Page 13 of The Sheik's Pretend Fiancee
“But…the video!” her father snapped, looming over her, which he was incredibly good at doing.
“Right. Well, it was just…a kiss.”
Khal stepped closer, looming even more effectively than her father. “We don’t negotiate that way, Angela,” her uncle repeated firmly.
Her jaw dropped in astonishment. “The negotiations…,” she began, then looked around. Every face surrounding her was scowling with fury. With a patient sigh, she tried again. “I spoke to Sheik el Maistribeforethe kiss.” She paused again, looking at eachin turn to. “In fact, he said he wanted to get the negotiations with you over with quickly,so that he could take me out to dinner!” She looked aroundagain, but the men weren’t convinced. Valiantly, Angela restrained an eye roll and a huff of impatience. “I’m telling you that I would never sell my body. Not for anything,” she exploded. “You should know that already!”
And with that, she stomped away, outraged that her family could believe something so horrible.
Angela ignored her father’s call to stop. She barely slowed down as she called over her shoulder, “I’m going to sleep. It’s been a long day and I need rest. We’ll talk once I’ve calmed down and all of you remember that I’m not the type to sell my body for diplomatic rewards!”
Chapter 9
“Are you okay?”
Angela stared at the text message, her heart pounding with excitement. Immediately, she texted her response.“I’m good. You?”
She imagined his chuckle at her question and smiled, tightening the towel around her as she padded into her dressing room. The shower had done wonders to sooth her temper, but she was still hurt that her uncles thought so little of her. How could they even entertain the thought that she’d negotiate via sexual favors? Needing something to drink, she grabbed a robe and pulled it on, tossed the wet towel into the laundry hamper, then padded barefoot into her small kitchen. She rarely cooked here, preferring to eat either with her parents and brother or with the whole family in the main dining room. The extended family shared a meal at least once a week. But tonight was special because of Zayn’s birthday.
“Are you going to tell me what happened?”
Angela jerked around, startled to find her sixteen year old cousin, Nahla, as well as her mother and Aunt Tasha, Aunt Tila, and Aunt Mariana sitting in her living room. Nahla had a glass of soda while the other ladies had glasses of wine and everyone was watching her.
Startled by the unexpected crowd in her sitting room, she jumped a little at the question. “What the hell?” she hissed, putting a hand over her heart. She paused, closing her eyes to try to slow her heartrate.
“Ever since Ramzi and Rylan arrived,” Nahla admitted. “Of course, we all had to watch the video several times.”
Angela’s heart sank. “You did?”
“Yeah,” Aunt Marianna replied, standing up and walking over to hug Angela. “I’m going to miss you!”
“Miss me?” Angela replied. “Why are you going to miss me?”
Her aunt blinked, then glanced at the others. “She doesn’t know?”
Her mother and Aunt Tasha shrugged while her Aunt Tila beamed. She’d always been the more adventurous of the aunts, Angela thought. “How could she not know? We heard the news almost immediately. She’s part of it, so she should already know.”
Tasha eyed Angela, then turned back at the others. “Apparently, she doesn’t.”
Angela huffed, tightening the belt on her robe. “Would one of you please explain what I obviously don’t know?” she demanded, her temper building right along with her exhaustion.
Nahla laughed, then slapped a hand over her mouth, but her eyes sparkled with her amusement.“You’re all over the news! The announcement of your engagement came only an hour after the video went viral.” She shrugged and looked at the others, then back at her cousin’s stunned expression.
Angela stared blankly at Nahla, confused by her cousin’s words. “Who is engaged?”
Tasha and her mother stepped closer, equally confused. “You are.”
Those words didn’t make any sense.“I’m engaged? When? And who am I marrying?”
Nahla’s amusement vanished. She turned to her aunts. “What am I missing?”
Her mother spoke up, her eyes shimmering with concern. “You’re engaged to Sheik Tiro of Ginisia,” she softly explained, tilting her head uncertainly. “Sheik el Maistri announced the news right after the video was released.” Shewaved a hand slightly. “The one of you two kissing. He said it was a kiss to seal your promise after you accepted his proposal.” She touched her daughter’s cheek. “I wish you’d spoken to me before all of this happened, dear.”
Angela continued to stare at her mother, then at the others, who were equally dumbfounded. The individual words registered in Angela’s mind, but when they were put together, they were…not right.
“Tiro never…he didn’t propose.”
“But…the kiss,” Nahla countered. “It wasvery…uh…passionate.”
