Crystal
Six weeks had passed since she got legally married to Amir Al-fayad. Six weeks since she'd started living in this Mansion prison. Six weeks since she'd last seen him.
Everyday felt harder than the last. She followed a strict routine that Amir had laid out for her.
Wake up. Breakfast. Garden. Library. Lunch. Siesta. Dinner. Sleep.
She was sick of it, but she knew this was only the beginning.
The library was her only place of peace, the only space where she could feel some semblance of control. It was there she buried herself in marketing books to make up for the diploma she had abandoned.
"Mr. Amir gave strict instructions that you're not allowed to step outside,"
Amelia had said when she asked if she could attend school.
Today in particular was abuzz. The entire staff was busy with one thing or another.
At 8 a.m., Amelia came into her room carrying two large boxes.
"Time for breakfast," she said as she placed them near the dresser.
"What's going on today? Why is everybody so busy?" Crystal asked her.
"Mr Amir is coming today," Amelia replied. "And he asked me to deliver these to you. He said to tell you to be ready and waiting by 8pm"
Goosebumps broke out on Crystal's arm. What could he be coming to do here?
Even though this house felt like a prison, it was at least bearable without his presence.
Amir terrified her. He made her skin crawl.
"Ma'am?". Amelia called softly, pulling her thoughts.
"Yes?" Crystal replied, flustered.
"Breakfast? And are you okay?" Amelia asked her with concern etched on her face.
"Yes Amelia, thank you. I'll be down in a few minutes" Crystal replied, looking away.
After Amelia left, Crystal opened the boxes.
The first held a stunning black dress with a thigh-high slit. On top sat a small velvet box containing an emerald necklace and matching earrings.
The second box held a pair of black stilettos, four inches high, embellished with green stones. A black Dior mini bag was tucked beside them. A small note sat atop it all.
"Time to look the part, Mrs Al-fayad."
The note was obviously from Amir. And suddenly, her thoughts drifted to the other one.
Mr. Blue Eyes. Ahmad Al-Fayad.
A soft smile played on her lips. She thought of him often—especially during the lonely weeks in Amir's house. She missed him so much it physically hurt. His voice, his warmth, the way he made her laugh.
Now she struggled to remember what his smile looked like.
She shook her head.
"Stop being delusional. You're his brother's wife now" she whispered to herself.
She took a deep breath and headed for the dining room. Breakfast was waiting.
Ahmed
It had been six weeks since he last saw her.
And he was going insane.
He had returned to the restaurant the day after she looked off. Her co-worker, Laila, had informed him that Crystal had changed jobs.
He asked for her number. Her address. Even where her new job was.
Laila had nothing to give.
He tried her school, but without a last name, he was lost.
He even stood by the same curb, hoping to see her again.
Nothing.
It was as if she'd vanished into thin air.
And it drove him crazy.
He should have gotten her last name.
"Mr. Ahmad?"
He jolted upright, startled by his secretary's voice.
"Why didn't you knock?" he barked, louder than he intended.
Katie blinked in surprise. She looked genuinely shaken. Ahmad never raised his voice.
"I… I did knock, sir. For five minutes. You didn't respond, so I came in to remind you about the board meeting in thirty minutes," she said, looking down.
He rubbed his temples.
"I'm sorry, Katie. Thank you. I'll be there shortly."
As she left the office, he found himself wondering if he'd ever see crystal again. He missed her terribly and it was affecting him.
He needed to focus. The Al-Fayad empire was in the middle of acquiring the Lin Group. Ms. Trisha Lin had died three months ago, and their father, Sultan Al-Fayad, had given strict instructions:
"Secure the Lin Group, no matter what."
The future of the Al-Fayad empire somehow depended on the acquisition of the Lin group. His father and his brother were both attending this board meeting and he really needed his father's approval.
An hour later, his brother and father were in his office after the board meeting had ended.
Apparently, Sultan had something important to say.
"Ahmad, why can't you be more like Amir?" His father's words landed like a slap.
He was confused but his father carried on regardless.
"You know what the elders require: continuation of the Al-Fayad bloodline. Amir understood and acted. You, however…" the old man scoffed.
Ahmad sighed. Here we go again.
Marriage. The old man had been trying to get them married off for the longest.
He couldn't blame him though. The man just wanted to see his grandchild before he exited this world. Or so Ahmad thought.
It was deeper than that and he didn't understand it.
Now he was confused. What did his father mean by Amir heeded to his concerns? Amir wasn't married as far as he knew. Even if Amir was married,he wouldn't know. His beloved twin brother had drawn away from him since they became adults.
"Amir is married" His father suddenly blurted out.
Ahmad looked confused but his demeanor suddenly turned to excitement. He looked happy for his brother.
"Wow, I didn't know. Congratulations Brother" He reached out to shake Amir's hand, but Amir ignored him, face cold.
Ahmad retracted his hand awkwardly as Sultan added.
"Amir and his wife are going to be hosting us for dinner tonight at his house. You should come too. Bring a wife or at least a girlfriend" his father scoffed and wheeled out of the office while Amir followed closely behind him.
Ahmad sat alone in his office. Heart pounding.
Amir is married?
To whom?
And why did this all feel… wrong?
Amir
He had always resented Ahmad.
Ahmad had better grades, better looks than him and the bastard had to have a better eye color.
He was the golden twin, and Amir hated that.
He knew that he had to outsmart him one way or the other.
They had just wrapped up a strategy session for acquiring Lin Group. Trisha Lin's unexpected death had complicated things, especially since no heir was known. But Amir had a plan and nobody would see it coming.
He smirked.
Now he had to go to his house and prepare for this dinner. He couldn't wait to gloat in Ahmad's face tonight.
As his car pulled into the driveway, his driver rushed to open the door.
"Where's Crystal?" He asked Amelia immediately he entered the house.
"She's upstairs, in her room sir" Amelia replied. "Should I get her for you?" She asked him.
"Never mind" He stormed up the stairs.
It was time.
She was finally going to earn that last name.
He'd waited long enough.
He needed an heir, now.