章 6: His love
"The date isn't changing, Zaki."
Ali Omidyar's voice had a note of finality to it as he took a sip from his cup of coffee. Both men, dressed in black suits and ties were currently in a closed-door meeting at Omidyar Oil & Gas. One of the many companies that made up the Omidyar group of companies, both in America and Iran.
Zaki had his head in his hands as he stared down at his desk. If he was being honest, he knew there was no way he could get out of this arrangement. He'd been foolish enough to promise his grandfather that he would marry Amelia, and now that promise hung on him like a death sentence. And how couldn't he? The man had given him everything he'd ever needed growing up and never asked anything in return. Sow now. This was the only request Malik Omidyar ever made.
Fulfilling his wishes was more of a matter of honor to Zaki. A matter of respect.
"Knowing you uncle, I expect nothing less." He took a sip of his whiskey. "It doesn't matter, anyway. Baba would get what he wants."
"Inshallah," Ali replied with a faint smile.
"But," Zaki shook his head. "I have no intention of letting Freya go, Ali."
The older man shrugged. "Due to the position of our family back home and in the international market, you're only permitted to take one wife, Zaki. Your lover is free to continue as a concubine if she still wishes to be romantically involved with you after the wedding."
"Freya deserves much more than that." He countered dryly. "She won't settle for less."
"I don't see why not. If she loves you, everything should be fine." Ali said, adjusting his ruthlessly knotted tie. "Zaki, I can't tell you how to run your home but whatever you do, always remember that Amelia's your wife. Omidyar men are always good to their women."
Zaki held his drink up in a toast to that. He was smiling, but there was nothing happy about it. His personal elevator slid open at that moment and Freya Ortega walked in looking lovelier than ever. She was the only other person that was allowed to use that elevator, so he knew she'd arrived even before she stepped in and took his breath away. The last time they'd seen each other was three weeks ago, in London. She stayed back to attend to some family issues while he flew down to America to see his grandfather. He couldn't get over how she always made him weak whenever she stepped into a room. Her short light brown hair was in a sexy curly mess around her face, and her cheeks had gotten rosier than he remembered. She was wearing a chic hollow-out deep baby-blue knee-length dress that accentuated her curves and drove him wild.
Ali turned to greet the woman with a smile on his face. "Freya, it's been a minute."
She chuckled, moving to hug him. "Indeed it as, Ali." She smiled. "I missed beating you at chess."
He laughed heartily. "It would interest you to know that I've gotten better at the game. Right, Zaki?" He glanced at his nephew for backing, but the way Zaki was staring at her, called for his immediate exit. He smiled. "I should get going."
Her face fell. "Oh, so soon? I hope you're not leaving on my account?"
"Not at all, princess." He touched her shoulders. "Take excellent care of Zaki."
She blushed. "I will, Ali."
Zaki dipped his head to the side as a way of acknowledging the older man's hand wave before he vacated the office.
"Hey, Zaza," Freya said, once they were alone.
His gruff chuckle was music to her ears as he got up and came around the table slowly. "What do I have to do, for you to stop calling me that?"
She smiled. "A kiss for starters?"
"That's easy. You look…" He came in front of her and paused, whispering the words in her ear as his arms curled around her waist. "Hot… sexy….tight…." Her eyes fluttered closed as his lips dropped light kisses along her neck. "I'm one second away from breaking one of my rules for you, Delbar."
She chuckled, eyes still closed, as she whispered back to his ears. "Let me guess, the no office sex rule?"
He grinned. "That one."
"I came specifically for that, Zaki." She teased him. "I'm not wearing underwear."
He smirked, eyes darkening as he slowly grabbed her ass. He tugged up her face and was about to bring down his lips to her when a small rap on the door interrupted him. He cursed in Arabic, and let her go, but didn't move away.
"Come in." He huffed.
"Sorry for the interruption, sir." His executive secretary apologized, keeping a straight face. "The investors from China called again. They are about to leave Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and want to know if they'll still be working with contractors from Beijing."
"Yes. They'll feel more comfortable that way. What time do they arrive?"
"Noon tomorrow, but you have them on your schedule for 3 pm."
"Good. Reschedule all my meetings today."
"Yes sir."
If his secretary knew exactly what he would be busy with, she didn't let it show as she hurried out to carry out his instructions.
He smiled at Freya. "I'm guessing that rule won't be broken today, sweet girl."
"Bummer." She made a cute face at him.
He pulled her close and stroked her neck with his tongue, moved his hands to her lower back and down over her ass again. "Your body drives me crazy, Freya. I've never wanted anything so badly in my life."
She trembled. "You do much more than, just drive me crazy, Zaki. I'm yours. Totally and absolutely yours."
******
It was only when he lifted himself off her chest and asked if she was okay that Freya felt herself returning to earth. They were back at his penthouse suite, buried under the silk linen of his bed.
"I think," She said, still out of breath. "I might have just had an out-of-body experience."
A laugh rumbled in his throat. "Well, you were fucking spectacular too. I keep wondering how I managed to survive without you for those three weeks!"
"Me too." She rubbed her palms up and down his shoulders. "The only way I could stay sane was to imagine you in my bed at night."
His brow perked up, and a sly smile danced around his face. "And what exactly was I doing in these intriguing imaginations?"
She chuckled and playfully swatted his arm. "You know exactly what you were doing, don't make me say it."
"Okay," He laughed. "But how many times did I appear?"
"Oh, every single night."
"Good." He sounded smug. Dropped a kiss on her lips, and rolled off the bed before putting on his boxer briefs. "I need a drink. Do you want anything?"
Freya flopped onto her tummy, pulling a pillow beneath her cheek. "Naa, I'm good. I'll just be right here."
He strolled out of the room and took out a bottle of whiskey, which he dropped on the kitchen table. His head was in his hands as he stared down at the bottle, lost in thoughts. He couldn't figure out how he was going to break the news to Freya. He was getting married in less than two weeks, and she wasn't his bride. She would be heartbroken, and he would probably never see her again. There was no way he could bring himself to shatter her this way.
He remembered their lovemaking earlier and hoped he'd just planted his seed in her. If there was a child between them, then she won't be able to completely cut him off. No woman on earth could keep him from his child.
"Hey," Freya approached the kitchen table in a white robe.
He looked up, his eyes tired. "Hey."
Her heart sank. He suddenly seemed so down. "Are you okay?"
"No."
She pulled out a chair and sat across from him. "What's wrong?"
He let out a long, exasperated breath that she felt on her skin from across the table. "It's family-related."
"I knew something was up when I saw your uncle at the company today." She pushed aside the bottle of whiskey. "Well, do you want to share? Sometimes talking things through helps."
"This isn't a problem that talking is going to solve, unfortunately." He chuckled.
"What's wrong, love?"
"It's nothing I can't handle, Freya." He smiled. "Tell me about your mom. How's her treatment going?"
She was a bit hesitant to switch topics like he clearly wanted but she didn't want to push him, so she let it go. "Good." She sighed. "Thank you for the money, babe. I'll pay back as soon as I can get enough cash from my book sales."
"You insult me, Delbar." There was a flash of something that might be hauteur or irritation in his voice. "Give it out to charity or whatever, if you have no need for it. You really need to stop resisting the gifts and money I shower on you. They won't stop coming."
She sighed. "Zaki, I don't feel comfortable collecting money from you. Half your friends and family already believe I'm with you for that sole purpose."
"Half my friends and family are irrelevant. They may think it, but if it as much as comes out as a whisper, I'll make life miserable for them."
She smiled faintly at him. He came around the table to meet her. "Still on this issue, now may be the best time to let you know I bought you a house in London."
"What?" She was astounded. "Zaki--"
"Shhhh," He put a finger on her lips and kissed her. "It's a pre-birthday gift."
"What do you mean by pre-birthday? My birthday isn't till another four months, Zaki." she deadpanned.
He shrugged. "I figured a change of environment would be good for your mom once she's discharged. She needs to feel comfortable."
"Mom doesn't need another house, Zaki. She already has one and when we get married, she would live with us in Iran."
He turned and poured himself a glass of whiskey. When we get married. WHEN WE GET MARRIED. Of course, she still had hopes for their future together. But there was no future--except one where she's condemned to be a concubine.
How could he tell her that? How could he explain himself without sounding like an absolute douche? He'd proposed not so long ago. She was set to be a wife, his wife, not his concubine.
"Zaki," She wrapped her hands around him from behind. "What's wrong? I can sense that something is bothering you terribly."
He turned to face her. "It's nothing to worry about. I already paid for the property in your name. Even if you refuse it now, it's already yours."
"But--"
He kissed her. "The matter isn't up for discussion. Just thank me by kissing me back."
She frowned but kissed him anyway. "Anyway, we need to get ready for the club. You promised we would go clubbing tonight."
"I did?" he feigned ignorance.
"Zaki!" she jabbed his arm warningly but didn't stop herself from chuckling. "You promised."
"Yes, I did." Leaning in, he smiled. "Your wish is my command, my queen."
She joined their mouths together, in a hot and searing kiss.
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