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“M-Malik!” Her face turned even redder. “Don’t call me that if you’re not going to act like you see me as...” Her voice stumbled to a stop.

“A what?” he asked with a grin.

“You know what!”

The sheikh sighed. “Alright, Ky. I solemnly swear never to call you that again—-”

She started to breathe a sigh of relief.

“If you can honestly tell me you aren’t turned on when I call you my little sister.”

Kyria lost her footing and would’ve fallen flat on her face if not for the sheikh swiftly pulling her into his arms even as his broad shoulders shook in silent laughter.

As they left the dance floor, Kyria couldn’t stop fretting over the huge scandal looming before them. “I can just see all those horrible headlines,” she muttered, “and I can easily imagine Khalil wringing my neck.”

Malik snorted. “Khalil knows better than to interfere in my affairs.”

“But this isn’t just your affair,” she protested under her breath as they returned to her table. “We’re both part of the palace and—-”

“Hallo,” a lovely, familiar voice intruded cheerfully, and soon after Farica popped into view, looking resplendent in the shortest mini-dress that Kyria had ever seen.

“Wow.” Kyria was genuinely impressed. “Your family let you out in that?”

Malik shot her a look. “Don’t even fucking think of it.”

“Oooooh.” Farica’s eyes sparkled. “I can see so much has changed since the last time I saw you two.” Bending down to kiss Kyria on the cheek, she whispered, “Has Malik told you about today?”

Kyria frowned as the other girl pulled back. “Told me about what?”

Farica rolled her eyes as she took the seat next to Kyria and shook her head disapprovingly at Malik. “Such a typical male you are, Sheikh.” Her gaze turned sly. “Or were you deliberately keeping it a secret because you wanted to see if it would make her jealous?”

“Of course not.” The sheikh’s tone was stiff, but a noticeable flush had stained his sharply defined cheeks, and the sight had Farica bursting into laughter.

Bending close to Kyria, she cupped a hand over her mouth as she whispered, “Remember the time you guys visited my club?”

Kyria nodded.

“He did it as a favor, and one which I was expected to return in the future, whenever the need arises.” Farica grinned. “Who would have thought thatthisis the kind of favor he’d be asking?”

Kyria was still bewildered. “I’m sorry. But I still don’t get it.”

Farica patted her hand. “You will in a bit. Just watch and then follow the trail in social media.” And with that, she turned to the sheikh, and Kyria was surprised at the suddenly seductive look that the other and much prettier girl directed at Malik as she cooed, “Didn’t you promise me a dance tonight?”

To Kyria’s even greater surprise, the sheikh stood and without a single look at her offered his hand to Farica. “Wouldn't miss it for the world, sweetheart.”

Kyria choked.Sweetheart?But as it turned out, this was just one of the many other surprises Farica and the sheikh had in store for the day. The two danced for three consecutive songs, and Kyria had to admit that the two made an incredibly lovely pair with their contrasting looks. Just looking at them made her jealous, although not to the point that she found herself hating on Farica the way she had used to with Katerina. Maybe it was because she was more mature now, or maybe it was because she was more secure of the sheikh’s feelings for her. Either way, while her heart experienced a little twinge here and there at seeing Malik dance with another girl, most of her thoughts were focused on the ongoing and increasingly loud chatter over at social media.

Having taken Farica’s advice, Kyria had indeed started checking the usual social media sites for news about the sheikh and the Dutch heiress. Soon enough tweets and posts started popping up, the content of which had Kyria drawing her breath. Majority of these came from Ramil’s more Internet-savvy citizens, with everyone first expressing their mixed sentiments about the photos that showed Kyria and Malik’s closeness.

Isn’t that incestuous?

Lannister alert!

Jamie and Cersei, Ramil version.

But then, other photos showed up, this time of the sheikh and Farica de Konigh dancing, and the thread of conversation took on a different turn.

OMG. Not Little Miss Shallow!