Chapter 10: The end of summer

*Benjamin's POV*

I ran my fingers through my hair and let out a sigh. It was the end of summer and my mandatory visit to the palace was almost over. I was leaving tomorrow.

It probably sounds utterly ungrateful, because I do realize, some are less fortunate, but I couldn't wait to go home to the United states. Back to being Benjamin, a simple dude who likes to hang with friends, surf, and play music.

I closed my eyes. Going home also meant not seeing Jasmine. At least not for a while. Would she still be here at my next visit? Suddenly the idea of going home lost its brightness.

Before I knew it, I was pondering if I should extend my visit. I couldn't though. I promised my mother's friend I'd play the piano at the Malibu country club. There was nothing I wouldn't do for the woman who raised me after my mother had passed.

But honestly, I loved the anonymously of being able to get a coffee in the weekends at the local coffeeshop home in Malibu.

Or, following classes at Harvard without paparazzi following my every step. Being able to speak without protocol, and being away from the all-seeing eye of my grandfather, which was of course the Sultan of Saudi Arabia.

While I slowly rotated my glass of whiskey, I ran my grandfather's words through my head. "Son, it is time for you to stop the foolish behavior and be a man," he had said. Sure I knew my grandfather did not approve of my upbringing in Malibu.

If it were up to him I'd spend my childhood right here in the palace. When my mom was still alive, my grandfather agreed on Arabian tutors and mandatory visits, so that he could secure his legacy, as he always put it.

I shrugged, mom just wanted me to have a normal life. But what was normal? Didn't I get here on my own private plane? I couldn't help but long for something normal.

When I asked my grandfather about the new maid, he had brought in for my cousin, I instantly knew I had gone too far. He made it clear I allegedly shouldn't be interested in the trivia's of a commoner.

I thought his words were rude, considering her father was one of his closest friend while growing up. To be honest, I knew he did not completely mean that... I could tell he was vert fond of her.

"You have until you're 21 to find a decent bride," he grumbled this morning. "Or else I would fine you one," Grandfather warned me. That was a year from now. I was definitely not ready to marry anyone. Couldn't he see that? I mean... Jazz made me think of things that would never before cross my mind... But marriage already?

I wanted to get to know her... win her over...

It was supposedly a courtesy to the memory of my mom, that I could have a say in the matter at all, because it was more common to have an arranged marriage for the sake of politics, rather than love.

If I was utterly honest with myself, I'd never had real feelings for anyone, not yet. Although Jazz sometimes stirred up strange feelings within the pit of my stomach. If I wanted to marry her, would he let me?

It wouldn't matter anyway, she was not someone who would marry me. The idea of winning her over was hopeless. Good for her. I wouldn't marry me either.

Sure, I sometimes indulged myself with the woman that threw themselves at my feet at college, and here in Saudi.

Still, it wasn't like I was without moral. For all my sister knew, I waited until I was married. I took it serious to set an example at home. Did I just sound like a hypocrite? Probebly.

Fair enough, I did want something more than the fleeing contacts I had with woman I slept with. I wanted someone who loved me for me, not just my wealth and title. Someone who was also my friend, and would not hold back the truth to spare my feelings.

I smiled thinking of Jasmine, who had been fiercely eager to tell me exactly what was on her mind.

*Saphira's POV*

I always knew, mom was some sort of rebel. But I never imagined where she was rebellious against. How could I? Not even in my wildest dreams, could I of come up with this story. It was insane.

It was Friday night, so Amanda probably would still be up at this hour. I dialed her number and the phone went over.

"Misses Ramkhelawn." Her mom answered. "Hi there, is Amanda still awake?" I asked, as I saw that the clock said it was 23:00 PM. "Poojaaaaa! Saphira called. Pick up the other line honey." Pooja, was my best friends Indian name, that was only used at home or during family visits.

"Hey Saph, I thought you wouldn't call tonight. I'd already given up and was almost heading for bed." She said yawning. "I know, and I'm sorry I've kept you waiting. Mom and I really had to talk tonight.

"What's up?" Amanda asked sounding alarmed.

"How do I even explain this right." I didn't even know how to explain this to myself….

"You know that I've never met my dad and all that, right?!" I asked "Mhh.. Yes" She slowly answered.

"Well there is a story behind it all, though." It was quiet on the other side of the line, so I just went on.

"My mom came from a wealthy American Arabic family. Her father suggested an arranged marriage, between her and uh… a what he thought was a great candidate.

"Arranged marriage?!" Amanda exclaimed. "Yeah… and he was wealthy of course, just like they were. Heaven forbid my mom would marry someone of a less come off."

"She didn't accept, did she?" Amanda asked probably trying to make sense of the information I just dropped on her.

"She met my dad who had an internship right here in Malibu."

"W. O. W." Amanda said making the word sound like three different syllabus. "Go on, tell me more," she urged impatiently.

"My dad wasn't quite what my grandfather had in mind for his precious daughter, so he got extremely angry. All of that seemed to push my mom even more over the edge, to run straight into the arms of Michael... I mean my father. He was her first boyfriend and she got knocked up. With me... Of course."

"Holy cow." Amanda yelled in my ear. "I know, I know. Now calm down. Do you want me to finish this story or not?" I asked. I would only continue if she could behave.

It was quiet on the other side of the line, so I picked up my story. "Where was I? Right... My mom got pregnant. So, she had begged her dad for his blessing in marriage."

"Did he agree?"

"No…He refused of course." I sighed. "My dad tried to persuade his parents, in letting him bring my mom and me to come live with him in England. They refused too.

"Not because my mom came from a poor family, that obviously wasn't the case. They refused us because they couldn't stand the idea of having family that was.... Err... Colored."

"They did what?" Amanda started shouting again and it really hurt my ears. "I know it's cruel right..." I said softly, my voice breaking on each word of the sentence. "They couldn't of known I would turn out so light skinned with light eyes, just like his."

"What happened then?" Amanda asked with a softer voice now. "Well my dad had to go back to England that same week and my grandfather told my dad she had a miscarriage. He said, that was the reason why he could never see her again."

I heard Amanda gasp.

"My grandmother tried to reason with my grandfather, so that my mom could raise me here. He finally agreed. They even bought her this beautiful house right next to theirs. Only there was one condition."

"And that was?" Amanda prompted.

"My mom had to Marry the man her dad had in mind for her. Because that man still wanted to take her as his wife. He even agreed to take me as his own daughter. It would be perfect because he already had a son by his late wife.

Of course mom went all rebellious again, and ran away with me. In search of her own true love. Her destiny. The destiny she could choose on her own. For herself and me." I went on.

"So now you're...." Amanda said trailing off her sentence. "Right now, I'm In the house right next to my grandparents. The house my grandfather bought for my mom all these years ago."

"Really?" Amanda exclaimed.

*Jasmine's POV*

I dreaded changing my clothing, as to prepare myself for my lecture tonight.

I could still feel the warmth of Benjamins touch on my cheek. Good thing Nadia was joining us tonight.

Suddenly I had a bright idea. Benjamin couldn't touch my face if it was covered by a niqaab. I got dressed in a daze and looked at myself in the mirror. I silently smiled anticipating Bens reaction.

Suddenly I heard three knocks on my door. It was Rabia. "I'm here to bring you to your hei-" Rabia seemed to suffocate, since she was severely coughing.

"I'm here to take you to the servant who is teaching you," she said as she regained her breath.

"Er… what?" Did I miss something? This wasn't what we agreed to. "Well, I am just the messenger," Rabia simply said. "He will not take no for an answer, so if I were you, I would just come."

See, I was not the only one who noticed he was so bossy.