Love Untangled - Chapter 146

Saphira

I pouted my lips and placed my hands stubbornly on my hips. Not all Arabic men wore dresses. I had never seen Benjamin in one. “The Sultan does not wear a white dress!” I said confidently.

The guy slightly shook his head and then looked at me. “The new sultan.” He began to say and looked me straight in the eyes. “Is not a real Arabic man.” He said in the same confidant tone.

“That is really ridiculous.” I shrugged. He tilted his head to the side, still looking at me. “No it is not and I guess that you know that I am right.” He said meaningfully. “You are one of his friends from America right?” He stated more than he asked.

I pointed out my chin. “Then what does it take to be a real Saudi man?” I said incredulous. “Arabic norms, values… it is a way of thinking… a way of living so you will.” He offered using a lot of hand gestures.

“So you probably think I am not a real Arabic woman either?” I said amused by him. “Do you feel like you are a real Arabic woman?” He questioned to my surprise. I was not ready for that question.

“Your eyes look like hot chocolate.” I blurted out. “What?!” He said stunned. I bit my lip in return. His lips twitched, trying not to smile.

“Well…” He pressed, still waiting for me to reply. “Arghh… ” I groaned and he snickered. “I don’t know, really.” I admitted.

“My mother did not really raise me to be an Arabic woman… she uhm… Well you won’t find that interesting anyway.” I said as I stood up.

The guy stopped me, by briefly touching my arm. It was just a split second, but is was long enough to send an electric pulse through me. We both seemed dazed by what happened, because we were still staring at one another.

“I am sorry.” I said and ran back inside.

Benjamin

Jasmine had stabilized again and I needed some fresh air and away of the crowd inside the palace.

I walked towards the south entrance to our garden, and caught Saphira stumbling inside.

I steadied her, placing my hands on her back. “What is all the commotion about?” I frowned.

Saphira seemed out of breath. “What’s up?” I said tilting her chin up, so she had to look at me. I could not decipher what she was thinking.

“Nothing, really.” She said breathing heavily. “That is hardly the truth.” I smiled. “It’s nothing…” She insisted.

“How is Jasmine?” She asked. That snapped me out of it and I immediately let her go. We both swallowed visibly.

“She is stable again.” I muttered. I ran my hand through my hair and Saphira seemed to eye me from head to toe.

“There you are.” My cousin said.

It was Malik. He was about the same age as I was.

“We were just talking about you.” Malik coughed a laugh. “Anything good?” I frowned. He and I never really got along. He never seemed pleased that our grandfather favored me more than him. He always wanted to have what I had.

“About you?” He asked sarcastically. “Never.” He smiled from ear to ear.

“It was about that you are better dressed than him, even when you are in home wear.” Saphira said seemingly irritated by Malik. I don’t know why, but I was glad she did not like him.

I pressed my lips together, trying not to smile. “Nah, it was actually about the fact that you are not a real Saudi king.” He said without shame.

I looked him straight in the eye. I kept my face calm. “Dear cousin, I would mind your words towards your sultan.” I said unshaken.

He opened his mouth again. “Consider your words carefully before you speak.” I smiled. “Of course we were just kidding.” He said in a fake friendly tone.

“Saphira, I was about to show you around the palace.” He spoke to her. “That can’t be.” I smiled. “I was just coming to get her, we have an appointment.” I said meaningfully. “Come Evangeline.” I said as I intently looked into her eyes.

Saphira seemed to hesitate. “I uhm… Well… I think that you are busy today… I mean… Jasmine woke up, so I hope that you don’t mind that I take Malik’s offer…” She said as she turned towards him.

He looked smug. “Well then.” He said raising his eyebrows once. I did not want to make a scene right here in the middle of the hall, so I need to let this slip.

“Sure, you are absolutely right.” I smiled. “I will see you in an hour… in my office.” I commanded her.

“Yes.” She almost whispered. They walked away and Saphira slightly looked back over her shoulder. Was she doing this on purpose? She knew that I did not want to see her with any other man. This was not the right time to taunt me.

I paced up and down my office the entire time.

I was absolutely losing my mind. What the hell was she thinking, going with him. She was five minutes late. I did not want to seem like a lunatic and go find her already. I would give her five more minutes… I thought making a deal with myself.

I was starlet when I heard a soft knock on the door. Saphira peeked around the corner. “What in the world possessed you that you went along with Malik’s charade?!” I grumbled towards her.

Saph walked inside my office and slowly closed the door. She looked like a guilty dog with her tail between her legs.

Then I saw something change in her posture.

“What’s it to you?” She asked with an attitude. “What do you mean, what is it to me?!” I retorted.

She shrugged. “Don’t ever do that again.” I told her. She crossed her arms and raised her chin again. What was wrong with her lately.

She frustrated me more then she would ever know.

I walked up to her and pressed her body against the door.