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“We are thinking of that lounge with its billboard all over town.”

“Count me in.”

“Yay! This will be fun,” Shay says excitedly.

“Now, get back to work and stop giggling like little girls.” They both laugh, and I return to work.

Of course, Naseer didn’t show up to the office. I got home late and decided not to disturb my neighbor. I will tomorrow. I spoke with Knox, and he seems to ask lots of questions about Rhanaz and how to get around. Since I didn’t have much to talk about, I gave him full details. We soon hung up and I said hello to my children before going to sleep.

I woke up and no Naseer. This guy is flippantly messing with my mind. I got dressed and left for work, not racing out today. I quietly enjoy breakfast.

I get to work and had a meeting with Orion and Kelan. The day goes by normally. Lucy and Shay remind me of our drinks. Since it’s Friday and there is no work tomorrow. I can enjoy my night out and not stay seated in my house thinking about Naseer’s Houdini moves. I told the ladies that I would meet them at the lounge at eight. I want to change clothes and be more relaxed.

After showering, I take down my twisted cornrows and style my hair, light makeup and put on my chosen black and white halter jumpsuit with a wide leg. My pointed toes are black and white pumps to complete the look and off I go to a girls’ night.

Lucy and Shay were already seated when I arrived. We ordered drinks and start talking. We start with the shopping and fun things in Rhanaz. They want to make a trip to Dubai and want me to come. I’ll think about it, I tell them.

No shop talk on girls’ night out. Shay talks about her attraction to the marketing guy Ashton, I think his the name, he’s cute. She’s going on and on about him. Now I know why she has been dressing up instead of the Shay I know would have opted for comfy clothes.

Lucy is a girl having fun in Rhanaz. We laughed together until the conversation shifted to me. “So are you going to tell us all about you and the sexy prince,” Shay asks rolling her eyes.

“Nothing to tell.” Sipping my drink like it’s a life saver.

“All that sexy macho attention directed towards just you and you say nothing to tell, this is girls' night Mariam, you can’t hold out on us girls.”

“Honestly, there’s nothing to tell. I met him when I lived here and I went to school with his sister, I used to stay nights at their house. Now he thinks we are still back when I was a teenager and he must be protective, like I’m still a teenager, not sure what his issue is” I say shrugging. I couldn’t tell them he’s my over the top possessive estrange husband or the fact I’ve had multiple nights with the prince and lately, he’s been creeping into my bed and my severely droughted vajayjay is turning into a water fountain, or the fact I subconsciously spoon him every night. I can’t tell you all that. I sigh and notice Shay giving me an arched tapered eyebrow an impressive questionable look, it’s obvious my mind had wandered to places it shouldn’t venture. “Nothing to tell.” I take a sip of my drink.

“I smell something shady, Mariam. You guys have an electrifying attraction. If you didn’t explore it then, you need to explore it now before you tie the knot with Knox. Sexy princes like that don’t come often” she says all excited raising her tapered eyebrows with a sly smile.

“Shay, you’re crazy, you know that right? A night with a prince will equate a ruin to my life” I replied laughing. Lucy didn’t say anything, and I didn’t look her way, after all, she knows I’m lying about nothing to tell.

“Well, if you won’t have a night with the prince then I will try I’m one hundred percent sure he only has eyes for you Mariam.” She smirks.

“Shay, didn’t you see his girlfriend Princess Nadra, when she stopped by?” Lucy asks.

“Blah, that Princess needs to go look elsewhere because he barely notices her even in all her designer clothes that could feed a family of four for two months,” she says in that classic Shay style, we burst into laughter.

I changed the topic, and we talk about girls’ stuff, laughing and drinking. My drink is watered. I keep hitting ignore in my purse. A good thing Shay doesn’t notice Naseer keeps buzzing me.

We call it a night by midnight; I text my driver that we are on our way out. Playful and laughing, we stepped outside to meet my driver, corner of my eye, I saw Mr Darabi getting out of the car. I quickly hide behind Lucy like I’m tipsy. She laughs along with me and doesn’t realize I’m hiding. I jump right into the car the moment it pulls up.

“Mariam, what the hell,” Shay shouts. I noticed he looked back. I’m ducked down in the car. Shay and Lucy are trying to get in. Then his eyes remain on the driver for a quick second, and he walks away.

I remain quiet on the ride to drop the ladies at their flat. I raced into my house once I got home. I locked my door and checked it twice before going to shower. My mind is racing. I kept telling myself he didn’t see me, but I could be wrong. I shower and put on leggings and a t-shirt should I need to run for my life. I don’t want to sleep but I’m tired.

Jumping up from my sleep, screaming and sweating. Realizing that I was having a bad dream someone was trying to kill my children and me. We fell down a black hole and I woke up screaming. I’m pulled into strong arms. Still frightened, I rest into the arms and whiff the calming smell that comforts me.

“You are fine, it was a dream,” Naseer says.

“Someone was chasing me and the twins,” I say, crying.

“You are fine, Jade; it was a bad dream.” Pulling out of his arms, I say, “I need to call them; I need to know they are fine. I scramble out of bed with my phone. Pacing as I dial Leah, the phone keeps ringing, and no response. I dialed again, no response. My mind is going crazy. Naseer is just staring at me. An exasperated grunt escapes me. I dialed my mom, no answer. I tried my dad, no answer.

My mind is spiraling, I continue to pace hysterically. Naseer sits and watches my hysteria. My phone rings and it’s Leah. I quickly answer, “Hey Leah, where are my children?”

“Hi Mariam, I just picked them up from school, I’m driving.”

“Let me speak with them please,” I ask eagerly. I need to hear their voices myself. I need that confirmation to know they are fine.