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Kyria let out a sigh. “Fine.”

Malik frowned in disapproval. She was always so soft. No wonder people kept trying to take advantage of her.

“I’ll mail you their photos, but only if I get their permission to do so. I can never go behind their backs.”

The other girls cheered.

You promise?

Yes.

All sheikhs? Rayyan, Khalil, Malik, Altair, Tarif?

To which Kyria said slowly,Everyone except maybe...Malik.

Malik was stunned, and so were the other sheikhs. Why didn’t she want the other girls to have a photo of him? Could it mean she was...jealous?

Rayyan almost rolled his eyes when he saw Malik straightened. That was exactly how Malik used to act whenever he was the first to find Kyria’s hiding place.

Why not Malik, some of the girls complained.

Because...because...he’s a playboy!

Malik’s face became expressionless.

The other girls shrugged off Kyria’s words.So what? I just want a photo.

But...but...it’s not just that. He’s also...not...photogenic!

This time, the other sheikhs could no longer help it. Their laughter rang out, drawing everyone’s attention to them, and still they laughed even as the entire auditorium discovered their identities and pandemonium ensued.

Kyria let out a little cry of distress when she realized that Malik could have heard her. Rushing to him, she whispered, “Did you hear?”

“That you thought he was a playboy?” Khalil asked.

“And that he wasn’t, err—-” Tarif smirked at Malik. “Photogenic?”

Rayyan grinned. “Weallheard.”

Kyria let out another cry, and Altair patted her head. “It’s okay,shaqifa. It is never a bad thing to tell the truth.”

****

“BEST DAY EVER!” KYRIA’Seyes were glowing, her face flushed, and she looked like she could at any time explode in sheer joy.

Malik and Altair scowled, for once on the same side against the evil spirit that had taken possession of Kyria. Riding the camel was only fun for a few minutes, but not when the trail was hours long. Camping was fun when it was really glamping in disguise, with an air-conditioned off-road vehicle ready to dune bash for them on their way to a luxurious desert camp.Thatwas the kind of camping the sheikhs preferred. What Kyria asked for her graduation gift, however, was pure torture.

Walking under the scorching sun, riding the camel for hours, and carrying everyone’s gear—-

Kyria made a face when she noticed the way the two sheikhs were looking at her. “Don’t tell me you didn’t have fun?”

“No,” the two brothers answered at the same time, and in the same clipped tone. “We did not.” But this only made Kyria giggle, and the sheikhs exchanged glances. Their initial assumption was indeed correct. Kyria was possessed.

“Stop looking at me like that,” she protested, still giggling. “I just wanted it to be like the way we used to camp.” She turned to Vanna with a look of appeal. “You get it, don’t you, Mama? Doesn’t this bring back memories, like when we had Papa with us?”

Vanna’s eyes teared.Oh, this cute, cute girl!Unable to help it, she hugged Kyria as hard as she could, and she didn’t let up even as the daughter of her heart let out a laughing protest.

“Mama, I can’t breathe!”