As it happened, as soon as the Al Fahezi entourage landed in Abu Dhabi, there was no time to rest nor get in touch with the Gonzales group aboard the Siren of the North. It was utter chaos, the Al Fahezi household was disorganized with Farinah missing. The nannies who remained were fearful they would be blamed for the disappearance of the girl. There were police cars outside the villa and the normally peaceful Al Reef area was suddenly caught in the mayhem. The Sheikha was beside herself and Ami tried to console her as best she could.
“Madam, the police are looking into the matter and I believe Sir Abdullah’s influence will hopefully help.” comforted Ami.
“I don’t know Habibti, if only I insisted on bringing Far
As plans go, the Gonzales group did not have the luxury of doing the Europe tour as Mrs. Gonzales and Rain were called back home immediately. When they are away, Ronnie is in charge of the Manor and the household staff. It was not Ronnie who called Mrs. Gonzales, but her sister. The police are investigating the sudden disappearance of Ronnie’s son, Ridger. The last time people saw him was the day the Gonzales went for their cruise which was a month ago, July to be specific. It wasn’t unusual for Ridger to disappear for a few days or weeks but a month is something else. It wouldn’t have caused any problem, if the people did not notice that Ronnie did not seem surprised or concerned at all. Whenever people ask him, his answer was Ridger went to visit some relatives in the lowlands. Of course, the police were summoned but as the Gonzales wer
Ali was stuck in traffic for almost two hours thereby costing him precious time to get to Ami. If he wasn’t so worried and angry at the same time, he was so frustrated that it took all his control not to blow his horn at every opportunity. He was one of those who have no tolerance for drivers who constantly blow their horns in traffic, now he knows why. They must be as frustrated as he is. Thankfully he passed by a mosque on his way so he was able to offer his prayers first asking for the safety of Ami and his sister. After scouring nearly all the hotels he knew his mom frequented during her Dubai visits, he is at the edge of his sanity. After escaping the traffic, he managed to arrive at the last and only hotel he passed by in his eagerness to get to Ami and his sister hopefully. It is past 10 in the evening and normally during th
Ami was not sure what to do next and not wanting to risk discovery, she quietly went inside the room.These kidnappers are either dim-witted or just plain stupid. But she couldn’t complain because she was left with all the resources she needed to save Farinah. She checked her watch, 1:30 am. She crawled towards the window and peeked under the balcony, there, how had she missed the slide lock catch underneath the terrace floor. She approached the sleeping girl again and tested her weight, a bit heavy but if she did a fireman’s carry, she could manage Farinah. She stepped out onto the balcony again and took a glance at the rest of the suite, the curtains look to be the same as they were earlier. She was about to haul Farinah to her shoulder when her phone vibrated. It said, “Ami, stay put, Mansour and I are coming with a few police friends.” “Oh blast!” cried Ami a bit loudly but no sound cam
As Rain stood from where he was sitting and about to walk back towards the new plant beds, Doris, the housekeeper found him and told him his mom asked for him. He followed the housekeeper home, forgetting about Ridger’s disappearance. When he was back in the manor, Mrs. Gonzales informed him that Mabel messaged her mom. “So, how is she? Is she safe, unhurt? Tell me mom, the suspense is killing me.” “I know you are distraught, son, but please calm down before I proceed.” “Calm down? What is it you’re not telling me? “ Rain was so agitated, he paced the floor to and fro. “As soon as you are seated, I will tell you. Now, sit!” Mr
After 4 days in the hospital and a week after the shooting incident, Ali brought Ami and Mabel home to his parents’ villa in Al Reef. As soon as they arrived though, Ami asked Ali if they could talk. Ali informed her that he would be happy as he has things to say as well but not wanting to tire Ami after her ordeal, he promised he’ll meet with her in his mom’s home office the day after. Ami was baffled with his behavior, gone was the solicitous and caring man who came to her rescue. In his place was a cold person. Has something changed? At the moment, she did not contradict because whether she likes it or not, being shot at is not a pleasant experience she never wishes to repeat. Grabbing the opportunity to just rest and gain her strength, she accepted Mabel’s arm as she was guided to her room. As Mabel was also fatigued after being with Ami in the hospital for four straight days, her cousin left Ami and went straight
Exactly two weeks after the video chat in the hospital, Mrs. Gonzales and Rain arrived in the UAE. They were booked into a hotel in the city proper of Abu Dhabi. The Sheikha, unaware of the state of Ami’s emotions, brought her along with Ali as they went to fetch the Gonzales ' mother and son from the airport. Ami was able to master her emotions in the span of two weeks so nobody but her knows what is happening inside her heart. Even Ali was not able to tell as he too was trying so hard to mask his expression. The last time he and Ami talked was the day his intended arrived along with her family. Ami being Ami was all smiles when he introduced Zaynah. Zaynah was true to her name, she is beautiful but to Ali, her beauty does not compare to Ami’s. He was trying his hardest to ignore the pang of guilt he felt that day. Fast forward to the present, as soon as he saw Rain clasp Ami to his chest, Ali could only furl and unf
The wedding followed a week after. Mrs. Gonzales and Rain stayed for the ceremony. Rain was having a hard time trying to woo Ami. He respects her enough to give her space to come to grips with her feelings. Of course, after Ali and Zaynah wed, they went to live in Khalifa City A. This was Ali’s decision more than Zaynah’s but he must have persuaded her. Although both he and Ami vowed to be friends, he still could not trust himself to be in close contact with her. It also has something to do with his new wife. He wanted to be very faithful to Zaynah because the woman deserves it. Not wanting to keep secrets from her, both he and Ami told her everything. For any other person, it might be unacceptable but Zaynah ws very open-minded having given up her own love as well. She fell in love with an expat as well and had a more difficult time persuading the guy to let her go. Interestingly enough, both the guy and Ami seem to have a similar
That other boy was inconvenient but now he joins his mother. Pretty unfortunate that he is trying to destroy my best laid plans. I gave him money and offered my name but what did he do? He tried to destroy my girl’s happiness. Stupid, stupid boy. But now my love is returning, time for plan B. I must look my best, I feel this is my time to claim her at last. I can’t wait! It was only when they were all in the plane bound for the Philippines did Rain and Mrs. Gonzales remembered to mention the situation in the Philippines. Mrs. Gonzales and Mansour were in First Class but Rain and Ami opted for the Economy so they could talk as per Rain’s suggestion. As soon as the plane took off, Rain started telling Ami what happened before he and his mom came to the UAE to attend the two events. Ami was shocked,
Their church wedding was attended by the Sheikh and his wife and also some other friends including Devlin and Mabel. They all flew to the Philippines six months after Rain and Ami married at the Philippine embassy in the UAE. Even Ali and Zaynah were there to witness Rain and Ami’s second marriage vows to each other. They had to endure two nights without intimacy though as per church dictates. Ami did not mind because she is finally living her dreams, getting married in the church with friends and family. She wished her parents and uncle were still alive but she knew they were out there somewhere watching over her. She also knows Rain’s father is watching over his son. Rain has been a wonderful, loving and considerate husband. He has been spoiling Ami over the last six months. Ami started working as the Directress of the new Thamiyn Nursery while Eliza took over as the Sheikha’s new PA. Ami thought Mansour was taken with Fiona when he visited the Philippines but when he met Eliza, ther
Rain’s 1 week leave did not give him more time to spend with Ami as he had been busy contacting his mother for the documents they needed at the embassy. He and Ami just connected via video chat in the evenings before they both go to sleep. He wanted to go to Al Reef and see her personally but he knew Ami has a lot to do before she finally leaves the Sheikha’s employ and lives with him. That is the consolation he kept looking forward to. “My darling Ami, how was your day? I missed you terribly today.” He touched the screen like he could touch her. “I miss you too, my love. Hey, can we use that to address each other? “Ami gave him her most adorable puppy eyes. “Sure, my love. I like that, no I love you, my love. This separation is drivi
Before they left the apartelle, Rain and Ami went to see his Assistant Manager. Ami waited patiently on one of the couches in the waiting lounge of the apartelle but not missing the furtive glances thrown her way by Dana, the receptionist who slept in the Flat before. Ami ignored her, she was just so happy and content that finally, a man saw her true self, and her best friend nonetheless. After 45 minutes and two coffees later, Rain emerged and ignoring Dana went straight to a beaming Ami and kissed her much to the receptionist’s surprise. Ami couldn’t stop blushing. Rain grinned at the receptionist and announced, “You should be congratulating us Dana, this lovely lady, my best friend for a long, long time, finally ended my agony and accepted my love and proposal!” Dana was stupefied. Many of the single female staff will be disappointed but she liked Ami so s
Six months after Rain arrived in the UAE, he and Ami had developed a routine. True to his word, Ami was not allowed to visit him in his flat unless accompanied by Mabel or Mansour. During the UAE National Day holidays in December, Rain had no chance to have a day off. They had a lot of guests and even his accommodation was given up for an elderly couple who came to see the fireworks in Abu Dhabi Corniche. Since their apartelle is near the Corniche, it was fully packed. Rain slept in his office for a week and then came the Christmas holidays and New Year. He discovered how true it is that when you are an OFW, you do not have the luxury to enjoy the festivities. Since he and Ami were busy the whole month of December, they just sent their gifts to each other via courier although Rain has been sending Ami bouquets of Roses and chocolates. After that day she gave him permission to court her.
Wanting to get back to normalcy as much as possible and not dwell on the painful past, Ami threw herself enthusiastically into her work. The Sheikha even commented that Ami was working with a vengeance. Her vivacity doubled or tripled thus attracting more males than Rain would have liked. One of the Sheikha’s clients even attempted to flirt with her, but Ami ignored him. She introduced the guy to another colleague who wants to flirt shamelessly and Ami let them. She just reminded the girl sternly to be very careful and mindful of her actions because she still works for the Al Fahezis. Though the colleague disliked Ami because of her close association with their employers, she heeded her. Ami couldn’t care less if the girl liked her or not. She is one of those people who think they are above others and she has zero tolerance for them but she tries to be very civil. R
Although Ami urged Mansour to go ahead to the UAE, he refused and told her she needed all the friends she had. Mabel wanted to go home to be with her but she couldn’t because she was covering as the Sheikha’s PA in Ami’s stead. The funeral had been a hectic week, after her uncle’s burial, her uncle’s lawyer came and gave Ami her uncle’s last will and testament. She was shocked because she did not know, her uncle actually has a property in the city proper and she was always frequenting it whenever she went downtown. It is now hers and technically she does not need to go back to the UAE to work some more. She has her dream property but she still wanted something that is really hers. Although overwhelmed with this gift, she thanked the lawyer. As soon as the lawyer left, she sought out Mrs. Gonzales and Rain. They were in the manor’s huge balcony where Mrs. Gonza
As soon as the door was opened, Robert and Jerry simultaneously hugged Ami, lifting her off the floor as they did so. Mansour waited until the brothers put her down, he opened his arms inviting Ami into his embrace. Ami hugged him briefly and before another tear fell down, she let go. “Thank you so much guys for being here but I have to go to town to find out more and to arrange for my uncle’s body for a burial.” “Come here, Ambet.” Robert said, patting the sofa. When Ami was seated, he said, “I have already gone to the facility and here is the medical report.” Ami stared at the piece of paper and then before she could change her mind, took it. It said that her uncle died from cardiac arrest from cancer complications..
“Ohh Ami, what happened to you? You were never like this, what happened to you? Ohh my precious, precious girl, your mother will turn in her grave if she sees you now. “ Mrs. Gonzales gathered Ami in her arms. Ami was motionless and emotionless. "Rain! Come quick. " Just like that, Ami snapped out of her stupor. "Auntie Claudia, I am fine. Please do not worry, I just spaced out a bit. I do that every once in a while to calm myself. It is like a meditation of some sort, meditation a la Ami.” “Are you sure? For a while there, you almost ga
“Relax Mansour, Ami decided to stay at her cottage tonight so she could look after her uncle. She requested that someone bring her food so I am just about to go.” “May I come? You know I am a spy for someone, remember?” Mansour grinned at Rain’s sour look. Rain couldn’t do anything but nod. “Sorry guys, I need to feed that cat over there. You know how she is if she gets hungry, becomes a tigress.” They all laughed at this even Mansour as he too knew about Ami’s appetite. Both Rain and Mansour walked to Ami’s cottage. “This is a cute cottage.” commented Mansour. “It is more beautiful in the daytime, tomorrow, we can show you around if you like unless you want to continue exploring the city.”