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He sighed, “You know, one of these days, I am going to break into this studio and punch youso fucking hardfor being so stupid.” As if he was imagining my face on the locked doors, he punched the door, cursing like a pirate when it didn’t budge. “Valeria has been calling every day, asking us if you ate or stepped out of your cave. If you don’t come out by this evening, I swear to God I will marry that womanjustto spite you.”
“But I can’t do that to her. She is too sweet for—wait… is that why you are rotting in here?” He paused for a moment. “You densefuck. Stop blaming yourself or doing your broody shit that you don’t deserve her.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, but he continued talking through the door.
“I know you feel responsible for what happened, but stop hiding like a baby. You are a Prince. The Khalid I know would make up to the woman he lovesbeforehis charming, handsome best friend in the whole world proposes to marry her, do you hear me?”
I bit back my smile. Zayed was so full of himself.
“I will come back again this evening and if you don’t open up, I am flying to London and broadcasting my proposal to Valeria in front of her office and uploading it on my YouTube channel for you to see.” His words were full of promise and I wouldn’t put it past him to do that. He would, most definitely, fly to London and propose Valeria to marry him out of spite for me.
After hearing what Zayed had said, I had put a little effort to look better. I trimmed my beard to my usual stubble, noticing that the slash on my cheekbone had disappeared. I wore a clean shirt and pants when I walked out of the art studio—
“My best friend!” Zayed yelled, tackling me on the ground.
I winced when my head hit the floor, his heavy weight pressing me down as he yelled in my ear.
I pushed him away, glaring at him, “Touch me again and I will cut your arms.”
He grinned at me, his eyes almost tearing up as dimples popped on both sides of his cheek, hugging me again. “I missed your death threats so much, my best friend!”
He even kissed my cheek.
I pulled away, wiping his saliva, disgusted. “I hate you.”
Zayed followed me, making kissing sounds. “I love you too, honeybun.”
I shook my head, “There’s something seriously wrong with you.”
“Chicks dig it,” he smirked, winking at me.
“Nice of you to show up,” Nasrin mocked me, walking towards me and pulling me into a light hug.
“You look bigger than before,” I commented, looking down at her baby bump.
I frowned when Zain’s eyes widened over her shoulder. He mouthed ‘Cut it out’ while Zayed made slicing head action.
Nasrin glared at me, pulling away. “You are not gettingkunafahfor dessert.”
What did I say?
“Oh, forgive him, darling.” Zain talked to her in a sweet voice. “He hasn’t socialized with anyone for over a month. Give him some break.”
We settled on the low dining table, crossing our legs as the staff served the food. I swallowed the lump in my throat, noticing the empty spot of grandma and Valeria’s seat. Zara was in Australia and Elena had left for States, the mystery of letterSstill unsolved.
“I know this is not the right time, but I need to know what the fuck happened to you,” Zain said politely.
I opened my mouth, but Nasrin glared at me. “Don’t even think of lying to us. We know it’s related to Valeria.”
I closed my mouth, staring at the food.
“I couldn’t protect her when I promised I would. I killed father to protect Zara, but she still gets nightmares because of him. I tried to protect Valeria, but she still lost her sense of smell.”
“Khalid,” Zain spoke. “None of it was your fault. Father was a terrible person. That man who is rotting in the jail is a terrible person for what he did to Valeria.”
Zayed said, “She never blamed you, did she?”
I stayed silent.