My Heart Didn’t Beat As Fast
On the return flight, Aisha wanted to talk to Ahmed about her role as a Sheikha, but she didn’t dare to fully express her thoughts. He noticed that she looked very serious, and he imagined it was because she didn’t want to go back to her country, knowing well that she disliked their traditions.
“What’s wrong?” Ahmed asked.
“It’s just that I’m not sure about my duties as a Sheikha.”
“You’ll have to accompany me to various events, especially when I receive representatives from other countries and their wives.”
“I would like to organize some conferences and forums to support women. I feel it’s essential to encourage families to educate their daughters and work towards eliminating illiteracy.”
“That sounds great. I’ll support you in whatever you decide to do. My father founded the largest humanitarian aid center in the world, and you can make a significant impact from there.”
“Thank you for listening,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder and letting out a deep sigh. He gently kissed her forehead.
Upon landing, they disembarked from the plane, got into the SUV, and headed back to the palace. Amira was already waiting for them, and Aisha was thankful that Basima wasn’t around.
“Sister-in-law, brother, I missed you both,” Amira said, trying to hide her sadness. She didn’t want to bother her brother, especially right after his honeymoon, but Ahmed knew her too well.
“Hello, sister. Is something bothering you?”
“It’s better to talk tomorrow. Rest for now, I assume you must be hungry.”
“Don’t worry about that. We had food on the flight, and you know you can count on me no matter what happens.”
“Thank you, brother.”
“Now tell me, has our brother been engaged?”
“Yes, he has. I wish you both could have been there. Arkham was delighted to be part of the Amin family. Aisha cried the whole time, and her father couldn’t hide his anger. It was a complete circus.”
“Hahaha, they brought it upon themselves. And what about Mother?”
“Mother is something else. Her sadness and displeasure were evident. She wanted Aracha to be the next Sheikha and the mother of the crown prince.”
“Well, they got what they deserved.”
After saying their goodbyes, the couple retired to their bedroom. The sunset was falling, and the next day, Ahmed would have to resume his duties as a Sheik.
Several matters had been postponed, and he would love to return to the United States and lead a normal life with his wife. He felt that she cared for him, but she didn’t love him yet. He knew he had to work every day to earn her love. He wanted Aisha to feel that she couldn’t live without him, just as he felt that way about her.
While Aisha was taking a shower, Ahmed sat on the couch and took out a photo of Lyna and their children from his wallet. He sighed, having loved that woman deeply, but his feelings for Aisha were much stronger.
Now he cherished the beautiful memories of his past in his heart, looking at the picture of his little children, he smiled, grateful for the time he had with them, even if it was short. When he turned, he noticed Aisha observing him. He could see sadness in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything. She passed by him, picked up a book, and started reading.
He took a quick shower, put on his pajamas, and lay down beside her. He wanted to hold her close, but he feared she might reject him at that moment.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
“Are you upset?” he asked.
“No, why would I be?”
“About my family. I was looking at their photo to confirm that I no longer feel the same pain as before when I see them. Now, I feel infinite love for my children. I did love Lyna, it’s true, but my heart didn’t beat as fast when I was with her. My body didn’t feel the same sensations as when I touch you. It was a calm and peaceful love with her, but with you, it’s like a thousand electric shocks coursing through my chest.”
Hearing that, Aisha put her book aside. She wanted to tell him that she felt the same, that she loved him with the same intensity, but she wasn’t ready to say it yet. Ahmed leaned in and kissed her tenderly, which gradually turned into desire and passion.
That night, they surrendered entirely to their desires, and in the morning, Aisha woke up first. She was lying on Ahmed’s chest as usual, and he held her tightly. Worried, she remembered that they hadn’t used any contraceptive method. She needed to investigate which methods were permitted and where she could obtain them.
Ahmed might want children quickly, but she would prefer to wait. She wasn’t sure if she could bear living in a country where she felt like a complete stranger. Moreover, she had heard that, in case of divorce, the children usually stayed with their father, which worried her. She didn’t want a divorce, but she couldn’t predict the future.
In the United States, Sonia couldn’t believe how her life had taken such a turn, all because of that cursed girl. She had ruined everything, and she wished she could have her in front of her to make her pay. Mía didn’t deserve happiness, just as she wasn’t happy herself. Caroline had taken everything from her. In reality, nothing was really hers; her ex-husband had distributed his inheritance between their two daughters.
The lawyer who had promised her eternal love abandoned her as soon as he found out she had nothing left. She had managed to maintain her lifestyle for a few months by selling her jewelry and personal belongings, but everything was gone now. Strong knocks on the door interrupted her thoughts.
“Who is it?”
“It’s time for you to go dance if you want to eat. You have to work,” someone called back.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” she replied grumpily.
She stepped out and stood in the center of an improvised stage, wearing black lingerie with a mesh jumpsuit of the same color on top. A short, straight, black wig covered her hair, and a silver-colored mask adorned her face, while her lips were scandalously painted.
She started dancing rhythmically, attracting the gaze of the audience. Despite her age, she was still a very beautiful woman, well-preserved and looking much younger. Every time she went out to dance, she was grateful for the mask that allowed her to hide the disgust she felt for the swarm of repulsive drunkards.
Meanwhile, Cambell and Thara had taken the baby home. Caroline approached them, eager to meet the baby. After the baby’s birth, Emma had simply disappeared, having already received the money, which was all she really cared about. In the hospital, she was forced by the nurses to breastfeed the baby, which was why she ran away, as she refused to do it.
On the other hand, Thara had discovered that the baby already meant a lot to her, and Cambell was delighted about it. They would soon get married, and the baby would legally become Thara’s child.
Carlo Román, on the other hand, was still determined to find Mía. Now he had hope of doing so, as one of his men had informed him that a guy, completely drunk at a bar of one of his friends, had told the bartender how they had broken into a church to kidnap the bride. What were the chances that the same thing could happen somewhere else?
His mood improved a bit, and he even behaved somewhat nicer to Vittoria. The poor girl didn’t know what was going on, but she hoped that whatever it was, it would continue.
For a few days, Vittoria had been feeling dizzy, without energy, tired, and constantly sleepy. Carlo’s mother was worried and asked her son to let her stay with her for a few days. Reluctantly, he agreed and sent some men to watch over her all the time. Those days would be boring as she wouldn’t have anyone to entertain herself with.
The day after Vittoria left, when Carlo returned home, he felt strange. He didn’t know what was happening, and it couldn’t be that he missed that useless woman, could it? Maybe it was that he didn’t enjoy solitude as much as before.
Ahmed had returned to his job, attending meetings after meetings, and once again, he only saw Aisha at bedtime. He wanted to dedicate more time to her, but with so many matters to resolve, it was impossible.
Amira finally decided to talk to her brother. She didn’t want to burden him with more problems, but she had significant issues, and only he could help.
“What’s going on, sister?”
“Sorry to bother you, brother.”
“I’ve told you, you’re not a bother.”
“Mother wants to arrange a marriage for me with Aracha’s older brother. He’s the heir of the Amin family. They were present during Arkham’s engagement, and I saw him trying to approach me. I distanced myself immediately, but mother told me he spoke to her and wants to marry me.”
“And what do you want?”
“Someday, I want to get married, but to someone I choose, and that man is not to my liking.”
“Alright, sister, I won’t accept that arrangement.”
“Thank you, brother.”