Alicia had turned around shocked and surprised. She was shaking with all her being as she saw a man coming out of nowhere from the room. His figure was not unfamiliar to her but as he was wearing a mask she could not see exactly who he was. She frowned as he continued:
- I remember that I met a mulatto who lectured me about the situation in my country but it's disappointing that I find this same mulatto breaking into a restricted area and taking pictures of private and confidential items.
- But... But... they're just pictures.
Alicia watched as the man removed his mask and once it was off, she nearly had a heart attack.
- You...
It was the man from the beach.
- Yes, I was.
- But what are you doing here? I thought you were the bodyguard of... Sarai...
- That's right, I'm her bodyguard. Because every elder has to look after his little sister or brother.
- Little brother... Little sister... I don't understand... oh my God!!!
It was the Sheikh. She took a step back and stared at the man and all the events of the beach came back to her mind. Why she hadn't noticed how much she looked like Habdil. And why didn't he look like he did on the internet? Alicia was frightened because the sheikh was looking at him impassively and ready to fly at him. Alicia swallowed and at this moment she felt like a thief, the worst on earth. But it was only a few pictures. But... Shit!
- Can I ask why you broke into the museum?
- I...I...I...I...
- The cat got your tongue.
The young woman said nothing, too shocked to be able to say a word.
- You will speak, yes. said the sheikh, raising his voice.
- I...I...I'm sorry. I'm a history student and I've come to do a trace on your history. I need the pictures to finish my thesis with Brio.
- What a lame excuse! Where is your student ID?
- I didn't bring it. I have it at the hotel where I'm staying.
- Really?
He looked at her impassively and looked at his watch before he touched a button. Within seconds guards entered the museum.
- What? You're not going to arrest me for taking pictures!
- Yes, I have to. Until I find out who you are and what you intend to do with these pictures I'm going to have to put you in the holding room.
- But I told you...
Mail he didn't listen to her anymore, he gave orders and the guards took the young woman to one of the detention rooms, taking care to confiscate her phone and everything she had on her. Alicia tried in vain to explain to them but to no avail.
- What did you expect? Ehhhh, Alicia... they are only puppets that obey the rules of this cad! She said to herself.
The detention room where she was, was almost a luxury room but it was still a masked prison. The young woman sighed and as a light sleep took her, she heard something fall near her and getting up quickly, she had time to see a woman pass by dragging a pile of dishes on a shelf. She saw a well-prepared dish underneath a small door in the large door of her cell that opened into a slot. She sighed and walked over, feeling hungry from having only eaten in the afternoon. She didn't know what time it was. And she was a little worried about Sarah. She was probably looking for her. She sniffed the smell and recognized the food from the festivities! She sighed and resigned herself to eating. She ate and drank the lemonade that accompanied her meal. Afterwards, she sat down on the small bed that was there and tried to sleep a little.
- This will be the worst night of my life. And frankly, you big jerk and cad Sheikh, you'll pay for this! You'll pay for this!
The young woman managed to fall asleep while the Sheikh was turning over in his bed. The last of the guests had just left and the Sheikh, too exhausted and tormented, had gone straight to his room. He wondered if he had not reacted badly to the foreigner. But still... she had asked for it. But he knew that she was not going to steal anything, but why had she not asked to visit the museum? The Sheikh was actually very upset. He could see the fear on her face when she had seen the guards come into the room. He had exaggerated... he concluded. Now that she was in custody, he could not take her out if the investigation was not completed. But what had gotten into him? Even though he had asked that she be treated well, that she be given good food with a few perks, he felt guilty about throwing her in a holding room. After all, she was just a stranger.
He had to try to find something else to do to keep his mind off it. He got up and changed into a proper outfit and went to his office to check his email. But when he got there, he found Habdil emptying his drawers.
- What are you looking for? And at this time of day...
- the keys to your personal car. I have to go to a hotel. I have to pick up Sarah. Her friend is nowhere to be found...
- What? Who is Sarah?
- I'll have time to tell you about her, I have to hurry.
- But...
- HABDOULLL...!!!
Habdoul in incomprehension, approached his desk and pulled his keys from a pouch.
- That one, and please...
But he was already far away. Habdoul looked at the door, shrugged and walked to his chair. He looked at his brother's mess and looked at the pile of files he had to view and sighed. It was going to be a long night...
The next morning, the sound of a key in her lock woke her up with a start and she stared at the guard who had just opened her door with apprehension and surprise...
- Get out! You are free!
The young woman got up a little surprised but went out in a fraction of a second of risk that the guard would change his mind. She was very surprised but happy at the same time. The guard closed the door and escorted the young woman out of the prison department. And when she looked up, she saw someone in front of her whom she certainly did not want to see in that state.
Prince Hansen. Alicia huffed in embarrassment and approached, trying to mask her shyness. What is he doing here? He probably heard about her escapade... It was shameful!!!
- Prince Hansen, Good morning.
- Hello Miss Alicia. You look quite well. The night was not so bad. If I had known earlier I would have demanded your release I wasn't going to let you spend the night in this department. I hope they took good care of you...
- I'm fine. But how did you know? Thanks for your help. She said in embarrassment.
- Don't thank me. Thank the queen preferably it is she who gave me the power to demand your release.
Alicia contented herself with smiling while begging him of the eyes to move away it from this cursed place. And he did it. They walked to the palace. When they were in the west wing of the castle, Alicia looked up and saw Sarah in the distance on the phone with Habdil by her side trying to support her, no doubt looking for her.
- She was looking for you all night. It was because of her that I knew you might have been caught. She had said that you secretly wanted to take pictures in the museum...
- Yes, Sarah. She's my best friend. When I don't listen to her, this kind of thing always happens to me.
At that moment, Sarah turned around and saw her, she smiled with all her teeth and shook the prince at her side before running towards her, dropping her cell phone. Alicia received her in her arms. As Habdil approached the two women. Sarah ended the embrace.
- But where have you been? I've been worried sick. Where have you been? With whom and where did you spend the night? She said, glaring at Hansen.
The latter looked at Alicia and began:
- She had run away a little and...
He had turned towards Alicia who finished in her place.
- I found myself in custody. The Sheikh didn't like the fact that I was in the museum.
- It is my brother's favorite place. When he was a child he often spent his nights there. I'm not surprised that he was in the museum after his speech. He's been very upset lately.
- Ohw... I understand! But still I wasn't going to steal anything and even though it would be very useful to me, I never intended to take anything. And that's mean of him...
- In the interest of running the kingdom my brother sometimes goes overboard. I hope you will forgive him for this misunderstanding.
- Yes, it was a simple misunderstanding...
A brunette woman with a blooming face and a radiant complexion had just entered the scene. She had the curly hair as those of Alicia but a little shorter. She was very beautiful but her graceful walk indicated that she was not just anyone.
- My son... is sometimes severe. But don't worry, he's not bad he's just a little too tough.
She smiled with all her teeth as Alicia smiled back at her, already feeling in agreement with her. She was charming and she was beautiful... The queen. She was the queen.
- I am Queen Elizabeth. The Sheikh's mother. It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you're well after your stay in this dump.
- I am fine. I thank you for ordering my release. It's really nice of you, even though I'm just a stranger to you. Thank you for everything...
But she stopped dead in her tracks because she had just noticed the sheikh leaning against a wall a few inches away from them. He had a hard look on his face and his jaws tightened as he looked at the young woman. She felt her anger rising, but she could not deny that the Sheikh had a rather cold and peculiar beauty. She raised an eyebrow at him and looked him up and down, making sure to show her contempt in her eyes. She wanted to give him the finger but she held back because this asshole had a royal face so she risked hanging and even the stake. Frankly she hated him.
- I love your hair. Sarai told me about you... the half-breed from the beach. She had forgotten your name.
- Ah! Saraï she is beautiful, contrary to others... she said towards the Sheik who looked with an irritated air on the right then on the left before disappearing from the corridor.
Alicia reconcentrated on the queen who had just resumed the word:
- I called your hotel and released your room.
- What's up?
- You're going to spend the rest of your study vacation here at the palace.
- But...
- It was that or nothing. I couldn't leave you here. My son must finish the investigation and then you can go back to your country. And besides... I wanted to make up for the brutal way my son treated you.
- Ahhh!!! So this was a condition... That's all I needed!
- I'm sorry. But I assure you it will be wonderful. I had a room prepared for you. Even if you refuse, Sarah has already accepted for you.
I glared at Sarah who gave me a look of: "Please be cool!
- Okay. As long as I can take a shower and change my clothes, I'm fine. I don't know if you've noticed, but I look terrible and my skin is sticking.
- You can say that again... Come I accompany you there! Answered the queen laughing.
She was magnificently beautiful and very friendly. Alicia felt as if she had known her for a long time already. She followed her after having exchanged a few words with Hansen who promised to see her again tonight. The queen tried to make conversation with her all the way and within a few minutes they were laughing like old friends. As they passed a door, Alicia saw the Sheik sitting on the desk and staring at his pen. When he saw her, she frowned and before leaving his field of vision the young woman made a grimace... A grimace that the Sheikh was not ready to forget...