Sitting around this table too big for three people, Mia still didn't understand what she was doing there. In other words why this sheikh so unpredictable had expressly ordered her to dine with him when she had got into the habit since her arrival a few days ago of eating alone on the balcony of her room or in her bed. Embarrassed by the heavy atmosphere, she was anxious for only one thing : for the dinner to end so that she could finally leave this cold room which the presence of the master of the place made more cramped despite its size.
- My nymph would you like me to feed you myself ? Malick intervened with a wide relaxed smile on his lips. As if the gloom of the master of the place did not reach him.
Too intimidated by the sheikh's deep gaze she could feel on her to speak, she shook her head slightly from side to side to tell him no.
- Are you sure ? It wouldn't bother me at all. Malick insisted, his amused smile still glued to his lips.
-Shut up. Hackim growled in Arabic as his cousin's behavior infuriated him.
-Why ? I've always been the flirtatious type and it never really bothered you more than that. Malick asked in the same language in response to Hackim's order
Hackim remained silent. Why did the closeness between his cousin and the beautiful American bother him so much? He couldn't tell. He just knew that seeing her laughing with him or being close to him displeased him greatly. The proof is that he had demanded that she take her dinner and all the other meals of the day in the dining room with him, he who liked to take his meals alone and in silence. Ignoring his cousin who was staring at him expecting an answer he wouldn't give him for the simple reason that he didn't have it, Hackim turned his attention to the young woman who was nervously pecking at his plate with his fork. It was obvious she wished she were anywhere but here, with him around. Although aware that he had given her no reason to enjoy his company, unlike his cousin, Hackim could not help but feel a dull anger thinking that if he had not been in this room, she would probably be laughing out loud at Malick's tacky jokes.
- Miss Khelani, are you ill ? Does your wrist always hurt you ? He asked abruptly for her to look up in his direction.
-N... No, she stammered in response.
- So I can know why you are not eating ? he resumed coldly
Looking down at her nearly untouched plate, Mia fell silent. How to tell him that his presence made her so nervous that she lost her appetite ?
- Ah, dear Hackim will never change, say so! Intervened Malick with a disapproving expression towards Hackim before resuming
-My nymph does not take her harshness personally. My cousin has always been a man and grumpy and unfortunately the years pass and he remains the same. However I am of the opinion that you should finish your plate, otherwise I will end up believing that you would like me to feed you myself.
Mia smiled shyly. Malick definitely couldn't help playing the Don Juan.
TO BE CONTINUED