Chapter 18

(Jameel's bathroom, Kamal's penthouse)

Kamal

Watching Jameel take in the sights as he swung his head adorably from side to side in the car was like seeing the city for the first time right along with him. I wasn't surprised at all that he'd slept almost the entire plane trip to New York. He'd stayed up the night before unable to sleep because he'd been so excited to begin his journey. Even my father couldn't help the indulgent smile that curved his lips as we all watched Jameel's total fascination with everything from the interior of the jet to the clouds in the sky. I was happy, more like ecstatic that I'm able to provide Jameel with the opportunity to travel, to see people and places he wouldn't normally be able to see.

If I was going to be totally honest with myself, Jameel's innocent reactions pissed me off as well, or I should say the reasons behind why those simple everyday things are so wondrously new to him. Things people take for granted like skyscrapers, airplanes, and other people milling about in general. Every sight, sound, and smell was completely new to him. A young man of his age, these things should be normal. Even if he lived in a nomadic village in the middle of the desert, modern day creations shouldn't come as such a surprise to him. I wasn't mad at Jameel, I was furious at the reason why Jameel even has a lack of exposure to the world to begin with. When I think I couldn't get any angrier at my grandfather, Jameel would look at me with absolute wonder in his gorgeous eyes over something as simple as a picture on a website and my fury at the old man would return with a vengeance.

It's made my whole family acutely aware of the depravity in which the young man had lived in for so long before the old tyrant did us all a favor and dropped dead. The fucking bastard, I should've had him exhumed and burned his body to ashes for his sins. But that was only affect his physical remains. I can only hope that his soul was roasting in fires of hell for all eternity or what he has done to Jameel.

By the time the car pulled up to the entrance of my apartment building, Jameel was completely knocked out. My parent's and sisters had taken separate vehicles to their own homes, so it was just Jameel and I who headed into the heart of the city and towards my penthouse apartment overlooking most of Central Park. I tried my best to gently wake up my sleeping beauty, but the excitement of his journey has finally taken it's toll on Jameel. I left the handling of the luggage to my driver, Kian and the doorman while I slid from the car and gently lifted Jameel's sleeping form into my arms and carried him inside.

Dave, the night security guard rushed ahead of me towards the elevators and pushed the button and I nodded my thanks as I swept by him. Jameel had gained some much needed weight during his stay with us so far, but even with the added pounds it was no hardship for me to carry him around. I waited for Kain to step onto the lift with our luggage and then we were on our way up to my apartment.

God, I've missed this city and everything about it. I don't mind visiting my Saudi home, but I much preferred the freedom of the westernized world. The peace of being able to be myself, the autonomy of being able to love whomever I wish to love, to do what I want to do, and to just be without the worry of offending the rules, religion, and culture immersed in the people surrounding you. For me, taking away that freedom away from me would be like sentencing me to death.

Jameel released an adorable little snuffle and he snuggled closer into my chest as the lift came to a silent halt on the top floor. I couldn't help the smile that curved my lips at the thought of sharing the less rigid, rule imposed lifestyle with Jameel. I mean, there will be judgemental people everywhere you go in life, but not the oppressive restrictions and gut wrenching fear for your very life if it ever came to light that you are a homosexual person living in a region where the culture known for being dangerously homophobic.

I truly believe that having Jameel here in New York will help him heal faster than he would have even with professional help back in Riydah. My homeland is known to be one the most oppressive places in the world. Yes, Jameel will be better off here in the city that never sleeps.

Kain opened my front door and a sigh of relief escaped my lips as I stepped over the threshold and into my beloved apartment. I wished Jameel was awake so that I could see his reaction to my living space through his eyes. Walking straight through the foyer, I turned down the hall leading towards the bedrooms. My housekeeper had already prepared the apartment for our arrival when I had contacted her earlier in the week to let her know that I was returning stateside and I was bringing a guest who would be residing with me.

The guest bedroom was immaculate and the floor to ceiling windows were spotless. The view looking over the city's skyscraper's twinkling lights was breathtaking as usual. I can't wait for Jameel to see it first hand instead of in pictures on his computer. I managed to wrestle the comforter aside and placed Jameel on the bed. After removing most of his clothes and his shoes, I pulled the covers over his slender form and dimmed the lights in the room before pulling the door up but not closing it all the way. I didn't want him to be scared if he woke up and found himself in unfamiliar territory.

By the time I returned back to the main foyer, Kian had already departed after neatly leaving the bags by the front door. I'll deal with them later on or in the morning. I made my way into the kitchen and turned on the lights. At this time of night I didn't need coffee, but I wanted something warm in my stomach before jet lag set in and knock me on my ass. Traveling through so many different time zones was never one of my favorite thing to experience.

Mrs. Kaplan had really gone all out when she restocked the groceries. A little of everything was on hand, and I couldn't help my delight as I found the simple blue and white canister of Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix with marshmallows. Like a giddy little kid, I snatched the canister from the cupboard shelf and trotted off towards the refrigerator to get the milk and whipped cream. Soon I had a steaming mug of chocolate goodness in my hand after returning the items I used to mix my warm bit of comfort back to their prospective places.

Making my way to my room, I kicked off my shoes with another heartfelt escaped me and took a sip of my drink. My mind was too fuzzy to go over all the plans I had in place for Jameel, so I just set the mug on my nightstand before reaching for the buttons on my shirt. I shrugged out my clothes as I walked into my closet. I opened a few drawers pulling out a comfy pair of sweatpants and a simple white shirt. Once I was dressed I dropped the clothes I'd been wearing in the hamper and trudged back into my bedroom. My king size bed was a thing of beauty as I turned back the heavy comforter and tiredly climbed into bed.

Propping myself up on few pillows I reached for my hot chocolate and my cell phone. I sent my family a group text letting them know that we've arrived home safely and Jameel was settled comfortably into bed. My eyes started to seriously droop and I found myself sliding further down into my sheets. I quickly gulped down the last of my drink before I head hit my pillow and the last thing that registered in my exhausted mind was the comforting smell of my own bed.

My brain slowly came back online sometime later on the middle of the night and I wondered what in the hell had woken me up. I sluggishly lifted the pillow off my head and looked around my darkened bedroom trying to figure out why I was awake, that's when I heard it. A muffled cry that had me suddenly shooting up out of bed and running down the hall to my guest room. I pushed through the door and headed straight for the bed only to find it empty.

"Shit, where's Jameel." I thought as my head swung from side to side, my eyes scanning entire the room. I wondered if he'd woken up scared in new surroundings and took to hiding like he usually seemed to do when he's overwhelmed. Scratching my head, I made my way over to the en-suite bathroom and sure enough there was a light shining from underneath the door. I learned my lesson the first time from walking into his room unannounced and graced with a sight I'll never ever be able to forget, and as much as I wanted to have the privilege to see him in such an erotic display again, I didn't want a repeat of how embarrassed he was at being caught in such a private act.

"Jameel, are you okay?" I asked as I gently tapped on the bathroom door while praying that he was alright in there.

It took few seconds before the door was thrown wide open and the excited little cutie all but dragged me into the bathroom. He spun me around to face the wall to wall windows and squealed his delight while clapping his hands together. "It's amazing. I can't wait to take a bath. It's like your bathing on top of the world." He gushed in awe as he raced over to the tub and turned on the water faucet.

"You're going to take a bath right now. In the middle of the night? Aren't you tired?" I chuckled as I watched him all but vibrate with unbridled joy.

He bounced over to the basket containing a plethora of body washes and bubble baths. I watched amused as he began sniffing the different scents. He chose one and poured a little in the churning water. He just nodded his head repeatedly to answer my question and began to pile a stack of fluffy towels on the warmer next to the tub. I decided to indulge him a little, so I walked over to the wall and watched as those big brown eyes grow round with awe as I dimmed the overhead lights. I flipped a switch and the inground candle features twinkled and the one way windows lit the background with the cityscape view.

"Enjoy your bath, don't stay in for too long. I'll make you something to eat. Come find me when your done." I said as Jameel just nodded his head again while watching the fragrant bubbles forming in the pristine white tub. I couldn't help but smile as I exited the bathroom. That boy had a thing for bubble baths and I was more than happy to cater to whatever it is that had the capability to make him happy.