“We’re fine, thankfully,” Zaid said, putting a hand on Rebecca’s back to help her into the car.
Once in the backseat on the way to the palace, the security guard handed Rebecca the belongings that had been scattered across the pavement on the bridge. As she held her personal effects in her lap, Zaid caught a quick glimpse of a picture of a young boy, a boy who looked like Rebecca, but with Middle Eastern features.
“Who’s this?” he said, reaching for the picture.
Snatching the picture before he could take it, she tucked it under the other items on her lap.
“I…Zaid.” Closing her mouth, she stared resolutely out the window refusing to say more.
Placing his hand calmly on hers, he waited for her to turn to look at him. She looked terrified.
Speaking quietly, so as not to scare her further, he asked again. “Who is it?”
He waited patiently as she chewed her lower lip, her worry evident in her desire not to respond. With a heavy sigh, she reached for the picture and handed it to him.
Meeting his gaze, “That’s Calum,” she answered. “My son.”
5
Back at the palace in Zaid’s private quarters, Rebecca sat in one of the chairs in stony silence while the palace doctor checked her out to make sure she was okay. She knew she was fine, but Zaid had insisted that she let the doctor examine her. First flashing a light in her eyes, she blinked away the tears from the bright light, as he continued to examine her. Pressing various spots on her neck, shoulders and back, he asked her questions about her pain levels as she gave the same reply, “no pain.” Cleaning off the scrapes on her hands from where she fell, he wrapped up the exam.
While she sat, she watched Zaid’s expression. The doctor poked and prodded her, but so long as he wasn’t asking her questions, she didn’t pay him much mind. Her attention was focused almost solely on the Sheikh himself who had remained silent in the car after she had admitted that Calum was her son.
In fact, he had yet to say anything to her, which only made the matter that much worse. His face darkened repeatedly, as if his anger came in waves, crashing as he stood off to the side, watching the doctor examine her. She knew he was upset about her actions and jeopardizing the tour but judging from the way he clutched Calum’s photo, their next discussion would be of a far more personal nature. Simply looking at the photo, it was obvious who the father was and from the look on Zaid’s face, he was very aware of that fact. Watching his expression darken again, she swallowed hard suddenly wishing the doctor would find a reason to take her to the hospital so she wouldn’t have to be alone with him.
“Well, Ms. Reid, you’re fine,” the doctor said finally. “You’re lucky. You shouldn’t have strayed from the rest of the group. This isn’t America. You aren’t as free here as it may seem, and you aren’t protected as a citizen. You need to remember that the next time you’re out.”
“I will, thanks,” Rebecca snapped. “Is that all, Doctor?” Her response sounded harsh even to her ears, “Thank you, again,” she added in a calmer tone.
Nodding his head, he squeezed her arm lightly before turning to Zaid, “Make sure she gets plenty of fluids and rest. She may be in shock.”
Zaid blew out a breath she hadn’t realized he was holding. “I will. Thank you, Doctor.” He sounded grateful for the doctor’s news and advice and shook the man’s hand warmly before seeing him to the door.
When he came back into his quarters, he closed and locked the door. The anger had returned to his face.
“We need to talk,” he said.
She flinched at his tone, as he reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet. Walking with her over to the couch, he waited until she sat down before joining her. Calum’s photo was back in his hand. The picture seemed so small in his large hands.
For a minute, it seemed like he wasn’t going to say anything. He sat and stared at the picture, rubbing his thumb over the boy’s face. Rebecca was flooded with regret that she’d never reached out to him after their last night together all those years ago. Maybe it had been a mistake not to tell him, but she had her reasons. Some of which were going to have to come out tonight.
“You never told me,” he said. That impressive, booming voice of his had gone hollow and frail. He wasn’t Sheikh Zaid Al-Qasimi at that moment. He was simply Zaid, a normal man looking at a picture of his son for the first time.
“I know,” Rebecca said quietly, bracing herself for the backlash.
“You said his name is Calum?” he asked.
“Yeah. Calum Reid.” She put a gentle hand on his arm and felt the tense muscles through the sleeve of his gown.
“He’s what? Five?”
“Almost,” she answered. She wondered what he was thinking as he stared at the photo. The resemblance between them was uncanny. Calum could have been his clone.
“Why didn’t you ever reach out to me?” he asked. The question came out harsh.
“Look, the nights we spent together, they were amazing.” Her own voice quavered. “If things had been different, maybe we could have been something. But you’re a Sheikh and I’m…”
>