Chapter 40 - Fun And Games

Jasmine

It was the prince of Saudi-Arabia, Benjamin Al-Raji Saud. Why would he lie about his identity? Benjamin was much taller than his friend and his shoulders were much broader. Benjamin was actually very buff, I had never noticed that about him before.

Ryan looked like a frail man compared to our so called 'Daniel'. They were quite the contrast. Ryan wore a fancy suit and Ben wore jeans with a white blouse causally unbuttoned. He was overdoing it, trying to look like a commoner. He didn't look common at all. I hated the fact that I once fell for his act when he convinces me he was a servant. I should of known instantly.

Ben held his big fingers to his lips, while his absolutely stunning hazel eyes were smoldering mine. I forgot how much his presence affected me. Unwillingly, I was breathless. Why did that smug prince always had that effect on me? It had been a while that I worked at the palace, to pay off some of my families dept and all the while I was there, I tried to keep my feelings concerning him at bay.

That all fired back at me now. Didn't I tell him I never wanted to see him again? What was he doing, he could get me killed.

This had to be the first time I had ever dared myself to really look at him and I couldn't stop starring. I fought the urge to clear the distance between us. He was bad news, I thought to myself, fighting back the awe. "And you are?" Benjamin asked me with a crooked smile, that knocked the breath right out of me again. Keep breathing, keep breathing, I chanted to myself. Wait what did I miss?

"That is my younger sister Yasmine." Naïma said, stretching out the word 'younger', clearly making a statement. "Jasmine." He said stretching out my name. "Oh, I see." Benjamin said with a deepened smile showing his unfairly straight and white teeth.

"Uhm, yes uhm, we figured that we would help the two of you prepare your course. That way we can get to know each other a little." Ryan stumbled. I couldn't help feel sorry for him. Although Benjamin could use some of his shyness, judging by the way he stood there as his cocky self.

"Under supervision of your brother in law of course." He added looking shyly towards Saeed, who was standing near Naïma. "I suppose it would be best if you help Naïma." Benjamin said to Ryan, while still staring directly at me. This was awkward.

"That way you can get to know each other and then I will help your younger sister." Benjamin said and glanced at Naïma for a brief second, immediately returning to my gaze. Breathe, I chanted to myself again. Didn't they recognize him?

Clearly not.

"So, what can I help you with?" Benjamin offered smiling warmly. "I'm supposed to make rice porridge." I blurted out. Benjamin chuckled quietly. Was he laughing at me? "You are supposed to huh." He said meaningfully. Shoot he was on to me. "No, no I chose to make desert." I said trying to get myself out of this one.

Why would he do this to me, why would he come here? "It' my favorite course." I added hoping he would be convinced. "Did you know rice pudding offers more health benefits than any other dessert?" Benjamin asked while coming closer than any unfamiliar man was supposed to.

He smelled ridiculously good as always. His expression made me smile, it almost seemed like he was trying to pierce through my black veil. "Actually I never thought about that." I said in all honestly. "Makes sense though." I beamed.

The porridge was almost ready and I was adding spices and razons. "I'm curious." Benjamin said narrowing his eyes with a playful smile. Of course he was.

I had a hard feigning disinterest, he was my best friend. Ben had such a goofy face, with that messy hair of his. I think he was going for an out of bed look. The sides were short and in the middle his hair was a little longer, which he nonchalantly wore to the side.

"Out of all the deserts you could choose from, how come you picked rice porridge today?" This sounded like a dare. I could hardly tell him the truth, and he seemed to know that. "While other deserts are usually cold, I love how the porridge warms your belly." I said adapting the same playful tone Benjamin used and held a small spoon with porridge in front of his mouth.

I tried to keep my hand from trembling. "It's sweet, but I always add a little cinnamon, to give it an extra bite." I fiercely hoped he didn't hear my conclusiveness. Benjamin slowly tasted the porridge, closing his eyes.

"I do have a question." He said licking his lips and then continued talking. Of course he had another question, I thought to myself.

"The cinnamon does give it an extra bite." He said and winked at me. Seriously? I was right. He was going to get me caught by Saeed. "But why is it that I do see your beautiful light brown eyes." Benjamin turned to Naïma, speaking up to get her attention. "And those of your sister are veiled." Benjamin asked.

Her eyes widened in shock of his boldness. Then Saeed responded for her. "Is that a problem?" He stated much more than he asked. "Benjamin!" Ryan exclaimed disapproving. "The eyes are the reflection of the soul." Benjamin continued directing himself toward Saeed, ignoring his friend.

"Perhaps that's true. But a good man can judge a woman simply by her character." My brother in-law said bluntly. "You might be right." He said and sighed. Ryan shook his head. "We'll let the lady's finish preparing, I need a smoke." Ryan said to Saeed. Benjamin smiled apologetic and followed Ryan out of the kitchen.

When the two men were out of sight, Saeed walked up to me and brutally slapped me in my face. "What are you trying to pull here, you little brat?!" Saeed hissed at me. "Do you think it is prudent to spoon-feed another man? I will teach you." Saeed said threatening me again.

My face burned. "Now you're quiet. Good, maybe you'll learn your place in the world after all. Naïma and I quietly set the table and waited for our guests.

Her dish was a little too salty, but even though all of us drank a lot of water, no one commented on it. "So my witty friend here said it would be fun to play a little game." Ryan said skeptically directing himself towards Benjamin, with one eyebrow raised.

"More games." I blurted out. Shoot I shouldn't act so familiar with him. Benjamin fought back a smile. "We would love to play another game, please continue." Naïma said exaggeratingly polite. "Tell me something about your dish and why you have chosen to prepare this for me." Rayan said a little insecure.

He waved his hand to Naïma, so she was allowed to speak first. "I've made couscous with lamb. This is my father's favorite meal and normally it is my specialty actually." She answered. When my course was brought in by my eldest sister, Benjamin winked at me again. Ugh, why did he always have to be like that?

"You should try that rice pudding." Ben said to Rayan. "Rice porridge." I corrected him again. There was that crooked smile again. Why was he being so annoying? "That cinnamon gives the porridge that extra nudge, right?!" Benjamin stated to Saeed. Why did he keep provoking my brother in law?! This man was driving me insane.

"It's just porridge, nothing special here." Saeed said undermining Benjamin. "Is rice pudding, I mean porridge your favorite dessert then?" Benjamin prompted. "No not really…" I confessed. "Then what is?" Daniel asked.

It seemed Benjamin was trying to bore a hole through my veil again. I swallowed loudly. "Well after a delicious meal as my sister made here. I enjoy eating some self-made Honey and dates ice-cream. " I shrugged.

Benjamin didn't say anything and just starred at my dish for a second. "Did you get married?" I asked Benjamin who was fidgeting with a golden ring on his finger. Shoot, I fiercely hoped no one heard my little slip up. It was a strange question to ask someone I supposedly never met.

Still… I didn't see him wear one at the palace before. Ryan laid his arms around Benjamins shoulder. "My man married." He snickered endearingly. "It's a family piece." Benjamin explained. I nodded. "So you are not here to get married either." I stated matter of factly without thinking twice if this would be a wise thing to say. "I am not planning to." Benjamin said looking straight at me.

Of course he wasn't, I had rejected him many times and hurt him. A strange sense of disappointment mixed with relief washed over me. I didn't want to get married in the first place, so I shouldn't care. "No, Daniel is here to accompany me." Ryan smiled. I needed to process this and while what seemed to me like a pop quiz, continued between Naïma and Ryan, Ben and I held a staring contest.

I could easily win, since I cheated with my veil. He finally gave up when he directed himself towards Naïma. "If… you were a vegetable. What vegetable would you be?" He asked her. I could almost hear Naïma crack her brain. What a silly question.

Then she finally came up with an answer. "I think I'll be a tomato. You can use it in almost any dish and it's a very soft and sweet vegetable. "So what you are saying is, that you are a woman that can easily adopt to any situation…. And that you are sweet and have a soft character." He said analyzing her answer. Both Rayan and Saeed were pleased with the answer. "

And what vegetable would you be Jasmine?" Benjamin asked with a hint of humor in his voice. "I'll probably be a pea, still in a pod." I said nodding with a grin on my face. Not that he could see that. "Why is that?" He smirked.

"Mhh… well for obvious reasons of course. You can't see me, as you can't see the pea when it's still in its pod." He gave me this huge bright smile, showing all of his ultra-white teeth again. "I guess the only way to find out what the pea is like, is to open the pod." He said with humor in his voice.

"Some pods don't want to be opened and would rather be left alone." I fiercely hoped that for once, he got the hint. Benjamin laughed quietly and nonchalantly stroke his hand through his messy hair. "Fair enough.." He chuckled shaking his hand with a strange smile on his face. What was up with that?