Читать книгу PRINCESS OF THE EAST - Вида Лагодина - Страница 11

He stood with his back to me with his hands behind his back. Still not seeing his face, I knew who he was (not often in life you meet such people).

– Good morning, – he addressed me with a benevolent smile on his face and wariness in his eyes, – I hope you had a good night’s sleep.

– Why am I here now? And by the way, where exactly am I? – I crossed my arms over my chest to feel confident.

– Have a seat. – He pointed me to one of the soft black armchairs facing the massive table and separated by a small dark coffee table. “I think our conversation will drag on.”

Without taking my eyes off him, I slowly sank down to the place that was offered to me.

– You did not answer my question. How did I get here? – He grinned, walked around the table and sat across from me.

– My driver brought you. You are in my house.

I closed my eyes, dimly recalling how it all began.

– I wanted to fly home, but… at the airport they said that I was forbidden to leave your country. What does it mean? – I looked at him demandingly, noting what expressive eyes he had and how impudently he was looking at me with them.

– Right. You will have to stay with us for a while. – I froze in shock, not knowing how to react to his words.

– I don’t understand anything… can you explain to me why I am here with you, and not with my parents, for example? And anyway, for what reason have I been banned from crossing the border? I have done nothing to facilitate this.

– You are my guest. – He openly laughed at me. Interestingly, according to their laws, what punishment will they give me if I beat the Crown Prince of the Emirate?

– It turns out interesting … – I sat comfortably in an armchair and slowly put my hands on the armrests – do you first euthanize all your guests and then steal them? Does the standard prompt no longer work? Or are you still using barbaric methods here?

He smiled broadly at me and licked his lips, looking into my eyes.

– And it turns out that you have a sharp tongue.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

– You are laughing at me? – With each inhalation and exhalation, the tension in the room increased, but, despite this, the prince continued to smile. “Why are you smiling all the time?” I threw up in exasperation, to which he pursed his lips and thought about something.

– For a few days you will be a guest in this house.

– How long will these few days be?

– Until I solve some issues.

– Saying that I will be your guest, you mean – I will be your captive?

– No, – he shook his head, running his fingers over his plump lips, trying to suppress a smile and continuing to study me with a thoughtful look, – I said what I wanted to say.

– And how do you think the guest differs from the captive?

He sighed heavily, reflecting on my question.

– The house is completely at your disposal. If you need anything, you can tell Samira.

– Samire? – He nodded, continuing to look at me, which was terribly annoying.

– To your assistant, who accompanied you here. You can look around the house, take a walk in the garden, read or watch TV in the relaxation room, but there is one invariable rule – I raised an eyebrow inquiringly – you should go downstairs for dinner at seven o’clock. Samira kindly guides you to the dining room

Wow, like a monster from a fairy tale. I got to my feet, restraining myself with all my might so as not to pounce on this annoyingly calm prince. After taking a few steps toward the door, I turned around and looked at him point blank.

– Have I broken the law in your country?

My question surprised him.

– As far as I know, no. – He answered with a shrug.

– Then why can’t I go home? – Is a short pause during which our eye contact did not interrupt.

– Becauze I whant so. – I blinked in confusion, and he pretended to say nothing unusual. – Have a nice day, Miss Mironova.

I left the office, leaning back against the wall and feeling how all the cells of my body relax.

– Miss, is everything all right with you? – Samira quickly approached me, who, as it turned out, had been waiting all this time for me under the door.

– Yes, just … – I looked into her frightened face – everything is fine. – This look. She looks at me as frightened as the airport staff when they found out who I was. – I need to go to the bedroom.

– Yes, well, miss, I will accompany you. – I nodded and tried to take a few steps, but then I felt dizzy, because of which I had to stop, leaning again on the wall.

– Miss?

– I’m fine, – I tried to focus my eyes on her. – Do not worry.

– If you will allow? She reached out to hold me under her elbow, and I nodded in agreement. “Have you already had breakfast?” I shook my head. “I knew that at first it was necessary to clarify what exactly you want.”

– No, – I tried to smile. – This has nothing to do with it.

– As soon as we get to the room, I will bring you lunch.

The thought of food made me sick. And how did it happen that I participated in all this? We got to the room, and Samira helped me to bed, and then disappeared. I lay for a long time and could not recover. My brain was seething with a huge number of questions, none of which I had an answer or, at least, guesses. I was distracted by a short knock on the door, and then Samira appeared with a tray in his hands.

– I was instructed to make sure you at least eat something.

– Samira, I suggest you stop talking to me on “You”, okay? Just call me by name. You are not much younger than me. How old are you?

– Eighteen … – she answered uncertainly.

– Well, I’m twenty-four years old, so just call me Irina, okay?

– What are you, miss! – The fright in her eyes was sincere. – I cant. It’s impossible!

She put the tray on the stand and lowered her head.

– Look, – I sat, inviting her to sit next to me. She furtively looked at me. Her embarrassment was clearly written on her face, but she could not refuse me – it seems that I was stuck here for a while, so… it would be better if we did not complicate anything, okay? She nodded, staring at the floor. – By the way, you don’t know what I’m doing here?

– No, – she shook her head vigorously, – this is known only to Allah and… to our master.

– Your master… if he is not good, does not tell me anything, – I said with irritation, which made Samira smile. – Or do you know something?

The smile instantly disappeared from her face, and she shook her head again.

– It’s just… nobody ever talked about Mr. Ali like you did – she tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smile.

– Yes, I’ll see you have strange laws here.

– But not for us, – she reached for the tray and laid it on my lap, opening the lid, under which there was a plate, presumably with soup, from which an unreal tasty aroma came. My stomach rumbled.

– By the way, Samira, why don’t you look at me? – I took a spoon and started to eat. Spicy, but no less tasty.

– It’s so customary with us. The position you occupy … – she stopped, – in general, I have no right to look at you for longer than a few seconds.

I put down the spoon, chewing on what I had already managed to put in my mouth, and looked at it, touching her hand.

– Listen… I understand. Traditions, customs, customs, but… I am different, and you can behave with me freely, I will not run to inform the prince, king or anyone else. – I started eating again. – Be my friend here, otherwise I will go crazy, waiting for departure home. Oh, how I want to go home if you only knew! Do you happen to know where my bag is?

– No, – she answered quickly, – I don’t know anything. I was only told to help you adapt here.

During the conversation, I did not notice how I ate everything that was on the tray.

– Thank you very much! It was wonderful.

Samira took the tray from my lap and put it on the stand.

– I will convey your gratitude to the cook. – He will be glad. – I nodded. – You should rest a bit, otherwise you would look tired.

– Thanks for the compliment. – I smiled when she saw how frightened she was.

– I’m not… sorry.

– You have nothing to ask for forgiveness for. I joked this unsuccessfully.

An embarrassed girl went out the door, and I lay on soft comfortable pillows, covering my chin with a light blanket. Delicious, satisfying food did its job, and I fell asleep again.