Page 113 of Shâhzâdeh

“Which would you like to learn first?” It was a question I hadn’t thought about but I should have since he knew so many of them.

“Which one is the most dear to you?”

“English. Because it is zhe common language my parents used to communicate wiz each other. Zhen Persian, because each word has such depz of meaning.”

“Persian. Is that what you typically speak when you use the words I don’t understand?”

“Mostly. Sometimes it’s a mix of Farsi and Arabic. Zhen French or Creole zhrown in. My speech is as varied as my heritage.”

I kissed his cheek and was happy that we had an activity to do together. “I’ll get a book to help me with things when you’re busy.”

“I’m never too busy for you, ziba.”

I rest my head on his because his words made me feel so loved. They weren’t just words; he proved that he meant every syllable. “I know and understand that but I would never abuse that. I am not co dependent on you, I love being around you but I know we are both two separate individuals no matter how much we enjoy one another’s company. Now, tell me your favorite words in Farsi.”

“Bishtar az khodam âsheghetam.”

I repeated the words back to him as he smiled and helped correct my pronunciation a few times before I got it right.

“Was that better?”

“Beautiful.”

“And what is it that I said?” I knew it was something emotional by the way he looked, eyes so reverent, when he said them.

“I love you more zhan I love myself.”

“That is beautiful.” I spoke the words back to him slowly before he gave me a brief kiss. I think he felt like I was just practicing, but really I was speaking directly to him.

“It is amazing to see how beautifully our life is laid out in front of us. It is late and zhe travel is catching up to me. Let us head inside and dream our beautiful dreams zhat we will soon make a reality.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Hana Bandan

VANYA

“DO YOU MIND if we come in?”

“No. Not at all.”

I opened the door and one of the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen before walked in behind Mrs. Babette. She seemed familiar but, I couldn’t remember where I’d seen her face.

I was staying in the penthouse suite of the Warren Hotel because I was getting married in less than two days.

Two days.

Time had flown by so quickly between fittings and getting to know the man I was going to marry and business that it seemed like I’d time traveled to this moment.

“I hope we’re not intruding.” Ms. Babette glided into the room, as did the woman she brought with her. They were both dressed so beautifully but I wasn’t sure why they were here. The new woman was taller than us both and had a graceful elegance in her walk.

“I wasn’t doing anything. I’m sorry for staring but I feel as though I know you.” I said it to the woman who was with her and tried not to be so timid about it.

She had incredibly long legs and wore a stunningly beautiful pair of sky blue silk pants. “I don’t mind looking. I’m used to it by now. I’m Patricia Warren.”

“ThePatricia Warren. The model.” My mouth hung open as she took my hand to shake it and I was pulled into a hug.

“Former. I prefer my current role as an entrepreneur.”

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