The Prince has a new crush on his long list of secret admirers and it was Zarah Ibn Abdul-Rahman. His handsomeness was beyond earth, his perfect jawline made him Italian while the turban on his head told his Arabian Prince part perfectly — through the pictures google offered Zarah, it looked into her eyes. Zarah would pay anything to stare at him, his blue eyes were just irresistibly charming. Her daydreaming was cut abruptly by the ringing of her phone.

It was an incoming video call from Mustaqeem.

She picked the phone up, closing her laptop. "Assalamualaikum." Zarah greeted as soon as she accepted the call, waving at her best friend through the call. Mustaqeem was FaceTiming from somewhere that looked like a study, Zarah could see layers of papers scattered everywhere.

"Hey Zarah!" Mustaqeem waved as well before breaking his smile into a slight frown, "what's wrong with Safeenah?" He inquired as he could her devouring the deep-fried chicken briyani.

"Don't worry, she's okay," Zarah disregarded, frowning at Mustaqeem this time.

"What now?" He inquired, hands raised in the air.

"Why didn't you call?" Zarah said, whining like a babe.

Mustaqeem rolled his eyes, tutting. "I've been busy, have you meet with the Prince?"

"Nope, I haven't," Zarah paused, remembering the Prince's image made her felt insecure, like she wasn't worthy to work beside the Prince. "—To be honest, I don't know what to expect; I am so nervous, what is he like?"

"You don't want to know." Mustaqeem simply answered.

"Why? You're making me scared."

"You'll pass for sure I trust—" His voice broke as soon as he was about to finish, the video call froze, leaving behind a screeching feedback.

"Hello? Hello? Mustaqeem, are you there?" Zarah inquired, waving at the frozen image of him. Swiftly, the call ended, sighing, she sank inside the soft king-size bed. Zarah stared at the ceiling, witnessing the crystal chandelier that was swinging around due to the cold breeze that blew in through the opened window.

Zarah wasn't sure she wanted the job, but Safeenah's happiness came first.

°°°°°

The doorbell chimed continuously, causing Safeenah to wince, wishing it would stop. With a growling stomach, likely indicating indigestion — like her mother had warned, she slipped off the bouncy bed where Zarah slept soundly. Tiptoeing to the door, she turned the knob cautiously. Outside the door, she saw the silhouette of a man through her sleepy eyes.

Safeenah rubbed her sleepy eyes, "uncle Dil?"

"It's Dale." He corrected, playfully pinching Safeenah's chubby cheeks, "Sobahul khayr, where is your mum?" He inquired.

Good morning.

"She is still sleeping — come in." She opened the door for him, "but be quiet, you don't want to wake the mighty yeti." Safeenah joked, giggling as they made their way in.

"Let's be quiet then." Dale advised with a bright smile.

Safeenah entered the bedroom, while Dale stayed behind.  Inside the room, she climbed up the bed and shouted, "ummi, wake up!" Her voice pierced Zarah's ears, causing her eardrum to vibrate against the stapes within.

"I'm awake! I'm awake!" Zarah exclaimed with a wide yawn. "But I thought the alarm was supposed to ring," she remarked, eyeing the broken alarm clock, which appeared as though she had wrestled with it.

"Mum you literally fought with the alarm clock," Safeenah exaggerated, Dale's laughter could also be heard from the living room. Zarah acknowledged his arrival. "Salaam Mr. Yahaya." She greeted instantly, "why didn't you tell me he's here already?" Zarah turned to her daughter, whispering to her.

"It's funny Ummi, you're funny." Safeenah said, as she jumped down from the bed.

"No I won't be once I'm done with you."

Zarah chased after her daughter playfully from the bedroom to the bathroom, their laughter echoing off the walls — Dale could hear their voice from where he stood. With each step, Safeenah emitted joyful squeals, delighting in the chase. As Zarah caught her, she lifted her up, prompting a chorus of gleeful giggles from her little baby.

"I love you, houb." These words escaped her lips as she stared at her daughter's eyes.

Safeenah gently patted her mother's head with her soft and little hand, "I love you too mama."

°°°°°°

As Dale glided the blue Tesla through the grand entrance of the Palace, Zarah and Safeenah were both awestruck. They were awestruck by the opulence surrounding them, their gazes drawn to the intricate detailing of the palace's ancient yet modern architecture.

Inside the vehicle, their faces reflected a mix of wonder and admiration as they took in the majestic sight of the palace's interior. The lavish decor, adorned with gold accents and ornate furnishings, left them speechless. As the Tesla passed by a shimmering water fountain, its magnificent streams of water danced in the sunlight, adding to the enchanting atmosphere. Zarah couldn't help but marvel at the wonder, her excitement was palpable as they soaked in the splendor of their surroundings.

Dale finally pulled over next to the black Lamborghini Uthman drove them in. Instantly, Dale came down and opened the door for Zarah, bowing slightly as she walked out of the vehicle.

"Thank you." Zarah said, abashed. "Where am I to go first?" Zarah politely asked Dale, Dale looked at her, confused.

"I really don't know, but I don't think you can go in with her," Dale explained, pointing at Safeenah.

"Why? Where am I to keep her?" Zarah complained.

"I could take her back to the hotel, they've got a wonderful kiddies zone."

Zarah looked down at pumped Safeenah who was excited to explore the palace, her disappointment was palpable. "Habibi, you know mummy loves you, but mummy has to keep her job." Zarah began, "—you are going with uncle Dale, yeah?" Hesitantly, Zarah agreed.

"Okay ummi, but on one condition," She bargained.

Zarah inhaled deeply, "What's that?"

"Bring me strawberry once you're home and don't stay long."

Zarah smiled, cupping her daughter's cheeks and kissing her lightly on the forehead. "I promise to obey those terms. Thank you baby."

From the geodesic dome ahead, Uthman came, burning in anger. "Mrs. Rahman, you're late on your first day," he paused at the sight of Safeenah, "I see you didn't read the rule book, you can't bring this chatter box to work," Uthman insulted.

"Uthman," Zarah began, "she has a name you old geezer, you've grown old that you've lost your respect. And for your information, she was just leaving —" With anger, Zarah signalled her daughter to get inside the car, and so did Dale — after doing a little curtsy for Uthman. "Drive save Mr. Yahaya." She said to the moving vehicle, and Dale responded to her with a honk.

"Now that that's settled, let's go meet His Highness." Uthman said, ignoring what he just did.

"Okay." Zarah had to clench her fist to lock in her anger.

Uthman outpaced Zarah as they walked, while Zarah found herself entranced by the captivating view. The interior of the castle boasted stunning beauty, from its vaulted ceiling and archways to various rooms. The door appeared magnificently impressive, and the hallway resembled a bustling street unto itself. The palace workers were all hurrying somewhere, people were busy doing what they were hired for.

Zarah appreciated every moment she was spending, all thanks to Mustaqeem.

As Uthman and Zarah strolled along, a line of people passed by them. Interestingly, the person at the front of the queue was standing about four feet ahead of the rest. Suddenly, Uthman gently nudged Zarah towards the line, prompting her to join the queue. "Join that queue quickly," Uthman barked.

"You could have just said something rather than act like an animal." Zarah spat out, dusting the imaginary dirt Uthman had inflicted on her away. She joined the queue and followed that one person who was ahead all of them obediently.

"Health assistance?" The man in front of Zarah called, she heard the most sweetest yet husky voice she'd ever heard.

"Here." A voice from the people answered.

"Pet walker?" He called scornfully, again.

"Here." Another voice answered, Zarah was fascinated with the useless jobs they offered people in the palace.

"Body guard?"

Two deep voice answered, "present your Highness!" That was when Zarah noticed; the man in front of the queue was the Prince, she didn't see his face, because he never turned to look at them. She was however curious to see his face for real, maybe he was as handsome as he seems on the internet.

"Language translator?" He called again.

"Present!" Zarah answered with her usual sweet and meek voice.

The Prince had never heard that voice before, he knew at that instance it was a new recruit's. He turned to see who it was. Turning, his gaze met Zarah's, he glared at her with a fascinated look. They both locked eyes like they were in a cheap romantic comedy movie. Zarah noticed everything about him was true and real, he looked better in reality than in pictures.

Who said Arabians aren't hot?

"Astaghfir allah." Zarah muttered as she was almost stripping the Prince naked with her dirty thoughts.

I seek refuge from Allah.

"Rule thirteen!" Prince Abubakar uttered in a cold voice, his eyes was still glued to Zarah.

Clueless Zarah who stopped at rule number two, just stood still. "I don't know, maybe you should try and summarize your rule book." Zarah finally said the one thing that was on her mind, making all of the workers gasped.

"Aaron, rule thirteen?" Prince Abubakar asked again, a man in the midst of the worker answered: "never lock eyes with the Prince."

"You see," Prince Abubakar scoffed, "you failed on your very first day," Prince Abubakar turned properly, narrowing his gaze at her.

"It's not my fault, maybe you should summarize your rule book," Zarah said again, trying to be courageous.

"Rule forty?" Prince Abubakar inquired, with a frown.

"Never try to get involved in a conversation with the Prince." A female worker answered this time.

"You are fired!" Prince Abubakar announced, as he continued walking away.

Zarah panicked, she'd lost everything she thought she had. Suddenly an idea came, she had seen the new on the internet how Prince Abubakar never made decision — all of the palace's decisions are made by the Sheik. "But you can't do that," Zarah spoke out.

Prince Abubakar turned instantly, bewildered by Zarah's courage. "Why is that, Habibi?" He inquired with an annoying smirk.

"Only the Fazza can, he was the one who checked and scanned my resumé." Zarah said in a cunning manner.

"You're quite interesting." Prince Abubakar acknowledged, "let's see if you'll still have the guts to talk to me like that after today."

Was that a threat? Zarah thought. "I'm glad to be working for you, your Highness." Was all she could say.

Author's note

Assalamualaikum y'all, Zarah's first day wasn't what she planned it to be, but, who has what they planned? No one. Many things has been deducted from this chapter tho, the previous chapter, Safeenah was left alone with Spencer, but I couldn't make Zarah look like a bad parent, so I had to change that.
Comment down what you think about this chapter... Fiammanillah

Let's hope Zarah won't face the Fazza himself.