Chapter 45：Morning Talk

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Writer's POV:

Oh things didn't get any better for Saïda and Asahd, that is, concerning the fact that they were supposed to forget the happenings of the last Friday's night.

It was the same story for the next three days. And though they continued to speak and joke around like nothing was bothering them anymore, there was no night where they retired to bed without thinking about it again.

--

One morning, Asahd got up way too early than usual to prepare for work because he'd retired to bed early the previous night. He undressed and grabbed his towel, leaving his room in nothing but his boxers.

Feeling thirsty, he went to the fridge to get himself a glass of orange juice to begin his morning. He was feeling free to walk in boxers because Saïda would still be asleep for an extra hour or two as usual, while Djafar wasn't around.

Djafar had travelled the previous day, to Chicago. He'd gone to take care of a business on behalf of the sultan. He would be back, Saturday night.

Meanwhile...

Saïda tossed and turned, waking up. She always woke up earlier than usual whenever she slept very early the previous night, which she had.

She sat up and stretched. Then sighed a little.

'Now what am I going to do?'

She rubbed her eyes.

'...I'll make some hot tea and watch TV till it's time for me to prepare for work...'

"Yup, I'll do just that." she muttered in agreement with her thoughts and got off the bed. She looked at herself and hesitated to change her shorts.

'What if Asahd's already up? I should change.'

Saïda removed her shorts and wore her baby pink pyjama trousers before leaving the room.

Getting to the little living room, she spotted light coming from the kitchen. She guessed she or Asahd had left the lights on throughout the night. It was 5:15AM and the daylight wasn't out yet. So, she didn't think Asahd was up.

She headed for the kitchen and when she got to door, halfway in, she halted. Asahd who'd heard someone enter, turned and saw Saïda.

Her eyes dropped to the only thing he was wearing and to every other part of his fit body that wasn't covered. He was tall and slim, yet very athletic. His legs were a little curved and he seemed to be smooth everywhere! She'd already hugged him once, when he was shirtless, and she knew just how smooth and attractive his light caramel skin was.

Asahd's POV:

I watched her eyes roam over my body. I could tell she wasn't doing it intentionally and it pleased me.

'I wonder if she finds me attractive...'

I thought stupidly. I'd never thought like that in my entire life! I was always confident and the women around me confirmed that I was attractive. This had given me a very proud nature. Yet, around Saïda, I was a little doubtful. And that even before we became friends. Back in Zagreh, she had never ever complimented me when all other palace employees had.

I remembered that once, I'd asked her:

"How do I look?"

She'd eyed me carefully, the way she was doing at the moment in the kitchen, and ended up saying, in plainest way ever:

"Mm. Okay."

It'd gotten me irritated and I'd said something inappropriate to her which had ended up in another fight between us.

--

"Up already?" I finally said with a smile and for the first time, she looked up at me, her cheeks pink.

"Oh, um...yeah..." she smiled a little and went to the cupboard. I watched her take the dry tea leaves powder, out. She looked a little nervous and it amused me.

"I didn't think you would be up at this time. My bad." I said, my lips twitching to the side in amusement. She looked at me, a little confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"The fact that I'm in boxers." I said and as expected, her eyes dropped again. But knowing I was staring at her, she immediately looked away and her cheeks were red.

"If you're comfortable, then I am too..." she said with a little laugh, putting a little pot with water in it, on the cooker.

"I love the sound of that." I smiled at her and she smiled back.

Saïda POV:

I then turned and put the dry tea leaves powder, into the water and waited for it to boil.

I turned and faced Asahd, leaning against the sink. He was now busy, scrolling through his phone and sipping his orange juice.

In Zagreh, it was very inappropriate for me to see him that way. Not only was he in nothing but a pair of boxers, he was also royalty.

'I've crossed a limit worse than this...I kissed him. Why bother because I'm seeing him in a pair of boxers...'

My mind seemed to have a voice of its own. Asahd moved a little and I looked away immediately, hoping he hadn't seen me staring at him. But he didn't look up. He'd simply adjusted and was still manipulating his phone.

I looked at his curly hair, the hair I used to laugh at. Now I found it cute and actually appealing. It smelt so good and was silky. Almost automatically, my eyes roamed over him like I had no control. His arms, abed stomach, arms, firm thighs, curved legs and quite beautiful feet for a man.

'Who am I kidding?...Asahd is a fine young man, alright...'

I was beginning to understand why my friends and the maids back in Zagreh were swooning for him. He was very attractive indeed. I swallowed a little at the thought and almost like it was automatic, my eyes went back to what seemed to always get my attention.

His boxers and the bulge in them.

'Oh gawd, I always forget about my manners when around him. Since when did I become so shameless?...'

I closed my eyes and shook my head a little, trying to get a grip of myself.

Suddenly, I felt like someone was in my personal space. I opened my eyes. Asahd was standing in front of me, very close. My breath hitched. He smirked and said:

"Are you okay? Still sleepy?" he asked.

"No..." I giggled nervously and turned to the cooker immediately, "Was just thinking."

I stirred the tea while it started to boil. I froze a little when I felt him step closer behind me. Too close. My butt literally rubbed a part of his upper thighs.

"About?" he asked, lowering his head till his chin was resting on my right shoulder and his lips close to my ear. Goosebumps.

"Nothing serious." I managed to muse. He chuckled lowly and I felt the hair on my forearms stand.

Asahd's POV:

My chin resting down on her shoulder, I watched her stir the tea while it was now boiling. It amused me because it was clear that she was a little off. Was it my presence behind her that caused it? I was careful not to rub myself against her.

'...but I'm tempted to. And to wrap my arms around her too...'

The evil voice was back again. It was evil! It was these same thoughts that had gotten us into the first mess. Not this time, no.

I reluctantly stepped back.

"The tea's boiling, Saïda." I said with a little laugh and she laughed nervously.

"I didn't even notice."

"I guessed that."

I watched her sifter the tea and pour it into two little teacups. We then sat at the little round table to drink.

I stared at her while she carefully sipped hers. For no reason at all. Or was there a reason?

"So, once you return to Zagreh, you'll get engaged to Noure?" I finally asked. I didn't even know why I was asking that. I honestly didn't care.

She looked up at me and I sipped my tea.

"Mmhmm."

"And then the wedding."

"Mmhmm."

"Nice."

"Don't worry, there'll be enough food and drinks for you to feast as you said." she laughed.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. His family is a noble family, remember. They're wealthy. And my father isn't poor either. I want something simple but I've already been told by Noure that his parents would never do something simple." she giggled, "They're definitely going to make it a big one."

I stared at her while she giggled and sipped her tea. I didn't feel like laughing or anything of the sort.

I almost rolled my eyes.

"So, I promise you that you'll feast and dance as much as you want." she chuckled and looked at me. I could see the happiness in her expression when she spoke of that near future. I liked seeing her happy and I smiled back. Yet there was a little sting in my chest.

"Of course I'll dance in your honor. It'll be an important day for you and you can count on me to celebrate with you." I told her and she smiled.

We drank our hot tea in silence and then I picked my phone to start manipulating it.

"So, what can we do this weekend for fun? We could go to an amusement park. What do you say?" she suddenly said with a smile. I looked up.

"I would love to but I'm spending the weekend at Ally's place. She made me promise. Sorry, darling."

"Oh..." her smile faded a little, "It's fine."

"Okay." I started manipulating my phone when she spoke again and I looked up.

"Wait, you're going out with her this weekend or?"

"I decided to spend the weekend at her place."

"You'll spend the nights of Saturday and Sunday, there?" she asked rather seriously and with a raised brow.

"Yeah." I replied, feeling nervous and a little disturbed for an unknown reason. Like I was some kid who was being questioned by an adult for doing wrong.

"Oh okay. Nice..." she leaned back into her chair and drank down the rest of her tea.

She then stood and went to drop the teacup in the sink.

Turning, she approached me and kissed my forehead, surprising me a little.

"I'm going back to my room to try and sleep a little more." she said with a smile while she rubbed my cheek a little, "Have a great day at work. See you in the evening."

And with that, she left before I could reply.

"Y– you too!" I said after her before leaning into my chair and sipping my tea in confusion. I was confused because my heart was a little racy like I'd committed some crime.