“After bringing shame on this family, this is the least you could to restore our honour.”
Saja crossed her arms across her chest. How had she brought shame on the family? His words angered her. He was his father's son.
“Did I ask to be born?”
“Nevertheless you still were.”
“You have no right to speak to me in such a manner. I did nothing wrong to you. Take it up with your father. He was the unfaithful one,” Saja was trying to stay calm but she was failing. The Sheik had already angered her and now Aman was adding fuel to the fire.
“Anyway, if you wish to leave, the car is outside waiting for you.”
“I will do that indeed.”
Saja stormed off to collect her belongings. She dragged her suitcase out of her quarters and left the house. She did not want to be there and she quickly learned that they did not want her to be there either. The driver was outside waiting for her. He took the suitcase from her and put it in the trunk. She got into the car and folded her arms over her chest.
Chapter 2
Saja arrived at the airport and was escorted to a private jet. She was confused as to why she was returning in a private jet. They probably want me gone as soon as possible, she thought to herself. She boarded the plane, sat down and took in her surroundings. She had never been in a private jet before. It was posh, mainly warm woods combined with a metallic trim. Once the plane took off, the flight attendant offered her some refreshments.
Surprisingly, the plane landed about thirty minutes later. Saja assumed it was for a petrol refill, but the flight attendant informed her that they had reached their destination. Another flight perhaps? She got up and walked out. There was a driver waiting for her with a black Bentley. He bowed and opened the door for her.
“Where are we?” Saja asked.
“We are in Quabeca, Miss,” the driver replied as he started the car.
Saja was confused. She didn't know much about the country, and for a good reason. She never wanted to learn about it because it was her father's origin. It made her hate the country even more. She didn't even know where Quabeca was.
“Okay, why Quabeca? What's in Quabeca?” she asked.
“I am taking you to Prince Al-Qadir's palace.”
“Who?” Saja mumbled. She had no idea who that was and why she was going there. Did he have a private airfield there?
“We will arrive in a moments, Miss,” the driver replied. He hadn't heard her mumble.
Saja sat quietly in the back. She kept thinking about where she was going. Suddenly it came to her as they drove through large gates. This must be the man she was to marry. She couldn't even think much about it, as she was distracted by the compound they entered. They had reached the property much sooner than she expected. It hadn't even been five minutes. They parked outside the main entrance. The driver got out of the car and opened the door for Saja. She got out of the car slowly and turned around in a circle as she took it all in. The house was massive. She had never seen one like it. The stone driveway was more than two hundred metres long. There was a fountain in the middle. The landscaping was luxurious. What was it the driver said? She was going to a palace?
“Shall we go in?” a maid asked Saja.
“Yeah, sure,” Saja said jumping out of her thoughts.
The entryway was in the shape of a turret with a vaulted ceiling and windows that cast sparkling light down upon the floor. As she followed the maid down the long hallway, she marvelled at the intricately designed scrollwork along the crown mouldings. The corridors were wide. There were dozens of many maids and butlers and they all were so elegant. It was as if she stepped into a fairy tale. Saja was still confused as to why she was there or who this Al-Qadir guy was to her. She couldn't wait to meet him and tell him this was all a big mix up. Then she could get out of here.
They finally reached their destination. Saja felt like she had been walking for miles. As far as she could tell, they were outside an office. She turned to the maid and asked her where they were.
The maid just smiled and answered, “The Prince will see you now,”
“Okay,” Saja replied and walked into the office. There was a man leaning on the desk, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, with his arms folded over his chest. He was very tall and muscular. He had jet-black hair cut short in back and along the sides. His eyebrows were dark; he had a straight nose and full lips. He wore a stern expression that seemed to go straight through Saja.
“You must be Saja,” he said. His voice was low and dangerous.
“I am, and you are?” Saja replied as she walked towards him. She extended her hand for a handshake.
“You shouldn't easily give men your hand,” the man said. Saja narrowed her eyes. She had heard about how strict the Arabic culture was in regards to female behaviour. She quickly pulled back her hand.
“You do not even know who I am,” he added.
“My apologies, I have no idea who you are or why I am here,” Saja shrugged her shoulders.