Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Khalil arched a brow at Malik. “When you think of those times now – could it perhaps mean you already knew then, albeit subconsciously, even when she was just seven?”
Malik scowled. “Fuck all of you.”
The other sheikhs laughed as Malik stalked off, leaving them to trail behind at a relaxed pace. When they reached their youngest brother, it was to find Malik already preoccupied with broodingly staring at Kyria, who was currently talking with other girls.
“That girl on Kyria’s right,” Tarif murmured thoughtfully. “Isn’t she the one who won prom queen?”
Malik reluctantly moved his gaze from Kyria, and an expression of distaste fell over the sheikh’s face when he saw the girl Tarif had singled out. “Indeed.”
“She’s beautiful,” Rayyan observed.
Malik’s lip curled. “Passably attractive, but nothing compared to Kyria.”
The other sheikhs coughed.
Malik frowned. “You honestly don’t think that girl is prettier than Ky?”
They honestly did, just as they knew Malik believed otherwise with equal honesty. Kyria was beautiful to them because she was their sister, but it was also precisely because of this reason that they knew she could never be drop-dead gorgeous by any standards. Her innate elegance made her attractive, her lack of artifice charming, but Kyria would never be the type to turn heads.
But of course Malik didn’t see this.
“You should all have your eyes checked.” Malik’s tone was of complete disgust.
“Err, yes.” Khalil coughed. “We probably should.”
“Let’s continue this conversation later,” Altair said diplomatically. “The ceremony’s about to start, and we’ve yet to say hello.”
As they moved forward, Hannah and the other girls’ chatter began to drift towards them.
Please, come on, can’t that be your graduation gift to us? This was from a slightly chubby girl, her tone pleading.
But they’re really not the type to take photos. This was from Kyria, who sounded uneasy.
Even old photos would do! We just want something of your brothers’.
The other girls chimed in similarly, and when the sheikhs saw Kyria start biting her lip, the men shook their heads in unintended synchrony. All of them knew that when she did that, it meant she was about to give in.
Kyria let out a sigh. “Fine.”
Malik frowned in disapproval. She was always so soft. No wonder people kept trying to take advantage of her.
“I’ll mail you their photos, but only if I get their permission to do so. I can never go behind their backs.”
The other girls cheered.
You promise?
Yes.
All sheikhs? Rayyan, Khalil, Malik, Altair, Tarif?
To which Kyria said slowly, Everyone except maybe...Malik.
Malik was stunned, and so were the other sheikhs. Why didn’t she want the other girls to have a photo of him? Could it mean she was...jealous?
Rayyan almost rolled his eyes when he saw Malik straightened. That was exactly how Malik used to act whenever he was the first to find Kyria’s hiding place.
Why not Malik, some of the girls complained.
Because...because...he’s a playboy!
Malik’s face became expressionless.
The other girls shrugged off Kyria’s words. So what? I just want a photo.
But...but...it’s not just that. He’s also...not...photogenic!
This time, the other sheikhs could no longer help it. Their laughter rang out, drawing everyone’s attention to them, and still they laughed even as the entire auditorium discovered their identities and pandemonium ensued.
Kyria let out a little cry of distress when she realized that Malik could have heard her. Rushing to him, she whispered, “Did you hear?”
“That you thought he was a playboy?” Khalil asked.
“And that he wasn’t, err—-” Tarif smirked at Malik. “Photogenic?”
Rayyan grinned. “We all heard.”
Kyria let out another cry, and Altair patted her head. “It’s okay, shaqifa. It is never a bad thing to tell the truth.”
“BEST DAY EVER!” KYRIA’S eyes were glowing, her face flushed, and she looked like she could at any time explode in sheer joy.
Malik and Altair scowled, for once on the same side against the evil spirit that had taken possession of Kyria. Riding the camel was only fun for a few minutes, but not when the trail was hours long. Camping was fun when it was really glamping in disguise, with an air-conditioned off-road vehicle ready to dune bash for them on their way to a luxurious desert camp. That was the kind of camping the sheikhs preferred. What Kyria asked for her graduation gift, however, was pure torture.
Walking under the scorching sun, riding the camel for hours, and carrying everyone’s gear—-
Kyria made a face when she noticed the way the two sheikhs were looking at her. “Don’t tell me you didn’t have fun?”
“No,” the two brothers answered at the same time, and in the same clipped tone. “We did not.” But this only made Kyria giggle, and the sheikhs exchanged glances. Their initial assumption was indeed correct. Kyria was possessed.
“Stop looking at me like that,” she protested, still giggling. “I just wanted it to be like the way we used to camp.” She turned to Vanna with a look of appeal. “You get it, don’t you, Mama? Doesn’t this bring back memories, like when we had Papa with us?”