- Hold on I am coming...
Still surprised to have been installed not in a dark and cramped prison but rather in a room whose size was double or even triple that of her apartment, Mia had not quickly heard that there was a knock at the door. It was only when the short, sharp blows were given with more force that she was brought back to reality. She therefore hastened to open the door that she had under the influence of fear took care to lock after the departure of Amid. Head down, she hadn't bothered to look up at the person at her door, believing it to be one of the servants Amid had promised to send to bring her his meal despite his refusal.
- So you are indeed on my land Miss Khelani.
A gasp escaped from Mia's throat at the sound of this icy voice whose frightening intonations she knew only too well. What was he doing here? What an idiot! She was in his palace and if there is a person who should ask the question it is him. Refusing, however, to let him see the fear that was spreading in every corner of her body at the risk that he would use it against her, she raised her head and squared her shoulders then stared at him before answering him in a voice that she hoped firm enough to camouflage her tremors:
- Oh yes Mr. El Hassan, I am finally on your land as you so wished. Subject to your word which is law, you will be able to punish me for my insolence as you have dreamed of for a long time. Because you and I know full well that the argument given by your men to take me away is null and void.
Hackim raised an eyebrow astonished by the courage of the young woman who despite her fear that she camouflaged very dared to confront him. Wasn't she then aware of the extent of her power even more so on her lands ? Did she know that if something went wrong his government wouldn't dare challenge him for her ? It does not look like. So he set out to make her understand. It was therefore silently that he walked around her to enter without embarrassment into the room assigned to him before going to put the meal tray he was holding on the bedside table near the large king size bed. Then still under the offended gaze of the young woman who openly expressed her displeasure, he sat down in an armchair placed in a corner of the room.
-So Miss Khelani, it's obviously necessary that I clear up a few things first. First of all, you are no longer in your country which gave you the illusion of being untouchable but rather on my lands, in my palace where my word is law. You are therefore at my mercy. So …
Delighted to see the skin on the young stranger's face whiten under the effect of her slow and threatening voice, he kept his sentence in suspense then got up slowly before joining her, she who was still posted at the entrance like a status of ice then bringing his face closer to hers so that their breaths become entangled, he finished his sentence, being pleased to read a growing fear in the young lady's almost extinguished gaze..
- So Miss Khlani if you do not want to leave the comfort of these apartments for that of one of my cells in the basement you had better make yourself very small until you leave. Without forgetting that your departure is conditioned by your involvement or not in this affair....
Legs shaking, Mia wondered how she had managed so far not to fall.
And as he put an end to his ordeal by leaving the room which had lost its warmth by his mere presence, he stopped when closing the door.
-Oh and then for you it will be Your Majesty. It's my title here more than anywhere else. Not sir or whatever.
When the door finally closed behind her dark, dangerous form, Mia took a deep breath to let out the air she had trapped in her chest as she gently dropped to the cold floor. What had she done to him to deserve such coldness from him ? Couldn't he just forget her behavior and blame it on her ignorance? What did she know of the ways and customs back home, a poor country girl who had never traveled farther than Los Angeles ? Tears streaming down her cheeks, she curled up on the cold ground trying to reassure herself that soon when he had wreaked his revenge, she was going to join his cozy apartment and his little patients who missed her so much. It was in this uncomfortable position that she ended up falling asleep haunted by a dark prince who seemed to her each time more threatening.
The door of his office bounced violently under the blow of the fury of the king who had not spared his strength in opening it. Unsurprised by this excess of anger, Amid contented himself with staring after the king until he settled into his seat, fuming.
- What is this stranger doing here without my permission ?
- You asked me to decide what to do with the potential people involved in the scam case. Since it seemed wise to me to explore all avenues, I saw fit to bring Ms. Khelani. The latter replied softly, not intimidated by the sheikh's pissed voice and somber gaze.
- And since when does a suspect in a fraud case get the biggest guest room in my palace ? Questioned Hackim again, unconvinced by his friend's argument.
- This young woman is only suspicious and with her sensitivity, she could not have endured to stay in our cells. Besides, when her innocence is proven, it would be really embarrassing to have treated her like a criminal when she doesn't have one replied Amid again
- Since you seem so sure that she is innocence, what the hell is she doing on my land ? Why put her in the palace when you know how much animosity she inspires in me?
Hackim was angry. Not against his friend or the stranger. No. His anger came rather from the fact that he could not explain this strange feeling he felt when he saw the young woman earlier. A feeling that had nothing to do with animosity or hatred.
Shrugging his shoulders, Amid bowed respectfully to leave the king's office, he turned, a hand on his wrist and as usual spoke words that had the gift of plunging the king into a fog he hated:
- Maybe your are so used to feeling animosity that you mistake what this young stranger inspires in you for aversion ...
What is this man saying ? He knows how to put Hackim in confusion and he hates it. A lot. What is he assuming by saying that he is mistaking his feelings for that girl?