“Who is here?” Tazir snapped, not in the mood to handle anything more today. It was well past the dinner hour and he was exhausted. He wanted to head out to the pool for a swim or maybe go down to the gym for a hard workout. Unfortunately, he was too late to head outside for a hard gallop, but his stallion, Zinz, probably needed the exercise just as much as Tazir did. So whoever had just arrived, asking for a meeting with him without an appointment would have to just buzz off! He wasn’t seeing anyone else today!
“A Ms. Lila Chakroun, Your Highness,” Eldra, his assistant, explained in a low, calm voice.
Lila? The lovely, spirited girl who used to play with his sisters? The girl who had grown into a gorgeous, stunningly beautiful woman?
“Lila is here?” Rayed interrupted, coming around the corner and looking just as worn out as Tazir. “Lila Chakroun is here? In the palace?”
The assistant bowed again, this time to Rayed. “Yes, Your Highness. Actually, Ms. Chakroun is in one of the guardrooms at the moment. Not exactly inside the palace.”
“What does she want?” Tazir demanded sharply.
The man shook his head. “Nothing, Your Highnesses. She simply walked up to one of the guard posts outside on the street and asked how you were.”
Tazir’s eyes narrowed. “The guard allowed her to enter the building?”
Eldra nodded. “Apparently, someone was harassing her on the street. Ms. Chakroun appeared flustered and anxious. So the guard brought her into the office to protect her while two other guards went out to investigate and question the two men who were bothering her.”
Rayed turned and glared at Tazir. “Someone was bothering Lila!” Rayed growled.
Tazir rolled his eyes. “I heard that part.” He turned back to his assistant. “Why isn’t Lila here in the palace?”
Eldra shook his head. “She does not have an appointment, Your Highness. Nor does she have the correct credentials that would allow her to pass through the security checks. But I recognized her name from years ago. I know that she’s distantly related to your former step mother.”
“And she’s still here?” Tazir demanded.. He turned to his lead bodyguard. “Have Lila brought to my office immediately.”
The guard didn’t hesitate. He lifted his hand and spoke into the microphone attached to his wrist. He waited for the response from the guardroom, then turned to Tazir. “She’s being led through the security room now.”
Tazir nodded sharply, then returned to his office. “I’ll see her immediately.”
Rayed watched his older brother move towards his desk. Tazir had started his morning at four o’clock, having been woken early due to a problem in the northern region. It was now about thirty minutes past seven in the evening, he hadn’t eaten dinner, and had probably skipped lunch as well. Tazir was working too hard, he thought. But Tazir wouldn’t slow down. Every time he tried, something would happen and he was called back to deal with it.
Rayed took as much off of Tazir’s shoulders as possible, but his older brother was too focused on his duties and obligations to release more. The man worked twenty hour days and was constantly exhausted.
But at the mention of Lila Chakroun, his entire demeanor had shifted.
Turning, he focused on Eldra. In a low voice, he instructed, “Tell the palace staff to get a room ready for Ms. Chakroun. And find out where she’s living. Send someone to her apartment to pack up her personal items. Make sure it is a woman that packs up Ms. Chakroun’s clothing though.” He considered the situation for another long moment, then added, “On second thought, don’t worry about bringing her clothes here to the palace.” Lila probably didn’t have clothes in the latest fashion. For what Rayed had in mind, Lila would need to look her best. “Have Marci, our personal shopper, arrange for an entire wardrobe to be delivered here. Assume that Lila will need everything, including makeup.”
Suzanne suddenly appeared, her hazel eyes shifting from Eldra to Rayed, sensing a secret. That annoyingly perky smile appeared right on schedule, but there was a tinge of anxiety in her eyes. “What’s going on? Someone is getting a new wardrobe?” she asked slyly. “I love Marci’s fashion sense! She’s so elegant, but with a quirky edge!”
Rayed looked down at the woman, not sure what the hell she was talking about. Ignoring her, he looked at Eldra. “And shoes.”
Eldra was writing frantically, but at that last part, he nodded and walked away.
“Ooh! I love shoes too!” Suzanne clapped her hands excitedly.
Rayed started to walk away, but remembered that conniving look Suzanne had aimed at Tazir the last time she’d been in his office. She was planning something, maybe even manipulating events, and Rayed wasn’t sure what her plan was. Better to get her out of the way so that Tazir had some private time with the lovely Lila.
“Could you come with me to discuss those wedding plans?” he asked, gesturing down the hallway. “I don’t think that Tazir has the time to review them right now. Maybe I should take a look and make sure that there aren’t any issues.”
Suzanne perked up, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Antoine roll his eyes. Rayed wasn’t sure what that was about, but his primary goal was to clear a path for Lila. There was something serendipitous happening that Lila, Tazir’s old flame, showed up on the same day that they’d been discussing wedding plans.
“That would be great! I’d love it if you could give me some insight into Tazir’s,” at his sharp look, Suzanne corrected herself, “I mean, His Highness’ preferences. I really want this to be a spectacular event. And you’re right, he’s been working so hard lately to…” the woman kept babbling, but Rayed stopped listening. He nodded to his bodyguards, giving the signal to clear the area and keep it that way.
“Oh, thank you but I’m sure that whoever that was is gone now,” Lila insisted, lifting her hands to stop the man’s insistence that she follow him deeper into the palace.
“Please, come this way, Ms. Chakroun,” the short man repeated, more firmly this time.
She shook her head. “No, really! The men who were trying…well, they are gone now,” she explained, waving towards the sidewalk in front of the palace. It was empty now and she felt safe enough to hurry down the street to her small townhouse.
Maybe! Perhaps the palace guards had merely scared the goons that had been threatening her further away. Were they waiting for her around the corner? Were they going to pounce on her as soon as she reemerged and spout more dire threats of pain and bodily mutilation?
“Ms. Chakroun?” one of the guards prompted hesitantly.
She turned back to him, glancing at the two guards standing at attention, then back out at the street. No sign of the horrible goons. She hitched her purse higher onto her shoulder and nodded, feigning a confidence that she didn’t feel. “I’m fine. Thank you so much for your impromptu rescue. Your team is too kind. But I need to be getting home now. I’m renting a place for the week and I’m just a few blocks away.”
Rayed stepped into the guardroom, his height and brawn instantly filling up the space. He looked around until his eyes landed on her. “Lila, please tell me that you’re not trying to escape without saying hello!”
His booming voice filled the air and she was startled to see how much he’d grown over the years. “Your Highness!” she gasped. A moment later, she was enveloped into a giant bear hug, literally lifting her off her feet. She laughed, hugging him back, truly thrilled to see him.
When he pulled away, her hands lingered on his shoulders. “You look so great!” she said, beaming up at him. “And wow, you are freakishly tall!”
They laughed together as Lila reclaimed her hands. “Although, I should have known you would be like this,” she teased. “You were always taller than me.”
He leaned forward, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “Remember when we tried playing hide and seek?”
She giggled, delighted at the reminder of those games. “You and Tazir could never find hiding places big enough!” she filled in, as they chuckled at the memory. “Goodness, how are you?”
“I’m quite well,” he replied, then put a hand to her arm, leading her towards the doorway to the main palace area. “Why are you trying to leave so quickly? We haven’t seen or heard from you in years.”
Lila flushed at the memories of the last time she’d visited the palace. “I know. I’m sorry I never came back after university.” She’d been too overwhelmed by her feelings for Tazir. Feelings she knew couldn’t be returned. She’d been a foolish, wishful teenager. But her classes at university had given her the time she’d needed to put her feelings into perspective.
He paused, pulling the door open and leading her down a long hallway. “I understand.”
She hesitated, those two words seeming to be more…perceptive…than she’d like. But as usual, his expression gave nothing away. She peered down the hallway hesitantly. “I didn’t want to disturb anyone. I was just here to…well, get out of the sun for a minute. It’s a hot day.”
A dark eyebrow lifted at her statement. “The guards told me you were being harassed by a pair of thugs.”
She pulled back, startled that he already knew the details. “No! It was just…a misunderstanding! Nothing important.” She reached for the door again. “I really need to get back to work. I have a deadline tonight and…”
“Nonsense. You posted your blog article earlier today and your next blog isn’t due for another three days.”
Her eyes widened. “You…know about my blog?”
He laughed and nudged her forward. “Of course we know about your blog. Your articles criticizing my economic policies and Tazir’s social policies are very influential. We appreciate your candor, even if we don’t always agree with you.”
She cringed. “Well, I don’t just criticize your government policies. I’m an equal opportunity annoyance.”
He chuckled easily and nodded. “Your insights into other government policies are brilliant, Lila. You majored in political science, if I recall?”
She looked around suddenly and discovered that they were coming towards the stairs that would lead to the administrative branch of the palace. How had he managed to get her all the way down the hallway? “Yes, but…seriously, I don’t want to intrude. I know how hard everyone here works and,” she glanced at her watch, noting that it was already late evening. “It’s dinner time. I’m sure that Tazir is exhausted.”
“Tazir would beat me if I didn’t bring you to him.” He pushed open the door that led to the larger offices. Despite the late hour, the area was buzzing with people, everyone hard at work. Some were on the phone, others were working at computers, and there were many people rushing down the hallways or weaving their way through the open area desks. There were offices on both sides of the room and the energy was almost palpable.
“I really…!” she gasped, words failing her when he paused outside of a set of familiar double doors guarded by two stern-faced men that didn’t look happy to see her. “No. I can’t go in there.”
“Nonsense,” Rayed replied, then pushed open the door and literally shoved her inside. A moment later, the door closed behind her.
Lila stood still, just inside the door. The office was stunning. There was a sitting area with leather sofas and club chairs, a massive desk on the far side of the room and a conference table surrounded by leather chairs. There was a fully stocked bar and…goodness, there he was! Tazir!
He was pouring something into a pair of wine glasses, but Lila barely noticed.
Tazir. He was taller than she remembered. And much bigger! Many more muscles were packed onto Tazir’s tall frame. Which was a ridiculous thought since she hadn’t seen him in years! Of course he’d grown taller and more muscular!
But he was also harder, more intimidating. And, much to the chagrin of her delicate heart, so much more alluring. The tanned skin, hard jawline, and the five-o’clock shadow made him look almost menacing. Dark hair with just a hint of grey at the temples. Why grey? He was only thirty seven years old!
Those dark, intense eyes watched her for a long moment and she felt the familiar trembling inside of her. It had always been like this. At least, on her side it had been. Tazir was the standard by which she compared every other man. And every single one of them fell short of his standard. Tall, dark, and handsome didn’t come close to explaining the appeal of Tazir. He was beyond powerful. Not because of his position as one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the world. But because…because of him. Because there was a confidence about him, a charisma that pulled her in.
In a word, the man was magnificent. She’d always thought so. She’d had such a painful crush on him during her teen years. He’d been so handsome, so dynamic and amazing. So educated and confident. They’d spent hours debating the issues in the world, laughing at each other’s opinions, snorting at their disagreements, and just…generally enjoying the arguments.
That crush was one of the reasons she’d left Fahre. She’d attended Stanford University in the United States instead of choosing one of the celebrated universities here in Fahre.
It was also the reasons she’d stayed away for so many years. Nothing could come of that painful crush. Nothing at all! He would have to marry some day and she planned to be far, far away when that happened.
“Lila.” Goodness, the way he said her name sent shivers down her spine!
