I stood in the middle of the bakery thinking which cake to choose. Mami said that he likes chocolate cake, but they don't have it here, only red velvet and vanilla sponge cake.
I rolled my eyes in annoyance, How can I guy like sweet things like chocolate cake? Don't they normally loves things bitter like black, strong coffee?. I smile at myself for the thought, cause that is what I normally read in novels.
I hissed as I look at the cake one more time. I was supposed to bake the cake for the mysterious Fahad that loves chocolate cake so much, but I was so engross in my design that I forgot completely and now is too late for me to bake and frost it, that's why I decided to come here and buy it for him.
Deciding on the one with chocolate and vanilla frosting, I open the fridge as I extend my hand to take it, but another hand beats me, push me a little almost losing my balance. I watch as the hand land on the cake
"Hey that's my cake" I said as I regain my balance but then I felt a sharp string on my forehead "oouuch" we said in unison.
Enraged I rub the place using my hand. I raised my head to deal with whoever it is, but then my eyes land on the most amazing brown eyes that I've ever seen.
I open my mouth to talk but no words came out of it, I watch as he blink his eyes that's when I notice his long eyelashes, he is handsome not bad. I whisper in my head. Sharp jaw line, pointed nose, big eyes with long eyelashes. I was drooling over him that I almost didn't notice when he walked pass me, giving me the most striking smile. I smile right back at him as I watched him walked away
"He is handsome" I whisper to myself smiling foolishly as i start walking to the other direction, but then it strikes me, terrified i turn around
"My cake" I gesture towards him with my hand and start running after himHe was half way to the counter when I meet him, I quickly stopped in front of him to block him from reaching the counter.
Panting, I bent down a little to catch my breathe. I raise my head to look at him, he looks transfixed. I rose on my full height realizing how tall he is, I bet he is up to 6'5 or so compare to my 5'3.
Nawal focus! a voice suddenly yell in my head, I close my eyes and took a deep breath then opened them, that's what I normally do to help me concentrate.
Looking at him "my cake" i said pointing to the cake he was holding"What?" he asked looking at me with an bored expression
Focusing my eyes on the cake "am sorry M..M..Mr" i said stuttering "but this cake is mine" pointing to the cake
He was looking at me up and down his eyes showing disbelief and annoyance.
He smirk clearly showing how displeased he is with the situation "are you delusional, you where admiring the cake, I don't have to wait for you to finish, for me to buy what I want to, in case if you don't know this is a place for shopping not for admiring"
Stunned, I gaze at him, he is not even apologizing for pushing me "look Mr, I was deciding which one to take, not admiring cause trust me I can do better job than that, I just didn't get the time, so if you'll kindly handle over that cake to me I'll appreciate it" I said with a fake smile because right now I feel like slapping the hell out of him.
If glare could kill, his could have killed me already, I don't blame him he has a big eyes for that.
"I can't do that miss, cause the way you are" he said calculatingly looking at my dressing up and down
"I don't think you can afford it. I assume you came with someone they happened to let you wander around, I need to call security".If I was annoyed, now am damn angry in this country, a woman can not simply dress as she pleases to go out without hearing comment from idiotic people like him.
"Am not sure if you're not familiar with this" I said holding my sky blue hijab "this is how we muslims women dresses and....
The idiot is laughing, I watch him transfixed, he just took me as some sort of joke and amusement.
I frown, rolling my eyes and letting go of my hijab "there is no use he's a jerk" I murmured to myself.
I turned around and decide to leave the place I rather go and take all the trouble and bake the cake than listen to this jerk. Gazing at the watch tie on my wrist, it's only 4, at least I have time to do it this night.
I took not more than two steps when to my greatest surprise, I felt a hand drag mine and turn me around to face them. Stunned I raise my eyes to see who is that bold enough to do this, and I was not surprise when my eyes meet with his, he starred at me his eyes showing rage.
I chuckled as I watch his hand still holding mine through my Hijab, looking at him dead in the eyes I said "how dare you hold my hand"
"And how dare you walk away when am talking to you" he roar.
"Because all you're saying is stupid and is clear you don't even respect women" I said gesturing towards my hand with my eyes that he is still holding.
I was glaring at him when he scoffed and said
"just because you're wearing this to hide your face, do you think you can missbehave with me and go free?
I know this guys when I see one, he is giving me dangerous smirk but I just can't let him have his ways with me, Is clear that he is use to disgracing women this way, a sly smile broke on my lips
"Look Mr, you're just not worth wasting my breathe on you and a word of advice, Start getting a lesson on how to treat women, is clear that you lack on that area".
There, I got him right where I wanted him, furious not just furious, he seems enrage as he slowly let go of my hand without even realizing. I smile in content "serve you right" I whisper to myself and put my hand on the cake with the intentions of dragging it from him but he just easily let go. I smiled "serve you right" I said right on his face.
Content with what I did, I gaze at him and smiled that's when the worst happened, He put his hand on my Niqab and pulled it revealing my face.
For the record I did not see that one coming.
I starred at him as I feel tears coming out of my eyes, I've never been so humiliated my whole life like this
But then there is something about him, he seems off, his arrogant smirk is wiped off his face.
Without saying anything I used my hand to wipe the tears away giving him one last look, I walked to the counter and pay for the cake then walk out of the bakery without giving him another look.
****
The ride home was quiet, baba Ahmadu knows that something is off so he didn't even asked what happened knowing that I came back without my niqab while wiping my tears
We enter the massive building as he keep on driving until we reach the second gate, that's where he park, I wipe my tears again then looked at him saying "thank you Baba Ahmadu"
"Is nothing dear" he answer as I open the car door holding the cake.
I smiled at him, closing the door then walk to the front porch, where to giant guards stood, as soon as they saw me, they thrown the giant double door open.
I murmured "thanks" to them then walk and enter the main parlor which I almost bump into Mami who seems like she is going out
before I can say anything she asked "where were you, I been calling your phone is not going through".
I walked to the dinning table then keep the cake, looking at mami "I went to get this" I said pointing to the cake.
I watched as she adjust her veil, she looked like she was going out, but then knowing mami she might say she did it for "His royal highness". Her words not mine
"What happened?" She asked, opening the cake "I thought you're going to bake it"
"I wanted to" I answer as I drag the chair to sit "but...
"You where designing, so you forgot". She finish my sentence looking at me straight in the eyes
I smile for the first time after today's incident "you know me too well"
"Like the back of my hand" she said smiling
She noticed that I was starring that's when she said "what?, is there anything on my face?"
She asked touching her face all worried
"No, nothing, but are you going somewhere all doll up".
"Yeah I almost forgot, that's why I been looking for you, go get ready we're going to attend dinner, your clothes is in my room" she answer all excited
I smiled at what she said.
Since I was a little girl, Mami always takes me to places with her. Be it family function or any other invite she gets, always telling people that am her niece, and that is the part I hate the most cause every one knows that we're not related.Am so grateful for her and her husband for always treating me and my family like we are part of them.
But sometimes I wish they don't.
"I'll be back in a jiffy, go get ready" Mami said gesturing with her hand as she started walking.
"No, don't bother am not going". I said as I stood up
Her expression suddenly turned to sadness "but why dear?" She asked with a soft voice.
Before I can answer her, the front door suddenly bust open as sultana walk in, excited she stood before Mami and said "Farida is here we're going to the dinner with her"
I looked at her and realized she is also dressed up and wearing her alkayba on top
"What?" Mami asked her one and only daughter Sultana who is also my age mate
"I said princess Farida, is here...." She repeated her words
Irritated, Mami cut her saying "I heard that part, who told you she is coming with us"
Her face change to surprise "Umma Magajiya (the first wife of the king)" she answered
Mami rolled her eyes, then turned to looked at me and said "go get ready Nawal, let me go and confirm from His highness, why Farida joining us"
I quickly said "am really not going, beside I got to study and am sure you might not be back early"
Mami starred at me for a moment. Am sure she wants me to come with them, but I really can not handle sitting down to another dinner with a fake smile while talking about nothing in particular.
"Okay dear" she said holding my hand but her voice sounded sad
Giving her my most innocent smile, I went around her then wrapped my hands on her shoulders
"Come on mami, don't be angry" I said as I lay on her back whining
Sultana pout, raising her hand she said "yeah, whatever just pretend am not here"
Am very close with sultana, just the way I am with mami, which is why I always thought she is understanding, of our relationship, beside we grow up and found our parents together, I think that also helps.
"Am not angry dear" Mami said as she turn me to face her "I just love for you be there with us"
Touching my chin she said "when are you coming next"
"When ever I got the chance, you know about exams is keeping me busy, if not, I love spending all my time here with you" I said excited
Smiling she said "yeah I know that, and tell Umma that I said Hi, Abdul will drive us, so you should call baba Ahmadu to drive you home".
"Yes ma" I answered smiling as I raised my hand to salute.
She smiled at the gesture. Well is kinda our thing I always do it to her.
Together, we walked out to the front door. she went to meet his royal Highness while I called baba Ahmadu to drive me home.
****
I know the first chapter is somehow, but please stick with me I promise it will get better. Thanks
Prince Fahad POVI wiped the glass door with my hands, staring at my face on the glass, but her face keep popping back inside my head. The way she gaze back at me as tears found their way to her eyes. Something about her black orbs that was so captivating."Get a grip"I said out loud to myself.Turning the shower off I walked out wrapping a towel around my waist, that's when something on the sink caught my eyes, the sun reflecting on it. I move there and lift it on my fingers staring at it. It's a silver bracelet that fell off her hand when I held her, it has something like a name encrypt on it but I can't quite read what's written there.I walked out of the toilet and went to my closet, opening the drawer's where my wrist watches are, I remove one of them, then replaced it with the bracelet. There, it fit perfectly as if that's it's place. I smiled
Third Person POV.The sky intensified the presence of it's darkness, the whole palace is quiet. You can only feel the coldness that came on December night as the air blow gently on the trees, making them whisper in melodies.Among one of the majestic building that stood inside the palace, deep inside it, there lay a women on her khalisa (a place where the queens sit to take a rest) Umma Magajiya.A women of great ambition and selfish nature. The room was very cold not just because of the cold outside, but also because of the air conditioner that's working at every corner of the room and that didn't stop the two maids standing at her either site, holding a huge fan on their hands fanning her gently.She extended her hand towards the bowl of fruit in front of her then took an apple from it. Gently as if someone is forcing her she bit on it, while frowning her face. She then gaze at
"CRAB" I whisper out loud. slowly, letting go of the handle of the door as I start moving backward staring at the face that's staring right back at me"Am I dreaming?" I whispered in my head "or this jerk is really standing in front of me?"."Innalillahi wa inna ilaihimraji'un" that's what came out of my mouth out loud when I felt a sharp string on my leg. I close my eyes waiting to hear the sound of me falling. One...two...three... Seconds passed but still quite, slowly I opened one of my eyes to see what's stopping me.That's when my eyes jump out of their sockets and my mouth form a wordless "O" as I stares at him in shock. He was holding me in his arms just like how you normally see in movies.He blink his perfect brown eyes as his mouth curve to a smirk. Just like the other day he look so handsome like a prince that came out from a fairytale. He has a fair skin I realized, not very fair just average.
Through out the ride home no one utter a word. Adam offer to drive us home saying that he was going near our area.I sat at the passenger seat while Asmy at the back frowning, i know she is angry with me because I decided that we had to leave, but I don't have time to worry about her now, am still angry and surprise for the fact that, that jerk happens to be the prince which means I have to meet him every now and then unless...unless if I stop going to the palace all together, that's it, that's perfect. I thoughtI smile at the thought but then I remember if Mami didn't see me for few days, she'll come herself to check on me and asked the reason why I haven't visit them.I sighted heavy in frustration forgetting at all where I was "are you okay" Adam's voice rang inside my head.I blink, and whisper in my head "come on Nawal do you really want to embarrass yourself in front of Adam now""N
Grey clouds veiled the sky while the moon shine brightly on it. The night is chill, the kind that normally comes with December night.The flowers within the palace walls and garden gives a very nice fragrance all around.Among one of the buildings, The king stood from his terrace looking directly at the moon as if waiting for the moon to talk."Are you alright?" Mami's voice whisper from behind him.He sighed taking a long breath then turned around with a little smile on his face "Now that you're here, am sure I'll be"Mami kept the little tray she was carrying on the stool and said "Don't flatter yourself" sitting down on the edge of the bed she continues while gazing at him "Am still angry at your wife for the stunt she pulled this afternoon. I mean how can she and Farida stoop so low?"The king stares at her then walk and sat beside her holding her hands in
Nawal's POV"You look fabulous" Sultana said with a wide grin, giving me a side hug."Thanks babe" I said letting go of her and sat down near Mami while sultana sat opposite me."What's with the kwalliya? Or it is to impress a certain somebody" Sultana said teasing me.Mami scoffed and said "Seriously Sultana, you need to stop trying to play cupid, obviously is not working"."But mami can't you see, am sure they're going to make an amazing couple and...." Sultana said dreamily."For the 100th time Sultana, we're just friends" I said trying not to slip the fact that I been crushing on him."Then can you pleeessse be something more than friends? You guys will look so good together like the Nigeria version of brangelina. Then you guys will be Adwal, isn't that cute" she finished looking at both Mami and I with a wide grin on her face
"It can't be" he murmured, his jaw clenched staring at me with his eyes cold filled with rage.Adam looked at him, then turn to look at me and said "Nawal are sure is here...." He said as he points at the floor "you might be mistaken".With a sly smile on my lips, gazing at Adam "Don't waste your breath Adam, am very sure about the order Ireceived"Turning my gaze to the prince, I brought out the paper that Umma Magajiya gave me, which had the offer and my signature on it, then her's by the side with her stamp boldly showing on it. "From today I am assign as the new stylist of the prince, with effect immediately".He gaze at me briefly then shift his eyes to the paper I extend in front of him. To my utter amazement he let out a sudden laugher as he place his hand on his forehead. I raised my brows in surprise, I thought the jerk will be furious.And what came out of his mouth further
I stood in front of the main gate that'll take you to the palace. It's early Monday morning. Abba just drop me by, on his way to the shop.I look ahead staring at the building in front of me. Some part of me is nervous while the other part is excited. Just think about what lay ahead of me makes me a little bit nervous.Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and whispers you can do this Nawal inside my head.Opening them I took my very first step towards my bright future inshaAllah I already got the heading on what my job is. The first thing to do is to check his schedule everyday to know all about his meeting so as to bring out an appropriate clothe for it.According to Umma Magajiya he doesn't know how to appropriately dress for the day.His main closet is in the door near his room where all his clothes are kept. All I have to do is pick t