Sweet Obsession (29 page)

Loula’s eyes were watery, and she immediately looked down to the floor. At that moment, Shaeena walked up to us, placed her arm inside mine, and tried to pry me away, but I would not budge. This was where I belonged, right here next to Loula, the love of my life.

There was a peculiar atmosphere in the air, a mixture of tension and anticipation. I could hear the people around us murmuring. They were waiting to see what we were going to do. I could not help myself. I leaned over and kissed Loula on the mouth. It was a quick, sensual kiss. Loula kissed me back without hesitation, and it was magical.

The crowd went wild. My cousin took a step closer, and he was ready to throw me a punch. I pulled back from Loula, and I was ready to pounce on Billal, but just then my father waved to the orchestra to start playing again and then he angrily barked to the crowd, “Dance, now!”

The king made his way to us and I could tell that I was about to get the scolding of a lifetime. Even Princess Shaeena looked ready to claw my eyes out, but my mother came to the rescue just in time and whisked Loula away from us. She took her to the other side of the ballroom.

My fuming father raised his finger in my face and in a low dangerous tone said. “Now I have tolerated the two of you much longer than you both deserve! Start acting like grown men or I will throw the both of you in the dungeon, and don’t think for a minute that I won’t. Do not test me, my boys, for you will soon see another side of me that you have never seen before!” Having said that, he marched away and disappeared into the crowd.

Shaeena looked extremely mad. I could tell that she was about to do something that we would all regret later. Her jaw set firmly and her head held high, she marched over to Loula. I ran quickly after her to stop her from more embarrassment, and at that moment, Shaeena lifted her right hand, and I saw my mother’s pink diamond sparkling on her finger. I froze in my tracks.
How had she come to possess the ring?
I placed my hands in my pockets and confirmed that it was not there. Wide-eyed now, I remembered placing the ring on the sink yesterday when I was washing my hands, and I had forgotten to retrieve it.

Loula looked as if she were about to faint as she stared at the ring.

With a half smile playing on Shaeena lips, she said, “I’m engaged to the prince of Arabia. We are to get married in two weeks, right before our baby is due to arrive,” she said with satisfaction. Loula stood frozen in place. She said not one word as Shaeena continued her taunts. “The king will make the announcement tonight to confirm our union.” She caressed her stomach playfully, rubbing the pregnancy in Loula’s face.

Loula swayed and almost fell off her feet. Billal had just reached her side and grabbed her before she fell. I could tell that Loula’s heart was bleeding, as was mine. The same knife that tore at her heart also tore at mine, as it twisted in pain and killed me. Billal wrapped his arms around Loula and whisked her away from me, as I stood there rigid, not able to move.

“What’s the matter, dear? The cat got your tongue?” Shaeena laughed with pleasure. “I told you that you would lose, didn’t I?” she purred, pleased that the outcome had gone her way.

I felt like slapping her face, but I did not want to give her the satisfaction that her words hurt me. I smiled coldly at her, and that was enough to wipe the smile off her face. I could tell that she was holding back the tears that were threatening to spill down her lovely face. She was proud and did not want to show the pain she was feeling, so she simply walked away and headed toward the king.

My mother stepped next to me and gave me a much-needed hug. I knew she needed a hug just as much as I did, so I hugged her back, letting her know with my actions that I loved her too. She was my hero. Anyone who can put up with father for so many years deserved a medal. She pulled away from me and motioned for me to follow after Loula, and I was more than happy to comply with her wishes.

I spotted Loula with Billal on the other side of the room. I quickly walked up to them and begged Loula for her audience. Loula said nothing as she looked sadly at me, and Billal tightened his fists at his side, preparing for a fight, which struck a cord of fury inside me.
When would he realize that she is mine? I would never give her up!

I quickly looked at Loula. “I have some explaining to do. There has been a misunderstanding, and I need to clarify a few things.” I looked at Loula and waited for an approval. But none came. She looked away from me. I stepped in front of her and pleaded one more time, “Please allow me to explain. I did not give her the ring. She took it without my knowledge. The ring was for you. I was going to give it to you today, here at the ball, but she took it without me knowing it.” I hoped she would accept my words to be the truth.

Billal looked amused as I begged for mercy. He knew as well as I did that Loula would never forgive me. I wanted to wipe the lazy grin off his handsome face. But I had more pressing matters now. I had to convince Loula that I spoke the truth. I searched her face for some kind of acceptance but found none. She did not seem inclined to argue. She looked tired, weakened by the turn of events.

I took advantage of her silence and begged again for mercy. “Please, Loula, I beg of you. Forgive me for causing you pain. I love you and only wish for you to be my bride. Loula, I want to marry you. Please believe me,” I cried.

The tears rolled down her eyes as she continued her silence. I was desperate now. I got down on one knee, not caring who saw me, and looked up at her with pleading eyes as I once again asked for forgiveness. Everyone around me stood back as they watched in amazement while I, the prince of Arabia, begged a commoner. All the ladies were staring in disbelief as they placed their hands on their heart and waited for Loula to give me her answer. The gentlemen looked envious that I had the love of two of the best-looking women in this country, as they too were waiting with anticipation to hear Loula’s answer. But the answer never came.

At that moment, the music stopped once again, and the onlookers gasped. I looked around me to see what was happening, just in time to see Shaeena walk up behind me.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please,” the king said. “It is with great pleasure that I announce the engagement of my son, the crown prince of Arabia, to the beautiful Princess Shaeena.” Everyone cheered and applauded with excitement.

Loula leaned against Billal, and he grabbed her before her feet gave way and dropped her to the floor. Billal took this opportunity to whisk Loula away from me, lead her through the crowd, and disappear from my sight. The people around me were staring at me suspiciously as I fought to keep my anger under control. I would not let Billal win Loula away from me.
She is mine, and she will always be mine!

I pushed past the crowd and ran after them, but as I looked ahead of me, they had disappeared. I heard Shaeena call after me, but I slipped through the crowd and sneaked out of the ballroom. I looked up and down the great hall and did not see them. I asked the guards who were placed outside the ballroom which way they had gone, and one of them motioned up the stairs. I ran up those stairs two at a time. I had to get to her before Billal brainwashed her and took advantage of her vulnerability, and then I would have to kill him with my bare hands. Reaching their door, I did not even knock. I kicked the door open and walked right in. They looked stunned to see me. They were sitting on the bed, and Loula’s head was resting on his lap as she cried her heart out.

Billal gently lifted Loula from his lap, jumped up, and charged right at me. I swung my fist and punched him square in the face. He fell a few steps backward, but he immediately balanced out and sprung forward and swung back, catching me by surprise. We both swung our fists into each other’s face until blood was everywhere. I could hear Loula’s cries as she demanded that we stop the fighting. But we were both enraged with madness, and we would not stop until we ripped each other’s throat out.

Loula somehow threw herself in the middle of us, and we immediately stopped, not wanting to hurt her. “Stop this now! You are both acting like children. What’s the matter with the two of you? You should be ashamed of yourselves!” she yelled. “Nidal, leave this room immediately! Why have you come here?” My appearance clearly upset her.

“I came for you! And I am not leaving here until I say my peace.” I fought to keep the anger out of my voice.

Loula looked at me, and for a moment, she looked as if she would give me the chance to speak, but clearly distressed, she ordered, “Nidal, leave this room!”

“No, Loula!” I said angrily. I was not about to leave here and allow Billal to stake his claim on her. “I will not leave until I say what I came here to say!” I wiped the blood that slid down my lips with my sleeve.

Loula sighed, and Billal took a step toward me, but Loula quickly put out her arm and stopped him. “Don’t, Billal. Please, no more fighting! This has to come to a stop!” she cried. Then in a lower tone, she announced, “I will hear what you have to say, Nidal, and then I want you to leave.”

So this was my last chance. I had to make it sound good. Maybe she would forgive me and we could be together again. So I mustered up all my energy and poured out my feelings.

“Loula, please. I love you. You know that! Shaeena found the ring and just took it, assuming it was for her. The ring was intended for you. My mother gave it to me to give to you. My father wants me to wed Shaeena, but I cannot. I do not love her! It is you that my heart aches for. It has always been you. Please, Loula, come with me. Let’s run away, you and me. We can cross the border and be free of the crown.” My heart was pounding in my ears loudly.

Even before Loula spoke to me, I knew her answer would hurt me. I saw it in her eyes.

“No, Nidal, we cannot do that. You have a responsibility to the crown! To your people! I will not let you abandon everything for me! I could not live with myself knowing I took you away from what belongs to you by birth.” Her lips were trembling as she continued sticking the knife deeper into my heart. “You will do the right thing. You will marry the princess and give the people of Arabia an heir to the throne. You cannot allow your child to be born a bastard. How can you live with that? I know I cannot. I would feel endless guilt. Your child is innocent. You must protect the baby at all costs!” She knew how to play with my feelings.

I felt tortured. “The child is not mine! I did not sleep with Shaeena. She lies! I did not betray you! I am not the father of the baby she carries in her womb!” I said firmly, trying to make her see reason.

But it was to no avail. Her mind was made up. “Please, Nidal, go away. I have not the strength to keep pushing you away. I will give in to your request, and then you will be exiled. I love you too much to ever allow that to happen to you.”

That was all I needed to hear. She loved me. She said it. The words slipped off her tongue before she realized what she had just said. She quickly realized her mistake and tried to rephrase her words, but I was too fast for her. I pulled her into my arms before she even realized what had happened. Our bodies slammed into each other as we tightened our hold and our mouths locked together with fierce passion.

Suddenly, I felt strong arms tear us apart as Billal ripped me from her embrace. He pushed me hard, and I went flying and crashed into the wall. Billal ran to me before I had a chance to gather my wits and punched me in the gut. I doubled up in pain and spit up blood. Before I was able to catch my breath, Billal threw me one blow after another until I fell to the floor.

He caught me off guard, but I was the stronger of the two. Enraged now, I grabbed his leg and pulled him down to the marble floor with me. I jumped on him and beat the living fuck out of him. I could hear Loula’s cries behind me, but my anger was unleashed, and I knew not my strength as I slammed blow after blow on Billal’s body. He had passed out, but I was unable to stop hitting him. I was angry. My fists automatically kept slamming into his face. Blood was everywhere, and Billal lay there motionless. Finally, I stopped hitting him. My breathing was heavy as I tried to get up from Billal’s body.

Loula ran to me and threw herself at me. I cradled her in my arms. It felt like old times. She felt so good in my arms. I squeezed her tight, knowing it could be the last time I held her this way.

There was commotion outside the door, and then the door burst open. Plenty of my father’s men came running in, picked up Billal’s body, and removed him from the room. My father was standing by the doorway. Loula averted her eyes, unable to look the king in the face because she was full of embarrassment. But she had no reason to be. I loved her, and I knew she still loved me. There was no shame in love. As for Billal, he got what he deserved.

I raised my head up high and stared at my father, letting him know by my actions that I would not yield to him. This infuriated the king even more, and I knew I should not bait him, but I could not help it.

Recklessly, I opened my mouth and announced calmly, “No matter what you say, no matter what you want, I will do as I want, not as you wish, Father. I love Loula, and I will make her my wife, whether you want me to or not. It is not your decision. It is up to me whom I choose to wed!” I said boldly.

A shiny glint was in the king’s eyes as he threw his head back and laughed aloud. “Son, you sound so compelling, I almost forgot who was in charge here,” the king said sarcastically. “You will do as I say, Son, for I rule this country, not you! I will hang you for treason if you dare to speak to me like that again!” the king declared. “Or better yet, I will hang Loula and throw you in the dungeon until you learn your lesson,” he threatened.

At that moment, I knew he would make good on his threat. “Now clean yourself up and come downstairs. Bid Loula farewell, for it’s the last time you will see her single. I will order her hand in marriage to your cousin Billal! He will make a great husband for her. Son, do not look at me with contempt. Have you forgotten you are my son, the crown prince of Arabia, and she is but a commoner?” Then he arrogantly walked out of the room without looking back.