– I don’t think I have the right to do this – I started picking on a plate with already chilled pasta.
– Well, we will return to this topic. – I took a deep breath, putting a fork in my mouth with a paste wound around it, which turned out to be very tasty.
A feeling of full satiation came to me after I ate pasta, drank juice and a cup of coffee. When I finished eating, I noticed that Ali was looking at me with a smile on his face.
– What? – I asked, meeting his laughing gaze.
– The food affected you well, your complexion brightened up. – I touched my flaming cheeks with my palms, feeling a slight clouding. – Order dessert?
I shook my head.
– I think I’ve already eaten, but I won’t refuse a glass of water.
The prince called the waiter and handed him my request. I drank water slowly, and by the time I needed to portray the future princess of this country, in love with my fiance, I felt surprisingly relaxed and calm.
Ali paid the bill, and we headed to the exit, where the journalists were already waiting for us. Ali smiled encouragingly at me, opened the door in front of me, and we went to the press, which was ready to tear us apart with our questions.
– Good afternoon, Your Highness, is that true? Are you really getting married? – A girl of Slavic appearance in pure Russian asked us a question. Ali had such a smile that no one would dare reproach him for insincerity.
– Yes it’s true. In the very near future I am going to marry the most beautiful girl – he looked at me as if his words were true.
– There are rumors that your bride is forcibly held in the Emirate, how do you comment on this? Ali laughed with a light, laid-back laugh and shook his head.
– Well, you, my friends! We just protect our privacy, so we try not to spread any details, really, dear?
My turn has come. I tried to pull myself together and ignore the many microphones in front of me.
– I hasten to reassure everyone who, for whatever reason, is worried about my presence here. – I swallowed, trying to convincingly squeeze out the following words. – I am here of my own free will. I … – I looked at Ali. – Nobody forced me to say or do anything. Our romance … – I straightened my hair, developing in the wind, trying not to miss the thought – we kept it a secret, and perhaps this would have continued if it were not for our mutual desire to legitimize our relationship, – the following words pierced my heart with millions of fragments – In this regard, I am making an official statement. I… voluntarily renounce the citizenship of my country and accept the citizenship of the emirate of my future husband. – the journalists gasped, and I looked at Ali with false admiration, to which he answered me the same. – My decision was made consciously, and I am not under any pressure.
– Friends, if you have no more questions, we would like to continue our evening. Thanks for attention.
We took one official joint photo, and the security service asked the journalists to leave us, and we quickly climbed into our minibus and drove home. Once in the car, I felt that my hands were numb and my legs were trembling slightly.
– It seems that everything went well, – the prince smiled, and I looked at him in dismay.
– I don’t understand why you need it, – I looked at him point blank.
– I have my own reasons for this. – He turned to the window, making it clear that our conversation was over.
CHAPTER 13
– Here, here… and here – it seemed, I put the hundredth signature on the documents, statements, agreements and marriage agreements. – Good. And the last one. – I run through my eyes on what is written on paper and feel nauseous. Just one signature connects me with my past life. I deliberately drag out time, but there is no way out, and I put the last signature. – Congratulations! From now on, you are officially a citizen of the UAE.
I nod slowly, trying to smile. I seem to have sold my homeland, but actually it was my parents who sold me. Of course, I can not agree with everything that Ali does to me (which still does not fit into my head), but then my family will suffer, and I love them, no matter what. I look at the ring on my finger and understand that no wealth in the world can fill the void in my heart and soften the pain of betrayal.
– If nothing else is required of me, then I will go. – I looked around everyone in the office.
– No-no. I will settle the rest myself. – Lawyer Ali, who deals with all issues related to my citizenship and stay in the UAE, spoke with an Arabic accent. I got to my feet and cast a lifeless glance at Ali, who was deeply thinking about something, and then turned my attention to the lawyer. – All the best.
He bowed to me, rising to his feet.
– Always at your service, Madame Mironova.
And this one there! I tried not to react at all to his appeal to me and hastened to leave the office.
More than a week has passed since our conversation with the press, but the passions around us never subside. They write about me in newspapers, make programs, there are various rumors at all levels, but I don’t react to anything. I just go with the flow. I surrendered to circumstances and occasions and admitted that my fate is in the hands of the prince of this country, who, apart from indifference, does not cause me any emotions.
Ten days later, our wedding will take place, and I am going to spend these remaining days of my freedom alone with myself, but it seemed that the groom (it’s strange to even think of him like that) had other plans. That evening I sat in the gazebo and read a book from the library of this house. There was one of those rare days when the heat gives way to heavy rain, bringing purity and freshness of nature. Samira fled to the house to help prepare for tomorrow’s dinner, which Ali is arranging for his father. Another test for me.
– And I think, where did you go? – I put the bookmark into the book and looked defiantly at Mr. Ali.
– Do not worry, I will not run beyond the borders of your country. – He smiled sadly, sinking down on the bench next to me. “Why were you looking for me?”
For the first time, I allowed myself to examine him with my eyes, being so close to him. At dusk, his appearance produced an impressive effect. Big hazel, I would say, black eyes framed by long black eyelashes were now examining my face, and the bangs, lying as if he had met a strong wind a minute ago, gave the impression that there was a carefree young man in front of me. A person who is about to do something childishly harmless, but… the same person threatens my family and keeps me captive.
– Honestly, I thought you had lost your capacity for audacity, – he began, looking at me.
– You can take my family, country, life, but not that. -I was ready to defend myself.
– I was not going to do this. I told you to remain yourself. – For a moment there was silence. – It seems you liked this place, – He looked around from the inside.
– I like that she stands a little away from home. Almost no one passes here, and I can safely enjoy the weather. Only here… too dark, and this disposes to gloomy thoughts. – He looked at me in surprise, passing his hair through his fingers.
– I never thought of it that way.
I smiled faintly, exposing my face to a stream of soft, refreshing wind, so necessary for my skin.
– Did you want to talk to me about something, Mr. Ali? – I asked, looking defiantly