Page 11 of Shâhzâdeh

“No. I had it blended when I was overseas. Zhey ask you questions and zhey will create a custom blend for you for zhe occasion. Business, day and night. Zhere is even a more amorous scent for ladies with a more robust amber base. It works with zhe chemical components of a person’s body. Reacts to zheir pheromones to create a unique smell.”

“That sounds amazing. Is it like you see on TV with the bazaars in morocco or the stalls in India?” My interest was so piqued I didn’t care about sounding ignorant. I had to know if what I saw was accurate or just western media stereotyping an entire region.

He seemed delighted by my question his smile growing wider on his face. Xerxes had such full lips, the bottom being plumper than the top and I found myself thinking about them.

“Similar. Farmers will often sell locally and still others will wholesale to zhe businesses wiz a storefront. Zhe region is still heavily reliant on oil production, but it is not a renewable resource so getting away from fossil fuels is imperative. Scents, tourism and rug making are still profitable areas of commerce.”

“How is it that Dubai became such a tourist destination while Iran has not?” Frankie posed the question and I was thrilled to hear his answer.

“One word: war. It is far easier to have corruption when you have zhe area constantly in terror. Corporations can gain favor from locals because zhey feel like zheir government can’t protect zhem. It’s a brilliant strategy zhat has stopped working in recent years, zhankfully.”

“War solves nothing.” Fighting seemed so pointless. A way for rich people to still send the poor out to fight their pointless battles.

“You’re wrong zhere, ziba.”

I wanted to move away from him but I didn’t want him to think I was being rude. “So you think violence is the answer.”

“No. I never said I didn’t agree zhat war was terrible. But it is zhe answer. It is zhe answer to zhe prayers of zhe capitalists who wish to exploit zhe land and zhe people. So it solves zhe question of control of resources often. People are greedy. Made more so by zhe way capitalism had swarmed the globe. I cannot knock it because it is a practice I am a part of. But one zhing I refuse to do is to be a part of zhe ways of capitalism zhat prey on zhose less fortunate zhan myself. I refuse to be a part of anyzing zhat can’t allow a man to feed his family working for me. I may not have been born wiz zhe zhought of going hungry, but I understand it is a realization for many. No man or woman who works a full day should have to worry about being able to eat at night.”

He spoke with enough passion that I could tell he was actually passionate about ensuring the people who worked for him were good. Many passively through money at issues and it was normally mismanaged before it could be of any benefit. But he looked like the type of man to be hands on with his giving. Teaching and assisting people in being autonomous instead of making them dependent.

Shit, I can’t admire him like that.

“That was really beautiful. I wish more people thought like you.”

He smiled and lowered his head at my words and I had to wonder if I’d made this man blush. “High praise coming from you.”

“I ‘ope dinner was pleasin’ to yoo all. I canna lie, I enjoyed avin’ yoo both at our table.”

“I appreciate zhe extra preparation zhat went into today. I do not take zhe inconvenience lightly.”

“Xerx, yoo ‘ad an extra freezer’s worth of food sent over, bruh.”

Xerxes didn’t seem bothered by the scowl on Liam’s face and Frankie was just laughing at their banter. “Well, it would not be fair for you all to go to the expense of making sure I eat.”

“This man acting like our asses are broke,Reul.”

“I mean, compared to him…” Frankie tried to be serious but then she bust out laughing and Liam did the same.

“Are you on a special diet?” Again I was prying. Again, I shouldn’t have. Again, my brain didn’t seem to care because my curiosity won out.

His wavy hair tumbled over his shoulders as he shook his head. “I try to ensure most of my food is halal. It is less concerning in ozer parts of zhe world, but meat in the United States is not always reared or processed to zhe standards I have, so I normally choose organic options. Recently, I’ve come across a cattle rancher zhat provides an exceptional quality of meat and chicken. He raises heritage pork too, but it is not something I eat. Despite not being a practicing Muslim, my fazer was raised in the faith so his habits have influenced how I eat. My mozer loves him very much so she adapted how she prepared food to suit his palate. Francesca was kind enough to use zhe tallow for her delicious biscuits instead of zhe lard zhat is more commonly used.”

“I didn’t even realize anything was different.” I looked down at the plate trying to figure out what else had been different. Most of the food was cut and dry: steak, potatoes, green beans and corn on the cob. Biscuits had been served with it because it was one of Skye’s favorite things for her mother to make.

“That’s why we get so annoyed when he thanks any of us. The man tried to pay for a portion of the wedding because he and his people needed halal food. Jada almost cussed you out, if I remember correctly.”

I winced hearing that name because that Jada girl was a wild card. Well, not really. She was a ticking time bomb that would giggle as she counted down the seconds until she exploded. I didn’t think Jada was dangerous; Iknewshe was. And I preferred to stay away from folks that were that happily insane.

Why are you having dinner in this house then?

His head dipped again, a move I realized he did as appreciation. “I give my zhanks for zhose who are good to me because zhat number is not as vast as some may zhink. And I’m sure Quentin and Sho are more zhan happy with zhe food as well.”

“Quentin and Sho?”

“Shoaib is his full name. Zhey are my bodyguards.”

“You have bodyguards with you all the time? I thought the day when Vanya and I saw you was a one off.”

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