“Indeed,” the Sultan agreed. “Now, this woman. She will agree?”
Zaid thought about it for a moment. “I need to talk to her about it.” He worried that she would think she’d have to give up her humanitarian work while he was already envisioning how much she could help here in Sharjah. He couldn’t imagine her saying no. She had promised herself to him already, had told him she was his. There was no indication that there was any doubt in her mind or heart about her feelings for him. But would she marry him?
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. This gave him an excuse finally to bring up the topic of marriage with her. It would legitimize his son, making him an heir to the Sultancy.
“Now, when do I get to meet her?” his father interrupted his thoughts.
Smiling at his father, “The Ball. Now, if you will excuse me, father, I have a woman to talk into marrying me.” Zaid was grateful not to have to go through what his brothers had gone through with their marriages. There wasn’t going to be any trial-and-error this time. This time, it would be a marriage and he was going to get it right the first time.
The Sultan dismissed the brothers, sending them out of the boardroom.
“Who is it?” Khalid asked. “Is it one of the women from the delegates touring Sharjah?”
“I’ll tell you once she says yes,” Zaid answered. “I don’t want to jinx it.” He smiled at his brothers and walked off on his own.
One of the members of the security team came up and handed him a folder full of reports. “This is the information you requested,” the young man told him before turning to leave.
What information? Zaid opened the folder to review the file information he’d been handed. With everything that had happened, he’d forgotten about the report he’d requested on how the money for improvements in Rajak and Timina had been spent. He flipped through the pages as he walked pausing when he came across several spreadsheets indicating where money should have gone toward infrastructure. Having now toured both neighborhoods, he knew that the money never made it there.
Continuing to flip through the pages, he was surprised to see reference to a private security firm that he knew the palace didn’t do business with. Despite the mounting evidence, he still didn’t have enough to bring to his father. His advisor was too well entrenched and from what Zaid was reading, had the means to mask his trail of deception and subterfuge well.
What are you up to Alacabak?
14
It had been one week since the bombings and the authorities were tight-lipped about any speculation on who did it. Zaid had managed to find out that, there had indeed been three separate bombs planted and that they had gone off hours sooner than originally planned. Because of that, there were fewer injuries and the number of fatalities had been limited to three. But any further information was held back as the investigation continued.
With the addition of security personnel and more stringent safety precautions, the diplomatic envoy continued their tour and there was speculation that despite what happened, there were still investors interested in Sharjah. Zaid assumed that it had more to do with the authorities swift reaction to the bombing coupled with the obvious poverty intervention tactics the palace was taking to provide fresh water to the people of Rajak and Timina for drinking, cooking and bathing; along with improved sanitation in those areas that were easily remedied.
The Jazia Ball was that night and all of the Emirate’s high society would attend including the delegates from the diplomacy tour. Rumors were flying around that a big announcement would occur tonight, which caught the media’s attention and they were lined up outside eager to catch a glimpse of the guests and speculate on what the announcement would be.
It was one of those nights when the Sultan conveniently forgot about the restrictions he placed on alcohol in the palace. Champagne flowed as servers handed out beautiful crystal flutes filled with the sparkling drink. The palace ballroom was elaborately decorated in gold and white giving the impression of opulence against the backdrop of the star-studded sky, which could be seen through the many doors that had been left open to the exotic Arabian landscape.
The Sultan was the only person who showed up in traditional attire, and that was how he preferred it for the annual ball. It was a time to celebrate progress and prosperity. The ballroom was packed with guests eager to sample the food prepared by Ahmed’s wife, Melanie, and her restaurant, which had recently won two awards.
With the diplomatic party already present, Zaid was excited to show off the fiery little Irish-American redhead dressed in a long amethyst-colored gown with silver embroidery throughout. She was stunning and Zaid couldn’t wait for their engagement announcement.