The Sheikh's Defiant Girlfriend (The Botros Brothers Series) (4 page)

Amir laughed when he read the message. He could picture Sara’s exasperation. He got up from his desk and grabbed his car keys. He decided to go see her. He didn't like that he was nervous about it. He did not know what to say, she was a hard one. He wasn’t sure if she wanted to see him. On his way out, he bumped into Malik.

“Are you heading out?” Malik asked Amir.

“Yes, were you coming to see me?” Amir instantly felt uncomfortable. He was on his way to see his sister and Malik knew nothing about it. He was curious to know if he would approve.

Malik briefly discussed a project with Amir. He had come to give him a quick summary about what was going on, but Amir felt as if he was going on and on. At this rate, he was going to miss Soraya. He wanted to catch her before she left, so that he could give her a ride home. She was probably going to say no but he would insist until she gave in.

Amir felt like shouting when Malik finished talking. It really felt like years of his life had gone by. He sped off as soon as he started the car engine. He really wanted to pick Soraya up from university. He had never given her a lift from there before as he only visited her at work.

Amir reached Soraya's university in time to see her walking out with two guys. They seemed to be having a funny conversation, and she was laughing. He immediately grew jealous. He did not like seeing another man making her that happy. It frustrated him that he couldn't make her laugh that way. He fixed his tie and straightened his suit. He made sure his hair was neat before he left the car. He walked up to her. As he walked towards her, all the women were checking him out. Some were even trying to speak to him but he paid no attention. He was focused on Soraya.

Amir walked with such authority and confidence. One of the guys Soraya was with noticed Amir heading their way. Amir stopped in front of Soraya and did not acknowledge the other two. Soraya's eyes widened when she saw Amir standing in front of her. She was not expecting to see him.

“What are you doing here?” Soraya asked him.

“Here to pick you up,” Amir said as he looked at the two men. His facial expression was not friendly.

“Hey bro,” One of the guys said. Amir turned to stare at him. 

“Amir, you need to stop popping up like this,” Soraya said. He always came out of nowhere at the most random times. Amir put his arm around her waist, completely disregarding what she was saying. He started walking away. “What are you doing?” She called out. It was the first time he had seen her lose her composure.

“Hey man, let her go,” one of the young men said and grabbed Amir's arm. Amir paused and looked down at the hand. Who did he think he was touching him? Soraya sighed.
Looks like a pissing contest is about to start,
Soraya thought to herself.

“I would appreciate it if you removed your hand from me. Immediately.” Amir said softly.

“Who is this guy?” The other young man asked.

“Khalid, it's okay,” Soraya quickly said before Amir responded. She removed his hand from Amir's arm. “I'll see you two in class,” Soraya added. She grabbed Amir and headed to the car with him as quick as she could. They both got in the car. Everyone was still watching them. Some were admiring his car.

“What the heck?!” Soraya voiced out as the car pulled away.

“He had no right to touch me,” Amir sulked. “He is lucky I did not hit him,” he mumbled.

“For what reason?” Soraya shook her head and looked outside.

“Who were those two?”

“My friends and last time I checked that was none of your business.”

“I don't like them.”

“Like I said, none of your business.” 

Jealous maybe?
Soraya thought to herself. She pushed the thought away. There was no reason for him to be jealous. They were not together and she did not belong to him.

Amir kept driving without saying a word. He needed to calm down. Then the thought of Soraya holding his arm made him smile. It was the first time she had ever initiated physical contact. Even though it was not in a romantic sense, it was a first step.

“What are you smiling about?” Soraya asked suspiciously.

“You touched me,” Amir replied with a cheeky smile. Soraya narrowed her eyes. She could not believe he was smiling about that.

“I grabbed your arm to get you away from them and that was it.” Soraya shook her head.

“That's how it starts.”

“And ends,” she retorted.

Amir was not bothered by her words. The fact remained that she touched him and she couldn't take it back. Soraya turned to face Amir.

“Amir,” she started.

“Sheik to you,” he joked.

“Whatever,” Soraya was serious. She didn’t realise that he was joking. She thought he was being his usual cocky self. “What is it that you want from me?” she asked. As they slowed to a stop at a light, he turned to look at her.

“If it's not obvious by now, then my signals aren't strong enough,” he winked at her.

“I am not joking. You have many women to choose from. Why are you after me?”

For a moment Amir did not speak. He looked at Soraya, but she quickly grew uncomfortable and broke eye contact. She tried her best to look away, as if he had no effect on her. He reached out and turned her to face him. He stared at her.

“I do not want other women, I want you,” Amir replied simply. His words left her heart unsettled. He turned away when the traffic light turned green and drove off. Soraya felt her face heat up. She hadn't expected him to say anything like that. She nervously played with her seatbelt. Did he really want her?

“But you can have others,” she said quietly.

“But I do not want them.” Why did she not understand that he only wanted her? That she was the one for him.

“Seems random, Amir, I can't wrap my head around it.”

“You will have to because when I want something, I go after it and I get it.” His voice was deeper and dangerous. His tone was authoritative. He was claiming her. Soraya sat there playing with her seatbelt. She had no idea what to say. She had thought that maybe it was a phase. He would get over her soon and return to his old ways.

Amir parked outside
Soraya's house. They were both silent for a moment. Soraya clutched her bag tightly as she opened the door to get out. “Stop dropping by unannounced,” she said to him as she stepped out of the car.

“Stop speaking with those men,” Amir replied. Soraya rolled her eyes.

“They're my friends and you have no right to tell me not to see them,” she shot back as she slammed the car door.

This is pointless,
she thought to herself. “I'm serious,” Amir called out after her. He really didn't like them around her. He watched her walk away. Even her walk put a smile on his face. Every little thing about her made him smile. He was a little sad to see her go; he hadn't spent as much time with her as he wanted.

He drove off feeling angry with himself. There was absolutely nothing he could do to make her smile. Not once had he been able to make her feel comfortable around him. She never let her guard down around him. He really wanted to get to know her but he did not know how and it seemed like he was making things worse every time he was around her. He had never second guessed himself or felt insecure when a woman was concerned, but here he was wondering why she didn't like him. He knew one thing; he was not going to give up on her.

*                                *                                          *                                          *

It was only one week before the wedding. Everything was set. Sara was feeling even more nervous. It didn't help that Tariq's mother was coming over for dinner. Mrs. Mathews had left with Fiddah to meet Sara's family at the airport. Tariq had a sent a private jet to fly them over from the UK. Sara thought it was perfect timing for her mother to be out of the house, as she would only end up arguing with Tariq's mother.

Mrs. Botros picked up Leylah as soon as she arrived. She was so pleased to see her awake. The last time she had seen her, she was sleeping in her stroller. She kissed Leylah on the cheeks. Her rosy cheeks were as soft as silk. Sara greeted Mrs. Botros.

“Sara, how are you?” Tariq's mother asked.

“I am fine, thank you. How are you?” Sara replied as they made their way to the dining room.

“I am well,” her attention was on Leylah. Tariq was trying to figure out a way to dislodge his baby from her. He didn't like not holding her for a single moment and his mother was hogging her. They sat down at the dinner table.

Two of the staff served a range of dishes. There was a plate of dolma, a dish made with rice and mixed lamb wrapped in grape leaves with a hint of lemon. There was a plate of freshly baked pita, bulgur, roasted beef, chickpeas, mixed vegetables and hummus. Sara smiled at the selection. She had been eating very healthy since moving to Saudi Arabia and she was pleased at how quickly she shed the baby weight.

“Only one more week to the wedding. Do you feel ready?” Mrs. Botros asked Sara.

She sighed before she responded. “It's complicated and scary. I simply want to be with Tariq and Leylah. All the extras of dress shopping and cake picking were far too stressful. Thank heavens I didn't have anything to do with the venue. Wouldn't it be easier if we simply got married in the back garden?” Sara asked. Mrs. Botros watched her with such fascination. This was probably the most words they had ever exchanged. She was surprised to learn that Sara wanted a simple wedding. Most girls marrying into a wealthy family would want an extravagant wedding.

“You want a simple wedding?” 

“It would be easier. All I want is the groom,” Sara took a huge bite out of her pita. Mrs. Botros eyes widened as her surprised expression turned into a smile.

“You're delightful,” she said to Sara. 

Sara did not know how to respond to that. She was sure his mother loathed her and here she was giving her a compliment. It did not add up. Luckily, she did not have time to respond as Amir suddenly appeared in the doorway.

“Hello, Amir! Come join us,” Sara said. She was always happy to see him and his impeccable timing. He kissed Sara on both cheeks. Tariq narrowed his gaze. Those cheeks were his!

“Hello, darling,” Mrs. Botros said to her son as he kissed her on both cheeks.

“Ley!” Amir was overjoyed to see his beautiful niece. She looked at him and smiled. She was always so happy to see him. He picked her up from her grandmother’s lap and put her on his.

“Why are you here?” Tariq asked Amir. First, Amir was kissing his wife, now he was hogging his daughter. This was HIS house.

“Tariq!” Sara nudged him.

“To see my little niece,” Amir replied and kissed Leylah on the forehead.

One of the staff brought a plate for Amir. He helped himself to some food as she poured him a drink. They all carried on eating and discussing the wedding. Mrs. Botros asked a few more questions about Sara. She wanted to know her a little bit more. Amir jumped in the conversation a few times, when he was not speaking to Leylah.

When Mrs. Botros left after dinner, Sara sighed with relief. It wasn’t as bad as she expected. Tariq went to Amir to take Leylah from him.

“I'll put her to bed,” Tariq said. Sara laughed and shook her head.

“You were hogging the baby,” Sara told Amir, “and he's jealous,” Sara stroked Leylah's soft cheeks.

“He's possessive,” Amir said.

“Yes, he is.” Sara kissed Leylah. Tariq narrowed his eyes.

“I wonder, how exactly did he propose?”

“Oh, God,” Tariq breathed. He did not like being the centre of this conversation. Any of their conversations actually. Amir and Sara always formed an alliance when they were together and he was their target. He could not win or defend himself against those two. Sara smiled before she answered Amir. Tariq's proposal was an awkward one. He was tongue-tied and all nervous. He was like a teenage boy asking a girl out for the first time.

“This is a story you want to hear,” Sara said with a grin.

“Whatever,” Tariq replied as he walked off with Leylah. He did not want to hear the rest of the conversation.

“Scabs!!!” voices suddenly called out. Sara turned to see her brothers. Her eldest brother, Jason, came striding towards her and picked her up. Amir and Tariq stood there looking at each other. Her other brothers, James and John, also came over to hug her. James pinched her cheeks.

“Scabby is all grown and has a baby,” James said. Sara slapped his hand away.

“I want to see my niece,” Jason said with excitement.

“Slow down guys,” Sara said. She turned around and gestured for Tariq to come closer. “This is Tariq, my fiancé, and his brother, Amir,” Sara added.

“I'm more of her best friend really,” Amir said. Sara smiled at Amir and rubbed her face on his shoulder. He rubbed her head. He was overprotective of her in his own way. He always marked his territory, just like his brother.

“These are my brothers,” Sara said still leaning on Amir. Sara's brothers shook Tariq’s and Amir's hands. Sara kissed Leylah on the cheek. Leylah laughed in response.

“This is Leylah,” Sara said. Her brothers leaned in to Leylah's face. They all smiled at her.

“She's so cute,” John said.

“I know,” Jason said and stroked her chin.

“Congratulations, both of you,” James said.

“Thank you,” Tariq said. Sara's mother came into the room to get Sara and Leylah. She wanted to put her granddaughter to bed before taking her sons to their hotel. Tariq invited Sara's brothers to join him for a drink.

Sara's brothers were curious about Tariq as they analysed him over their drinks. They wanted to know if he was good enough for their little sister. Sara joined Tariq and held his hand. Tariq kept his face expressionless. He was not quite sure how to speak to her brothers or what to say. He was never the social type. He didn't really talk to people, or like people for that matter. This time he had to make some kind of effort, they were Sara's brothers and he knew that this was important to her.