43

Paris....

City of love!

She always wanted to visit the place.

Though the place is in her country, she never had a chance to visit the place before. It has always been her dream to visit this place.

To have a romantic evening with her prince charming under the Eiffel Tower as they show in movies.

How ironic it is to be here with the man she loves. Who doesn't love her in return. On business!!

She sighed in defeat. What's the point of thinking about all this?


Zayed had been acting weird ever since the party night a week ago. Even the coronation day was a blur. She was overwhelmed when she realized what he had done for their kids.

She realized that he is worthy of being their father.

But something is going on with him. Something is bothering him.

Twice had he traveled to the US for some unknown reason.

What is it that he is hiding?

"Aveline? Are you ready??" Zayed asked, coming forward, making her snap out of her thoughts.


"Yes yes. I am. When is the meeting??" She asked although she knows when.

"In an hour. This deal is very important for Ahmed Industries. Make sure to note down all the points Aveline" he said making her frown

"But, I thought this deal was for Maxwell Industries. That's what you told me last day" she said and he smiled sheepishly at her.

"Well, you wouldn't have come with me if I told you it was for the Ahmeds" he shrugged and she glared at him.

She damn well wouldn't have!

****


The deal was a success.

It has been two days since they have been in Paris.

And all she saw was the view of the Eiffel Tower from the penthouse suite where they are staying.

"Go on a date with me!!!" Ava turned around from the window to see Zayed standing there leaning against the wall looking at her with heated intensity.

God!! That ego of his!!

How could that be such a turn on!!

It should have put her off. Any normal person would have been left cold with

such an attitude.

But then, she is never normal when it comes to Zayed Ahmed al Zidra

"Is that an order, Your Highness?" She asked sarcastically raising an eyebrow at him

"Maybe it is" he said winking at her

"And what if I say no" she asked back with equal attitude.

"That would be extremely sad!! The triplets would miss us terribly" he said with a pout.

Did he just pout! And why would it look so darn adorable.

He should look ridiculous with that pout.


"Why is that so??" She asked suspiciously

"We would be staying here for an indefinite period of time right? So, they will miss us" Zayed said with a casual shrug.

"Why? We are leaving tomorrow right. That was the plan " she asked frowning up at him.

"We wont be leaving Paris, until you go on a date with me, Mrs Ahmed" he said

"That is blackmail. And don't call me that. It is Miss Dupont" she exclaimed angrily.

"You can say whatever you want, but it doesn't change the fact that you are my wife. Mrs Aveline Zayed Ahmed al Zidra. And about blackmail, you can think of it

any way you want. Be ready by seven in the evening" He said and placed a package ,which she hadn't noticed he was holding all along, on the bed

"Wear this for tonight habibi" he said and walked away winking at her.

****

Zayed had been restless ever since he got that call last week.

And his relationship with Aveline is so weak that it wouldn't be able to bear the blow.

He needs to secure their bond stronger before he tells Avelime about Brianna's arrival into their life.

Any mention of Brianna at this point would only be straining an already strained relationship.

As he was pacing around the living room, the door to Aveline's room opened and all the breath knocked out of his lungs.

How could a person grow more and more beautiful as every second passes by.

The midnight blue gown she was wearing only enhanced her fair complexion.

The sweetheart neckline of the gown shows only a shadow of her cleavage leaving room for so much more imagination.

And when it comes to Aveline, he has a pretty wild and creative imagination.


He brought this upon himself!

How is he going endure a dinner when he is hungry for a totally different thing.

He gulped down and shifted around uncomfortably trying to hide the evidence of his arousal.

"Let's go??" Aveline asked bringing him out of his fantasy world.

"Sure"

The ride towards the restaurant was in silence.

The sexual tension between them was very palpable

If they don't act on it soon, it is going to explode

Aveline kept her gaze firmly out the window, giving him a perfect view of the curve of her neck joining her shoulders.

Acutely aware that he was entirely to blame for his current condition, Zayed employed the last of his willpower and transferred his gaze from her face to the window.

It was a mistake.

Paris in darkness sparkled and glittered like a film set and lovers walked hand in hand along the banks of the Seine, creating memories that would be stored for a lifetime.

Everything about the night suggested intimacy and romance.

Exasperated by the direction of his thoughts, Zayed turned his attention back to his phone, forced to admit that in an attempt to prove his self-control he'd found himself severely tested.

****

As Zayed placed a hand on her back ushering her inside the restaurant, Ava prayed he wouldn't be able to listen to the heavy thudding of her heart.

He was wearing a black tuxedo, fitting perfectly on his broad shoulders and he looked as handsome as ever with his perfectly gelled hair.

Ava was aware of his gaze on her throughout the drive to the restaurant.

It took all her will power not to succumb to the desire sizzling in her blood.

He dragged out a chair and held it for her to take and tucked her in before taking a seat across her.

As they sat there they were served with a glass of red wine.

Ava took a tentative sip of the wine hoping that the drink will not mess up her already messed up brain.

They were yet to make any conversation.

Ava looked around the posh restaurant and found it empty


"Why is the restaurant empty?" She asked in confusion

"Uh.." he trailed off rubbing the back of his neck looking sheepish and Ava's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You didn't!!" She exclaimed in horror.

The waiter who came over with the starters saved Zayed from Ava's ire.

The waiter served a plate of kebabs, street style, in front of her and she looked astonished.

"How???"

"It's nothing. I hired a French chef who has also mastered in street foods for tonight"

he said with a casual shrug and Ava looked at him in wonder.

Did he just do that for her?

Aww!! She couldn't help but swoon.

"And yeah, please eat like normal people do okay? Don't do that stupid stunt of yours" he grumbled and she frowned at that.

So much for swooning!!!

"You are ashamed of my behavior " she said, gritting her teeth and it was Zayed's turn to frown.

"God!! No!!! I am not ashamed, Aveline. I am worried. What if it chokes on your throat? You could die doing such stupid things

Avelien" he said shuddering as he said that and she melted again.

Damn you Zayed! How could he do this to her!

She is supposed to lock her heart away from him.

How is she to do that, if he is all set on being so sweet and caring.

She managed to fall in love with him when he had been nothing but rude to her.

How is she to resist now?

But she has to.

She can't risk her heart again. Her heart is not strong enough to bear another break.