley noticed Khalil gazing over her shoulder. She turned to see what caught his eye and saw several servants accompanying a lavishly dressed older woman into the far side of the room. She stood impatiently on the farthest side of the ballroom and wore a traditional costume.
Her gray and black hair was twisted with beads into a long braid draped over her left shoulder that ran down to her waist.
Her veil covered the top of her head, her mouth and lips, but was far smaller than the full covering Safina wore to the airport. “Khalil?”
“Coming,” Khalil pushed his plate away, sto
od and turned to Safina, and bowed. “I trust the two of you will have a good day.”
“You as well,” Safina said.
Khalil left without a glance, a kiss, or even a handshake.
Even though it was probably rude, Kelley turned around to watch him go, her eyes falling to his pants, which hugged his backside perfectly.
He met the other woman, kissed her cheek, took her hand and they disappeared through a back door.
Safina remained remarkably calm through the whole ordeal, however her gaze never left her plate.
Kelley tried to keep her cool, mind her manners and stay out of other people’s business, but she had to ask. “Who in the world was that?”
“Oma.” Safina gazed through her veil with sad eyes.
“His mother?” Kelley hated to think such an ill-tempered woman would soon be her friend’s future mother-in-law.
Safina shook her head.
“His sister?”
“No.”
Confused, Kelley wondered who could so easily whisk the future groom away from his bride if not Khalil’s mother.
Safina then made the most shocking announcement of the day. “His wife.”
Four
Khalil was both pleased and disturbed by the sight of his first wife. While on the one hand, he wished her to remain in her quarters and allow him to properly entertain their guest, after meeting Miss Jones Smith, he realized he needed to have something to distract him, and at the moment his wife provided a perfect excuse to leave the area. He swiftly crossed the ballroom and approached her, speaking in as calm a voice as he could. “Oma, darling, what brings you out today?”
“Who is she?” Oma’s eyes flashed with fiery rage.
“Kelley Jones Smith.” Khalil had never felt more awkward in his life than he did when Oma showed up. She normally kept to her quarters and rarely ventured to this side of the property. Apparently word got out about their visitor and she came to see firsthand what was going on.
Who could blame her? Khalil realized now that he should have mentioned the guest, but then again, this was his house and the arrival of Ms. Jones Smith should not be of any concern to Oma.
“Why is she here?” Oma demanded.
“She is a friend of Safina’s visiting from the United States.”
She crossed her arms over her round body. “You didn’t ask me if it was acceptable to bring someone to stay in my house.”
Khalil turned and met her gaze. “You shall remember, darling, this is my house and I will invite whomever I please to stay here.”
“I never have guests. Your brother’s wives never have guests.”
“You never asked.” Khalil realized her argument was sound, and there would be no persuading her that the situation was a good one. The truth was he would have disagreed with Oma’s assessment earlier today, but now that he had a good look at this woman, he realized she had a point. He had no idea what a distraction a visitor could be and only wished to keep peace with his first wife. “Do you wish to invite someone? Please do so.”
“Look at her.” Oma gestured to the spectacle on the other side of the room – the uncovered arms, loose flowing shocking bright blond hair that fell past the top of the chair to the middle of her back, and the sexy legs that were crossed under the table, tipped off by a pair of bright red heels.
Khalil cleared his throat. He noticed her all right.
Ever since he and Oma married, Khalil tried to embrace the old ways, do what his father wished, but seeing this Kelley Jones Smith made him ashamed for the first time since becoming a sheikh. She stirred carnal thoughts in him he had not had since he was free and unmarried. He cleared his throat. “She is American and should not have to adhere to our ways.”
“She is offensive,” Oma growled.
“In what way?” Khalil attempted to defend the scantily clad stranger.
Before she could reply, Oma became so stressed, she coughed.
Khalil embraced her. “Are you okay?”
The choking fit only became worse. Oma became short of breath, gasping for air as she sadly had since they first met, only this time, the cough grew so deep, she leaned over and placed one hand on her knees, while the other clutched the side wall.
Through the years, Khalil called in all of the best doctors for her, sparing no expense, however nothing seemed to help.
Lately, Oma’s condition worsened. Nobody could find the source of her distress, and so far, there was no cure.
His disregard for her feelings only agitated her poor health. He should have considered her wishes. He never thought Kelley Jones Smith would provide such an upsetting experience for her. Oma had been with him the longest, and he was sure she was anything but pleased that Khalil would soon take a second wife. The stress of his upcoming wedding only compounded the situation. But still, didn’t his newest bride deserve to have her friend here? The house would soon be filled with high ranking officials and dignitaries from around the Middle East. Oma would have to realize that this is how things were and there was nothing she could do about that. He waited for the coughing spell to pass, and prayed he would not need to call the doctor just yet. Placing his arm under her shoulders, Khalil allowed Oma to brace herself against him until she could stand up straight. “Are you all right?”
Today, Oma’s eyes showed signs of great fatigue. “I will be.”
“Shall I call the doctor?”
“No,” she coughed. “Please no. I am fine.”
Oma was stubborn. She hated her condition more than anyone. The dark circles under her eyes had deepened slightly since yesterday. Whether she wanted him to or not, the doctor would be summoned. He could not allow Oma to become any weaker, for they would all need their strength for the mass influx of visitors who would soon be upon them.
They walked slowly to the center of the long hallway that connected the meeting area with the rest of the house. A white and gold sofa stood against the wall. Khalil helped her take a seat. “We shall rest here until you get your strength back.”
Oma wheezed for a few minutes before finally settling down.
The couple sat in silence aside from the occasional sound of footfalls from servants moving about different parts of the palace.
“I am worried about you,” he said sincerely. “Get to bed and I shall fetch the doctor.”
She turned her weary face toward his, lowered the veil from her mouth. “Why? You know there is nothing more they can do for me. Nothing anyone can do. I shall be fine, Khalil. You will see.”
Khalil hoped so. He knew the upcoming marriage was a stress on Oma, but the union was an arrangement that had been fixed since he was a child, long before he agreed to marry Oma. He needed to say something to her about this, he realized. Perhaps he should have done this sooner. “I am sorry about my wedding, you know. I realize this bothers you.”
She averted her gaze. “I have known your marriage to Safina would come ever since we met. It is not my concern.”
“Yes but we have shared much time together, and this is quite a change.”
“Five years is not so long,” Oma smiled faintly. “You have been a most honorable husband.”
“I have dishonored you by allowing Safina to invite her friend. I apologize.”
Oma didn’t reply.
“Your happiness is a major concern to me, my love.”
Oma rolled her eyes slightly and stood. “Come, let us walk again.”
Khalil took her hand and slowly assisted his wife in walking the half a mile or so into the other part of the house.
Oma wheezed. A lesser woman might have feigned illness to gain his favor, however Khalil knew better.
This was all too real. Each step she took seemed so labored, he realized that regardless of whether this illness was exasperated by his upcoming wedding, her aversion to their houseguest, or her deep desire to have Khalil pay more attention to her, the fact was that Oma needed him now.
In the back of his mind, his thoughts were all about her, M
iss Kelley Jones Smith, the girl with the sapphire eyes and golden hair who stirred his desire like no other. He had to get away from such thoughts and stay away from the unexpected guest. As he helped her into her suite, he made a decision he hoped would help both of them. “We shall spend today together.”
Oma lifted her weary eyes up to meet his gaze. “I would enjoy that very much.”
Five
When Kelley stopped to think about all that had happened to her in the past two weeks, it made her head spin. Her boyfriend dumped her for his pregnant pre-pubescent student girlfriend, she received her grant and traveled overseas on a trip of a lifetime, only to find that the girl who had been her best friend in college was about to be married to the most beautiful man in the world. Any of this would shock the common person, but as stunning as all of that was, nothing compared to what Safina had just shared with her.
“Wife?” Kelley demanded, wanting to know how it was possible her friend planned to marry an already married man.
“I am only the second.” Safina acted like this made it all better somehow.
“Of how many, exactly?”
“He may take up to four.”
Kelley’s jaw slacked. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
Safina shook her head. “It is custom.”
“Custom? Since when?”
“Always.”
“What kind of customs are those? And why did you never bother mentioning this to me when you were in the States?”
“It didn’t come up, I suppose.”
“So you’re saying…?”
“Khalil and I have been promised to each other since we were babies. This was always the plan. It is written.” Safina lowered her gaze, placed her hands in her lap, folding them in submission to this new life she would have to conform to, whether she liked it or not.
“Like you mean destiny or something?”
“This is the pact of our parents. Our families are destined to be one.”
Kelley scowled. She realized her behavior was impolite, but she couldn’t help herself. Rude or not, Kelley wanted to know more, and she had no idea when hottie Khalil might show up. “So you mean this is an actual arranged marriage?”