Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Zain didn’t dignify that with a response, of course. “The bodyguards said you are at the Burj Khalifa. So cliche.”
“Hey, cliches exist for a reason! And being in Dubai and not visiting the tallest building in the world would be a missed opportunity, wouldn’t it? At least I’ll have something to tell my grandchildren!” Aiden imitated an old man’s voice, “When I was young like you, children, I saw the Burj Khalifa when I was a pleasure slave of the local sheikh—”
“You’re ridiculous,” Zain said, but was that a hint of a smile in his voice? “And I’m not the sheikh. I’m one of his sons.”
Aiden shrugged with a smile. “It’s my story, so I can exercise some creative freedom! I’m sure my imaginary future grandchildren would be less impressed if their grandpa were a pleasure slave of a mere sheikh.”
He fell silent, a feeling of disquiet twisting his gut as he imagined decades passing, having children, then grandchildren, growing old until this misadventure—Zain—would be a distant memory, like something from a dream.
Aiden cleared his throat a few times, trying not to freak out about how much that possible future freaked him out.
“I have to go,” Zain said, his voice rather abrupt. He hung up.
Aiden returned the phone to the bodyguard, feeling a little numb on the inside. A little hollow.
He shook his head, trying to shake the feeling off. “Let’s go to the aquarium, guys,” he said with forced cheer. “It seemed really cool.”
The rest of the day passed in a bit of a haze. Aiden tried to distract himself with cool sights and landmarks, but everything failed to hold his attention, no matter how grand and awe-inspiring the architecture of this city was. The feeling of disquiet in the pit of his stomach grew with every hour until Aiden couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Call your boss, please,” Aiden requested at last. He was tired of sightseeing.
Liar, said the voice at the back of his mind. All you’re tired of is being away from the man who owns you. You’re pathetic.
Shut up. He felt cranky and far too hot. All he wanted was to get home, into his cool, air-conditioned room, and take a long shower. Nothing more.
“I can’t do that,” the bodyguard said, frowning. “We are not allowed to bother the sheikh unless it’s very urgent. He’s a busy man.”
“Don’t worry about it, call him. I’ll take the blame if he’s pissed.”
Looking doubtful, the bodyguard exchanged a few words with his partner. They both looked hesitant, as if it were unthinkable to bother their boss for such an insignificant reason.
“Come on. You can tell him I said it was urgent.”
The men exchanged another look.
At long last, one of them reached for his phone and handed it to Aiden after unblocking it and picking Zain’s contact.
Aiden walked a little away from the bodyguards as he waited for the call to connect.
To his surprise, Zain picked up on the second ring. He said something in Arabic, sounding irritated.
Aiden shivered, enjoying the sound of his low, growly voice probably a little too much.
“It’s me,” Aiden said and smiled when Zain fell silent. “I’m done sightseeing. I wanna go home. Are you done already? Can you pick me up?”
After a moment, Zain said, “Give the phone to the bodyguard.”
Aiden did as he was told and watched the bodyguard as he spoke to Zain. The apprehensive expression on the man’s face shifted to one of surprise. When he hung up, he gave Aiden a suspicious look. “He told us to bring you to his penthouse.”
Frowning, Aiden repeated, “Penthouse?”
“Yes. That’s where the boss lives in the city. It’s in his company’s building.” He exchanged a look with the other bodyguard and said something in Arabic.
The other man shook his head and headed to the car. “Let’s go.”
Zain’s company was located in a skyscraper that was nearly as tall as the Burj Khalifa. But Aiden didn’t have time to admire it before he was rushed into the private elevator by the bodyguards. The security guards gave Aiden some strange looks but didn’t ask any questions—they must have been forewarned.
Once the elevator reached the 134th floor, it stopped. Aiden got out and waved to the bodyguards, who still looked rather perplexed as the elevator doors closed.
Aiden looked around.
For a penthouse, the apartment wasn’t actually gigantic. It was spacious, sure, and the panoramic view it offered was ridiculous, but it had a cozy, lived-in feel to it. The open floor area took most of the penthouse. There was only one bedroom, decorated in white and blue-green, and the floor-to-ceiling windows provided a fantastic view of the Walk and the sea. Aiden was in love.
But he was far too hot.
A quick shower fixed that, and Aiden helped himself to one of the shirts from the closet. He sniffed it, but it didn’t smell of Zain, only of laundry detergent.