The Secret Arrangement (4 page)

At the entrance of the hotel heading into the Rolls Royce when Laura had a crazy idea, as in the morning she noticed that guests could enjoy the hotel's car, so she issued a challenge to Ali, each one should drive to the restaurant, he looked at her surprised and starts laughing.

She was a well of surprises that Ali adored, perhaps she was a too simple and inexperienced, but that's what seduced Ali and her ability to adapt so easily to a new reality, made her even more interesting. Ali felt compelled to do something special for her, but had not yet discovered what she liked. Ali accepted Laura’s challenge, without a word he entered in a Ferrari, she entered into a Lamborghini.

Laura had never driven a Lamborghini but it was as if she always had despite arriving at last, she came right behind him to the restaurant, and left the car with the concierge at the restaurant and someone would pick up the cars from the hotel.

Dinner ran excitedly and Laura felt like a fish in water, the end of the night Ali business partners living in Dubai, said goodbye with the promise that they had to repeat a new dinner soon. Laura and Ali returned to the hotel talking endlessly, and Ali asked conversationally what she thought of him and what she thought of that lifestyle.

"To tell you the truth, when I signed up on the website didn’t expect to meet anyone interesting, but I had the greatest luck in the world to meet you, I love everything about you, your easy going way about everything and you treat me in a very respectful way and of course all you can offer me, it’s absolutely magnificent. I love it!"

"Would you like to travel around the world?" Asked Ali to Laura suddenly very serious.

"I would love to live in the world, a few months in one country another couple of months in another; get to know new habits, new cultures, taste different food and finally live different experiences." Said Laura pausing and then continuing. "I would like to have one day a job where I could earn enough money to travel all over the world."

"Do you have a business in mind?" Asked Ali apprehensive, because he was afraid that he would lose her, if she became too independent from him.

"I don’t know yet, there are so many business opportunities and the tuff choice is to choose wisely. If it was easy everyone would do it, wasn’t it?"

She approached Ali, hugging him and giving him a long kiss, awakening both the desire to give to each other with all the time in the world.

Laura knew more or less what he wanted, she got the idea at dinner time when everyone was talking about, but she was decided not to tell Ali, she wanted first try it out and if it turned out a success, she would tell him.

She was enthusiastic about the idea and the more she thought about it, the more the idea seemed to make sense to her and best of all is that investment wouldn’t be big at all. She fell asleep entangled in this thought and dreamed of her idea.

The next day Laura was thinking of going in Dubai, where it was very hot outside, to the ski resort. But Ali woke up with a call and after he hangs up, he looked at Laura with a very serious face, sat on the bedside, stroking her face he said:

"I have something to tell you, I received an important call and have to go as soon as possible to Bahrain solve some business problems that emerged there and my people can’t handle this one without my presence. It will be a nightmare in the coming days, do you want to stay here alone for a few days or do you want to return to London today? I'll have to take my plane but I can rent another one, to take you if you want."

Laura proved to be sympathetic and said she would rather return to London, she didn’t want to stay there alone and after all he had to take care of business, it was a priority and she understood.

He hugged her, thanking in silence.

"I want to ask you something" Laura said "I don’t need a private plane to return to London, but I'd like to try the cocoons of Emirates Airlines first class, do you think it's possible?"

"Sure, that’s not a problem." Ali made a phone call, spoke quickly in Arabic and said in English as he finished the call "Within minutes you will have your first class ticket, at midday. But I have to take a shower and leave."

He made a few more phone calls for someone to come to their suite to pack all his bags, to have the car and private jet ready, before hitting the shower, took quickly breakfast, giving a long kiss to Laura and left.

Laura returned to Dubai Airport, and like last time she had someone to carry her bags, going directly to the first class lounge. Once settled in the airplane in the first class comfortable cocoon, she amused herself with everything, after takeoff Laura spend most of the time sleeping.

When they finally woke up, she remembered that Ali had forgotten the financial agreement; they did not spoke about financial terms this time. And Laura wouldn’t bring it up, after all she had made the purchases she wanted and he didn’t objected, she did what she wanted, traveled like rich people use to making her feeling almost wealthy as well, she felt good.

What could she ask more?
- Involved in her thoughts, suddenly she remembered that she hadn’t give back Ali’s credit card. As soon she landed in London, Laura sends him a message telling him.

He replied immediately: "Don’t worry, spend what you need, I have other cards, this one can stay with you, as it has a small plafond as well, and it’s only £1,000,000. With the stress of having to leave in a hurry I forgot to tell you that I have put in your suitcase £40,000 for your expenses. I want to see you soon. Kisses, Ali."

"Thanks, Ali! Love when I can make you happy. I can’t wait to see you again. The time we spent together was superb and unique. Big kiss"

"Good thing you like, I also loved. I’ll give news soon."

Laura arrived to her small and sad rented flat, she began to walk around the small flat and she decided it was time to move into a new apartment. She had Ali’s credit card which she could use as her pleased and she intended too. Now she had money enough to move in to a nice flat with modern furniture and with lots of light in central London.

The money Ali had given her, she decided to put aside for rainy days because she was aware that it would not last forever, but while it lasted, she intended to take advantage the best she could.

Spending hours searching online for contemporary apartments, she books visit for 3 the next day. When visiting the apartments for rent on the day, choosing was easy, she decided to stay with the first floor apartment in Marylebone, she loved the fact that she was 2 minutes away from Oxford Street, but still cozy and noise free inside. She paid for six months on advance with Ali’s credit card.

She also bought a new laptop and after she moved into the new flat, Laura felt fulfilled with the necessary conditions to begin her new project.

And so she did, she researched, saw videos, took notes, enrolled in a course of 4 weeks duration to learn how to write books. At the end of the first week of the course, she started to write, at the beginning the words didn’t seem to born from her head to the screen, but gradually Laura started over and over again and the words began to shown on the screen, one after another.

As she had lots of time, and Ali was busy, keeping in touch daily, Laura didn’t spoke about her new project and she wrote every day, losing herself in hours.

The course taught her to write and how to be a self-publisher, and she was ready to publish her first eBook.

To her surprise she started making money within 24 hours.

After two weeks Ali decided to invite Laura to travel again and meet him in Spain, where he had business. From there they would travel to Suisse and after that they would travel to Africa, where Ali has the oil company.

Laura was use to spend most of the day and sometimes nights all by herself, she didn’t bother, because when she was tired of shopping she went to the hotel, sat comfortable in a chair in her suite and wrote for hours. When she was tired she would just for a walk nearby, in one of those days, she was having coffee in the hotels terrace in South Africa a beggar approach her from the street, at first Laura tried to ignore her, the old lady looked filthy and was barefoot. At first the old lady asked for money, but Laura didn’t give it to her, but she was insisting, as Laura was ignoring her, to capture her attention the old lady said: “I know that you will need my help in a near future, only with my help you can be really free achieving what you most desire, be famous, have more money you can spend and not depend on any man.” Laura was listening to it and the old lady got Laura’s attention: “20Dollars Miss…” Laura laugh feeling that she was about to be coned, but at the same time she was curious what she would say and pulls 20 note and give it to the old lady: “Okay…care to explain.” The old lady took the note, and started to search in her wrapped and filthy clothe for something, Laura was waiting. She gives Laura a small wrapped brownish paper, Laura opens and see’s dry herbs, looking back to the old lady without understanding a thing. The old lady explained: “These are very powerful herbs for tea, completely untraceable. You will know to use it when the time comes” And walked away, living Laura looking at her. She felt that was very strange, and called the waiter to ask for security, but between the time, the waiter arrived at Laura’s table she thought it was not necessary, it was just an harmless old lady trying to scam tourists. She asked the waiter if he knew who that old lady was. The waiter said she was a well known fortune teller; she has the ability to see some people’s future, but not all.

Laura laughs and forgot about the incident, going back to her writing.

After one month travelling around the world with Ali, she was glad being at home again. She didn’t saw Ali for about 2 weeks, one day he calls to invite her again to meet him, this time in Monaco, he invited Laura to the famous annual Rose Ball. For a moment Laura was confused.

A Ball? - She questioned herself but didn’t mention it to Ali, she didn’t Ali to know that she didn’t know what it was. Instead she searched online to know what it was exactly and the dress code.

Laura found out that the annual Rose Ball in Monaco, was a charity ball, very famous because it started when Princess Grace wanted to help her husband, to keep peace in Monaco, she invited for the charity ball all having political issues and willing to start a war. With the charity she was able to do a memorable speech and kept peace in Monaco.

Ah after all it is a gala.
- She thought relieved, first because it was meaningful gala and then because she would have probably have to possibility to meet new and interesting people.

Both agreed to meet again by the next Friday and Laura traveled to Nice in Ali’s private plane, and with helicopter she arrived in Monaco.

Today Ali was waiting for Laura with a large bouquet of roses and a small gift. She hugged him and kissed him fondly as he twirling happy Laura in the air making her laugh.

"Hello again nice to see you again." – Laura told him at same time she goes down slowly until she touches with the tips of feet on the floor again. Ali catches the bouquet and a small box from the floor and gives to Laura.

"Hello you! How are you my dear?" She said to him with a last quick kiss to smell the roses and opening the small box, inside the box Laura took a wide, beautiful and spiked bracelet with diamonds.

Laura looked at the bracelet and only managed to say:

"Wow, it’s beautiful! Thank you so much you are incredible!" Laura needed more than a moment to be able to express how much she thought about the wonderful and lovely bracelet.

“It's very nice of you, that you find it beautiful because it cost a small fortune.”
- Thought Ali seeing happily all Laura’s enthusiasm. But ending up saying – “Do you have the notion of how much this bracelet was? It has the same price tag as a flat in central London. But I offer it to you, because I know how appreciative you are and that makes me really happy.”

"Let's spend the weekend at Hotel Paris, I hope you like it" said Ali taking Laura’s hand forwarding her to the Rolls Royce, that was waiting to take them to the Hotel.

The hotel was a beautiful building in a classical style, it was impossible to remain indifferent to the sculptures, spiked walls and marble columns, giving the hotel a unique and glamorous style.

When they finally reached the suite, there was Cristal champagne with exotic fruit arranged in a silver cup, several small chocolates but with different shapes and arranged colors neatly in another 3 floors silver platter, a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers as a center piece. The room was covered in rose petals, with candles
that smelled of roses and orchids arranged on the floor, in the bathroom, bath was ready with candles and relaxing salts.

Seeing all everything Ali prepared for them, Laura felt she needed to thank him properly for everything he had done for her.

They spent a relaxed afternoon enjoying each other, eventually falling asleep and waking up only at dinnertime, because both were so relaxed and didn’t want to blow the mood, they decided to order and having dinner in the room.

"I thought you wanted to go out, to a fancy restaurant and get to know Monaco" Ali said between mouthfuls, visibly hungry, from all the physical activity that they had during the afternoon.

"You can you show me everything later or tomorrow before the ball" said Laura also eating with relish.

"Yes it's true. By the way do you have gown for the ceremony? "

"Yes, I bought it in London, do you want to see it?" She stood up without giving time for him to answer, went to the wardrobe where the maid had put all Laura’s clothes and showed the dark blue long dress in princess shape.

"When you finish eating, dress it, I would like to see how it fits on you."

"Okay"

When Laura finished eating, she dressed up and showed the gown to Ali was sitting watching her, and elegant moves in front of him, like a top model on a catwalk.

"It's very beautiful and elegant, you have excellent taste. I also like these sandals. Everything fits you very well." Said Ali, glad to see that she could dress up as the occasion demands.

They spent the night watching a movie and relaxing in bed, eventually allowing sleeping with the television on.

The next day they woke up early and Ali wanted to show a little bit of Monaco to Laura. After having breakfast in the magnificent balcony with a splendid sea view.

After Ali drove a convertible Bentley that Laura did not know if it was rented or it was his own, and she didn’t bother to ask. They walked up and down the famous roads where they usually do the Grand Prix of Monaco and the road where the tragedy of Princess Grace of Monaco occurred.

They turned out to lunch at the Bay and then toured the sea admiring the beautiful yachts. Laura admired all the beautiful and huge yachts, each more beautiful than the other.

Ali realized how much she was enjoying the boats, he decided to go to the marina office and rent a yacht for the next day, he wanted to spend the day on sea, in the biggest yacht available, he wanted to impress Laura once again. Barely set foot outside the office, gives Laura, who was still waiting outside, about the yacht rental and she squeals of excitement at the thought she was going to spend the day on a yacht like the one she was appreciating at the bay.

Ali hugged Laura, smiling shaking his head thinking that she can be sometimes so exaggerated of excitement, after all is only a yacht ride.

Back to the hotel, in the end of the afternoon to prepare for the charity ball, hosted by Prince Albert.

Tonight, Laura would meet for the very first time princes and princesses, her enthusiasm was visible in her voice while she was dressing up and Ali amused enjoyed every second of it, for him it was like watching a kid with a new toy.

After she had the hair arranged by one of the hotel's hairdressers, with impeccable manicure and perfect make-up to match with the prom theme of this year, which was art deco.

Since 1954 Monaco was presented with the charity ball, the first started with Princess Grace and from the beginning that all royalty and millionaires gathered in a night of glamour, where every year the gala was inspired by a theme, and this year the theme was art deco and who would decorate the party would be a personal friend of the Princess Carolina, the famous fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Laura was ready to meet the royalty, hand in hand with Ali left the hotel for a black limousine that was waiting for them. The way the charity event in the sporting hall Monte Carlo Ali wanted to fathom it and see if it would be ready for the next step.

"Laura, I'm thinking spending more time in London. I intend to buy a house in central London, what do you think about the idea?"

"I think it’s a great idea, at least we can see each other more often." Said Laura, kissing Ali. Going silent, to think about what Ali just said to her. With Ali around she wouldn’t have so much freedom to continue her secret project, but she would have to find a way to succeed in it anyway. After the comment that Ali did, she got the impression that he wanted to get closer to her, and she thought in one hand it was very good, but she doesn’t love him to come too close to nor was marriage in Laura’s plans.

She just wanted access to experiences and all the amenities that money provided, she was not ready to have a a to serious relationship, now that she started to enjoy life, and she was only 22 years old, she has all life ahead and her prince charming would still show up one day.

Although she loves Ali’s company and appreciated everything he was doing for her, he was certainly not a man whit whom she wanted to spend the rest of her days with. It was not even an age thing, it was just, she wasn’t in love for him.

Laura knew she had to keep all her thoughts to herself, she couldn’t share with other friends, because they wouldn’t understand and she wouldn’t for certain share it with Ali, she didn’t want to spoil the agreement she had with Ali.

When they reached the event, she could see luxury cars and limousines everywhere, the driver got into line for them to get out right into the red carpet to get inside the building. The building that was by the lake with one of the most beautiful views you could ask for.

Finally inside the hall, Laura praised the decoration at Ali’s ear, although the tables were long, receiving dozens of people at a time, it was a way to have the opportunity to meet and speak with many people. Once everyone was settled for dinner, Laura saw the amount of people who knew Ali. She noticed especially in a young man, who must have 25 years, who went to greet Ali and exchanged a few words. Laura was hoping that Ali introduced that man to her, but he ignored her and did not.

That night Laura was feeling helpless, she couldn’t help thinking about that young man, elegantly dressed in a tuxedo, radiating masculinity and with the most beautiful smile that Laura had ever seen. Surreptitiously from time to time she looked at him, and she couldn’t stay indifferent to him, he had an invisible magnet that was so appealing to Laura.

Despite feeling an indescribable joy to finally meet Prince Albert and Princess Stefanie, among other royalty, there was one person in particular that she would like to be introduced, but never had a chance, and she could not ask to be introduced, she needed to be strong and respect being there with Ali.

She tried to forget that man, thinking after the gala she will most likely never see him again and Laura would forget him.

On the way to the hotel, Ali knew something was going on, because it was not normal for Laura go on quietly staring absently out of the car window, she was usually like a parrot talking about what was going on in an event, but today she was completely silent and he didn’t know why.

"Are you all right?" Questioning her, in an attempt to find out what was happening with Laura and to know the reason for her silence.

She looks slowly at him forcing a smile and said "Yes" realizing, it was a short answer to be convincing, she added: "I'm just thinking about this charity party, with all those millionaires, that royalty ... was a strong night of emotions for me, I always dreamt about this, but I never knew I could fulfill my dreams." She said looking out the window absently again.

Ali seemed to be content with Laura's explanation, at all was true, he knew not everyone has the opportunity to go to a charity event and gets to know that kind of people every day.

It must have been a new experience for Laura and she is only assimilating all that information.
- Thought Ali.

Laura said she was very tired, turning sideways immediately on the bed, pretending to fall asleep almost instantly. Ali didn’t bother her and let her sleep the whole night. In the morning she wanted to give Ali fun morning session, but the desire she had for him before the party had magically evaporated and she needed to pretend she was enjoying the moment as he was.

Right now she just wanted to be in her comfortable apartment in London, all by herself, she needed to be alone.

But right now, she needed to stay more 24 hours with Ali, they had agreed to spend the day on the yacht and after taking breakfast, they went for the ocean trip.

Laura tried not to think about the night before, let alone thinking about that man who she saw.

She tried distraction talking with Ali about his business, and his intention to buy a house in London, having sunbathing and champagne cocktails at same time. Between chatting with Ali and champagne, eventually she forgets the man from last night, trying to convince that she will never see him again.

In the evening Laura went back to her normal state, ignoring the signs that she was in love with a stranger at first sight. Taking full advantage of the company of Ali, which she did not expect was that Ali returned with her to London the next day, he was decided to start looking for a house to buy and wanted Laura to join him.