Benjamin
"As if today, the crown will fall upon the oldest born from my bloodline." I said carefully. "This because favoritism within family, and unclear blood follow-up will leave its people in uncertainty." I spoke.
"This brings a type of chaos, I would never want to experience again." Someone gave me a pen and I signed the legal work. My grandfather and all of the ministers signed as well.
I smiled at my beautiful wife and then looked back at the camera. I fiercely hoped that she would change her mind and would raise my heirs with me. I could already see our golden haired son before me. That would be something.
"As I have promised you to take this country into the 21 century, I want to start with woman's rights, in honor of my most beautiful and very much talented wife." I said endearing her.
I offered her my hand and she took it. I held on to the warmth of her skin and kissed her knuckles.
"She is not only my wife, but has been my best friend since the moment I met her." I smiled at her. I did not know how I would survive if she really went on that plane this evening. I swallowed and returned my attention to the crowd.
"I want all Saudi woman, to have the right to educate themselves." I stated.
"And therefore the top universities of this country are going to encourage our woman to apply and get their degree there. The house of Saud wants to invest in our woman, by offering man and woman alike, a grant for tuition money, for at least four years of their studies. Besides that, as of next year, each boy and girl, under the age of 18 is obligated to go to school by law!" I stated.
I heard the crowd whisper and I felt Jasmine squeezed my hand. I looked up at her and she… I don't know.. she seemed different.
"The last change I will make on this day, is a woman's right to drive a car by herself." I said. I felt Jasmine play with my fingers and looked up to her. She bit her lip a little.
The air between us felt electric.
I signed the paperwork and then it was time for the press to take some pictures.
I held my wife as if my life depended on it.
Jasmine
I had never been so proud of anyone in my life, as I was proud of Benjamin today.
He looked so handsome in his blue suit, his hair neatly done. I knew he never wanted to become sultan, but he started his role like the majesty he was.
We were alone again, in a room I had never been before. We were given a bigger wing, more luxurious than the last. Not that I ever thought that was possible to begin with.
Benjamin closed the door behind us and I walked up to him. He immediately knew what I was after and kissed me with force.
I tangled my fingers through his hair and guided him towards our new bed. It was a golden canopy bed with white curtains.
I needed him, I wanted him and I was having him now. His mouth tasted sweet as I drank him in. Benjamin took my face in his hands and he seemed to be out of breath.
He wanted to say something but then closed his mouth.
I pushed him a little, making clear I wanted him on the bed.
He let himself fall and reached for my hand. I took both of his.
"Habibie." He said with a worried look on his face.
"I-" He began.
I closed the distance and placed both my knees on either side beside him on the bed, as I hovered over him.
I kissed his lips playfully, as I knew exactly what he liked.
"Habibie." He breathed against my lips.
"I don't-
"I can't have sex with you…" He said in a strained voice. "I just…" He said as he kissed me back. "I need to make love you to you.." He said emphasizing on the word 'love'.
I can't do it… like that.. I need more… I love you." Benjamin said wary.
I breathed out sharply. "I uhm…" He said unsure. "I have arranged a flight to Boston for you." He said. I was lost. "What?!" I frowned.
"You wanted to be free of me." He shrieked. "And I promised you that I would let you study when we first got married." He gulped.
"I promised you that I would never let you do anything that you did not want to." He said kissing my cheek.
I grabbed his face, a little bit harder than I had imagined to do so and pressed my lips against his. My hands glided down to his white blouse and I started to unbotten it.
Benjamin placed his hands on mine, stopping me.
"I don't want it like this." He said. "You don't want it like what?" I frowned. "I can't do this." He said as he gently tilted me next to him.
I felt ashamed and rejected.
Benjamin scrutinized my face. "Your flight will leave in an hour. " He said as he tugged a curl behind my ear.
"You will rock Harvard, I am sure of it." He tried to smile. "Harvard?!" I said in shock. "Really?!" I said I flew around his neck. Ben was so starlet that he lost balance and he landed on his back, with me on top of him.
"Thank you." I said as I leaned in. Benjamin pushed me back a little. "I love you." He mumbled. "I love you." I told him. "But you know that." I said.
"Yes, I guess. You just don't want to live your life as my wife and I have to respect that." Benjamin said as he placed me beside him again.
He stood up from the bed and walked to the door. "Where are you going?" I asked confused.
"If I stay here, I will not let you go. So I am going for a drive and will return when you are in the air." He said not looking at me.
Benjamin
A couple of days had passed and I hadn't slept for longer than an hour straight. I had picked up my phone several times, wanting to hear her voice, but I did not dare.
"When will Jasmine return home?" Raina asked me as she sat ontop of my dark wooden desk. "I will fly her over during summer break, if that is what she wants." I replied.
"What do you mean by if that is what she wants?" Raina said as she took a sip of her tea. "Well, I don't know?! Maybe she would like to travel?" I raised my shoulders.
I heard a knock on the door and one of my men came in.
"Yes." I urged him to speak. "We have found five of the men that had entered your house in Malibu." He said.
"Wonderful." I said relieved. "And what about Saeed?" I questioned.
"Nothing yet, your highness." He said as he looked to the ground.
That was disappointing.
"Thank you." I greeted him.
"What is going on between you and Jazz?" Raina asked me. "My sweet cousin, I have so much work, I really don't want to discuss this now." I said.
"Something to do with Sierra again?" She frowned. I placed my hands before my eyes. "No." I said. "Her cousin, my ex." I said feeling guilty somehow.
Raina took a book and almost threw it to my head. "Hey!" I shouted. "What is that about?" I shrugged. "You idiot." Raina said.
"I know." I breathed. "But if I am honest I don't think it mattered much, she would of found another excuse to leave me either way." I said feeling hopeless.
"Can we watch a movie together?" Raina asked. I thought about that. "Maybe tonight?" I thought out loud. "I have to finish reading some paperwork fist."
Jasmine
"Daniel, can you help me reach the upper cabinet?" I asked my new brother in-law as I wanted to reach for a bowl in Benjamin's penthouse.
I had been in Boston for five or six? weeks now. I lost track of time. I was sad that semester was almost ending and I only had the chance to finish a single block.
"Here you go." Daniel said. My sister was pregnant and her belly started to really show.
"Aren't you going to get me my glass of orange juice?" Naïma said a bit crabby. I felt sorry for Daniel and smiled at him. "Be nice to the guy." I laughed out loud.
"He is doing the best he can!" I snickered.
"Mind your own business." Naima snarled. "Don't you have tests to study for?!" She snapped.
I did have to study… should I call Ben and ask him if he could help me via videocall? I had not spoken to him since I left.
I picked up my phone and dialed his number.