Page 60

Khalid
(Khalid first person. Valeria third person)
“Did you enjoy the food?” I asked, helping her wash her hands in the sink.
The dress I had sent to her room felt like a second skin over her, dipping over her curves and making her look stunning in the ruby color. I had managed not to stare too long at her cleavage throughout the dinner and haul her over my lap, but slowly my patience was diminishing.
“I loved it. Especially the spicy curry and the sweet dessert,” she beamed, her cheeks, nose and ears turning red because she had spicy food.
I patted her palms dry with a hand towel. “I am glad you did. Would you like to come to the palace next week?”
“The palace?”
“My home. Nasrin, my sister-in-law is having a baby shower and we are holding a modest party—well, not modest actually. We are holding a celebration and my brother invited you to come along with me. If you want.”
Why am I nervous?
Maybe because she will get to meet my family?
Zara had called earlier, interrupting us, to ask me about the baby shower ceremony and when she had to arrive. We had talked for a while until someone, a surfer, interrupted our call, flirting with my sister in front of me. I had glared at him but he didn’t care. Neither did Zara. I knew she was twenty years old and could look after herself, but she was still my little sister.
Valeria grinned, her pearly smile making my heart beat faster. She had no right to smile at me like that without a warning. No right to go around smiling like that and show her pretty face.
There I go, thinking like a caveman again.
“You mean the Sultan and Sultana? I am really touched. I would love to come and meet your fam—oh.”
The smile fell off as she turned away.
I stepped closer, holding her hands. “What happened?”
I wanted to know what was causing her to worry.
“I don’t have anything to gift your family,” she said with a small pout, her voice cracking.
My God, if I didn’t do anything, she might cry and truly break me.
I let out a small huff of laugh. “Oh, my sweet one. You don’t have to worry about the gift. Your presence will be enough for them.”
“That’s not fair, Khalid. I don’t want to go empty-handed. I will get all of them something in a few days. You have to tell me their likes and dislikes. What can I gift to the Sultan and Sultana? Princess Zara?”
I let her walk out of my arms and leaned back on the railing of the balcony. I gazed at her when she paced around my room with her phone in her hand to take notes on what possible gifts she could get for my family. The whole moment was so normal that I wished it could last forever.
Eating dinner in peace, holding hands, hugging and arguing about which gifts to buy for family. It was eerily normal. It was hard for me to get used to it.
“Does your sister have a painting set?” She piqued, looking in my direction.
“Of course, she does. Her favorite brother gifted it to her on the day she was born.”
“Of course.”
I held her arms before she could start pacing again. I pulled her closer, taking the phone from her. “Stop worrying about the gift. Nasrin would pinch my ear if she knew I was making a beauty like you worry about such a silly little thing.”
“But it’s not a silly little thing. I want to show my gratitude to them. Toyou, Khalid. I am meeting the royals, your family. You have treated me so well for all this time. I can’t meet your family empty-handed.”
Fuck.This was not supposed to happen.
I glared at her soft cheeks and the adorable stern pout on her lips that she wasn’t backing away.How dare she make me feel this way?