Daniel watched the two women, a proud smile on his face. The way they connected, the intelligence and determination in their eyes, was mesmerizing. He had chosen them for their strength, not just their beauty. "I'll leave you with the details. Just give me the final version when you're satisfied. I want something that's believable, that honors everyone, and that doesn't raise suspicions. Remember, my operations depend on discretion. We can't have anything that seems... forced or inexplicable. My life as a 'Ghost' demands that appearances be impeccable."
Aisha thought for a moment, her eyes narrowed, taking in the scene. "Well, for starters, the idea that Prince Rashid would be seeking to solidify his ties with Daniel through marriage... is perfectly understandable. It's an ancient practice in many Middle Eastern cultures, especially among powerful families. This wouldn't sound strange to your parents, Elara, if presented in the right way."
Elara leaned toward Aisha, her enthusiasm growing. "Right. So, the story is that during the negotiations in Dubai—the ones where Daniel was 'closing important deals'—Prince Rashid, impressed by Daniel's ability, integrity, and vision, proposed a deeper alliance. Something that transcended mere trade agreements."
"And this alliance would be sealed with a bond of blood," Aisha continued, picking up the thread, "through me, his younger sister. The Prince would have offered me to Daniel as a way to cement trust and ensure a lasting partnership between our families. He would have said that, to him, there is no greater proof of loyalty than the union of his sisters in marriage, ensuring that the bond would be unbreakable for generations."
Elara clapped silently, a sparkle in her eyes. "Perfect! And to make the story even more convincing, we can add that Prince Rashid, being an open-minded and modern man, recognized the deep love between Daniel and me. He didn't want this to be an imposition, but rather a blessing. Therefore, he reportedly said that, although I am Daniel's 'first wife' and 'woman of his heart,' Aisha would be the 'covenant wife,' the one who ensures the continuity of the lineage and the strength of the partnership. A kind of 'diplomatic gift' that becomes a family, you see?"
Aisha smiled, a gleam of approval in her eyes. "Wonderful, Elara! This adds a touch of modernity to tradition, which is very characteristic of my brother. He values modernity without forgetting his roots. We can say that, for the Prince, your happiness and Daniel's are paramount, and that he sees in you, Elara, a soul Daniel needs for his balance. And in me, he sees the extension of his own family, ensuring the solidity of the alliance. It is a bond between two families united through the man we love."
Daniel, who had been listening silently, finally intervened, his voice filled with admiration. "Magnificent. It's plausible; it honors the Prince's culture, and at the same time, it respects our history. And most importantly, my in-laws will have no reason to question it. The idea of a blood alliance with a man of my influence would be completely understandable to them. And Elara, this explains Aisha's presence in my life without raising suspicions about... the details of my involvement in the world. They won't see the 'Ghost,' only the man who is building bridges between cultures."
"Exactly," Elara agreed, her face radiant. "Let's say Prince Rashid, seeing how much Daniel loves me and how connected we are, understood that I am his soul. But to seal the deal unshakably, he offered his sister as a direct blood bond, a guarantee of loyalty and friendship between them that would span generations. And Daniel, out of respect and to honor this alliance, accepted. Not as a replacement, but as a precious addition to the family."
Aisha added: "And we could even say that the Prince asked me to adapt to Daniel and Elara's lifestyle, so that the transition would be smooth and organic. That I am not an imposition, but an extension of my brother's affection and trust. This justifies my constant presence, without it seeming... unexpected. I would be like a cultural bridge, someone who would bring the richness of my culture into your lives, and learn from yours."
"And the story of Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare?" Elara asked, pondering how to integrate all the details provided. "We could say it was a welcome gift from the Prince to Daniel and me, to celebrate the beginning of this new phase of our lives. An exclusive dinner, with him present, sealing our union and our new, expanded 'family.'"
Daniel nodded, impressed by their creativity. "Perfect. Chef's Table in New York. A prestigious venue, known for its exclusivity. This fits perfectly with the narrative of a high-profile alliance celebration. And the Prince would be there, blessing the union, showing his support. It's a story that holds up."
"And to my parents," Elara continued, her voice lower, thoughtful, "I will emphasize that this is a matter of honor and of great importance to Daniel. That accepting Aisha as part of our family is crucial to the stability and success of Daniel's endeavors, ensuring peace and prosperity. That it is a blessing, not a burden. And that Daniel loves me above all else, and that Aisha comes to complement, not replace." She looked at Daniel, then back at Aisha, the silent promise of loyalty in her eyes. "They will understand. They trust Daniel implicitly."
Aisha placed her hand on Elara's shoulder, a gesture of deep gratitude and affection. "They will see the truth in your eyes, Elara. And I will do my part to be a valuable addition to the family, not just a 'covenant wife.' I will be a friend, a confidant, a sister. The union of our cultures through our love for Daniel will be evident. I promise."
Daniel pulled them both into a tight hug, a smile of pure satisfaction on his face. "You are brilliant. Truly brilliant. My queen and my new ally. With you by my side, there is no challenge we cannot overcome. And now, with this story, we can move forward, without the shadows of my world touching the innocence of Elara's family." He couldn't say "system," but the Shadow Network and the Ghost operations would remain secure, invisible behind the veneer of a life of luxury and complex diplomatic alliances.
The A380 cabin, bathed in morning light, witnessed the birth of a new truth, one that would be carefully constructed and presented to the world. An apology crafted with intelligence and complicity, one that would ensure the peace and happiness of Daniel's new family, while the "Ghost" would continue to operate in the shadows, protecting his loved ones and the world, with his two women by his side, his confidants and partners in every aspect, visible and invisible. The flavor of the coffee, which Henry had already discreetly prepared, began to spread through the cabin, marking the beginning of a new day, full of promises and well-kept secrets.
The soft morning light spilled over the A380 cabin, where Elara, Daniel, and Aisha lay snuggled in the silk sheets. The air still carried the echo of recent passions, but Daniel's mind was already wandering to the intricate webs of his world. He pulled away slightly from Elara and Aisha, leaning on one elbow, his expression thoughtful. His eyes, which had just shone with desire, now took on a different intensity, the discerning gaze of one operating in the shadows, always one step ahead.
"That story we came up with for your family, Elara, and for my union with Aisha... it's brilliant. Perfect," Daniel began, his voice calm but with a note of seriousness that signaled the transition from an intimate moment to the complexities of his reality. "But there's one part I don't like. Returning to New York now for the celebration... it's not a good time, my love."
Elara and Aisha exchanged glances, surprise etched on their faces. What could be so urgent as to derail the plans of a man as powerful as Daniel?
Daniel slid from the bed with silent fluidity, his body in motion sculpted by discipline and purpose. He didn't bother to dress immediately; his naked presence radiated a natural authority. He walked to the cabin's work area, whereDaniel's console main screen, a mosaic of ultrawide monitors that formed a luminous wall, vibrating with a quiet urgency. The bluish light from the monitors cast a cold glow over her body, creating a dramatic contrast with the softness of the sheets on which Elara and Aisha still lay.
"Remember the boy's case?" Daniel asked, his voice low, almost a whisper, but carrying a gravity that made Elara and Aisha sit up, paying close attention. He pointed to one of the monitors, where white letters on a dark background flashed."The message, from the familiar help@help.ghost channel, had the bureaucratic coldness of a real world in contrast to the digital abstraction he inhabited. LAPD incident number: 385472-6. Missing Child."The simple phrase, "Child Missing," echoed in the cabin, piercing the usual layer of detachment Daniel maintained to cope with the constant flow of human despair. His eyes scanned the text, the muscles in his jaw tense.
"This isn't an ordinary kidnapping, or a simple search for a missing person, Elara," Daniel continued, his voice becoming more incisive as he spoke, his eyes fixed on the screen, but his mind already processing the ramifications. "I've seen it all: injustices, corruption... but this case in Los Angeles is different. The child... she's connected to something much bigger, something that's rotting the system. And it's not just in Los Angeles." He gestured to other data scrolling rapidly on the monitors, codes and graphs that to Elara and Aisha were unintelligible, but to him, they were a map of chaos.
"The shit, to use more direct language, Elara," he said, turning to them, his eyes burning with suppressed fury, "goes all the way to the Pentagon. There's a'witch hunt'happening right now in the United States. People who thought they were above it all, senators, congressmen... even in the House of Representatives and the Senate, are being investigated. And the arrests have already begun." He tapped the screen lightly with his fingertip, a gesture of frustration. "Powerful, wealthy, and influential people, who were involved in schemes that go far beyond what the media even suspects. And this dirt... it's reached New York. It's a minefield there now."