Bruno AlcântaraOld age has arrived for me; I am about to turn seventy, yet I still feel young. We may have left the mafia and the dangerous missions we sometimes faced behind, but we’ve handed all that action down to our children, who are doing very well with it. We continue to exercise and work out a lot because, after all, I’m my Goddess’s bag of muscles.I woke up earlier to enjoy the dawn and get in a quick run in the gym that Salim set up in his house. Today we came to the capital; it’s the day Mahjub is supposed to make a commitment to Hope. I roll my eyes at the thought.My mind is full of thoughts, and, to be honest, I’m worried about all this. My son made it clear he didn’t want this relationship. He found out about their commitment when Hope turned fifteen, and since then, we’ve been dealing with Mahjub causing us a lot of problems.At times, I’ve had to hold back Hassan’s fury to prevent our son from getting a beating that I’m sure he deserved. I enter the gym and turn on
Carolina Al-MakkiI never thought that raising Mahjub with this mix of cultures would be easy. I, a Brazilian woman married to two men, one of whom gave up his place as the heir of the sheikh in Sudan to stay by my side.Raising our son, with one foot here in Sudan while also managing all my duties with the First and alongside Bruno, was a bit challenging in the first few months. But we always had a lot of help to make everything work out.But this phase that Mahjub is going through is driving me crazy and making me wish I could go back to the years when I tortured men to get what I wanted. As I'm here helping my mother-in-law prepare dinner to welcome Alessa and Mattia's family, my thoughts are on my son, who has decided to give us trouble.“He’s here, my Goddess...” I turn towards Bruno as he enters the kitchen.He approaches me slowly, and from his expression, I know that both of them are taking our son’s side. I wipe my hands on the apron I’m wearing, watching closely as my first
Hope de LucaThe rehearsal was intense, yet it was wonderful. One of the directors from the Bolshoi was there to observe the training, which made all the other ballerinas excited about the possibility of being chosen to join the best dance company in the world.I step away from the stage, bidding farewell to the small audience that had been watching the auditions, and head towards the backstage. I notice the gaze of my mother and sister on me, and I sigh because I can imagine why the two of them are together.“Mahjub Al-Makki”Even though I am only sixteen, I am bound by a commitment to the future sheikh of Sudan. It's something that I could say excites me. I have feelings for the crown prince of Sudan, yet I am very afraid of everything that might happen in the meantime.Apparently, Mahjub does not want me as a wife. On the other hand, I grew up believing that I would be his wife and the only woman he would take as his own. This is something I don't see in him.At least that's what m
Hope de LucaMy sister was a support at this moment, explaining to me how to drive an automatic car, as I've always used Dad's car to drive. After I manage to adapt to the driving, I smile at being able to do something on my own. I'm proud of myself, so I gather courage."I want to go to the Bolshoi; I want to forget everything that ties me to this commitment!" I say, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, eyes fixed on the road ahead."Through the mirror, I see my sister Giulia's gaze directed at me. I watch her approach and stand between the two seats, glancing from me to our mother.'I think we should wait for your father to talk to Salim and Hassan, dear, but this commitment has certainly come to an end,' my mother sighs.'Thank Allah for that because I have no calling to be another in his harem!' I exclaim, pulling into the congress parking lot.After I speak, I realize how I was raised and educated to be the perfect wife for the Arab prince. I know his culture, speak his lan
Mahjub Al-MakkiFour years have passed since the day Hope hit me at the entrance of the conference, the day I broke her heart and realized I was doing the worst thing I could. At that moment outside, when I heard her speak and felt the pain she was feeling, I felt miserable for destroying the heart of an innocent girl.Even knowing that Hope was being prepared to be my wife one day, I didn’t imagine the depth of it. I imagined that, like me, she would be far from feeling anything for me. After all, if we saw each other three times a year, it was a lot.We went to the conference, so I could apologize to her father, but before I could go in, she appeared, coming out of the building. It would have been perfect, but I didn’t count on her reaction. Seeing her eyes fill with tears, I realized.Hope was in love. She had feelings for me, the man who was photographed with a different woman every week, embarrassing my parents who had a commitment with her parents. It was the opportunity I neede
Mahjub Al-MakkiMy heartbeat quickens at the sound of the overture. The curtains open, and the performance begins with Hope appearing beautifully on stage, her costume immaculate for her presentation. I smile at the girl who has become the center of my universe over the past few years, the woman I let slip away due to my immaturity and my enormous ego. I thought I was all-powerful because of who I am.Hurting the girl who was chosen for me had a profound impact on my life and my family. I had to accept that I could only watch her from afar, getting to know her through the eyes of others, which was more difficult and painful than I had imagined.Each new photo I received, seeing her smile at gifts that should have been mine to give, at declarations that should have been mine to make, was a torture far worse than what my family did to me. I was a fool, irresponsible, and an idiot. I know my father feels ashamed of what I did to the daughter of a business partner...With thoughts as rand
Laís CarterI was sitting on a bench watching Henrique get knocked down by Petter again in less than five minutes. My thoughts were on the mess my brother Mahjub caused, with Hope.I know that for my parents, the shame they are feeling right now is the worst, but if they support my brother, all of this will soon become just a chapter in this story. Something tells me we need to dip our toes in to solve this situation.My mother always said I needed to be a strategist, like she always was. Over the years, I came to see the same vision my grandfather Salim had when he imagined Mahjub with Mattia’s daughter.I got up from the bench and left my husband there getting beaten by his advisor, and went to find Leon, who should have been watching something with Ella. This is our kids’ vacation month.That’s how I managed to convince Amélie to let them get to know each other better. I passed by the TV room and saw the four of them sitting there watching a cartoon on streaming. I picked up the ph
Laís CarterI love my little brother, but he really needs to learn to appreciate that girl. I agree with him about them only communicating, about the promise of marriage when she turned fifteen, that was a terrible mistake.It made Mahjub see the world in a way that Hope would never know. So I agree that they should let her go and enjoy her time. Because I know that when my brother realizes the mess he made, he'll be just like Dad.The thought makes me chuckle; I learned a lot from my mother about how to treat my husband, just by seeing how she treated my parents. Carolina Alcântara Al-Makki was a visionary, she set the precedent among the 'First' women, that if there was betrayal and the wife didn't opt for the death of the cheating spouse, she could remarry.When my parents were finally able to come out to each other, with a little help from my husband, I always looked at him and said that I wanted to choose my security guards. He always said he'd rather die than see me in bed with
Between Wines, LoveZara AlcântaraMy youngest brother's wedding happened, and I still can't believe so many things have happened in the last five months.I gaze at the sunset that occurred in Ibiza. I managed to return to Capri alongside Pietra and Guilherme. I didn't want to spend any more time deluding myself that one day Ruslan would give up who he is to live by my side in Europe.Being in love with him was something that wasn't in my plans, but what could I do? He's handsome, a lord, that romantic man every woman hopes to find one day to call her own.On the small table, there was a cheese platter and a bottle of wine that I was analyzing, wonderful to be savored alongside a company that will take you to heights, giving you multiple orgasms.I was ready to take the last sip and go to the hotel to enjoy my love disillusionment when I noticed two men approaching the chair behind mine!I look back at the setting sun and bring the glass to my lips, savoring the taste, feeling each no
Sheik Mahjub Al-MakkiI see the guard shaking his head, and I enter the apartment with my bag, hoping my mother has packed something for me to wear tonight!I walk through the space I already know well and start to smell the perfume my wife is wearing. I smile when I see that she received the red and white roses I ordered yesterday to congratulate her on the stylish completion of her time at the Bolshoi.It's something she handled within herself. Despite my deep concern over not having my wife with me full-time in the last six months, I know it's been even more difficult and exhausting for her. I saw her face thinning out in the last month, with the insane routine she was enduring, the little time she took to rest.I saw her trying to juggle being at home, being present by my side, and trying to fulfill her ballet performance schedule.I entered the bedroom, and to my surprise, my mother had packed a tuxedo in the bag. My intention was to wear traditional clothes, but why not repeat t
One Year LaterSheikh Mahjub Al-MakkiWho would have thought that Allah would bless me as He did. Five years ago, I discovered the so-called “rock bottom”, a Brazilian expression my parents brought into our home, and with much pain, I discovered the real meaning of that phrase.After our honeymoon, there was the celebration of my assuming leadership of our entire nation. Despite the implementation of a democratic government in Sudan over the years, something that pushes the poorest parts of my country into misery every day, we continue to do our best for those who seek us out.It was a beautiful celebration, and my wife, as always, was wonderful by my side. Day after day, Hope continues to surprise everyone with her approach to the various charities she has embraced with such care.The main one is the “Sudanese Ballerinas”. When she's not taking care of our home and family, she's helping and teaching young women in our country to stand on their toes and dance as beautifully as she doe
Hope Al-MakkiI'm the person who once hated him for what he did, who didn't want to hear about him anymore. Now, my only desire is to feel my husband unraveling inside me.I slide my hands from his shoulders and hold my breasts, gently squeezing, letting him see what I'm doing. His movements intensify, and with each new thrust, I get closer to a new orgasm.My muscles start to contract, just as my legs begin to have small spasms. Our breaths were quickened and uneven."So good!""Ohhhh..." My mind was jelly at that moment.We were tired after almost a week without proper sleep and mainly missing sharing the bedside by side. My husband has slight spasms, showing that he reached his peak, as I had my own orgasm.I open my eyes and see my husband taking in air, his face starting to show fatigue from all the excitement we've had in the last week. This will be the best memory we'll have."We still have several hours until we land, how about a little nap?" He asks me."It will be wonderful,
Hope Al-MakkiOur party was still going on when Mahjub took my hand and led us to the waiting car. We were a mix of exhaustion and happiness; it's impossible not to say how radiant we were that night.As we entered the small aircraft that soon was flying over Khartoum and taking us towards Dubai, I felt excitement for what was about to happen. The fatigue we were feeling wouldn't erase all the longing and desire I have for my husband.I turn my back and wait for my husband; I know he's just as eager as I am for him to take me out of this dress, which is starting to squeeze various parts of my body.My hair was a shade lighter than usual, as I'm not blonde like my mother, which doesn't sadden me; I like the tone it is. I feel the strands of my hair cascade over my shoulders as Mahjub removes the hijab I was wearing. The same one he gifted me on our wedding day.With my back turned to have the dress taken off of me, I start feeling button after button, my body starting to be freed from
Mahjub Al-MakkiMy heart was skipping with happiness; there were only minutes left until I saw Hope entering the grand hall, and my anxiety was almost out of control. I was desperate with longing and just wanted her by my side.Matheus and Zara were next to me, trying to keep me from running off to find my swan. I saw my parents dancing joyfully, and it was impossible not to feel the same enthusiasm they were feeling at that moment. Even the imam was festive; he was dancing among my family members.Then the music changed, and I turned towards the same doors I had entered just a few minutes ago. I felt my hands sweating, and then I saw my beautiful swan. She was wearing a dress that revealed she truly was a princess… My princess!Hope was in her completely sparkling white dress, making her the center of attention. The voluminous skirt prevented her from dancing more freely as she entered the hall alongside her parents, with her siblings right behind them. As is our culture, the two f
Mahjub Al-MakkiI couldn’t be happier. We've been celebrating for three days straight, with many festivities, dances, tributes, visits from heads of state, celebrities, and most importantly, seeing the happiness of both our families around us.These are the same families I once deeply hurt by not understanding and accepting the choices my parents made for me and even Hope’s parents made for her. I didn’t accept their choices for me, and in a very hard way, I discovered that I lost precious time alongside my swan, whom I watched mature from a distance.I look at the whole party happening on this side of the hall. My brothers were having fun, going in and out of the curtains, watching Hope prepare to enjoy her own party. I wanted so much to be near her, to see how nervous she must be. To participate in each of the stages she is going through.We haven’t seen each other for practically a week, and we’ve barely spoken since everyone has been doing their best to complicate any moment I cou
Hope de LucaI looked at my fiancé, who extended his hand and pulled me into his arms. We heard exclamations from everyone present and some laughter too.“I miss you,” he said, his lips touching my forehead.“I miss you too!” I nestled into his arms.We heard our families socializing, my parents talking with my in-laws, who were gifting them with small jewelry boxes. But at that moment, I was captivated by Mahjub's gaze. He seemed to be scanning every part of my face, making me blush and showing that my health was better.I looked to the side when I felt a subtle touch on my waist. Ruslan was there with the case containing my gift for Mahjub. I took the box and turned to face my prince.“The first time I gave this to you, I saw you as a fairy tale prince who needed something to remember my existence,” I said, watching him open the case. “Today, we are on a completely different level. This piece is no longer just a reminder but a symbol of my love for you.”I took the masbaha from his
Hope de LucaReligion forbids us from touching or having intimacy before marriage; it is a law imposed by the Quran, one that I have already made my beautiful prince break. I hear him asking for forgiveness daily, and of course, I also ask for forgiveness. But I would never stop sleeping by his side.However, the wedding was approaching, and my mother-in-law made us separate a bit to obey the laws, the same ones we had been breaking since our reunion. We hadn't seen each other for a few days already, and we still had the next few days to endure the longing of sharing the same room.After we met my friend and his father, we spent almost a month in Washington. I wanted to be close to Guilherme, to be his friend as I always had been. Even though there were still some reports about our engagement, I would not stop being by his side.To ease the whole situation and exposure that Guilherme was going through, my father decided to cancel the marriage proposal that Gui had made. He wrote a not