Sweet Obsession (6 page)

The princess joined us for brunch on the queen’s insistence, and even though the princess seemed pleasant and gracious, I could see behind her shield. She wanted my Nidal, and she was out to get him. She was waiting for a crack in our relationship for her to jump in, but I was not about to give her that opportunity. I smiled back at her, a grin that spoke a thousand words. She read my smile, and her eyes laughed at me. She was letting me know that she was on the prowl, and I knew she would strike if I turned my back.

After brunch, we went in the tea room. The princess sat between Nidal and the queen. She was smarter than I thought.
I have to really watch my back with this one.

Conversation was going smoothly, but I was getting restless. I just wanted the princess to leave. She had overstayed her visit. Nidal was oblivious to anything around him. He was in his own little world.

The princess was telling us about the construction of her new sunroom in her palace when suddenly, without a care in the world, she laid her hand idly on Nidal’s knee. Nidal tensed as she did this, and he quickly stood and walked over to the French doors, pretending he was observing the rose gardens. I, of course, knew better. He did not want her to touch him, and he knew not what else to do but remove himself without being rude. I sat in the chair across from them, and I did everything in my power not to scratch out her eyes. I contained myself, sporting a fake smile on my face. I knew she saw right through that smile, and she arrogantly smiled back. I was restraining myself out of respect for the queen; otherwise, Princess Shaeena would feel my fist down her throat. This woman brought out the worst in me, a side of me I never knew existed.

When the princess announced that her stay was ending, the queen and I rose from our chairs, and the three of us walked out in the hallway by the huge entranceway. Nidal followed closely behind us. Once again, the princess kissed him on the mouth, and Nidal’s eyes swept over to mine. He searched my face, silently begging me for forgiveness. Princess Shaeena hugged the queen, glanced over, and looked at me with ice-cold eyes. A chill ran up and down my spine. I knew at that moment that I had an enemy. She wanted what belonged to me, and I knew she would stop at nothing to get it. I was not about to let her take my man. I walked up to my prince and made myself cozy in his arms. Nidal automatically wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

The expression on Princess Shaeena’s face was priceless. I almost choked laughing at her. But I took control of myself and smiled good-bye to her with satisfaction. She turned her back and walked gracefully out of the palace. The queen followed after her. I turned and hungrily kissed a startled Nidal, reminding him that he was mine. His response reassured me that I had nothing to worry about.

It was almost time for dinner, and we were still in bed, unable to tear ourselves away from each other. Nidal was playing with my hair when the call from the other side of the door came and announced that dinner would be served in a half hour. Just then, Nidal rested his head on his elbow and looked at me with a smile on his face and a glint in his eyes. He was up to something. I could tell. His hand slid under his pillow, and he pulled out a diamond necklace. It was a magnificent piece, and I stared at it, speechless. Nidal pushed his body up in a sitting position and clasped the diamond necklace around my neck.

“Happy birthday, Loula,” he said tenderly.

I looked at him, confused, but then I remembered. It was my birthday, and I had forgotten all about it. “How, pray tell, did you remember my birthday when it never once crossed my mind?” I asked him, surprised.

“I would never forget the day your mother brought such a treasure into the world,” Nidal said hoarsely. He claimed my lips one more time.

I pulled away from his embrace. “Please, Nidal, do not tell anyone that today is my birthday. I prefer to share this special day only with you.” I hoped he would abide by my wishes, but Nidal’s response was another kiss, which took my breath away.

We walked into the dining area with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, which was not missed by anyone who sat there looking right at us, as if we had committed a crime. I felt a little uncomfortable, but Nidal never let go of my hand, and that gave me a little comfort. I stole a quick glance across the table at the queen, and she was once again giving me that look of disapproval. My heart sank. Without even realizing it, I tightened my hold on Nidal’s hand, and he looked at me concerned, still unaware of his mother’s real feelings toward me.

I plastered a fake smile on my face for his benefit, not wanting to upset him. He had other issues at hand here, like the fact that there were many guests tonight for dinner. I counted thirty in all, and that did not include Nidal and me. Besides the queen, I was the only other female at the table. All the men, with the exception of Nidal, were wearing their uniforms.
This must be an important dinner meeting. Something is happening right under my nose. I am sure Nidal knows what it is, but he has not shared the information with me.

Next to the king, on his left side, sat Billal. Clearly, something was going on. I knew my bed would be cold tonight and Nidal would not be there to warm it. Just then, my thoughts of disappointment were interrupted when a servant walked in the room holding a birthday cake with a lit candle on it. Everybody started clapping and singing the birthday song to me. Embarrassed, I just sat there speechless.

The king stood and raised his glass of wine in the air and made a toast. “Happy birthday, Loula,” he said joyfully.

Everyone, including the queen, who sat to the king’s right, stood to toast me. Nidal pulled me close to him and kissed me on the mouth tenderly. I blew out the one candle that was on the cake, and the servants took away the pastry so they could slice it for dessert. All the attention I received touched me. Somehow they seemed warmer and kinder than they had been at other times. Conversation flowed throughout the room, and laughter filled the air.

The conversation wrapped around Nidal’s childhood, as the queen and some of the guests remembered him as a little rascal always in mischief. I could only imagine him running in the palace’s halls, trying to find a hiding place to avoid punishment. The queen’s gaze occasionally went from Nidal to me. The fine lines on her face relaxed, and the tone of her voice sounded warmer than usual.
Dare I think that she is starting to accept me in her son’s life?

Dinner was served, but try as I might, I could not eat. I had lost my appetite. The thought of my lover going to another meeting tonight, and especially tonight of all nights, turned my stomach upside down. Nidal threw me a questioning glance, and I looked away, fearing the tears would roll down my face for all to see.

I could tell that he had guessed the reason for my sadness, and he whispered in my ear, “I will not be gone for long. Wait for me, and I will give you the second part of your gift.”

And I looked up at him, and he winked at me, throwing me a smile to die for. My heart raced at the mention of my second gift. Just thinking about it set my heart on fire.

After dinner, the cake was brought out, all sliced up and ready to serve, but without even waiting for dessert, all the men, including Nidal, rose from the table and quickly disappeared. Nidal apologized as he hastily kissed my lips and followed the gentlemen out the door, leaving the queen and me alone at the table.

The queen, who was sitting at the end of the dinner table all the way on the other side, stood, picked up her teacup and the plate with her slice of cake on it, walked over, and sat in the empty chair opposite me. A young servant scrambled over to her and handed her a silver fork. The queen drank her tea and ate her cake in silence. I just sat there waiting for the queen to dismiss me, but she did not. Instead, she spoke to me for the first time since I had come to the palace.

“I think,” she said, as her eyes turned to me, “you should try a piece of this chocolate cake. It is pure heaven.” She smiled and dropped two sugar cubes in her tea while she waited for my response.

I was taken by surprise that the queen had decided to take this moment to talk to me, and I got excited and did not know what to say. So I just smiled and reached for my fork and started eating my slice of the cake, keeping myself busy while I devoured the pastry.

“I see you too approve of the chocolate cake.” The queen laughed softly as she put the napkin she wiped her mouth with on the table and rose to her feet.

“Yes, thank you. It was delicious,” I quickly responded.

Then I also rose and waited for the queen to exit the room before I did. The queen threw me a half smile as she elegantly strode out of the dining area and disappeared to her room. As I walked down the corridor to my room, I caught myself smiling, and I wondered if this were the beginning of a new relationship between the queen and me. It would sure be nice to have her on my side.

Closing the door to my room, my mind once again was troubled with the thought of what the gentlemen in the meeting were discussing with their king. I could only speculate what they were talking about behind closed doors.

I do not like the idea of Nidal keeping secrets from me
, I thought dryly as I undressed.

I climbed into bed naked, feeling a little sleepy. In the middle of the night as I was still awake, I heard the door open and softly close. Nidal tiptoed to the bathroom, and minutes later, he walked to our bed and slipped under the covers as gently as he could.

I could feel his sweet breath on my face as he lay in bed next to my warm body. A full moon was outside, and the curtains were open so Nidal could easily see my face. I pretended to be asleep. As much as I wanted to throw myself into his embrace, I dared not. I wanted to make him feel my body heat and know what he could have had if he had come sooner to bed, but he made no sound, and he did not move at all. He lay still. I waited what seemed like an eternity. Finally not able to stand it anymore, I opened my eyes and saw him staring into my face. The moonbeams cast its light upon his face, and I saw him smiling right at me.

He quickly pulled me into his arms. I stared at his lips as he parted them to whisper something to me, but I could not wait any longer. With an impatient pull of his head, I brought his lips to mine and kissed him hungrily. Nidal pulled away from me.

“Did you miss me?” he asked me passionately.

“No,” I lied.

He drew his head back and looked at me amused. “Liar.”

He playfully tickled me until I cried from laughter.

So we spent our night blissfully in each other’s arms as our entangled bodies passionately tasted the fruits of love.

When I awoke the next morning, I noticed that Nidal was missing from the bed. I looked around the room, but he was nowhere to be seen. I sighed and closed my eyes, thinking of last night. My body burned with desire thinking of my lover’s naked body on top of mine. My hand automatically went to my throat as I remembered the beautiful necklace Nidal had showered me with. It was very thoughtful of Nidal to remember my birthday and share it with everyone. I smiled, thinking I could not be happier than I was at this very moment.

I got out of bed and dressed into a simple pink gown with yellow trimmings at the bottom, thinking this gown was befitting my mood right now. I was in love, and that was enough to make me swirl around with happiness. I was in my own happy little world and did not even hear the light tapping on the door as I danced around the room. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the door open gently and Billal’s head peek inside, staring right at me with a smile on his handsome face. Embarrassed, I looked at him and opened my mouth.
Why did he open my door without asking first?

Annoyed, I waved at him to enter, knowing I could not stay mad at him for long. He was a good man, and I enjoyed his company. Billal came inside quickly and shut the door behind him. He walked up to me, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed me softly on the cheek.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said cheerfully. He stepped back. “I am sorry to intrude on you like this, but I know that Nidal has gone to the village for some business, and I took a chance and came here to give you this.” He pulled a gold bracelet out of his pocket. A charm, a gold heart, was hanging on it, and it was absolutely beautiful.

I was surprised that he would even think to give me a gift. I knew I could not accept a gift from Billal without some kind of retaliation from Nidal, but Billal took my right hand and clasped the bracelet on my wrist. The heart dangled elegantly as I raised my arm in the air and admired the bracelet.

“Happy birthday, Loula,” he said softly.

What am I to do? Keeping this lovely gift means starting a war with Nidal. He would never allow me to keep it and would demand I give it back.

Billal must have noticed my change of heart. “Loula, please keep it as a token of our friendship. We are friends, are we not?” he asked, hopeful.

I sighed, knowing I would regret my decision one day. I hugged him. “Thank you, ’tis a lovely gift, and I will treasure it.”