Читать книгу PRINCESS OF THE EAST - Вида Лагодина - Страница 12

I woke up from a demanding knock on the door. It turned out that I overslept for more than four hours, and now Samira came for me to have dinner.

– How are you feeling? – She went out onto the balcony with a businesslike look to open the curtains.

– All is well, – I replied, trying to stifle a yawn and straighten my shaggy hair. My face was wrinkled after sleep, and I tried to put it in order, but considering that my bag with a makeup bag and other important things disappeared without a trace, I had a hard time.

– Lunch is unofficial, so… what would you like to wear?

– Unofficially? – I looked out of the bathroom to clarify.

– Yes, that means no one will be present except you and Mr. Ali.

– Well … – I thought, – then choose the worst outfit for me. – She looked at me in bewilderment, and I returned to the bathroom. Having finished all the water procedures, I went into the wardrobe and looked appraisingly at the clothes chosen by my assistant. A linen milk dress of a closed type and a free cut that hides absolutely the whole body. Exactly what is needed! Now, of course, he will not look at me! I pulled on my dress, leaving my hair hanging loose. – By the way, I wanted to ask. Whose things are these?

Samira hesitated a little, buttoning buttons on my back, and when I turned to face her, she first looked into my eyes and clearly said:

– All this belongs to you.

– Funny. – I laughed soundlessly. – Hundreds of outfits and pairs of shoes, own room, personal assistant. I might think I’m going to live here.

I took a deep breath, adjusting the dress at the waist. It seems that on vacation I relaxed and gained a couple of pounds. You will need to go to the gym again as soon as I get home.

Samira took me to the dining room, which turned out to be a large spacious hall with a high ceiling. The abundance of dark and brown pieces of furniture and interior made me a little uneasy. Everything looked too gloomy. A large massive dining table was covered with a huge number of plates and other utensils. Almost simultaneously, Mr. Ali himself entered.

– Good evening! – He slowly came so close to me that through the dress I felt the heat of his body. This tall, formidable man with a serious appearance, but with a completely frivolous look, right now rose above me in every sense.

– Good … – I held his gaze, feeling the weight in my chest. I and this stranger in a huge house under the impregnable guard and staff of domestic servants, who unconditionally obey him.

– You look wonderful.

I almost laughed. Is he joking or what? Although it can be said in his eyes that he is not lying. But… for me his opinion means absolutely nothing.

Thank you. You look good too. – I said it casually, examining him. A snow-white shirt, light trousers and bare feet. His appearance was hooligan. The shirt shaded his swarthy skin and dark eyes.

– Thank you. – He reduced the distance between us by one more step. – Good … – he pointed to the seat at the table, while his eyes were fixed on me. – Please sit down. It’s time for lunch.

He led me to my place and pulled my chair, then went around the table and sat opposite me. I felt my heart beating. Taking a deep breath, I decided to focus on what was on the table, namely, a lot of plates with olives, herbs, various cakes, vegetable stew, some kind of porridge and many other dishes that I did not know.

We looked at each other, and Ali gestured that I can start eating.

– I was told that you eat badly. – I took a brief look at the unflappable prince, who took the cutlery and answered my opinion with questioningly raised eyebrows, waiting for my excuses.

– No appetite. – I pointedly pushed the plate away, looking anywhere, but not at him.

– You will not deny me the pleasure of watching how you eat? Perhaps you do not know, but it is not customary for us to refuse the offered food. – He paused, waiting for my reaction, and when he realized that it would not follow, he continued. – This is regarded as disrespect for the owner of the house.

I smiled and crossed my arms over my chest.

– Forcing, restricting, forcing, and then euthanizing people you dislike, – I said clearly, – what is considered in your country as respect for the “guests”? – I drew air quotes in the air.

The prince stopped chewing and looked at me at point blank range, putting the appliances aside and hung his head in his hands, laid on the table.

– Listen, Miss Mironova…

– Irina, – I corrected him, to which he only smiled.

– Good. As you wish. So, Irina, I know that you are now confused, but all that is required of you is to have patience, and everything will work out. – He spoke to me like a little scared child. – And for the fact that I used a not entirely humane method… I officially apologize to you, okay? And I am ready to fix it in any way.

– Let me go home.

– Anyone but this. – I exhaled exasperatedly and got to my feet.

– Thank you for a wonderful dinner, – I heard poison in my voice.

– You haven’t eaten anything, – the prince said calmly.

– I’m fed up … – I added, hardly audible.

– Sorry… I did not hear. I squared my shoulders and looked at him belligerently. How I want to wipe his annoying smirk off his face.

– I say good night.

– Good night, too. – I gave him the most fake smile.

Samira quietly joined me as soon as I took a couple of steps to leave the dining room. I will show you what it means to mess with me, Mr. Ali!

***

The next two days I did not leave my room. Samira spent most of her time with me, disappearing briefly to bring me food or a little rest herself. During this time, I finally convinced her to contact me simply by name. The house was so big that I still did not intersect with any of its inhabitants, and no one even went out into the garden. Only a few guards around the perimeter of the garden came into motion from time to time.

I stood on the balcony in a light home dress and enjoyed the sun, which by local standards in the morning was not so merciless.

– Irina, – I turned to the sound of Samira’s voice and found that she was standing in her arms with another long dress from the huge wardrobe provided by the royal family – Mr. Ali is waiting for you.

– He said what he needed? – She shook her head, as always lowering her eyes to the floor every time she tried to hide something.

– We are not allowed to interfere in the affairs of our master.

– What are you allowed at all? – I gasped wearily, looking sympathetically at her. – Well, let’s go and find out what His Highness Ali Amirovich wants from us.

She giggled, escorting me to the locker room.

– I have prepared a dress for you.

– Thank you, but I will put on my things – I tried to mitigate my refusal with a smile. The girl tried to please me, but I wanted to put on my things.

I pulled on loose cotton shorts and a plain white t-shirt. Samira got me all the possible hair accessories, and now I was able to calmly collect my hair in a high tail, which I did before leaving.

– You look very … – horror reflected on her face.

– … convenient, – I finished for her. – These are comfortable clothes. You need to try this too. She stared at me in amazement, opening her mouth.

– Not! It’s impossible! This is a shame for a girl. I raised my eyebrows in surprise. – I wanted to say…

I smiled, stopping her attempts to apologize.

– I understand what you mean. Another country, different morality, but … – I sighed heavily – I’m not going to change while I’m here. Your master will have to put up with it. God, when will I get home? – Samira looked away and shrugged uncertainly.

– If you are ready, then we can go.

For two days I did not see the prince, and I really hope that during this time my problems have been resolved, and I will soon be able to go home. Samira escorted me to the office and waited for me to hide behind his doors. The office was empty. I walked over and decided to sit on a chair when I suddenly noticed some movement on the balcony. It turned out that Mr. Ali was sitting in one of the wicker chairs, thinking about something and did not even notice me. His face took on a tense expression, long dark eyelashes sometimes moved, and it seemed that they created this light breeze that was caressing my skin right now. As if I see a person from another planet, we are so different from each other. A person who is known about the whole world, who is respected and afraid of everyone who lives in his country, and I am an ordinary student whose head was clogged with the final exam and defending a dissertation a couple of weeks ago. I wonder what’s in the head of kings and princes?

I tapped the doorway with my fingers, attracting his attention. Today he was wearing a blue shirt and white trousers. I involuntarily wondered if everyone was sitting on it so perfectly.

– Irina? Good morning! – He got to his feet, towering above me and making me feel insignificant.

– Good morning. Samira said you wanted to see me.

He slowly looked at me from head to toe and nodded thoughtfully.

– Sit down – with a gesture he pointed to a chair, separated from it by a small wicker table. I tried to gracefully go down to the place that I was offered, wishing I had put on such short shorts. Now my legs were in all their helplessness before the Arab prince. You do not need to know local customs to understand that I made the wrong decision. It was necessary to wear the dress proposed by Samira. He returned to his place and looked at me, as it seemed to me, with a tense smile on his face. – I was gone a couple of days. How are you?

– Everything depends on you. – I looked expressively at him, dropping my hands on my knees. – Did you manage to solve my problem? Can I go home? – I hope the hopelessness in my voice was not so obvious.

– You want to get home so badly. Even amazing. Is it so bad with us?

– Honestly, – I hesitated, – for the first time in many years, I was able to truly rest. I have not been so calm for a long time.

– Then what’s the problem? – It seems he was glad I liked it here.

– Is it so hard to understand? I am alone. In an unfamiliar country, in a house of strangers to me. Something strange is happening around and no one is telling me anything, and you ask, what is my problem? – I jumped to my feet, panting, unable to stop. – You are sitting here in your house, not a man, but peace itself! And inside me, everything burns out due to the unknown. Tell me what you need from me! – I started to tremble. Everything that I have accumulated in myself over the past few days is now pouring out on this stranger. You forcibly brought me here, took my phone… by the way, where is he? – I asked demandingly, which only amused him. – But with all this, you gave me a huge room with a dressing room, where all the clothes of my size, and even its stocks, cannot be worn out in ten years! Isn’t that strange? What’s happening? Is this related to my parents? What did you do with them?

He calmly listened to everything that I told him, studying my face, and after a pause he gave an answer.

– As far as I know, your family is fine. Their restaurant is working fine and brings a good income.

– Do you think they are not looking for me? Someone will definitely lose me… sooner or later. I added more restrainedly.

– Right. he answered calmly, rising to his feet and coming so close to me that I could feel its slightly harsh spicy aroma, which filled all the space between us. – You’re right … – he began cautiously, taking a step towards me, which made me feel uneasy – they will look for you, but now… your family knows that you are safe and your friends are sure that you decided to stay with parents a little longer.

– Did you dig into my phone? – All the air disappeared from my lungs, but he calmly stood opposite me. – How can you? This is an invasion of privacy! – I closed my eyes. An urgent need to calm down, otherwise nothing good will come of it.

– I just saved you from having to lie to your loved ones.

– Well, you know … – I viciously flashed my eyes in his direction. – I’m over it!

I turned and quickly headed for the exit.

– Irina! – I stopped, not turning to face him, but feeling him approaching me. – I want to warn you that you cannot even go beyond this house without my permission.

– We’ll see! – I glanced over his shoulder and left the office, closing the door behind me with a roar.