“Yes, but as I said before, it’s not my right to meddle in your relationship. Just don’t forget what I told you: love and respect yourself. I’ve always been crazy about my Zayn, but I never subjugated myself at the expense of my self-love.”
Chapter 38
“Where are you taking me?”
“Are you afraid I’ll kidnap you like my ancestors did with their wives, fiancée?”
She smiles. “It would be a great story to tell our children.”
“Who knows, one day I might fulfill that fantasy for you, Madeline.”
Her eyes widen, and I can see the slight tremor of her lips. The idea excites her. “I don’t deal well with surprises. Can’t you give me at least a hint?”
“Our engagement will happen next week. Once the upcoming wedding is announced to the world, the preparations will begin. We won’t have much time to be alone, except for late-night escapes. So in a way, I am indeed kidnapping you.”
“You know, as much as I’m thrilled about the idea of being away from everyone, you should involve me in the wedding preparations. I’m not your subject to just follow whatever decisions you make for me. You just said our engagement is next week, then the wedding preparations willstart. Have you considered thatmaybeI want my family to attend too?”
“No, I didn’t think about it because I’m not used to sharing decision-making with someone. I am always the one who decides everything.”
“It might work well with your businesses or even governing Sintarah, but in our home, we will have a shared reign, my Sheikh.”
I don’t like being contradicted. In fact, it’s a surprise to me that she is doing so right now; Madeline has agreed with everything so far.
“Do you want me to fly your family over here?” I ask, and her cheeks turn a deep shade of red. It takes me only a fraction of a second to understand. “You haven’t told them yet?”
“I told Zoe,” she says evasively.
“But not your parents.”
She shakes her head and looks out at the landscape.
“Why not?”
“It didn’t seem like the right moment.”
“And when will that be? When our child is born?”
She lets out a defeated sigh. “My mother is a difficult person.”
“To the point of not wanting to meet her grandchild?”
“Can we talk about this some other time?” Her words sound like a plea, and then she looks outside the window. “Are we going to the desert?”
I’m pissed off and I don’t want to interrupt our conversation because I know Madeline is hiding something from me, but I can’t resist her excitement. “To an oasis.”
She turns back to me, her whole face lighting up with joy.
“Do you know what that is?” I ask.
“More or less. Please explain.”
“This particular one is a hideaway in the middle of the desert which my father built for my mother. I don’t want to say too much; I’d rather you see it for yourself.”
“Are you taking me there to be alone with me?”
“Partly that, but mainly because I want to show you the beauties of my country. I want you to love it as if it were your own home.”
She strokes my stubble. “That’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever said to me,” she says and interlaces our fingers. Then she rests her head on my shoulder, smiling.
