September 2021 , A village in India
"What's wrong??" Ava heard Zayed asking the driver when the man stopped the vehicle, due to some commotion in the area.
She woke up completely from her slumber and wondered how she fell asleep in this tense atmospher.
She looked out the window to see that they are in some remote part of some state and the time is around four in the morning.
That means they have been traveling for around ten hours now and she has been asleep for the last five hours or so.
How she fell asleep when Zayed was just an arm length away was beyond her.
"Your Highness! A huge banyan tree has fallen, blocking the road. There is no way the road will be open for another few hours" the driver said and Ava sighed in resignation
God!! What sin did she commit in her previous life that she is being punished now!!
An extra few hours with Zayed would be like few decades.
She simply do not want to endure that torture.
How much ever she is dying to close the distance between them and place her head on his chest, how much ever she is dying to be in his arms, how much ever she craves his touch, she doesn't want that torture.
She can't believe she is going to spend a weekend facing the taunts and tortures of Zayed when she could have happily spend it with her kiddos.
"Are there any resorts nearby??" He asked the driver and she rolled her eyes in disbelief.
Does this place looks like one with a luxury resort in his eyes. This area is even more underdeveloped than the village, she grew up, was two decades ago and he is looking for a resort.
They would be lucky if they find a local food vendor anywhere nearby
"What??" He asked annoyance evident in his voice.
Damn!! He saw her rolling her eyes!!
"Does this place look developed enough to have a luxury resort anywhere near??" She asked and he sighed.
"I don't lose anything by making sure, do I??" He retorted
"I'm hungry" she said.
"Really?? And I'm Zayed. Nice to meet you hungry!!" He said sarcastically and she huffed in annoyance.
The driver got out and walked away from the car towards some elderly men standing in a group around the corner.
Are they usually up this early or are they up just because the tree has fallen this morning, she wondered!
Not that it matters.
The driver came back after talking to them and was fidgetting with his cap looking extremely uncomfortable, making Ava frown!!
"What is it Shyam??" Zayed asked
"Well. I have asked them if they can arrange for stay for you both" Shyam said still fidgetting with the cap in his hands.
"And??"
"And they are okay with that?? They said they can arrange something in one of the old men's home."
"That's great. Thank-you Shyam" Zayed said which made Shyam even more uncomfortable.
Why?? Ava had no idea.
"Actually!! They are all very conservative people. So I had to tell a little white lie" he said making them frown.
"What lie??" Zayed asked impatiently
"I told them that my boss and his wife need a place to stay, to freshen up and rest until the road is cleared." he said looking down and Ava froze. She could feel Zayed stiffening beside her.
"I'm really sorry Your Highness. But I had no choice!!" Shyam added quickly.
"Its okay Shyam." Zayed said and his composure is back to place
"You will have to act as a couple in front of them" Shyam said uncomfortably
"Nothing new" Zayed said with a devilish smirk on his face and Ava's heart started beating fast.
What the hell is he thinking??
Act as a lovely couple again?
They had done it once. Six years ago.
To please his family.
Though no one was fooled ,but she could still remember acting happy in front of the Ahmed family, when she was miserable like hell.
Being ignored by her husband behind the closed doors of their room.
He had believed her to be a home wrecker.
He had believed her capable of having an affair with a married man. A married man who was old enough to be her father.
It still gives her the chills, remembering those days, when her every move has been followed by the lustful stare of the Marquis Adolf Clermont.
She had been working as a chamber maid in the aristocratic manor.
An eighteen year old, who didn't really understand the Marquis's intentions first.
The old man wanted to make her his mistress. Ava shuddered at the thought.
What if he had succeeded. What if Zayed hadn't come to her rescue.
Zayed had taken pity on The Marchessa Rosaline Clermont ,who reminded him of his own mother Rosalie.
And Zayed had believed Ava to be a gold diggers who had her claws into the Marquis.
He had married her to get her away from Rosaline's husband.
And Ava hadn't questioned him. All she wanted was an escape from Adolf Clermont's grasp.
And she had believed Zayed to be her knight in shining armor.
Only once they reached Zidra, did she realise how much he hates her.
And yet he had kept her with him to please his mother. To show his mother that he is happy.
"Isn't it Ms Dupont?" Zayed asked, bringing Ava back to the present, with the same smirk on his face
"Thank God!! I was worried how you are going to react sire" Shyam said smiling in relief.
"Aren't you up to the challenge Ms Aveline Dupont or should I say Sheikha Aveline Zayed Ahmed al Zidra!!" He said making her cringe at the name.
"Anything that pleases you Sheikh Zayed Ahmed al Zidra" she retorted, praying her voice is as steady as she hoped.
He got out of the car and extended his hands for her to take. As she placed her hands in his she felt the familiar electricity which he named as static pass through her entire body and her first instinct was to snatch her hands away.
He tightened his hold on her as if he sensed her thoughts and pulling her close he whispered
"Play the part well Mrs Ahmed. We don't want them to be suspicious, now do we??"