Page 22 of Shâhzâdeh

It might have been the dozen or more arrangements that were located inside. And not just regular flowers. Each one was different. Vases filled with exotic flowers each with a different color palate that ranged from the starkest white to the deepest of indigo. Whoever had them delivered must have known when my part time receptionist was here and when I was in office so that we didn’t miss the delivery. But that wasn’t the only thing that was in my office. In fact, it was the least impressive thing there.

In the center of the floral arrangements, placed in the center of my desk where I couldn’t miss it was a box.

And not just any box.

The box looked rich. And although it looked expensive it was more than that. It had an elegance and refinement in the packaging that screamed whatever was inside was well thought out and of the highest quality. I could attest that even in homebuilding, the price didn’t reflect the quality. But this box screamed that only the highest of quality anything would’ve been allowed to rest inside of it.

I was checking for a note on all the vases, but none of them contained one. I sniffed a lavender rose that matched the dress I was wearing today, allowing the fragrance to soothe me. Finally, I faced my fear and opened the box. The lid was heavy, not wood, but with more weight than cardboard or plastic would’ve been. Four bottles were securely tucked inside of the cushioned interior like the crystal of each bottle was being caressed. The exterior of the box was black and gold, and the material surrounding each bottle was gold as well.

The inscription on the front of the bottles saidSorayafollowed by an Arabic word beneath it. Carefully, I lifted the largest bottle now that I understood who it was from. The bottle felt heavy, despite its size affirming they were expensive. Tucked inside of the satin was a card with information on the collection. It was a small gift set that had been custom blended for me. There was a travel sized crystal atomizer with the name in gold lettering. When I studied each bottle, I realized they were all made of crystal. The reflective property of the surface gave it away without me having to lift all of them. By the diagram in the instructions, there were the four variations of the scent just like Xerxes said there would be. Day, night, date and a travel sized. I was impressed. It was something that I didn’t want to be, but there was no way that a man hand selecting each note of a fragrance for you wouldn’t be impressive. Frankie had tried to warn me that he wasn’t going to go gently away and she wasn’t lying.

I sent him a message, eager to see what he was going to say. Instead of him responding, the device in my hand rang and a smile came across my face.

“Hello?” I sat my hip on the small vacant section of my desk that wasn’t occupied with one of his gifts. I had no homes to show and since today was just a paperwork day I was dressed down in a silk and cotton blend button down and linen palazzo pants.

“Do you start zhis with a sigh? I zhink you like zhe idea of giving me a complex.” His tone was cautious, my words of kindness int he message the only thing that seemed to keep him from apologizing immediately.

“I just… Xerxes…”

“Yes, ziba?”

“You brought me perfume.”

I could almost hear his full lips spread into that slightly predatory smile of his. “I did. I had it blended up, based on what you enjoyed about mine. How do you feel about it? Zhe notes? Not too strong, yes? Zhe notes have a subtle, smooz finish. It smells decadent wizout being too much.”

I lifted the cap off the bottle and inhaled noting everything about his description was accurate. The perfume smelled perfect. “I have to admit this is probably one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received.”

“Ah, ziba, zhat makes me proud.”

“Well, technically I’ve only received about five my whole life and four of them were from Vanya.” I’d spoken without thinking, trying to lighten the mood but immediately I realized my mistake.

I could almost hear his thoughts as he tried to fit the pieces of my past together like a puzzle. “But I just gave you a gift. Dat vould make five.” He wanted me to be wrong. For me to come up with an imaginary gift I’d never received and part of me wanted to do that too. I didn’t like the idea of him pitying me. Of him thinking I was looking for him to do anything for me. I more than spoiled myself to make up for it now, but I knew he wouldn’t want to hear that response.

“I know.”

“But vhat about—”

“I don’t want to be ugly but, I didn’t misspeak.” I hated that I was defensive. He didn’t deserve the anger that I wouldn’t and hadn’t released on the people who’d inflicted the pain.

“Wallah, de people who raised you. I understand. And for what it’s wortz I’m sorry.” He truly sounded remorseful making me feel even worse about being harsh with him.

I touched the petal of a brilliant hot pink rose in the arrangement closest to me. “You didn’t do it so you have nothing to apologize for.”

“I did not perform de grievances, but it is clear de people who did are no longer in your life to apologize for it. Even if zhey were, I doubt zhey would.”

Bitterness left a metallic taste on my tongue as I shook my head. I couldn’t respond before he continued, “Even more so that you should take my apology in their place.”

“And why is that?”

“Because zhey never deserved to be around you to begin wiz.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re never not going to flatter me are you?”

He chuckled softly, his voice sounding even deeper than when we’d first gotten on the phone. “No. I hate to say it, ziba but no. Lies in zhe form of me pretending zhat you are at all an ordinary creature are not somezing I can provide. I am sorry for disappointing you because I know I promised I would grant you every desire of your heart.”

“You’re really serious.” I’d thought, maybe even imagined that he was flirting, but the more we talked I knew it was more than that. I was laughing to escape the feelings that battle for supremacy in me. I was feeling intrigued but also scared at the thought of dealing with anyone in a serious way.

“Your laughter, I amuse you?”

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