Page 65 of A Million Shades Of Love and Betrayal

I nodded. “Yeah, they’re looking forward to it. And with Ivan, Amirah, and Khalid traveling with us, it’ll be quite the adventure.”

We arrived at my parents’ house just as the sky was beginning to lighten, the first hints of dawn coloring the horizon. My mom and dad were already outside, their bags neatly lined up on the driveway. My mom was practically bouncing with excitement, while my dad wore a proud smile.

“Good morning!” my mom called out as we stepped out of the car. “Ready for Dubai?”

“Absolutely,” Yasmin replied, hugging my mom. “It’s going to be amazing.”

We gathered their things and loaded their luggage into the car. My parents were buzzing with excitement, their enthusiasm infectious as we settled in for the drive to the airport. Yasmin and my mom quickly fell into conversation about the wedding plans, their voices filled with excitement and joy.

"Have you decided on the color scheme yet?" Mom asked, glancing back at Yasmin.

"We're thinking of a mix of gold and deep blue," Yasmin replied. "Something elegant and timeless."

"Sounds beautiful," Mom said, nodding approvingly. "I can't wait to see it all come together."

Meanwhile, my dad turned to me, a serious look on his face. "So, tell me more about this deal you signed with Ivan Rashid," he said, leaning in slightly.

I couldn't help but smile at his eager look. "Well, mine and Roman's lawyer went over the contract, and we signed the papers yesterday. It's official now."

Dad's eyes lit up with pride. "That's fantastic, Rafael! You know, I've always admired the Rashid family. They're such pillars in the business community."

"I had no idea you were such a fan," I admitted, surprised. Dad never really spoke to me about who he looked up to when it came to business. He wanted me to find my path and choose people to inspire me. I guess we were the same in that way.

He looked at me incredulously. "How could you not know? The Rashid's are legendary. I've followed their success for years."

I chuckled, letting him ramble on about Ivan Rashid and his accomplishments. Little did he know, he'd be meeting his idol sooner than he thought. Yasmin and I shared a knowing look, and I could tell she was itching to reveal that Ivan was her father. But I shook my head slightly, wanting to keep it a surprise for as long as possible.

We arrived at the airport with just enough time to spare. As we made our way to the check-in area for private flights, I spotted Roman walking toward us, a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. He blended in with the crowd, but his distinctive stride gave him away.

"Hey, Roman," I called out, waving him over.

"Morning," he said, tipping his cap slightly. Then he faced Yasmin. "Mind if I join you guys? It would be a waste of fuel for me to take my jet."

My mom looked puzzled. "Why didn't you ask Rafael?"

Before Roman could respond, I interjected. "Mom, we're not taking my jet. We're traveling with Yasmin's father."

Both my parents turned to look at me, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion. "Yasmin's father?" Mom asked, glancing between Yasmin and me. "Who is he?"

Just then, a small entourage entered the airport terminal. Ivan Rashid, flanked by his children Amirah and Khalid, walked in, their bodyguards discreetly surrounding them. The sight was impressive, to say the least. Everyone instinctively moved out of their way as if sensing they were important people, they weren't wrong.

My mom gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. "My goodness, that's... that's Ivan Rashid!"

Dad looked like he'd seen a ghost, and I could have sworn he got paler the closer they got. "Are you telling me Yasmin is his daughter?" he whispered, staring at the scene before him.

I nodded, a grin spreading across my face. "Yes, Dad. Yasmin is Ivan Rashid's daughter."

Yasmin stepped forward, linking her arm with mine. "Surprise!" she said, smiling at my parents.

Ivan, noticing us, walked over with Amirah and Khalid in tow. "Good morning, everyone," he greeted, his presence commanding attention. "I hope you're all ready for the journey ahead. It's going to be a long flight."

Mom finally found her voice. "Mr. Rashid, it's an honor to meet you," she said, shaking his hand vigorously. "I can't believe this!"

"The honor is mine," Ivan replied graciously. "Rafael has spoken highly of you both."

Dad, still in shock, managed to stammer out. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rashid. I never imagined..."

Ivan chuckled warmly. "Life is full of surprises, isn't it?"

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