Mattia de LucaI wasn’t expecting Salim himself to come greet us at his private airstrip, especially not as the most powerful man in the Middle East. I thought he would send someone to pick us up here, but the look from that security guard irritated me. I felt like punching him when he looked at my girl. Wasn’t the huge ring on her finger enough to show that she’s my wife?I noticed that Alessa caught the man’s stares too. I touched her veil and helped her adjust it better, hiding her blonde hair. I looked at my daughter and saw that Erick also seemed uncomfortable and positioned Giulia behind him.I held Alessa’s hand and saw her pulling Ruslan in front of her with affection. As we approached the car, I held the door for her to get in, and I saw my daughter and Erick enter the other car.As powerful as he is, I still worry that something might happen to us. There are many people who believe they can make a lot of money from a kidnapping. Especially if they recognize me as a potential
Alessa de LucaWe entered the grand mansion of that family, and Najla was always smiling, showing Giulia and me everything along the way. She made it a point to introduce each family member through the portraits spread throughout the entrance of her mansion. I was quite surprised to find that the frightened look still on my face seemed to be something else, not actually fear.Ruslan was thrilled with all the luxuries in that small palace, as he called it. Giulia, on the other hand, still seemed uncomfortable with the security guards trailing us.I tried not to show our unease around one of the Sheikh's men—who knows what they might be thinking? Perhaps they found my blonde hair or my skin, as white as milk, interesting.I want to believe that I am just a novelty to them."Zawja, prepare a wedding, Mattia and his wife will celebrate their party with our family!" the Sheikh suddenly appeared and exclaimed with immense joy."Sir, no..." He cut me off with just a look."It's decided. I h
Mattia de LucaWe were already on our third pot of this tea; it's quite sweet but definitely alcoholic—I could feel how strong it was. Erick was also feeling the effects of the tea, he was excessively happy.We talked throughout the night, not just about work, but about family, his culture, and the future of his empire with his grandson.Just before dawn started to break, Hassan helped us get to our own room. I wished I could have my beloved wife in my arms, but due to his culture, I would only see her on the last day when all the guests were at the palace.I barely managed to speak with Alessa; I passed out and left her talking alone in her own room. At that moment, I was experiencing a terrible headache. I need to remember never to drink that damned tea again—I don’t know what was in it, but it certainly knocked me out.I managed to open my eyes despite a sharp pain behind them. My body and my head felt heavier than any time I’d been drunk before.“Non berrò mai più quel tè!!”“I’ll
Alessa de LucaAs soon as I collapsed into Carolina's lap, I let my tears flow. Luckily, Ruslan didn't wake up while I was breaking down in the arms of a woman I barely knew.“That man, he grabbed me and forced a kiss. I managed to kick him and run away,” I whispered.Carolina's expression shifted from compassion to fury in a matter of seconds. I barely noticed we weren't alone in my room. Over her shoulder, I saw Hassan, whose look was fierce enough to kill someone with his bare hands.I watched him rush out of my room, calling for people who must have been nearby because within seconds, several people were passing by my room door.“Carolina…”“Just call me Carol. The only person who calls me Carolina is Alex, and even then, I’ve never been able to get him to shorten it.”“Okay, Carol, I want to see Mattia and tell him what happened,” I said.“Okay, let's go see if he's awake,” she replied with a smile.“It’s impossible for him to still be asleep, not with all this commotion in the h
Mattia de Luca"Tell me, Alessa, what happened during the night?"As soon as I asked her what really happened, I saw her pale, her eyes searching for something, trying to dodge the question.I knew I had drunk too much, and at some point during the night, she must have entered the room and covered me up, since I had lain down on the bed haphazardly.Not to mention, the atmosphere around us was very tense throughout the day of the party. I had asked everyone what had happened. However, my daughter didn't know anything and had also noticed everyone's slightly strange behavior.Now, with Alessa in my arms, her eyes tired after the day-long celebration, I felt her body tremble, which made me worried about what she was trying to hide from me.I hadn't missed that the house's security guards had been keeping even further away from my family, especially from my wife and daughter. Erick also commented on this during the night. It was his remark that made me worried."Nothing you need to worry
Alessa de LucaI never imagined I would have such a party. For me, our small ceremony in front of the balloons was more than enough, but when I saw everything Carolina, Najla, and Raja had prepared, I was astonished. In just one night, they managed to throw a small party, and I'm sure they went out of their way as an apology for the harassment I endured.During the party, I spent most of my time away from Mattia, only with the women who showered me with many jewels and a lot of money—it's their way of wishing us prosperity. When I finally got to be with Mattia, it was late into the night, and I decided not to waste time telling him what happened.Simply because his election is less than a week away, and if he were to react and the press got wind of it, it could ruin his well-going electoral campaign. So, silence is the best policy.At the party with all the women, I had the chance to talk with Carolina and her daughter Las, and Zara. The two girls were beautiful and dancing in front o
Alessa de LucaThe excruciating pain barely lets me breathe. The man whose name I can't remember, only that he was punished by losing his right hand and having his lips burnt for kissing me.I feel hands grabbing me by the arms and throwing me onto the ground over some rubble. I turned my face in the direction where Carmen and the major were; I saw them kneeling with their hands on their heads, trying to say something I couldn’t understand."You bitch..." The man approaches and grabs my hair fiercely.He was wearing a kind of mask to cover his burnt lips, his face severely beaten, making it clear he had taken a serious beating. Yet, I could recognize those eyes that had coveted me in the car."How did you find me?" I ask, desperate.Even though it’s been almost two days since what happened to him, my question is how he got to where I was so quickly, and even worse, how he managed to find me amid a war. I held on to his hand, trying to ease the pressure he was applying to my scalp, whi
Alessa de LucaIt has been almost a month since we've been in the middle of the desert. I've been fortunate that Kalil hasn't tried anything with me yet. I am lucky because his mother has been hiding me among the other women, at his father's request not to harm me. This is mainly because Kalil's first wife is pregnant with his firstborn, and from what the other women have tried to tell me, he wants me as his second wife.Nubia, the first wife, is a lovely and extremely obedient woman to Kalil's wishes. It has been rare to see her face without a burka; she always approached me with her face covered.However, I can't always go unnoticed by the man who still covets me. I see him passing by me from a distance; sometimes he attempts to make a move, trying to kiss me or do something more. I try not to scream so as not to cause problems for Carmen and Oliver, who continue to be prisoners of these people.Over the days, I discovered that they were part of a terrorist cell, that Kalil was infi
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