Chapter 50 - Big Suprise

Jasmine

The three of us entered the grand dining hall. We were late. The whole family had already taken their seat. Like I had been every time I entered this room, I was nervous. It was one thing to be in the palace as a maid, it was an entirely other thing to be here as a guest.

We took a seat and although I could of expected it by now, Benjamin sat on the other side of the table. Far, far away from me. I kind of hoped the ice between us would be broken now that we had spend some time together. I sighed.

"Why are you late?" The sultan barked at Benjamin. "It won't happen again." Was the only thing he replied mindlessly, still looking at his phone.

"Let's eat." The sultan said, opening the meal. The first course arrived and when I wanted to take my first bite, I realized the sultan was still looking at me. I politely smiled. he smiled back, but still didn't look away.

"How is you father Jasmine?" The sultan asked from across the table. Everyone was silent at once, listening for my answer. "Thank you for asking." I said looking down. "Naïma says he is stable for now." I responded, still not looking up.

"Why do you divert your eyes?" The sultan asked with clear irritation in his voice. I lowly looked up and I was surprised when I met Benjamin's eyes first. Shock waved through me.

Then suddenly, he quickly looked away, unlocking our eyes. "Forgive me your highness." I said slightly looking at the sultan. "I am just in awe to be in your presence." I admitted.

A huge grin spread across the sultans face. "Look at that son." The sultan said loudly, patting Benjamin on the back. "That." He said and pointed at me. "Is what a good wife looks like." I swallowed visibly.

Benjamin looked at me, with clear panic in his eyes.

He waved his left hand through his hair and then spoke. "Jasmine is unique." He said, looking at his grandfather. "Yes she is." The sultan agreed enthusiastically clapping.

Everyone stared at me.

All Raina's cousins, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and all of the sultans wife's.

Everyone.

"How is Naima, is she married already?" The sultan asked with twinkles in his eyes. "No, not yet." I answered. "Daniel has not asked for her hand yet." I said looking at Benjamin. He was typing on his phone, not listing to the conversation.

"I'll speed things up." The sultan winked at me.

I was glad when the attention shifted away from me and I could concentrate on eating my meal. What was he doing on his phone? Would he be texting that Saphira? Each time he smiled, while looking at the screen, something stirred in me.

I should be happy for him, I knew that.

Benjamin

Saphira had send me a picture during dinner, which made me want to call my pilot and say I wanted to go home. I couldn't do that. Not just because I had to finish this semester here, but mainly because I could not afford to leave Jasmine alone.

She seemed to attracked all male attention, wherever she went, without trying. In this country, that meant she was in danger. I couldn't let Saeed torment her further, what he wanted was unethical to say the least. Men were allowed to have different wife's here, but to want two sisters? I shook my head at that thought.

Then you had my grandfather, he did not mean her harm, but he acted as if she was just another thing he could possess. Besides, I could not come here, watching my grandfather touch her. I had Saphira, yes. I loved her with my whole heart, but I could not deny that Jazz…

I don't know. If I was going to have my happiness, I should make sure she is happy as well. She deserved that. She deserved everything.

"Come." I mouthed at Raina and Jasmine after dinner. They looked at each other, full of wonder.

Jasmine

Raina and I followed Benjamin to the underground palace garage. The garage smelled like gas. It was strange, but I liked the smell.

Benjamin stopped at a large black car. He opened the passenger door and we both got in.

"Where are we going?" Raina said frowning. Benjamin looked back at us, flashing a smile. "You'll see." He said playfully.

We drove outside the palace gates. "I'm not allowed." Raina shrieked. "Yes you are, you are with me." Benjamin smirked looking at us from his review mirror.

As the city streets flew by, I saw that a car followed us. I turned around in my car seat, looking at it. "That is my palace guard." Benjamin said matter of factly. Raina seemed thrilled. She kept shouting and pointing towards everything.

The we finally came to a stop. I looked outside my car window. We were at an abandoned parking lot. Benjamin climbed out of his car seat and opened Raina's door. "Your grace." He teased her, gesturing she should take his hand.

"What are we going to do?" Raina said in a high pitched voice. "You my dear cousin, will have your first driving lesson." He said flashing a breathtaking smile. My heart stopped for a split second.

"What why?" Raina muttered confused. "You want this county to go into the twenty first century. Well… In the twenty first century, A woman Is allowed to drive. "

Raina hesitantly climbed into the driver seat, as Benjamin opened her door. Then Benjamin walked around the car and sat next to her. "It is an automatic car, so even a child could manage." Benjamin said soothingly.

He showed her what every button was, and he taught her how to manage the steering wheel. They had been at it, for I guess more than an hour, when Benjamin turned around to me.

"Little pea." He smirked.

My eyes grew wide and he tilted his head to the left. Benjamin held my gaze, as the corners of his lips twitched up. It is your turn little pea.." He breathed.