Royalty Gone Bad novel Chapter 31

Asahd’s POV:

I got to work and went to the locker room to change and drop my things. The others were there. I greeted and they all replied.

“How was your Sunday, buddy?” Derrick asked as we shared a handshake.

“Interesting,” I replied, noticing Allison in a corner, blushing and smiling a little.

“Mmhmm. Any girl involved?” he mused.

“Not that I know of,” I chuckled.

“Alright, man.”

I just liked having Derrick or Alex around me. I’d actually become friends with them. They were the less annoying and competitive guys amongst the others. For example, Jason was always teasing me and tried to make me uncomfortable most of the time, calling me pretty boy and saying in a ‘joking’ manner that he didn’t see why the girls we worked with found me cute. That I wasn’t that pretty and blah blah. His ass was just jealous. I ignored him most of the time. Stephan was annoying because he teased me too and kept trying to make me hook him up with Saïda. Just like Jason, he was very competitive too. For no reason at all. He would always become dry towards me when one of the girls complimented me and always tried to compare everything with me. I avoided them so I would not get really angry and do the unthinkable.

Matt on the other hand was quite simple. He was nice yet didn’t really mingle with the others. A bit like a boy version of Elsa. He would do what he had to, tell us goodbye and leave. Always minding his business.

--

The others changed and left till I was left alone. I had just put my T-shirt when Allison entered.

“Good morning,” she smiled and I smiled back, pulling her in for a hug.

“Good morning. How was your night?” I kissed her forehead.

“Great. Thought about you the entire time,” she giggled.

“Really? That’s nice.”

“And how was yours? You look a little tired,” she said.

′That’s cuz I spent the whole night gossiping with Saïda.′

The thought made me smile because she’d told me a lot of amusing and embarrassing things about the annoying chief butlers in the palace, back in Zagreh. Things I didn’t even know about.

“You’re smiling?” Allison mused, snapping me out of it.

“I slept late cuz I was thinking about you and how I hope to return your feelings with time.”

She smiled.

“I’m sure you will.”

We shared a short kiss.

“No one should know about us, just yet. Especially the girls,” she mused and stepped back. “Brittany kinda likes you, though she’s acting all bitter because of that party night. She told us about it. Jenna likes you too. I’m sure of that one. They’re mean at times and I don’t want them throwing odd words at me.”

“Okay, they won’t know," I reassured her.

“Thank you. Let’s go.”

***

Saïda’s POV:

Finally it was twelve, my break time. I excused myself and left the shop to go sit at a nearby café.

I ordered donuts and sat to eat them, while manipulating my phone. I texted Asahd,

-I’m on break. And you?-

-Same. What are you doing?-

-Eating donuts ?.-

-Keep me some ?.-

-No way... You work in a fast food. Eat some fries or something ???-

-??? Fine.-

-Please keep me a burger...-

I dared to ask, after refusing to keep some donuts for him. I laughed a little, expecting the shadiest reply.

-Are you serious? I’m not keeping anything!-

-Fine, too ??.-

I received a call.

-I got a call. Bye.-

-?-

I checked and it was an unknown number. I picked.

“Hello?”

"Hello, my dear?” It was Noure!

“Noure?? Whose number is this? It’s an American number.”

"Yes, sweetheart. My father has a seminar here. We arrived New York earlier today. He’s gone for his meeting and so I’m free. How do we meet? Where are you?”

My heart threatened to burst out of my chest as happiness took over.

“Are you serious?? Oh my! I’m on break. I have fifty minutes left. We can meet real quick. Where are you?”

He gave me the name of the hotel where he lodged and I realised it wasn’t very far from where I was.

“I’ll be there in ten to fifteen minutes!”

"Can’t wait! I’ll be waiting for you at the entrance.”

“Okay!”

I hung up and called the waiter.

“Please wrap these up for me. I’ll come pick them, later.”

“Sure.”

They already knew me there and so I could ask them to keep the donuts till I returned.

“Taxi!” I stopped a cab and got in. I was so impatient to meet Noure.

***

When I saw him through the taxi’s window, my heart skipped a beat. He stood there, all tall and handsome. He’d recently turned twenty three. About a week or so, ago.

I paid the driver and rushed out. Immediately he saw me, he opened his arms and I ran into them, hugging him tight. We laughed happily, hugging each other tight.

Recently, we’d been telling each other almost everything and he always kept me updated on Allison and so, I decided to tell him about my afternoon. Plus, my father had retired to bed.

“Oh, I almost forgot. I finally kept you some donuts. They’re in the fridge. You can eat them as breakfast tomorrow,” I said and a wide smile drew itself on his lips.

“Seriously??” he rushed to the fridge and saw them. “Saïda?” he called softly.

“Yes?” I mused.

He approached me and made me face him.

“I bless you and your generation,” he mused and when he grabbed my face and kissed my forehead, I burst out in laughter. He was always so extra and I just loved that aspect of his.

“Thank you,” I laughed.

“Now I remember. I kept you a burger and forgot it in my bag. Guess you can warm it for breakfast tomorrow too. Now bless me,” he chuckled and I laughed.

“I bless you and your generation.”

“Good. Now spill the tea.”

I looked around and made sure my father’s door was well closed.

“Noure was in this city today. We met during my break,” I whispered and his eyes went wide.

“For real?? Stubborn girl. Didn’t they tell you to stay away from him for the little while given?” he teased and I giggled.

“Punish me then,” I mused.

“How did it go?”

“Well. We talked a lot and had a little catch up.”

“What kind of catch up?” he mused.

I looked around again.

“We kissed. Not a peck. A real kiss.”

“Are you serious??” his mouth dropped open and I laughed. “Saïda, you??”

“Mhm. And I’m a pretty good kisser,” I giggled nervously

“I’m reporting.”

“Asahd!” I laughed and pulled on his arm when he pretended to go report to my father. He laughed.

“You’re not so innocent after all, Saïda,” he chuckled.

“It was just a kiss, Asahd. That doesn’t make me naughty or something,” I laughed.

“I’m kinda happy for you. And I can’t believe you’ll be getting married in a short time. You’re turning twenty soon, right?”

“Yup, in some weeks.”

“I’ll dance, drink and feast at your wedding. Big facts.”

“Hahaha I hope you do.”

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