Chapter 89：Gossips & Exes

***

Writer's POV:

The news spread like wildfire and soon the palace phone began to ring endlessly.

Zagreh was in shock and surprise. But most especially, everyone was very pleased with what they were hearing.

Well, most people were.

-

"So it is true, Asahd??" Iris, the fifth to call, of Asahd's jealous and bitter exes, asked over the phone in shock and disbelief.

"Yes it is, Iris." Asahd replied, taking a seat. He was in the library.

"Saïda?? Really?? How can you end up marrying her, Asahd?!"

"I love her and I'll keep repeating it to every single one of you, that call." the Prince mused.

"You're not serious. You used to dislike her so bad! How can you now claim to love, such a killjoy?? Saïda of all people, are you kidding me? You deserve better than that!"

"What?" Asahd scoffed, "So you're trying to tell me what's good enough for me, or who? You're the one that's kidding me." the Prince laughed sarcastically "What or who do I deserve? You? Before you speak, remember why the fuck we broke up. It wasn't my fault this time. If you want us to stay in good terms Iris, then shut the fuck up."

"Fine. I won't be surprised if you two divorce after a year or so, together. Or if you even get a second wife because Saïda will bore the hell out of you."

"You wish." Asahd mocked, "She's way more exciting than you've ever been."

Iris gasped.

"You definitely don't mean that. There's no way she's better than me and you know."

"Hahahaaaaa! What??" Asahd laughed "She's waaaay better. Deal with it, Iris. I'm marrying her. Spread the good news. And oh, now that I'm soon to be a groom, stay the fuck out of my DMs."

"It won't work out."

"Just watch, Iris. You know me."

And with that, Asahd hung up.

'Man they're such a headache. How did I ever actually like such girls?

They even used to be my "perfect type" of girls. Sheesh. Guess I've upgraded.'

Asahd rubbed his forehead because of the headache he'd gotten from the exes that had called so far.

He leaned into his chair and relaxed a little. But then his phone rang again.

"Oh no..." he checked the screen. Another.

Even before he could think of answering, another entering call appeared. Still another ex.

'I'm exhausted.'

Rolling his eyes, he put off his phone.

"Peace at last."

He leaned back again and closed his eyes. But not for long.

Out of nowhere, someone stormed into the library and he almost jumped. Hammar immediately rushed to him.

"She was the one, Asahd?!" she started, already yelling as she came closer.

"Oh gawd..." Asahd let his head fall back and ran his hands over his face.

"It was Saïda?? You love Saïda?? Is this some joke?!" she said pulling his hands away from his face.

Asahd groaned, exasperated.

"Look," he started, standing lazily. "I'm tired, okay?"

"It's Saïda you're marrying, Asahd?! How is this even possible?!"

"Mmm..." he shrugged, "You can't fight back when the heart wants what it wants." he mused.

"Is this some joke?!" Hammar retorted with wide eyes.

"No it's not, Hammar. I love Saïda and I will marry her." Asahd said casually, undisturbed.

"I can't believe this!" Hammar gasped in shock, "She's the one you rejected me for?? Are you kidding me??"

"Nope." the stubborn Prince chuckled, "She's indeed the one."

"How can you fall in love with her?? She's so pathetic. Really?? She's not even half of me. And the idiot had the nerve to lie to me when I asked her who you were in love with!"

"Hey, hey, hey." Asahd said firmly with a little frown, raising a warning finger at Hammar. "Girl, watch your mouth. Don't make me kick you out. Literally kick you out."

"No! You used to hate her. You couldn't stand her!"

"I disliked her. There's a difference."

"I don't care! You love her, now?! That girl isn't even worthy of you."

"Wrong. I'm not worthy of her. Once again, learn the difference." the Prince mused and Hammar got even more pissed.

"This isn't a joke! How can you be marrying her??"

"Hammar, you better start showing her some respect, darling." he teased "She's your future Queen. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to help in organising my engagement and marriage ceremony. You're invited."

And with that, he walked past her.

"Asahd, I'm not done, talking to you!" Hammar stomped her foot.

"Buh-bye!" he mused and stepped out of the library.

---

Meanwhile...

Saïda was literally dragged to the gardens by her friends and to their usual sitting corner under a tree shade.

"Now talk!" Yasmin demanded with a laugh.

"How in the world did this happen?!" Aisha added with a laugh.

"And she didn't tell us anything!"

Saïda laughed nervously.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't. Mainly because I was still with Noure."

"Wait! Is that why he called the wedding off?? He discovered about you and Asahd?? No wonder you didn't seem affected one bit by the cancelation!" Salma gasped and the others agreed in surprise.

"The last time I checked, you despised Asahd! Then you became friends. Well, not really. You just seemed to get along better and talk more, arguing less. Or not even arguing anymore."

"So behind it all, were secret love words?? Oh my gosh, how?! Saïda explain before we lose it."

Saïda laughed, reddening even more.

"Well, it kinda started in New York..."

"Since New York?? Oh my gosh!"

"Hahaha, yeah."

She went on to tell them the necessary and unrated. She told them how Asahd's will to start changing and his gradual change, made her see a different side of his which she didn't know she was falling for. She also told them details about some particularly sweet instances like when they'd ran to a bus stop under the rain, how Asahd protected her and wasn't for any of his colleagues flirting with her, how he would give up dates with Allison to be with her, how he hugged her as often as possible and most importantly, what he'd done for her on her birthday. She even told them of how jealous she realised she was becoming of Allison, and Asahd of Noure. She told them about other cute instances of when they would play and joke around.

"Oh my goooshh. It's so surprising coming from Asahd!" Aisha cooed.

'And you don't even know everything...'

Saïda thought, her cheeks reddening.

"What happened when you finally returned??"

"I tried to avoid him after realising I was back with Noure. It didn't stop him though."

"For sure!" Yasmin laughed, "Asahd is definitely the type that's capable of stealing another man's woman if he wants her."

"That's why you never wanted to go to his room alone??" Aisha gasped in amusement.

"Sort of." Saïda mused.

"Ohhhhh!" the girls squealed.

"When you were alone with him, did you do naughty things??" Salma dared to ask and they laughed. Saïda reddened.

"Of course not." Saïda muttered uncomfortably.

"Don't believe you! You have!"

They gasped and laughed.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Saïda mused.

"Mmhmmm. Yeah right!"

"Since you don't want to tell us, tell us at least if you've kissed or not."

Saïda looked around and her friends giggled.

"Maybe once or twice."

"Liiieeeess. Your expression says a thousand times!" Rayi laughed.

"Ssshhhh!" Saïda hushed them and they all laughed.

She then told them about Asahd confessing his love, problems with Noure and she finally realising she was in love with Asahd and only him.

"Now you know."

"Eeeeppp!"

Her friends skipped and squealed.

-

They were still laughing and gossiping when Rayi spotted Hammar at a distance, coming their way.

"Uh oh. Hurricane Hammar on the way." she mused and they turned. Saïda rolled her eyes.

"Please leave me alone with her." she told her friends.

"Alright." they giggled and left through the other side.

Soon enough, Hammar came to Saïda who stood to face her.

"You're a witch." she started.

"Hello to you too, Hammar." Saïda replied casually.

"Shut up! You act all innocent and harmless when you are a thief! A shameless woman!"

"How am I a thief?" Saïda asked casually, folding her arms.

"You stole Asahd from me!"

Saïda couldn't help it but laugh a little.

"From you? You didn't have him." she mocked.

"You'll regret it. Your marriage won't last! I asked you who he was in love with and you lied."

"My bad. I didn't want to hurt your precious feelings." Saïda replied in the most sarcastic and provocative manner ever, a smile on her lips.

"How can Asahd love a servant girl like yourself?" she eyed Saïda uglily "You aren't even chic. No class. Pathetic."

Saïda scoffed and giggled.

"But who's he marrying? Me." she mused, "Deal with it. He's mine now. And I'm happy to finally say it out loud. Asahd is mine, Hammar. You had your chance. You blew it. He saved the best for the end. Me. Proof, I'm the one getting a ring on her finger. So technically and literally..." Saïda eyed her from head to toe "...I am better than you."

Hammar grew red as a tomato.

"I see your true colors. Good girl, my ass. You're a bitch."

"No, no. You are. I'm still a good girl, that is, unless someone steps on my toe or even better." Saïda smirked, "When I'm alone with Asahd. I can't help it you know. Rumor had it right. He can make a good girl go bad once she's locked up with him."

Hammar froze, very angry. She raised a hand to slap Saïda but Saïda caught her wrist.

"Don't you dare." Saïda growled lowly, "Or I'll make sure you leave with bruises. I ain't no princess, Hammar."

"For now." Saïda added with a smirk and let her go. Hammar stepped back and rubbed her wrists in shock.

She'd underestimated the good girl.

Saïda frowned and walked past her, back into the palace.