"My brother! How good to see you!" Rashid exclaimed, reaching out to Daniel in a warm hug. The greeting between them was one of genuine affection, a friendship forged over years of business and camaraderie.
"Rashid! It's always an honor to have you in my home," Daniel replied, returning the hug with the same sincerity. "Allow me to introduce myself. This is Elara, my fiancée. And these are her parents, Thomas and Akemi Reed, and her brother, Kenji."
Elara bowed gracefully, remembering the etiquette instructions Daniel had discreetly given her. "Your Royal Highness, it is a great pleasure to meet you."
Rashid smiled, a twinkle in his eyes when he saw Elara. "The beautiful Elara! Daniel spoke highly of you. Welcome to Dubai, and to our family, my dear. The honor is all ours." He bowed slightly, an unusual gesture of respect for a man of his position.
He then introduced his own family. Rashid's wives,Sheikha Fatima, Sheikha Aisha and Sheikha Sara, greeted Elara with kind smiles and words of welcome. Their eyes were curious, assessing the woman who had captured Daniel's heart. Elara felt a wave of warmth and acceptance from them, a relief amidst her nervousness.
Rashid's sons also greeted Elara's family. The daughters,Princess Salma and Princess Laila, were shy but friendly. The children,Prince Hamdan (the eldest), Prince Omar and Prince Tariq, were more direct. Hamdan, with a wide smile, extended his hand to Kenji. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. My father speaks highly of Daniel. He's like an uncle to us."
Kenji, a little intimidated but flattered, shook Prince Hamdan's hand. "The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness."
Thomas and Akemi were also introduced, and Rashid greeted them with the same courtesy and warmth. The initial formality quickly dissolved into a welcoming atmosphere.
"Come, come, let's go to the dining room," Daniel invited, leading everyone. The dining room, which had been meticulously prepared, was stunning. A long, polished ebony table, comfortably seating twenty-five, was adorned with a floating centerpiece of white orchids and flickering candles. Fine china with gold rims, silver cutlery, and crystal goblets gleamed in the light of the chandeliers. Chairs upholstered in dark velvet invited a luxurious dining experience.
Around the table, the service team, led by Henry, moved with impeccable synchrony, anticipating every need. Chef Antony, with his team, was already behind the scenes, preparing the dishes.
The conversation began to flow freely. Rashid and Daniel sat at the head of the table, with Elara and Sheikha Fatima beside them. Elara's family was mixed in with Rashid's children and wives, allowing for more informal interaction.
"Daniel, I hear you arrived in your new A380," Rashid commented, a gleam of curiosity in his eyes. "I hear it's an impressive machine. Even more so than mine."
Daniel smiled, a gesture of calculated modesty. "It's functional, Rashid. Designed to optimize time and safety on long journeys. Nothing compared to your flying palace, I'm sure." In his mind, Daniel thought:'Functional, yes. And much more so than you can imagine. Your flying palace is a museum piece compared to this technological fortress.'He wouldn't say out loud that his A380 had active missile defense systems and electronic warfare capabilities that would make a state-of-the-art fighter seem obsolete. Those secrets were deep and deadly if revealed.
"Daniel, your home is magnificent," Sheikha Fatima said, her voice soft and elegant. "The details, thedesign... It is a haven of peace."
"It's a work in progress, Fatima," Daniel replied. "But I'm glad you like it. We wanted to create an environment that reflected the local culture with modern comforts."
Akemi, standing next to Sheikha Aisha, commented: "I've never seen anything like it. The gardens are so serene."
"I'm glad you like it, Akemi-san," Aisha replied with a smile. "Dubai is a city of wonders, and this house is one of them."
Antony, with his kitchen team, began serving dinner. The first course was a delicately spiced red lentil soup, followed by a fresh fig and goat cheese salad. With each course, Antony appeared to present the composition with infectious enthusiasm.
"And for the main course, Your Highness, and for everyone, we have Mechoui Lamb, slow-roasted to perfection, accompanied by aromatic couscous and grilled vegetables," Antony announced, his eyes shining. "For Lady Akemi and Kenji, we also have fresh Gulf Sea Bass, grilled with Mediterranean herbs, and a side oframenauthentic, with a broth that was prepared for twelve hours."
Kenji, who had been chatting animatedly with Prince Omar about video games, widened his eyes. "Theramenagain! Yes!"
Rashid tasted the lamb, his eyes closing for a moment in appreciation. "Antony, you've outdone yourself. This lamb is divine."
"It is always a pleasure to cook for Your Highness," Antony replied with a humble bow.
Elara was delighted with the food, but even more so with the dynamic at the table. Rashid's children were curious and playful, asking Kenji questions about his life and interests. Rashid's wives chatted with Akemi about art and culture, finding common ground despite their cultural differences. Thomas, though initially more reserved, was relaxing, engaging in a conversation with Prince Hamdan about stock markets and emerging technologies.
"Daniel, Kenji told me you took Elara shopping at H2R today," Prince Hamdan said, a mischievous smile. "My father forbade me from having one."
Daniel laughed. "Ah, Hamdan. Some freedoms are reserved for the elderly. But yes, it was a way for Elara to experience the city in a different way. She really enjoyed it."
Elara shook her head, a gleam in her eyes. "It was quite an experience! I never thought I'd pilot something so powerful."
"Daniel has a unique style," Rashid commented, a note of approval in his voice. "He always finds a way to do things in a... memorable way."
The conversation flowed through various topics: business, global politics, Daniel's charitable projects, and Dubai's efforts to become an innovation hub. Daniel and Rashid conversed like brothers, exchanging jokes and advice, deepening their connection. The presence of Elara's family and Rashid's family only solidified this relationship, creating a cross-cultural bond.
After the main course, the sweets were served:baklavapuff pastry with pistachio and honey,to diecrispy cheese and fresh fruit. Aromatic mint tea and strong Arabic coffee were served. The teacups, finely decorated with gold details, gleamed on the table, and the scent of mint mingled with the sweet perfume of the pastries.
"Daniel, your generosity is legendary," Rashid said, lifting a cup of tea. His eyes met Daniel's, a bond of mutual respect evident between them. "I'm always impressed by your ability to make people feel at home, no matter where they are."
"It's a pleasure, my brother," Daniel replied, his eyes meeting Elara's, a look of deep affection. He raised his own teacup in a silent toast. "Especially when I have the opportunity to share moments like this with people I love and cherish."
Prince Omar, who was sitting next to Kenji, smiled and commented, "Kenji, have you seen the new game update?Quantum Rift? The new desert map is spectacular."
Kenji, who was savoring histo die, he almost choked. "Really? I didn't know! I already downloaded the beta version. We can play together tomorrow, if you have time, Prince Omar?"
Omar laughed. "Sure! I'd love to. Daniel and my dad are always in boring meetings. It's nice to have someone to actually play with."
Rashid, listening to the boys' conversation, shook his head, an amused smile on his face. "Young people. Always with their games. In my day, it was all about horses and falcons." He looked at Daniel. "Remember, Daniel? Our first falconry competitions?"
Daniel nodded, a gleam of nostalgia in his eyes. "I do remember, Rashid. You always cheated a little, but never enough to truly beat me."
Rashid looked mock-offended. "Come on, brother! Did I cheat? Never! I was just using my natural cunning, something you, with your overly practical Western mind, never fully grasped."
Sheikha Sara, Rashid's youngest wife, who had been chatting with Akemi about local textiles, interjected gently. "Your Daniel was always very competitive, Your Highness. But very entertaining. I remember when he tried to learn Arabic calligraphy... It was hilarious."