Page 29 of Seduced By the Sheikh

She was proud of him and all that he did. But sometimes, like this morning, she’d wished they’d been able to laze in bed together in daylight and just talk, touch, laugh. Just been an ordinary married couple enjoying each other at the weekend.

She sighed, rolled onto her side, and checked the time. It was late. Just like her period. A smile played on her lips as a flicker of excitement danced in her belly. Could she be?

A subtle knock at the door broke her reverie. She jumped out of bed and pulled on a robe. “Come in, Daria.”

As Daria ran the bath and selected some clothes for Soraiya to choose between, she pulled open the curtains and leaned on the windowsill, pushing open the window a little further so she could smell the fresh air of the morning, which would soon be replaced by the heat from the desert. She thought about what lay ahead of her. She’d promised Zak that she’d look over the papers recently in from Paris. Plus advise on the itinerary of other foreign dignitaries. It seemed word had got out that Sirun was a country going places and had much to offer joint ventures. She sighed. Finally, the future looked like one she’d fit in to. She turned at the sound of Daria. First things first.

“Daria, I wonder if you wouldn’t mind doing something for me?”

Daria smiled. “Anything—you know that, Sheikha.” They went back a long way. “What is it?”

Soraiya suddenly felt shy about confiding in Daria. She could feel the blush rising and even though she turned away and looked at her phone to disguise it, she knew she hadn’t by the low whistle Daria gave.

“My lady! Tell me. What is it?”

She looked up and grinned. “I’ve missed my period for a second time.” She gave a giggle, which was most unlike her. “Daria, I think I might be pregnant!”

Daria whooped and embraced Soraiya. “That is excellent news. And so soon!”

“But I don’t know for sure. Could you get me a pregnancy test?”

Daria’s eyes widened, a grin spreading across her face. “Of course, Sheikha. Leave it to me.”

Soraiya had only just got out of the bath when there was a knock at the bathroom door, signaling Daria’s return.

She opened it and was faced with Daria’s excited eyes.

“You were quick!”

“I can’t wait to find out! Here you are!” she said, thrusting the package into Soraiya’s hands.

Soraiya closed the door behind her and leaned back against it, her heart thudding with excitement. She pushed herself off the teak door and walked to the table, the marble cool beneath her bare feet. With trembling hands, she unwrapped the package and scanned the instructions. Within minutes, her life could be changed.

She took the test and propped the piece of plastic—so cheap and incongruous looking and yet it had the power to give her information which would change her life—on the side of the bath where she couldn’t be tempted to peek before the time was up.

She gripped the cool basin and studied herself in the mirror. She looked terrified. She smiled at herself. There was nothing to be scared about, she told herself sternly. Either she was pregnant, which would be brilliant, or she wasn’t, which would be a disappointment, but she’d be pregnant soon. No, everything was fine.

She glanced at the clock, still not long enough. She closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath, imagining Zak’s reaction. She grinned. He’d be thrilled. She knew he would. She listened to her heart beating. It must be time. She checked again. One more minute to go. She was tempted to peek to see if the test had the results yet. But she didn’t.

Then her mind drifted to her father. He, too, would be proud. Because that was what the marriage was all about. A combining of the two families. But then she imagined if it was a girl. Her father would ignore her. But would Zak? Of course he’d want a boy, but would he treat any daughter of his like her father had treated her? A sense of panic filled her, and she opened her eyes, glanced at her phone just as the timer dinged.

Without losing her grip of the sink, she twisted around and looked at the small piece of plastic which contained information with the potential to change not just her life, but the life of a country. She saw two pink lines where none had before been. For a moment, her mind blanked. Two? That meant that she was… She grabbed the instructions and double-checked. She looked up into the mirror once more as her eyes misted over. Pregnant. It meant that she was pregnant. She was going to be a mother!

She burst through the door. “Daria!”

Daria was waiting by the bed. Her eyes lit up. “You’re pregnant!”

Soraiya nodded, and slumped down in a chair, suddenly overcome. “I am. I can’t believe it.” She jumped up again. “I must tell Zak.” She walked over to the phone and then stopped and looked at Daria. “No, I’ll tell him in person.” She grinned. “Tonight. Over dinner.”

Daria nodded enthusiastically. “You must wear something beautiful. Something romantic.”

“We’ll eat on the terrace.”

“Leave it to me,” said Daria. “I’ll arrange everything.”

“But you must keep it a secret. Don’t let anyone know.”

Daria looked shocked. “As if I would betray your confidences!”

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