The Sheikh's Fiery Lover (The Tazeem Twins Series Book 2) (3 page)

Rene sat at the table and watched Joshua leave. It seemed as though lately all she was seeing was his back. This time they had not even had the chance to eat together, he had left right before they started. She knew that he had to work and it had nothing to do with her, but she could not help feeling upset. She sighed, picked up her fork and started eating her breakfast.

“Have you eaten your breakfast?” Rene asked her maids. They were always standing there quietly and she’d never seen them eat during meal times. Her maids both gave her a dazed look.

“We are fine, Miss, please do not worry about us,” Muna replied softly.

“Please join me, there is plenty of food here.”

“Thank you for your kindness, bu-”

“I insist, please sit,” Rene said sternly. Joshua had already left for the office; she did not want her maids to turn her down as well. “Please sit with me,” she said more gently. Muna and Maria exchanged glances and then slowly sat down at the table.

“Thank you, Miss,” Muna replied.

“Please stop feeling so awkward around me, I am not royalty.”

“As his highness' guest, it is our responsibility to treat you like royalty,” Maria replied curtly.

“He is always so busy, I have to say that I do not feel much like a guest,” Rene replied sadly.

Both of the maids kept their eyes firmly fixed on the table.

“How old are you guys?” Rene asked, scooping up a spoonful of yogurt.

“I am twenty-seven years old,” Muna replied as she took a sip of her tea.

“And I am twenty-six,” Maria replied. They were not that far off in age from Rene. She wondered if Joshua had intentionally chosen young maids for her. After some awkwardness, the three of them ate breakfast together and engaged in some light chatter.

Later that day, an unfamiliar maid came to Rene's quarters and told her that the queen had summoned her. She quickly slipped into a yellow dress and brushed her hair out. She wanted to look presentable and hopefully leave a good impression. Her maids, Muna and Maria, gave her encouraging smiles as they escorted her to the queen's quarters.

While the king and queen no longer resided at the palace on a full-time basis, Joshua's mother maintained her quarters near the king's chambers. Rene had yet to venture into this part of the palace and was surprised at how different it looked.

Portraits of what Rene assumed were family members lined the walls like a reception line. Ornate furnishings and luxurious rugs filled the space giving her the impression that she was in a museum rather than someone’s home. Palace guards were everywhere, reminding Rene that she was about to meet with the queen.

Rene knocked on the door and it was quickly opened by a guard on the inside.

“Rene, come in,” the queen said without turning. The queen was standing with a small, glass jug, watering colourful tulips sitting in a white porcelain vase. She was wearing a long, bat-winged dress and gold jewellery. Her jet-black hair was once again swept up into a chignon.

“Thank you,” Rene replied, taking in the drawing room. Everything about it was exceptionally clean and tidy. It was decorated with expensive velvet furniture and there was a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The place was beautiful, but it was cold. A room fit for purpose, not as a home.

“I prefer to tend to my flowers myself,” the queen said, as she removed a wilted leaf. Her voice was gentle and yet strong, with a tinge of an Arabian accent. She put the water jug down and turned around. “Have a seat,” she told her as she indicated the sofa.

“Thank you,” Rene said as she sat down slowly.

“Bring us some tea,” the queen ordered one of her maids.

“Yes, your highness,” the maid replied and left the room immediately.

“So, how did you meet my son?” the queen asked as she walked towards her. Her pace was slow and precise, her eyes never leaving Rene’s. Each step was both graceful and intimidating. She sat down on the sofa opposite Rene as she waited for her to speak.

Rene knew that Joshua’s mother would ask her about how they met, but she had not expected her to get straight to the point. She took a deep breath before replying. “We met at The Sultan Hotel,” she answered.

“How?”

Rene hesitated; she did not know how to answer that question. She could not exactly tell her that the first time she met her son, was when she was topless and he was handing her back her bikini top. “I mistook him for a member of staff,” Rene said with a smile, hoping to amuse the queen and lighten the situation but Joshua's mother was not amused.

“How does one make that mistake?” she asked. Rene quickly stopped smiling.
This is going to be tough!

“I did not know who he was at the time.”

“And when did you find out?”

“When a few men from the palace came to summon him back.”

One of the maids entered the room with a tray of tea and canapés. Rene was grateful for the pause in the conversation. She was not sure what the queen's response was going to be like. So far, Joshua was right about the interrogation. The maid poured tea for both of them before bowing her head and backing out. Rene did not pick up her cup immediately. She waited for the queen.

“Have some tea,” the queen said to her.

“Thank you.” She slowly picked up the delicate cup and took a sip.

“I take it that you are American?”

“Yes, I am.”

“What did you do in the States?”

“I work in research for medicine.”

The queen raised her eyebrows. “What did you study at University?” she asked.

“I studied chemistry,” Rene replied. Whenever she was asked that question, she was usually happy to answer it. She was proud of herself. However, in this situation, she was worried about what the queen would think. When she had met Craig's mother, she was not this unfriendly.

“So you have a good degree.” The queen took a sip of her tea as she regarded her. Even the way she drank her tea was elegant and precise. “You have not known my son long, why would you move in with him?” she asked. Rene was not surprised to hear that question as it was bound to be asked. In fact, she still asked herself that same question.

“I understand that it was impulsive on my part, but in the time that I spent with your son, I realised that I care deeply for him,” Rene replied.

The queen did not look convinced with the short answer she had given. “Or because, he is a prince,” she replied and narrowed her eyes at her.

Rene felt her skin tingle and her face flush. “That is not the case. When he first invited me to return with him, I refused,” Rene replied. “In fact, I did not know that he was a prince until after I landed and the driver pulled up in front of the palace.” The last thing she wanted was to be accused of being an opportunist. She did not care about Joshua's money or status. She just wanted to be with him.

“Forgive me if I do not believe that,” the queen said plainly with a stern face.

“I understand, but I really am not after your son for his money or status,” Rene replied. The queen studied her for a moment, before finishing her tea and placing it down.

“I have matters to attend to. You may stay and finish your tea,” the queen said and stood up. Rene quickly stood up and bowed her head to the queen as she left.

When she was out the room, Rene exhaled loudly. That had been a brutal experience for her and she could tell that it was only the beginning. The queen did not look convinced by her words. It was clear that she thought Rene was nothing but an opportunistic gold digger.

Staring around at the opulent room, Rene rubbed her arms. Sighing, she looked down at her full cup. She did not want to be rude, but she could not stay in this room a moment longer. As she exited the queen’s quarters, she was relieved to see her maids again. She needed to see some familiar, friendly faces.

Together, they walked back to her quarters. Rene had hoped that the first time she met his mother that Joshua would be there with her, but instead, he was too busy in his office as always.
Abandoned, just like before.
Rene pushed the memory from her mind before it could hurt her.

The rollercoaster week finally ended as Rene woke to a sunny Saturday. Joshua had been working late all week and with the weekend here, it meant that he could spend the day with her. Slipping into a short, blue dress that showed off her legs - one she knew that Joshua was going to love - she toed on her sandals and headed over to his quarters.

“Hey,” Rene said cheerfully as she walked into the room. Joshua was sitting at the table reading the business section of the newspaper. He looked up and dropped the newspaper into his lap.

“Wow,” he told her as he gave a low whistle.

“See something you like, Mr Sheik?”

Joshua did not say anything as he stared at her. Folding the newspaper, he set it on the table. Rene concealed a smile and turned away from him, pretending to admire a portrait. She could see him out of the corner of her eye analysing her from head to toe.

Turning, she padded over to him before climbing into his lap.

“What are you up to?” he asked her as she boldly wrapped her arms around his neck.

“What do you mean?” she asked him, doe-eyed. 

“I have never seen a woman be so bold.”

Rene laughed. As she touched his face and searched his eyes, she felt her insides melting. She had come to love this man so much in such a short time. She leaned closer to him and kissed him gently.

“Something has gotten you in a good mood,” he said as she smiled at him.

“Just the fact that I get to see you without work in the way,” Rene replied, glancing at the newspaper folded on the table.

“After meeting my mother, I expected you to stay hidden for a while.”

Rene sighed before replying, “You were right. It was brutal. I have never been so nervous in my life.” Joshua laughed.

“She can be worse, but once you get to know her, you will love her.”

Rene's eyes widened. “If that was not her worst, then I dread to see what comes next.”

“She wants to know that your feelings for me are sincere. Do not be nervous about it, be yourself,” he replied. Rene did not feel reassured by his words. She had tried to be herself, but his mother was not impressed.

“When she asked how we met, I could not exactly tell her about the pool incident!”

Joshua laughed. “Ah yes, that was an interesting way to meet.”

“It was embarrassing and you weren’t exactly friendly.”

“I was not unfriendly, I was the same as I am now.”

Rene frowned at him. He was completely unfriendly and rude to her when they first met. She disliked him instantly. “Yeah right,” she said and folded her arms over her chest.

“You do not believe me?”

“Of course I do not. I was the one on the receiving end. You were dishing it out, so you would not know.”

“Dishing what out?”

“The unfriendliness and the rudeness.”

“I was dishing out unfriendliness and rudeness,” Joshua repeated rolling his eyes. “Only you would say such things,” he added as he hugged her to him.

“Okay Josh, make fun of me then,” Rene replied as she attempted to push him away.

“There are the love birds,” a deep masculine voice said. Rene and Joshua turned to see James leaning against the doorway.

“Not so love birds at the moment,” Rene replied as she sulked.

“Why?” James asked. He stood in front of them and waited for Rene's response.

“Am I wrong in saying that your brother can be very unfriendly and rude?” Rene asked him.

Joshua scowled, “Do not bring my brother into this.”

“I am just asking for his opinion.”

“Well,” James said and laughed. “If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me that.”

“We were discussing the first time we met and I felt that he was quite unfriendly and rude to me,” Rene explained to him.

“He just takes time to warm up to people, that is all,” James said. Rene raised her eyebrows and stood up.

“Taking your brother's side, I should have known.” Rene said with a smile.

James and Joshua both laughed. They greeted each other with a handshake with several sequences. It went too fast for Rene to see the movements. “Secret handshake? How old are you two again?” Rene asked. James smiled and sat down.

“Teach me,” she said.

“No, it is a twin thing,” Joshua replied.

“It’s a weird thing, that’s what it is,” she rolled her eyes. “Would you like something to drink or eat?” she asked James. He looked at her surprised.

“There are maids for that,” Joshua replied.

“What's wrong with me serving him?”

“I am fine Rene, thank you for the kind offer,” James replied.

“Are you sure?”

“I am. I actually came here to discuss something important with my brother.”

“Oh, do you need me to leave?”

“No, it will only take a minute,” James replied. He turned his attention to Joshua and spoke quickly. Things had become complicated with the Russians and they were demanding that they come to Russia. He had managed to negotiate a meeting site halfway between their locations, but they would both have to go.

Rene pressed her lips together tightly and tried to smile. Her day went from bright and happy to sad in seconds. More business and less Joshua. That was worse than him working late at the office. He was going to be gone altogether.

“We have to renew these contracts at all costs,” Joshua replied.

“When do you want to leave?” James asked him.

Joshua hesitated, stealing a glance at Rene. “We’ll have to leave soon. Tonight.”

Rene stopped herself from chiming into the conversation. She was trying to be understanding about the urgency of his work, but she was feeling incredibly lonely. She could not help but feel that he kept abandoning her.

Standing, James smiled at Rene. “Rene, I will see you on another occasion.”

“Bye,” she said to him, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. James walked out of Joshua's quarters and Rene returned her attention back to him. “Do you have to go?” she asked him.

“Rene, I have to. It's important,” he replied.

“Can't someone else go?”

“I am sorry, but no. This contract means billions for us. I cannot leave it to someone else. It must be James and I.”

“You work too hard!” Rene said, jumping to her feet.

“And I will not apologise for it. This is my family’s business and our reputation is at stake. I will not do anything halfway.”

“No one is asking you to do anything halfway, but why must I come last always?”

“When have you ever come last?”

“Ever since I got here, you have been working and we barely had time to spend together.” Rene was trying not to argue with him but she could not help it. She wanted him to see her side of things. Joshua leaned forward and kissed Rene on both cheeks.

“I have to go,” he said to her. Her jaw dropped open.

“But, it's a Saturday.”

“I am aware of that but this project demands my attention,” and with that he left the room.

“What about me?” Rene whispered after he had left. She had given up so much to be here with him and it was not what she had pictured. Everything had happened so quickly. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. Blinking them away, she got to her feet to return to her quarters, feeling dejected and upset.