Royalty Gone Bad

***

Writer’s POV:

A new week began and it was back to work. Saïda had started avoiding being in the same room, alone with Asahd. This amused the mischievous Prince who seemed to be having a good time. He allowed her to believe she could run away for some time. He had no worries. Asahd had always been very confident. He knew that he’d already seduced Saïda and that she would soon be in his arms, without wanting to run or escape.

Meanwhile, never had Saïda been so confused in her life. She was even more attracted to Asahd and it was scaring her. She avoided him just because she thought it was the right thing to do. Fact was, if he cornered her one more time, she would give up all resistance.

’What resistance?? I’m so weak around him. I don’t even try to resist! I’m always paralyzed like an idiot. Asahd kisses me when he wants and how he wants. I never do anything about it because deep down I like how it makes me feel. I’m so shameless. I can’t believe this is me. But I’m not going to lie to myself either. I know what’s going on and I find it so hard to stop.′

Saïda was lost in her thoughts as she cleaned the shelves in the store where she worked. She remembered what Asahd had done to her the famous night when she was on phone with Noure.

The thought made her breathless all of sudden, goosebumps covering her skin.

′I’m not avoiding him because I don’t want it to happen again. I want it to happen again, yet I’m avoiding him because if I let it happen again, I’ll give up a lot. Who am I kidding? I’m at a level where if Asahd touches me one more time, it’s the end of me. It’s not fair to Noure because I like it. And that’s why I have to stay away from him.

Asahd what have you done to me? I don’t understand my own body and feelings anymore. Look what you’ve done to me. And the worse part is that I like it. I know I do. It’s like I can’t fight it that’s why I have to run from him. He’s left me alone recently but I know he’ll try again. I have to avoid him so he doesn’t. But what if he does? Then I’m finished. I’m so weak around him. I’ve never been this physically, emotionally and psychologically weak around any man. Not even Noure. I’m always paralysed.′

Saïda snapped out of her very long thoughts, swallowing. It was a fact she already knew. If Asahd cornered her again, she knew she was finished. The only thing she could do now was avoid being alone with him though she liked it when they were alone and he would corner her.

She shut her eyes tight, they were prickling and her thoughts were fucked up because of Asahd.

“Gosh, he’s driving me nuts,” she muttered to herself. “I will never understand how it got to this level.”

***

“Thank you for the tips, ladies,” Asahd said through the window with a smile, making the teenage girls in their car, giggle. “Enjoy your snacks and see you next time.”

Unlike Saïda, he was in a perfectly perfect mood.

“Definitely,” the one in driver’s seat smiled and started the car.

“Forgot to ask your name,” another smirked at him.

“Asahd,” he replied with his best smile. They sure felt the goosebumps.

“Asahd,” all four girls repeated.

“An Arab Prince,” one mused. If only they knew.

“Indeed,” the main one agreed. “Bye Asahd.”

They waved at him and drove off. Asahd happily turned to the inside.

“Woohoo! Twenty dollars for a tip! I’m rich,” he chuckled and showed it to Allison before putting it in his pocket.

Allison gave him a little smile, a forced one which faded immediately and she returned to frying the chicken.

“Hey, what’s up? You mad at me or something?” he mused.

“Maybe.”

“Why? Because the female customers always give me huge tips?” he joked but she didn’t laugh.

“You flirt with them. That’s different,” she stated dryly and Asahd stared at her in amusement.

do that for

it funny,” she stopped

up with that?” he asked with wide eyes. “When I started working here, you all told me that most of you flirted with the customers around our age group or so, to get huge tips. True

“Asahd that’s-”

or false??” Asahd cut in. Allison sighed and rubbed

“True.”

his eyes and threw his hands

didn’t look happy or convinced at all. Asahd stared at her

now I have to flatter.

sorry, darling,” he approached her and hugged her from

the way you just spoke to me, Asahd.

with them for work. It’s nothing serious. You’re a witness that I always tear the towels and papers on which they write their numbers. You’re a good friend

“Friend and?”

Asahd added in

a smile on,

Forgiven,” she smiled and pecked him on the

returned to

***

showering, Asahd joined Djafar and Saïda in

the food,” Saïda

should come help you,” Asahd proposed with

replied. “You bother me a lot.”

knowingly and

how was your day my

Your parents said they would

he said in a more serious tone. “Anyways, my own day was quite cool. I got a lot of tips. Added to my salary, I made a hundred dollars today. Well, seventy because I gave you the thirty dollars I’m supposed to

great. I’m quite proud

he cooed playfully and Djafar laughed. He had the lively, stubborn and fun Asahd back. Every bitterness seemed to have disappeared. And honestly,

--

as possible so she would be out of the kitchen and locked in her

her

told Asahd with a yawn. “Tell Saïda I

minutes after Djafar was

--

the last plate when Asahd entered

“Your father said, goodnight.”

a little and turned in surprise to

My bad,” he mused, closing the door behind him. He

smiled nervously, trying to act like everything was

wrapped her waist form behind and carried her back to himself. The act

going

out of his grip and tried to run to the door

a hand over her

begging you. Let me go,” she muttered weakly,

not holding you, Saïda,”

out of

Asahd chuckled a little.

me away from

to me right now,” she finally opened her eyes and put her palms together

to pull me. But it’s either you pull