Page 41 of Seduced By the Sheikh

“I thank you, Soraiya. And so will our son. Your future is with me in Sirun.”

As he pressed his lips to hers, she realized that he hadn’t asked her whether she wanted to stay, but had told her. The kiss sealed her fate but, God help her, it was one she wanted, whether she was loved or not.

When they returned to the main cabin to join his vizier and other ministers, there was no more talk of babies or their future together. It was all about what happened between Soraiya and her father. And it certainly made the council meeting simpler to conclude. There was only one course of action now.

Phone calls were made, a new flight plan was lodged, and they took off as soon as they could, heading toward Paris, not Sirun.

CHAPTER 19

Soraiya had always adored Paris on her visits—her mother was half-French after all—but today was different. As she walked along the Parisian boulevard, lined with newly sprouted fresh green leaves on the gnarled lime trees, she felt sick with fear. What if the French delegation used this situation as an excuse to withdraw from the agreement? If they did, other nations and other agreements could also be jeopardized. Everything Zak had been working toward would be destroyed. Because of her.

But she held her head up high, and ignored the occasional camera flash in her face. Zak had his arm around her to both physically protect her and to make it clear that he supported her, while instructing his security to deal with the paparazzi as he guided Soraiya into the hotel.

The leader of the French contingent, Madame Cardusi, welcomed them more warmly than the spring weather, if not a little warily. No doubt she could see through the flimsy pretense that Zak and Soraiya had come to Paris for short break. The shocking news of Soraiya’s true parentage had been splashed all over the tabloids and was the talk of the diplomatic and business circles.

As they entered the boardroom where they were meeting members of the French delegation who were able to come at such short notice, Soraiya felt every eye on her. She had to dig deep to find her reserves of strength to face up to them. But she could do it. For Zak. For Sirun, and not least for their child.

“Your Royal Highnesses,” greeted Madame Cardusi as they sat around the board table. “We are honored you decided to interrupt your holiday for business purposes.”

Zak inclined his head but didn’t smile. “We felt it necessary, given the circumstances.” He nodded to his vizier who slid some papers across the table to him. He opened them out and cleared his throat. “My wife and I wanted to come, in person, to make it very clear that the land upon which our agreement depends, has already been signed over to us.” He looked at the key members of the delegation in turn. “There is no impediment to the plans we made two months ago. In fact, we’re able to progress these earlier than we envisaged.”

He pushed across the papers to Madame Cardusi. “As you can see, the land is now legally ours. I can confirm I’ve already approved the initial planning stage to proceed for the upgrading of the port and we should have further timelines for you within a month.” He steepled his fingers together and placed them on the desk before him. “Be in no doubt, ladies and gentlemen, that these plans will proceed and that my wife and I are in complete control of every aspect, and support the plans agreed at our last meeting. Anything else you hear will be pure gossip and speculation.” He tapped the papers. “Which is why we wanted to show you the incontrovertible truth. So there could be no misunderstandings.”

There was a prolonged moment of silence during which the French looked at the papers and then at each other, and then began to nod. Madame Cardusi’s nod turned into a smile. She stood up and held out her elegant, be-ringed hand.

“We hadn’t expected this,” she said. “The lengths to which you’ve gone to reassure us is most impressive.”

Zak rose and accepted her handshake. “Thank you. But that is all down to my wife.” He released her hand and turned to Soraiya. “Who has handled some delicate negotiations to progress matters to this stage. It should be her you thank.”

The woman smiled and turned to Soraiya, who rose and also shook her hand.

“I’m happy that we’ve been able to iron out any potential stumbling block to our plans.”

“So am I, Your Royal Highness, so am I.”

“Please, call me Soraiya.”

“Soraiya,” said the other woman. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”

And in the firmness of the other woman’s grip and warmth in her eyes, Soraiya received the clear message that the woman was genuine and that they would be doing business together for many years to come.

They spent longer with the contingent than they’d expected to. The formal talks had continued and become less formal as the afternoon progressed. In the end they were seated outside in the hotel gardens enjoying drinks and conversations about their respective families. It was only when the last of them had disappeared that Soraiya slumped into her chair suddenly realizing she’d hardly eaten all day and certainly hadn’t drunk enough water. She felt quite ill, in fact.

She got up and walked towards Zak who was talking to his vizier. The thought that that was the happiest she’d ever seen his vizier popped into her mind before she felt a sudden pain in her stomach which wiped her brain clear of any other thought.

She groaned. Zak turned to look at her and his face fell immediately. He was beside her in two strides.

“Soraiya! What is it? You don’t look well.”

She managed to summon up a smile as the mysterious pain disappeared. She was just hungry, that’s all.

“I’m fine,” she reassured. She wanted, more than anything, to see that happy smile back on his face. It filled her with joy, knowing she’d helped put it there. “I’m just a bit tired. And hungry.”

He snapped his fingers to attract the attention of a waiter who came scurrying over with a carafe of water and glass.

She waved it away.

“But, Soraiya, you look as if a puff of wind will knock you over! You must sit down and rest.”

---