2.

BORNO EMIRATE COUNCIL.

"Make it quick." Came his cold reply making the maid in plum and parchment coloured outfit to tremble, her intestines shaking in fear of being the man's presence. Or the man he has become for the past month.

"Here is your tea, your Highness." She kept the small mug and saucer on the golden coffee chair her master is sitting on then move back behind to stand like a guard in case if he wants her to add sugar or he wants milk which is rare.

If not for the fact that he is royalty and must act like one, he would've told them that he is no disabled and can do everything himself. That was the man he was a month before not thus snappy, techy and frigid person he has become. They don't enjoy working in the chamber anymore, they despise it actually.

The sigh of relief that left her mouth could be heard by anyone in safe distance when he dismissed her with a nod. She's always loved it when he twist his wrist in a way to dismiss her without using his words. The man is a sight to behold and she never gets tired of staring at him, not his arctic eyes though. She hates when he talks coldly or when he stares at her like he stares at everyone and everything in his path, icily.

There are many guards standing outside his chamber, when he walked out, they bowed, greeted him in respect like they do everyday then follow behind him in a safe distance. He likes his personal space and they respect that, or they face his wrath which never end up well. No one is to get in the way of Sa'eed El-Kanemi or he destroy your life with just snap of his finger. Everyone knows what he is capable of doing to his enemy or obstacle, again, the man he has become.

"To the airport." He took a look at his silver Rolex around his warm beige wrist, checking the time. He has some more minutes so he relaxed back and brought out his laptop, he is a workaholic alright.

Sa'eed Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi stood impatiently in the airport as his pilot announced the last minute problem of his jet. He hates waiting and inefficient workers hence the curses raining out from his lips right to the middle aged pilot's ears. Some might think he would shy away because the man is way older than him but he is blinded by the wrath eating up his foot. He has been temperamental since a moon ago, like a child always ready to throw tantrum, a hissy kid.

"Why don't you understand that when I want to go somewhere, I hate anything delaying it. You should've known about your work and double checked the jet before giving me a heads up. Check out the King's and see if his will take me there as soon as possible." His emotionless detached voice has the pilot sprinting to the other side of the tarmac and to the said jet.

He has to deal with inefficient workers and deal with that stubborn person in Chad. Why must the person with that company had to be such pain in the ass when everyone will be overjoyed to get that handsome amount of money he is offering. He gave the person so much freedom and money to last some years of relaxation but no, this so called person needs to deal with him face to face. He might even result to something he hardly does for such petty things so he might just have to face this person and see where they stand.

He's been told that even the government officials can't deal with that person and that just pushed him to go and see who dare stand in his way. This person should know that they should never double cross the son of the crowned Shehu of Borno State. He never is one to leave the country unnecessarily but seeing that it's just Chad, he could go there and come back that same day. If only he knows what awaits him there in this so called Country he called petty.

He just hopes that this person won't drag on this matter or he makes sure to bring the illegal acts into it. He is not one to waste time on useless people when he can have his way illegally which is why he has his lawyer with him. Breaching some rules in a contract and adding forged signature is not something he hasn't done before and this certainly won't be the last. He knows how to deal with attention seeking citizens quite well having been in the light for many years.

"Take a chill pill and cut them some slack. You are always on their back, I wonder how they keep up with you all the time. I would've ran for the hills and stop my job altogether if I am to ever get scolded like that by you." Mu'adh Mannir commented from beside him with a mock snicker making him glare at the man that always gets on his nerves other than his mother.

Mu'adh Mannir is his best friend who he's met when he went to bag his masters in business administration back in Mauritius. He's always been annoying right from when he met him and he asks himself how he is still with him till date. Well, he is his lawyer who helps him with all his dirty works. The man knows how to do his work and does that even before he opens his mouth that is why he likes him by his side. He sometimes doesn't want to talk so luckily for him, Mu'adh always knows what to do.

Sa'eed found out that he is some distant relative of his from his father's side. That only tightened their relationship having to see each other in each coronation, supper and dinners. They get to mingle around his office all the time. He's hired him as his lawyer so he won't have to work anywhere else. And makes it a greater opportunity for Mu'adh to rile him up whenever he feels like. He thinks that the man is sent to earth just to annoy him.

The guy stick to him even at his worst which is why he let's him do whatever he wants. He's seen so many sides of him that he won't bother showing another. He knew the man will go to any extent to help him so who is better friend than that?

"If you don't learn to keep that your little mouth shut, I will make sure you don't get into that plane yourself." Came Sa'eed's everyday reply to his best friend's endless talks and rants.

Few minutes later, the pilot told him that the jet is okay and will move without problem. He made his way in his panther like grace to said jet, the guards parting ways for him to pass through. He is a man of few words but those words are enough to make or ruin your life. Those words could also make you pee on your pants unknowingly, he has that power with words. They are always very pungent and acrid, just like his hardened face when mad.

Oh, how much he has changed himself.

Arriving at Chad, he went straight to the government officials who were very pleased to see him off in their place. They gave him a warm welcome and someone might think he is the President of Nigeria himself not a Prince. He sat at the head table waiting for the so called person to come but he heard a bad news, he didn't like hearing such confident words rolling off anybody except him. And he thought he has the whole confidence in him but no, there is someone out here with the remains.

"We are going to see, Mss. Khalid." One of them told him, adjusting the glasses sitting atop his fat nose. All wrinkles around his face squeezed at his words giving him an ugly look.

That isn't what Sa'eed wants to think about though. The fact that he said Mss. meaning the so called person he's been wanting to meet is a woman, to top it all, she might be young. Knowing the people in Chad, they mostly are married or widows so hearing that Mss. didn't sit quite well with him. Mu'adh could only stifle a chuckle seeing how his best friend's razors sharp jaw ticked in irritation at the name of Mss. This should be fun, he can't wait for some more fun when he's been bored the whole hour ride there because his boss is disinterested.

"Who is this, Mss. Khalid, might I ask?" His curiosity is getting the best of him and he can't help keeping his mouth shut knowing he might just be meeting a small girl wanting attention.

He's dealt with a lot of women like that in the past to know they are only attention seekers. Those spoilt brats that are about to become CEO's right after graduating from university without the taste of knowledge about the business world. He could deal with her with just a flick of his finger which relaxed him again. He's got this deal whether she likes it or not, he needs it. He is Sa'eed El-kanemi after all, no deal could slip off his fingers when he is dead on having one. Not when he has promised to make it, he won't back down no matter what.

"Mr. El-Kanemi, we've tried our best to pursue her but she is not budging and demand that she wants to see you first. We have an appointment in twenty minutes." Another explained from the other end of the table which only irritate him further.

What?! He needs an appointment to see some spoilt brat who got a small company to manage? This doesn't sit well with him and if not that he is desperate to get his work and project done, he would've left the country without any other look. That is the last thing he will ever offer to Chad, he's gone through a lot just for them. Left his home when he is desperately needed there, so much for being a gentleman.

"Shall we?!" He adjust his suit and stood up, looking at the men.

The men stood up and made their way out to the waiting cars outside the building. Mu'adh already arranged a car for them, an expensive one to be exact so they settle inside the BMW and left following the cars in front of them. They don't even know where they are going but asked the drive to not miss them just for safety measures. None of them knew around Chad though Sa'eed knows where he wants to build his next business, they still are guests in that foreign country.

"I never thought that this person is going to be a woman. I thought it might be an old man holding onto his house like his life thinking the memories of his dead wife will be back in some way." Mu'adh commented, shaking his head in process but all the while snickering at his friend's despair and irritation.

He feed on that!

"Hold your thoughts to yourself." Sa'eed's deep voice rumble out from his chest as his fingers continue to fly on the keyboard in his Mac. He is probably telling and declining some useless emails asking them for construction.

"I was just telling you something I thought before." Mu'adh rolled his eyes when his best friend didn't even acknowledge his presence for the next few minutes. He is used to getting ignored by that man so that is not something he is going to hold grudge on, nop.

Shortly, the cars stopped in front of a small blue building. Seeing the government officials filing out of their cars, Sa'eed got out and adjust his well tailored Brioni suit. His mind is set and so does his eyes as they stare at the building like he was about to burn it down without the use of any bulldozer. He can't wait to see who the heck this woman is that is making him suffer instead of just handing it down to him. The building is already old and about to fall off. Who won't be happy to get rid of this?!

Stepping into the office, he bumped into a lady who stood up abruptly and started lashing out on him. What entranced him was her voice, it was so thin yet melodic that even with his heart not beating, he knew that voice will make any man succumb to her needs. But then again, this woman is saying so many things in her mother language so he didn't get what she is talking about and could only stare at her.

She is fair, very fair, even fairer than all the Chadians he's met so far. Maybe bisque complexion. Her skin is flawless, her eyes blaze with fire that he could see burning underneath those light brown irises and pupils. Her brows are perfectly arched, very full and dark. He could see the baby hairs lining the front of her head where her veil didn't close much. Her nose is thin and fit her face perfectly then comes her thin plump lips that is coated in nude lipstick.

A colour that makes it way more plump and sensual.

"...you can't just walk into someone's company and bump into them then stare at them. Didn't your momma teach you about the 'staring is rude' line?" She arched a brow at the man even though she knew she shouldn't play with fire.

Suhayr knew exactly who she is talking to after seeing the way the government officials' mouth hung on the floor hearing her insulting his forefathers in Arabic/French. She was already in a bad mood after her time with her best friend the day before and the deal she took which she doesn't know whether she will ever be able to fulfill it. That is not how she planned her day the day before but it had to turn out like that. Fuck herself for being a daredevil!

The man, no, the powerful influential person standing a good foot above her is not someone she wants to deal with at that moment, not when she is in a bad mood. She could see the same fire igniting behind his dark fathomless gaze making her narrow her bitchy eyes. This man here is going to be like her or close to her in lighting flames. She is already pitying the government officials that will have to go through the meeting with them.

The man looks like he is no quitter just like her though hers is already withering. All she needs to do is make sure she gets on his skin before giving up. She is still standing dead on getting that money from him whether he likes it or not. She is already at the verge of bankruptcy, so why not use that as her opportunity to become rich? She needs money to survive when all she wants to do is tour around the whole world.

Nop, she might have to keep some things aside and makes sure her dare is fulfilled so she won't start losing any bet. She's never lose one and she won't start now at any cost.

"Al-salâm aleki; Greetings." Were the first words that roll down from Sa'eed's mouth so Suhayr knew she has to work hard on this man. That day is going to be a very long eventful day, she could see it already.

But who would've thought she would end up married?