Chapter 10

London's POV

I heard the roar of an engine at a distance. Getting louder as it got closer to me.

The fuck! This arrogant selfish bastard had a powerful modern desert vehicle while his cousin Omar who was under his staff sacrificed himself by crossing the desert using a camel only. That was so unfair to the unprivileged.

I peered at him angrily as he stopped the sand mobile in front of me abruptly. I flung my arms in the air as traces of sand swirled around us.

"Are you trying to make me blind? You could have just stopped a few yards away from me!"

His eyebrows furrowed then pushed a helmet on my hand. "Hop in."

I dropped the helmet on the ground and glared at him.

"No! I'll walk myself back to the city. I don't need you rescuing me like a... a knight in shining armour, because you are not! Leave me alone, I don't need your help!"

He made an exasperated sigh then said. "Don't be so stubborn, London. Get in, now."

"HA! The great and mighty prince has ordered. Well, you can't make me ride in that sand mobile of yours. I survived coming here using a camel only, bearing all the heat for many hours. I'm sure I can survive going back." I tilted my chin as I surveyed him closely. "I'm sure your cousin Omar would feel the same way."

He stopped the engine of the vehicle then faced me. One of his forearm leaning against a handlebar.

"For your information your royal highness, there are a hundred sand mobile vehicles inside the palace, all at Omar's disposal. But he is a primitive man, who prefers to use the camel in travelling the desert. That way, he feels closer to our ancestors."

That sounded a bit... weird. Whatever. I still would not ride in that sand mobile.

"Why are you here? I thought you said you won't follow me." One of my eyebrow rose waiting for him to answer.

"Just get it, okay? We need to get going, the sun will get hotter soon."

"No!"

"Come on, London. Stop acting like a child."

My temper rose instantly.

"A child? You think I'm acting like a child! How dare you. You're the one acting like a... a pompous, obnoxious, pigheaded, arrogant asshole! Who refused to listen to me. I came here believing that you would be delighted of my news, but you denied Vincent as your son!"

"Because he could never be my son! Haven't you heard what I said? I'm infertile. I can't have a child anymore."

"Then who's child is he? I never slept with any other man. There was only you Izzy, ever since. And don't tell me that I was like Mama Mary who conceived Vincent without a father, because I swear, I would smack your face."

One of his eyebrows rose. He knew it was an empty threat.

"What do you really want to achieve London? To make me accept your child as my own?"

There he was again, denying our cute adorable son, Vincent.

"Because he is your child! There's no doubt about that."

He nodded then pressed his lips tightly. "Okay... so if I accept him. What would happen next? You want marriage?"

"Absolutely. I want to get married as soon as possible. It would be tough for a child to grow up without a father."

"I agree." He smiled, his expression not so tight anymore. I was glad that he was starting to see the light now.

He stood up getting out of the sand mobile then took the helmet that fell on the ground.

"Let's continue our talk at the palace with an ice cold lemonade, strawberry sorbet and French Vanilla ice cream. Not to mention a dip in the palace's swimming pool with manmade's water falls afterwards. If we'll leave now, we can make it during lunchtime."

That was very tempting. My traitorous mouth started to water just thinking of the strawberry sorbet. I felt so sticky of my dyed hair already that I wanted to wash it off so badly, that when he put on the helmet on my head and secured the strap under my chin, I did not protest.

I was shocked how powerful the engine was. Izzy drove the sand mobile speeding so fast that we arrived the palace within an hour.

The palace was so huge, probably the same as the Buckingham palace. The architectural design outside was a combination of classic and modern that left me speechless. And when I entered inside, I was more awed at its beauty. The interior was so magnificent. All in glossy marbles, gold mouldings, shiny pillars and delightful crystal chandeliers. Everything looked so clean, elegant and priceless.

I took a deep breath of the aromatic cold air condition air. It felt so heavenly and refreshing after the long hours of exposure in the desert.

"I'll see you at lunch. I have an important matter to attend first." Izzy said, his expression was apologetic.

"Of course. I understand." I answered, lifting my chin a little.

I was too proud to admit to him (and to myself) that I wanted more of his company. I thought we would continue our conversation with an ice cold lemonade, strawberry sorbet and French Vanilla ice cream. I was also anticipating that dip in the palace's swimming pool he mentioned.

"I have to go. I'll see you later." He said and left immediately.

A female servant who introduced herself as Fatima, showed me to my room. It was a huge room with a king-sized bed, Persian design furnitures, fully equipped with entertainment equipments with strong internet connection, coffee machine, all in one convection microwave oven and a fully stocked fridge. No one would get bored or hungry inside this room in a week.

I opened the back door and my eyes widened when I saw a huge swimming pool. My goodness, the crystal blue water was very tempting.

"Do you want to take a swim now, your royal highness? There are varied selections of brand new swimwear inside the walk-in closet."

She was right, as well as different western signature brand dresses still with tags and some Arabian clothes. When I scanned them one by one, they were exactly my size. So odd. I wondered who owned these whole wardrobe.

I faced Fatima and smiled at her. "No, I'll take a nap first. The AC suddenly made me feel sleepy."

She smiled back. "I'll leave you now, your royal highness. Just press the intercom if you need anything, and I'll be here immediately."

"Thank you Fatima. But before you go... can I ask you something?"

She nodded and listened to me attentively.

"These clothes... who own them?"

"Ah... they were ordered for the prince's lady friend."

"Lady friend?" My throat constricted at the sudden rise of anger. "Do you know who?"

She shook her head then excused herself.

I was disturbed that my lethargic feeling suddenly went away. My mind was alert thinking that Izzy had a lady friend or 'lover' coming in the palace often.

What an asshole. I gritted my teeth. Basically, he cheated on me! He was seeing me and this woman at the same time... or maybe there are plenty of us.

Wait. But we were not exclusive... we were only friends with benefits. Darn it!

I opened the fridge and took a can of coke. I swallowed the ice cold liquid very fast. I was so upset and jealous thinking of him with other women. My brain was debating if I have a right or not, though I knew that I did not have a right.

I opened the fridge again and saw a tube of mentos. I got two circles from the tube then put it inside my mouth.

My brain snapped. My mouth froze from chewing. Oh no... Coke and mentos would kill me. What am I thinking! I ran to the bathroom and spit the mentos out in the sink.

I sat on the toilet bowl thinking what was wrong with me. I heard of postpartum blues. I hoped it was not happening to me.

After a few minutes, I decided to take a bath.

It felt so heaven washing the dirt from the desert sand off me. I did not mind at all that the water running through me turned black from my hair dye. But when I shampooed it twice and put heavy conditioner, the golden color of my hair returned.

I chose a simple cotton white dress from the closet. With flowing sleeves and A-line skirt. I blew dry my long hair and combed it until it shone. With a little makeup on, I was ready for lunch.

Fatima came and showed me to the garden area. I was fascinated looking at the beautiful flowers in different kinds and colors. The scent of its bloom and freshness lingered in the air.

"Lunch will be in the gazebo, your royal highness." She said, pointing at the beautifully set gazebo.

"Thank you, Fatima."

She bowed and excused herself.

When I was alone, my attention went back to the flowers, holding the a lavender rose. It was so beautiful that I leaned forward and smelled its scent.

"Careful of the thorns."

I jolted at the loud voice that I accidentally pricked myself with the thorn. I let out a soft cry of pain.

"Dammit! I just told you to be careful." Izzy bursted.

I glared at him and snapped back. "I was very careful until you appeared and made me jump! You could at least lower your voice. For once, can you be very gentle?"

"I am gentle. Do you want me to remind you?"

I knew what he meant. He had proven his gentleness on bed already... as well as his animalistic rough sexual act. I had proven it to him also how I liked both.

"No thanks." I twisted my lips in distaste.

He took my hand without asking and inspected the cut. There was a small dot of blood. I yelped when he pressed it together to get some blood out.

"What are you doing?" I pulled my hand holding it against my chest.

"Just making sure that there was no traces of the thorn left." His hand reached out and touched my arm, caressing slowly. "Sorry for scaring you. It was my fault."

I did not want to argue anymore. Giving me that very handsome puppy eye look, my heart softened.

"Okay you're forgiven." I smiled at him then eyed the food at the gazebo. "Can we eat? I'm starving now."

"Of course. Let's eat then continue our talk afterwards. That sounds good to you?"

I nodded feeling hopeful again.

The food we ate was so delicious that I ate too much. The deserts were heavenly. Just liked he've said -- ice cold lemonade, strawberry sorbet and French Vanilla ice cream.

Everything turned out great until he offered me a bargain.

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