Page 30 of The Sheikh's Fake Fiancée

Chapter Eighteen

Zania ate breakfast alone, the solitude doing little to settle her stomach or her nerves. She’d girded her loins and decided she would meet Tabari. Not because she missed him, far from it. She needed answers as much as she needed closure.

Do you think he deserves to know the truth? Are you going to tell him that he’ll soon be a father?

Her stomach cramped and her face went blistering hot. She bolted to the bathroom as nausea climbed up her throat. Five minutes later she was swaying over the toilet bowl, her insides dry and her energy brittle and at an all-time low.

Was she even well enough to meet Tabari?

It was now or never.

Her stomach finally settling, she walked back into the bedroom and opened the bedside drawer. Seconds later she’d retrieved her cell and was texting Tabari.

I can meet you this morning around 10am. I’ll be at the Qaman Bean coffee shop.

Within a minute Tabari sent a text back.

I’ll be there. Looking forward to seeing you.

She squeezed her eyes closed, guilt and nausea again roiling through her. She sucked in a steadying breath. It was too late now to back out. Better to get the meeting over and done with.

Scrolling through her contacts, she found Masood’s number and texted him, asking for him to drive her to the local, renowned coffee shop in fifteen minutes.

She hurried to the walk-in closet and selected a soft yellow, shapeless abaya that was plain except for its silver throw of glitter around the neckline and the cuffs of its sleeves.

Then brushing out her hair quickly and putting it into a bun, she pinned on a matching hijab, pushed her feet into a pair of silver sandals, tossed her cell into a clutch bag, and hurried with it out the door.

She wasn’t surprised to find Masood waiting near the front door of the suite of rooms, his face implacable, his quietness somehow showcasing his hidden strength. She had no doubt he was beyond capable of looking out for her welfare.

Kain was smart and accomplished, and ensured he surrounded himself with like-minded people.

“This way,” Masood said smoothly, leading her to a bank of elevators that slid open seamlessly, taking them down a level to what she presumed was an underground carpark.

They stepped into a well-ventilated and brightly-lit carpark, with superb luxury cars sitting side-by-side, everything from SUV’s to sport cars. “Take your pick,” he said.

Her eyes had to be boggling at the array of vehicles on display, like some kind of luxury dealership. She pointed to a black Mercedes sedan that appeared to be the least pretentious.

“Good choice,” he said with an approving nod. “This one’s been customized and has the height of security features, including bullet proof glass. She’s a beauty.”

“Beginner’s luck,” she conceded, before she followed him to the sedan. He opened up the back door for her before she settled into the leather upholstered seats, which still had the new smell to them.

Masood pressed the ignition button, and the Mercedes purred into life. He looked at her via the rearview mirror. “Qaman Bean coffee shop?”

“Yes, please.” She cleared her throat and looked away from his probing gaze. Surely he wasn’t suspicious of her going to a renowned coffee shop, was he?

No.It was her guilty conscience. She didn’t want to displease Kain, but he’d never said she couldn’t meet up with old…acquaintances. Because an acquaintance was all Tabari was to her now. She couldn’t think about him ever being her lover. Thanks to Kain, she knew what had happened between her and Tabari had not in any way shape or form been romantic. His supposed affections had been all for his own physical release.

Tabari was selfish in every way.

A shiver went down her spine as memories of the past assailed her. But she forced them back into the locked box in her mind as she leaned her head against the buttery-soft seat, closing her eyes for a moment as Masood drove the sedan out of the underground carpark and through the automated gates that opened into the enormous palace grounds. She drew in a shuddery breath. She was only glad she had new, wonderful memories of being with Kain to supersede Tabari’s horrific act.

Though rain was a rare occurrence, it didn’t stop the scent of water from infiltrating the air vents of the car as Masood drove them through the lush gardens that featured pools and fountains. No expense had been spared inside or outside Kain’s home. It was a plush paradise within a cityscape of high rises that were a mix of glass and chrome, and crumbling sandstone and concrete.

Fifteen minutes later, Masood pulled up outside the coffee shop’s tinted glass window. Fancy gold letters showcased its name, with just enough lighting inside to reveal its popularity, with most of the indoor tables and seats taken by happy coffee lovers. It wasn’t just a tourist attraction. Thanks to using the freshest native beans, many locals apparently frequented the place, too.

She frowned. Had Tabari had the sense to make a booking? The last thing she wanted was to be seen outside the shop with its limited street seating.

Masood turned off the engine and quickly stepped outside the car, and she looked out at him as his dark gaze scanned the street and then inside the shop. Apparently satisfied there was no immediate danger, he opened her back door and said, “I’ll be waiting just outside the shop for you.”

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