CHAPTER 3

Royal residence. Just two words, but they cover several hectares of vast expanses with many security guards in civilian clothes, policemen and people in uniform, whose appointment I do not know, as well as hundreds of workers in the fields and plantations.

After two hours spent on an endless road, we finally drove up to a huge, though not not huge, but a gigantic house, which was made of yellow building material, which looked like neither brick nor stone, but in at the same time it looked amazing. Large wooden windows, tall dark wood doors with golden handles and a chic garden, divided into several levels in front of the house. Everything just screamed that His Majesty the Emir of the Emirate lives here.

Hundreds of steps led to the main entrance. When we approached the large double door, a young man appeared in front of us, who politely invited us to go inside, turning to my father and avoiding looking at us. First came father, and then mom and my sister. I was not left with the idea that I would be disgraced, would do something wrong or say something wrong. We walked along a long hall, paved with marble, to a huge hall, where there was a laid dark oak table with a light expensive tablecloth. The chandelier majestically occupied the central part on the high ceiling… a huge crystal chandelier, and the floor was covered with a chic colored carpet. Seeing all this luxury, I realized what exactly my parents are involved in. They really collaborate with the king. My stomach clenched nervously, and I felt nauseous. I need to do something urgently.

An elderly, bearded man of medium height and strong physique, as far as could be judged from under his white candura, was approaching us with smooth, unhurried steps. He radiated confidence, strength and something else, why he liked him at first sight, perhaps reliability or it was just an illusion. He and my father greeted each other with a strong handshake, and then my father began to introduce us one by one. And then I noticed behind the king the same stranger who I did not like at first sight. What was his name? La… Ma… Ah… Ali! Next to him was a woman dressed in a traditional colored dress with long sleeves, and her head was covered with a thin scarf.

– His Majesty Sheikh Amir, – the father solemnly began, – let me introduce you to my family. My wife Anna Arkadyevna, – they greeted each other with a simple nod and a slight smile – my eldest daughter Irina, – I tried to squeeze out at least some kind of smile, because I was on the verge of fainting – and my youngest daughter Alina.

– Welcome! – Almost in perfect Russian, the Arab sheikh greeted us, looking at my parents, my sister, and then longer than necessary, he looked at me intently. – Let me introduce you to my eldest son. He turned back a little, and his expression instantly softened. – Crown Prince of the Emirate Sheikh Ali Ibn Amir Al Azar.

I blinked several times, feeling all the air instantly evaporate from my lungs. It can’t be!

– I am very pleased to meet your wonderful family, – a smile appeared on his face. Our views met, and when I got out of the stupor a little, I felt that I was blushing with my whole body, remembering how rude I had behaved with him.

– My youngest son, unfortunately, could not join us today, but I am sure that next time you will definitely meet. – The Ruler of Emir intervened in my thoughts.

Next? Oh, no… no way in the world.

We were invited to the table, and I managed to get a little distracted from gloomy thoughts. On the way here, I thought that besides us there would still be invited people, but we were the only guests in this house. I sat between my mother and Alina, directly opposite the prince, who had been shamelessly looking at me for the past few minutes.

– Tell me, Irina, how do you like our city? Does everything suit you? – I blinked in confusion and did not immediately realize that the question of the Arab prince was addressed to me.

– Hmm… everything is fine, at least as far as I can tell. I do not spend much time in the city. In the end, I came here to spend time with my family. – I restrained smiled at Mr. Ali.

– Our Ira is a homebody. From home to teach and vice versa – dad looked at me either with chagrin or sadness.

I took a deep breath, swallowed nervously, and looked at Sheikh Amir.

– So far I have been given such an opportunity … – I straightened up, meeting my eyes with the king. – I would like to thank you for helping my family. This is very … – I tried to find the words – generously on your part.

– Do not mention it! – Amir smiled. – We are always happy to help with what we can. – I smiled back at him. – True, in return we expect the same responsiveness.

He looked expressively at me with his dark eyes, and his lips curved in a grin that I could not figure out.

The rest of the evening we spent on a light conversation. Amir dedicated us a little to the history of his family, asked me about the latest weather changes in Moscow, and I shared my opinion about their house, which was terribly chic.

– I think we will meet again soon. – Amir looked expressively at me, holding out a hand, which I willingly accepted.

– With pleasure, but… after the opening of the restaurant I will be forced to return to Moscow. Ali, standing behind his father, grinned, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

– Ah! I almost forgot. It’s good that Ira said about the restaurant. – Dad reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. – Here is an invitation to open.

He handed a few envelopes, and then we said goodbye and drove home.

– Well, how do you like the royal family? my father asked me as soon as we were in the car. I took a deep breath and thought.

– I don’t know… at first I was scared, then I was surprised that talking with them can be so easy and maybe even enjoyable, but who is this woman? She sat at the table with us, but did not say a word, and she was not introduced to us at all.

– This is the king’s wife. She is not allowed to communicate with strangers, and we are strangers for them so far.

What an unfamiliar, strange life, far from my understanding. I looked out the window and lost in thought.

CHAPTER 4

I do not know how, but today I became the central person of the day. Opening a restaurant in just a couple of hours, and I still have so much to do.

– Ira, let me help you, – Alina took a vase with white peonies from my hands. – You spend all day today on your feet.

I walked past her, kissing the top of my head.

– What would I do without you, my flower?

She smiled shyly, and I went to the next table to check the availability of cutlery when my phone rang. I rushed to the bar to answer.

– Romka! Hello! – I felt boundless joy at the fact that he decided to call me.

– Hi, a splinter! Where are you lost? – His voice was cheerful as always.

– Please forgive me. So much has happened here. I will come tomorrow and tell you everything!

– Are you on vacation or are they always working for you there? – He asked mockingly.

– Almost, – I laughed nervously, – but I’m pleased. Everything is getting better, Romka! Till tomorrow. Love you!

We say goodbye, I put the phone on the counter, turn to the entrance and freeze in horror.

– Good evening! – Sheikh Ali stood in front of me in person. Yes, not just standing, but holding a huge basket with white roses.

– G… good evening, – I answered stuttering, which made him grin. He came up to me with a confident step and solemnly handed the basket.

– Congratulations on the opening of the restaurant. I hope he brings you happiness.

His voice was pleasant, but something in his words alarmed me. They sounded somehow ambiguous.

– Thank! I thanked, accepting the flowers. Something came from this prince, which made me nervous. – We are not open yet, but if you want, I will make you coffee. – For some reason, it seemed to me that my question sounds stupid. – Are the princes drinking coffee? – He raised his eyebrows in surprise and with a slight smile on his face nodded his head. – By the way, which one?

– Black without sugar. – He sat on the bar stool and watched me very carefully. – I do not think that I am different from other people.

I filled the coffee machine and looked at him point blank. It seems that he seriously does not understand how our position differs from each other.

– You know very well that you are different. – I put a cup in front of him and slowly poured coffee into it. – Do you want a cake?

– No thanks. Today I will take only coffee, but … – now he looked at me point blank – I want to use my right to cake in the future. – a smile appeared on his face, and an incomprehensible brilliance in his eyes.

– I think this should not be a problem. – We crossed eyes, and again I felt something close to irritation. An inner voice told me to stay away from him.

Ira, where are you? The guests will come any minute, but here we have… Ali – there was a real surprise on the face of my mother – that is, Hello, Your Highness. She reached out and smiled at him with the friendliest smile. I got to my feet to continue working, but my mother stopped me, grabbing my arm. – Stay with Mr. Ali, and I will do the business myself.

– You? Herself? – I looked at her suspiciously. Mom was one of those people who could only give orders and monitor their implementation.

– Yes. – Once again, honoring our guest with a smile, she retired from the hall. All this time, Ali looked at us with undisguised interest. I ran a hand over my face and returned to the bar.

– More coffee? – I asked him without looking up.

– Not. – He got to his feet. “I think you have enough worries without me,” he examined me from head to toe (as far as the bar between us allowed). He held his gaze before my eyes, and then turned and headed for the exit.

– Your Highness! – He raised an eyebrow in surprise, turning to face me. “I don’t know how appropriate my question is, but… when my parents and I were going to see you, my father said that he would be arranged in your honor, but… there was nobody else besides us.” Can I find out the reason you personally invited my family?

He pondered something for a while, and then looked at me point blank. He seemed somewhat excited, but tried his best to hide it.

– This technique was as yours as mine. See you later. – He turned sharply and went out, completely confusing me in everything that is happening here.