Kidnapped by the Arab

Days later, everything was ready to depart for Dubai. Mía was nervous, but Ahmed had hired an assistant who was familiar with his family and the traditions of his country. The assistant was there to support her and guide her on how to behave, ensuring she wouldn’t have any issues with his family. She also received advice on how to dress appropriately, and several outfits were given to her to change into before stepping off the plane.

During the journey, Ahmed gave her some recommendations.

“On arrival, I will introduce you as my guest. My family is deeply attached to traditions, and Raccha will explain what you need to know. I don’t want you to feel pressured; it’s not my intention. But please, try to adhere to the norms. My mother tends to take extreme measures if they’re not followed. I had that experience before, and I hope our stay in the country will be brief, only the necessary time. My family insisted on receiving us at the airport; I believe Raccha already explained a bit about the greeting.”

“That’s right; you don’t need to worry. I’ve tried to prepare myself a bit for this moment, hoping not to disappoint you.”

“Rules within the palace tend to be stricter than on the outside. My mother is determined to preserve the ancient traditions, even though I personally find some of them outdated.

Nevertheless, I have to accept them, much to my dismay.”

They talked for a long time, then retired to rest. The luxurious plane had three comfortable bedrooms for them to sleep in. Both of them were nervous; Ahmed was going to face part of his past, and Mía had no idea what awaited her in the country.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

After almost 13 hours of flying, they arrived at their destination. Mía emerged from her room wearing a beautiful abaya (black tunic) adorned with a precious stone design on the chest. Her face was covered by a black burqa, except for her eyes, which were beautifully made up, enhancing their color. The length of the tunic concealed the closed footwear she had to wear, and she could only show her eyes and a part of her hands extending from the sleeves.

Ahmed was dressed in a khandoura (white collarless tunic) with a traditional white Al-hatta on his head, decorated with a black bow.

Ahmed had asked Mía to dress traditionally for the first impression. This way, his mother would see that she respected their traditions, and afterward, she could wear different clothing, always adhering to the country’s dress code.

Upon descending from the plane, Raccha instructed Mía to walk behind Ahmed. Since she wasn’t his wife or fiancée, they couldn’t be seen together in public. She had to address him as “Your Highness” and use the same form of greeting for his family members, offering a slight bow.

Mía was starting to regret accepting the invitation; she thought she might return to the United States soon if her stay in this country proved to be very difficult.

Ahmed’s mother and sister were waiting for them at the airport. As they approached, Ahmed greeted his mother with a kiss on the forehead, a sign of respect. He was about to greet his sister formally when she decided to greet him first with a warm hug, which wasn’t proper etiquette, but Amira tended to disregard some rules.

“As-salamu alaykum, brother (peace be upon you),” she said.

“Wa alaykumu as-salam (and upon you, peace),” Ahmed replied with a big smile.

The women turned to Mía, who greeted them in the same manner, offering a slight bow without getting too close to them. They didn’t respond to her greeting, showing their disapproval. Ahmed looked at Mía, making a slight head gesture as an apology.

Ahmed and his family got into one car, while Mía and Raccha got into another. It was evident that in this country, the differences were pronounced.

They arrived at a grand and beautiful palace. As the prince’s guest, Mía was allowed to enter through the main entrance, but she had to walk at a respectful distance. Raccha, as a staff member, entered through another area.

“Mother, this is a person I care deeply about, my guest, and under my protection.”

“Hmmm, I understand,” she said, giving Mía a cold glance, scanning her from head to toe, and then ignoring her. “Your father wants to see you.”

“Let’s go right away, Mother,” Ahmed ordered the employees to prepare a guest room for Mía.

“I’ll see you later. I hope your stay in the palace is pleasant.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Mía felt relieved when she was finally alone in the large room, beautifully decorated in gray and turquoise. Gorgeous carpets adorned the floor.

They would stay in the Sheikh’s palace. Ahmed wanted to be close to his father, and his palace was located opposite his parents’. The complex, surrounded by trees, included a hospital and numerous stables as the family was passionate about horses.

Two days had passed since they arrived in Dubai, and Mía hadn’t seen Ahmed. Raccha mentioned that the meeting with his father had been very emotional, and since then, Ahmed hadn’t left his side. That day, Raccha suggested going for a walk in the garden. As the prince’s guest, Mía was allowed to do so. The garden was a peaceful place, although it couldn’t compare to the beautiful gardens she was used to; it only had palm trees and bushes, and she couldn’t spot a single flower. Several peacocks roamed around.

Raccha left her alone for a moment, promising to return shortly, as it wasn’t allowed for a woman to be alone outside her room.

Sitting on a small bench, Mía lost herself in her thoughts when she felt someone staring at her. As she turned, she saw a handsome man observing her intently, perhaps a little older than Ahmed. She noticed similarities in their features. Raccha returned at that moment, and when she was about to ask who the man was, he was gone.

Mía had been eating in her room, not wanting to cause any trouble for Ahmed’s family. It was evident they didn’t like her presence. In the afternoon, she heard a knock on her door. When she opened it, a beautiful girl stood before her.

“Salam,” she greeted politely. The girl didn’t respond to the greeting but stared at her with obvious disapproval.

“Who are you, and why did you come with Ahmed?” The way she referred to the prince indicated that this girl was someone important.

“His Highness invited me to visit the palace.”

“His father is very ill. I think your presence here is unnecessary. I will arrange everything for you to leave the palace tomorrow.”

“I will only do so if His Highness asks me to.”

“My word is as valuable as his. I am his fiancée.”

“Apologies, I wasn’t aware.”

“When Lyna passed away, our families renewed our engagement. I am Aracha Amin, and you must address me as ‘Your Highness.’ I am not a member of the royal family yet, but you must do so because I am his fiancée.”

“Very well, Your Highness. As soon as I speak with the prince, I will leave the palace.”

Ahmed was informed by Raccha about the situation and left his father’s side to see what was happening.

“What is going on here?”

“My love, you’re back at last.”

“Love? I ask you to address me properly; that’s not the way to greet a member of the royal family.”

“Ahmed, you know perfectly well that after Lyna’s death, our parents renewed our engagement. I am your fiancée.”

“Do not utter her name with your mouth. At no point have I accepted this engagement. Leave immediately, or I will have you escorted out of the palace and banned from entering again.”

“I will talk to your mother. This won’t be left like this.”

“You are strictly forbidden to approach my guest.”

Aracha turned around visibly furious and, when she faced Badira, Ahmed’s mother, she began to cry.

“Darling, what’s the matter with you?”

“I argued with Ahmed because of that woman.”

“Give him some time. He just arrived, and he’s deeply affected by his father’s condition. As for that woman, I will investigate what’s going on between them. If she has any kind of relationship with Ahmed beyond our principles, she will be judged according to our laws.”

“That’s the right thing to do. We cannot allow her to deceive the prince.”

Aracha Amin was used to getting her way whenever she wanted. Her father, Assim Amin, was the leader of the second most powerful family in the country. Secretly, he was plotting to overthrow the Assad family if Ahmed continued to reject his daughter.

Ahmed’s father passed away that evening, causing immense pain for the prince. He had been estranged from his father for a long time, but before he died, he made Ahmed promise to stay and protect the family. The Sheikh suspected the Amin family’s plans.

Official mourning was announced immediately, and all the country’s flags were flown at half-mast. Work was suspended for the three days of mourning, and men gathered after sunset to pray in the mosque.

For two days, the body was honored according to their traditions. On the third morning, only men attended the burial. Ahmed watched as his father’s body was laid to rest. As per tradition, the crown prince remained seated on the ground beside the grave.

Mía wasn’t sure how to offer her condolences to the family, as she knew very little about their culture. Raccha explained that only three days of mourning were allowed, while wives had to observe four months and ten days. During the three days after the passing, the use of jewelry was prohibited, and everyone dressed in white.

That night, Ahmed visited Mía. He sneaked into her room through the window and found her coming out of the bath. He was sitting with his head in his hands, and she noticed he was crying. She sat next to him and embraced him to console him.

“Can I stay here tonight? I need your company.”

“Of course,” she replied, not letting go of him.

They lay down on the bed, and that night he cried like a child in her arms. Outside that room, in front of his family, he couldn’t show such vulnerability. He couldn’t appear weak in their eyes, and though he wanted to abdicate, the promise he made to his father prevented him from doing so.