Captured by the sheikh

Chapter one

Kacie

"This is quite unusual." I muttered, as I sneaked past some guards seated around a table. So far, meandering my way into the mansion, hadn't proven to be tough as Josh had exaggerated.

The hallway was vast, if not empty, and my weeks of training proved to be useless. I mean, what was there to fight?

"What is unusual?" Josh asked, just as I leaned against a wall, and waited for an all black dressed guard to move past.

"Everything. For a Sheikh, the security around here is so low. It just seems so easy." And it was.

I had been expecting lots of guards, but from the number I'd sneaked past, I was sure they weren't up to ten in the entire mansion.

Josh sighed from his end. "That shouldn't bother you. Maybe he isn't heavy on security. You know how these billionaires are. Get the art piece, and forget about the security."

"That's easy for you to say. I trust my instincts, Josh. Whatever, where's his gallery located?" I asked, pushing the fact that as I hurried along the hallway, I didn't encounter another guard, to the back of my mind.

My legs ached from hours of monitoring his mansion. All I wanted to do at that moment, was to grab the art piece, get the fuck out of the mansion, get into my little hot tub at my condo, and soak up.

"Hold on-" Josh said. I heard the clicking of his keyboards from his end. I patted the pepper spray which I'd tucked into the side of my trouser. Although I wondered why I'd brought it, in the first place. It wasn't like I'd need it, anyways.

"The West wing. Cream colored door." His voice came on, again, and I nodded. That was where I was headed to.

I rounded a corner, and a large cream colored door came into sight. "Got it."

The Art gallery was just as I pictured it to be. Superseding my imagination, even. I didn't waste much time, as I hurried over to grab what'd brought me here in the first place.

It was an average sized art piece, which was worth billions. I'd been planning on its raid for weeks now. Along with my best friend, Josh.

And now, it was finally going to be ours...

Sparing a quick glance at the other art pieces, I tentatively grabbed it from its stand, and just then, an alarm began blaring. My heart skipped a beat, and I cursed. Just what I thought. Everything had seemed so easy.

"Kay? Kay? What's up?! What's happening?" Josh's panicky voice sounded in my ear, as I rushed out of the gallery, the art piece in my left hand.

"Just a perk of a billionaire's mansion." I was almost out of breath, by the time I sneaked into a room, at the end of the hallway.

As I leaned against the door, I could hear the heavy steps of the men, as they ran past.

"Do well, not to get caught." He begged, and I turned to take a closer look at the room I'd sneaked into.

"You bet."

The room was dark, and had an ominous feel to it. But, I'd rather stay here all night, than go back outside and be caught by the sheikh's men, or worse still, by Al-Zayn himself.

Light snaked into the room, through the window located at a far end. No sooner had a thought formed in my mind, did I move quickly towards it.

I could escape through the window, with the art piece. Great.

As I stared down from the window, my heart caught in my throat. It was a long way down. I could break a leg, if I attempted to jump.

But not jumping down, meant I'd be caught. I made a decision quickly.

I'd just stretched a leg forward, after saying a short prayer, when a voice stopped me. It was colder than the ice on an ice desert.

"Don't even think about it." The voice said, just as the lights came on. When I turned back, my heart almost stopped beating.

Leaning against the headboard of a king-sized bed, was a tanned handsome looking man. His hair lay in curls, doing not even the slightest bit to hide his deep blue set eyes. His black shirt did beautiful justice to his well sculpted chest. God help me, but I was sure I was drooling.

He was staring at me intently, and then his eyes drifted downwards towards the art piece in my hand.

I had been distracted by his looks, that I'd forgotten that I was supposed to be escaping. To get the fuck out of the mansion. But my damn legs weren't cooperating.

"So you're the one who made the alarm go off?" He drawled. It was a rhetorical question, but I felt inclined to give an answer.

I didn't know why. Maybe it was because of his royal demeanor. Or the way his voice commanded respect. Perhaps, it was his good looks, and the way he stared at me, like he was about to swallow me whole.

I nodded, and took a quick glance at the art piece in my hand. It had suddenly lost its allure, in my eyes, and I wished I could get away from it at that moment.

"Kay, are you out yet?" Josh's concerned voice came on, and that roused me from my temporary trance.

"I need to go." I whispered, and rushed towards the window.

"You could die, if you attempted to jump down. And even if you don't, my men would make sure you do." He stood up, and approached me, slowly.

My heart turned numb. His men? Then was he-

"Besides, you haven't introduced yourself yet. I'm Al-Zayn Fazzal."

If my heart had turned numb at the mention of his men, then at his introduction, blood literally rushed to my head.

I'd been caught.

"Kay?" I flinched at the sound of Josh's voice, and even more so, when Al-Zayn stretched his hand forward towards my ear.

His hand barely brushed my skin, but I gasped at the contact. He retrieved the earbuds, and placed them in his ears.

"You can forget about your partner." He looked at me, as he continued. "She wouldn't be coming back."

Whatever strength I had left in my legs dissolved, and they suddenly felt like jelly. I wobbled on my feet, grabbing at the nearby wall for support.

He threw the buds on the ground, once he was done speaking. Up close, his face was so strikingly handsome. And he looked hot too. But I knew those weren't what I should be thinking about.

Heck, I'd just been caught by the owner of the mansion. By the powerful Sheikh Al-Zayn, himself. What was he going to do to me?

"You're quite bold. Did you really think you could sneak into my mansion, and steal one of my art pieces?" Gone was the casual look on his face. In its place were disgust and scorn, all melded into one.

His stare bored into my skin, and my body suddenly felt scorched. He tilted my jaw, forcing my gaze to meet his.

"You know, I could just end your life right now. But that'd be too easy. You deserve a sentence worse than death." His voice was cold, emotionless, and totally unfeeling.

I swallowed hard, gripping at the art piece, like it was some sort of life support. My stomach churned, and I was pretty sure I'd be retching out whatever it was I had for lunch, soon.

"P-please-" I whispered. I'd never begged anyone before. But maybe that was because I'd never been in a situation such as this one. Right now, I could as well grovel.

He finally let go of me, after some seconds. His laughter filled the room. "The only reason I'm not hurting you right now, is because you're pretty. And for you to have sneaked into my heavily guarded mansion, you've got some balls."

I blinked, at his definition of 'heavily guarded.'

He went over to the bedside table, on which a telephone was placed. "Send two men to my room." He ordered whoever was on the other line. My breath came in short raspy pants, as I tried avoiding his gaze.

'And that was it,' I thought. I was going to be killed. Rumors of how ruthless the Sheikh was, had been flying around. I was about to witness it, first-hand.

He turned back towards me, with the ghost of a smile on his face. "Rest easy. You look like you've just swallowed bile."

I wish that was the case.

He studied me for a few seconds, but there was no way in hell I was ready for his next words.

"I'm going to offer you a deal. You agree to it, and I'd forget about what just happened. Not literally of course. I wouldn't let you go. But at least, I wouldn't kill you." His eyes glinted.

I knew I couldn't disagree with whatever his deal would be, and he was just toying with me.

And even though I wanted him to go to hell, I found myself saying, "And what's the deal?" With a voice that was pathetically cracked, I asked.

He smirked. "She speaks. Perfect. I was afraid you might have lost your voice, from fear. The deal is to-" He was right in front of me, within a couple of seconds.

"-become my fiancèe."

I might have burst into laughter, if the situation had been any way different. But doing so at that moment, might ignite his fury.

"Sorry, what?" Not bothering to conceal my confusion, I asked.

The confident look on his face didn't crack. "You heard me right. Become my fiancèe, and I'll spare you."

His men came into the room, at that moment. They were dressed just like the other guards I'd sneaked past.

"Who was in charge of the gallery?" he questioned them.

"It was Kabir, Amir-" One of them began saying, when Al-Zayn threw him a punch.

"Bastards!" He hissed. "I'd deal with you all, later. For now, take her to the prisoner's room." He ordered, pointing at me.

He barely spared me a glance, as he began speaking. "Think about it, and let me know your decision. But I'm sure you wouldn't choose death." And to his men, he said, "Take her away."

And as I was led out of the room, I was pretty sure my life wasn't going to remain the same.

Chapter two

Zayn

I stared down the window, my hands tucked in my pocket, different thoughts running through my mind.

The door pushed open, and Amad walked in. "I heard there'd almost been a theft, last night?" He asked, as he came closer to me.

"The allure of Floating shelves seemed to have attracted someone into my mansion." I said, in reply. Floating shelves... That was the name of the art piece. I got it two months ago from an auction.

"A woman? So bold. So, what are you going to do to her?" He asked, carefully.

I flashed him a brief glance, and turned back to the window. The scenery below, filled with lights, and vast space was beautiful. And they all belonged to me.

"What do you think?" I retorted.

"Well, it's hard to say. Your way of thinking is so different from ours." And was he right.

I simply chuckled, without giving a response. He was about to continue, when my ringing tone came off, from my laptop.

"Get it." I ordered, without moving an inch.

However, when some seconds passed, and he didn't say another word, I turned to face him. The look on his face had similarity to the one he had, when he'd eaten berries last night. And Amad hated berries.

"Who's that?" I asked.

"Your parents." He replied.

"Leave." I ordered, in a voice that bore no similarity to mine. He hurried out of the room, just as I took the laptop and headed towards the gallery.

. . .

A sharp knock at the door, and someone entering, made me turn back. I raised a hand at Amad, who had a box in his hand.

"I'll be back later." My best friend said, as he rushed out of the gallery. I turned back to the laptop which was placed on the table in front of me.

"Was that Amad?" The man who was an older version of myself, asked.

I nodded. "Yes, father." I stroked the ring on my finger, dreading the conversation which was about to come.

"Have you found a bride yet? The last time we talked, you said you had a blind date with the daughter of a well known businessman-" He was saying, then his words were interrupted by someone in the background.

It was unmistakably my mother's.

Her pretty face showed up in the camera, and I managed a smile. "Saba'ar Noor, mother." I simply said, making myself comfortable on my chair.

"You look tired, Zayn. Have you rested at all?" A concerned look covered her face. My father interrupted her.

"He has many responsibilities to handle. Of course, he'd look worn out. I was asking him if he found a bride yet." Khalid Fazzal said.

I shook my head, as my mother's gaze turned sharp. "Well, have you?" She asked.

"I've told you guys, I don't want to get married now." This wasn't the first time I was having this conversation with my parents. But hopefully, this'd be the last.

"You dare go against my words, Zayn?" My father hissed, his face getting clouded with anger. My mother patted his shoulder.

"Calm down, Khalid." She cooed.

I turned my face away from the camera, as my father began speaking in a more gentler tone.

"You know it's been a generational tradition in our family. You must get married, before claiming the family's business." He said.

I suddenly felt dizzy. "You are still handling the business, father. I have no interest-" He interrupted me, while I was speaking.

"And what about your uncle? And your cousin? Don't be a fool, Zayn!" His tone was sharper than a blade, as he slammed his hand on a table.

"I worked so hard to build this empire, son. I won't stay idle, and watch it go to someone who didn't work for it. We're coming over to America in a week's time." He informed me.

"Wait, what? Why?" I asked, as my stomach churned.

Trust my father to be as overbearing as always.

"You obviously don't want to get a bride. We're obligated as your parents to do that for you." He said in a tone that left no room for arguments.

"I have a fiancée." I sighed.

The surprise on their faces were evident, as they blankly stared back at me through the camera.

"Is this a prank?" My mother asked, when they finally found their voices.

I was about to reply, when my father beat me to it. "I don't care. Expect us in a week's time." My father said with narrowed eyes.

"But I just said-" He cut me off.

"I don't care what you said, son. If you truly have a fiancèe, we'd like to meet her and give our blessings. But if you're trying to pull a fast one on us, we'd give you a woman. Isn't that just great?" He finally smiled.

"Father, there is no need to visit me. I can handle this on my own." I took on a more pleading tone.

The last thing I wanted was my parents visiting while my plans were still underway.

"It's decided, Zayn. Prepare for our arrival." And then, he ended the call.

I stared at the dark screen for some seconds, before slamming my hands on the table in anger. "Fuck," I cursed.

I hated how fast everything was spiraling without control. And I hated the fact that even though I wanted to go against my father's orders, I just couldn't. The consequences were too great.

Amad rushed into the gallery. "Done with the call...Damn, what's that look on your face?" He hurried over to me. He'd obviously stowed the box away.

"They want to visit in a week's time." I simply said to him, and a horrified look covered his face.

He sighed, and pulled a chair forward.

"What are you going to do?" He questioned, and I sighed.

My head ached. But I was more angry than exhausted.

"Well, I have someone to act as my fiancèe, already."

"Are you really going to make that thief your fiancèe? I mean, you could go for someone better. It's unlike you to make a rash decision." He ruffled his hair, while crossing his legs.

"A thief?" My tone hardened, as I stared at him. He flinched, and raised both hands in apology.

"I'm sorry." He muttered.

I rose from my seat and began pacing the gallery. The art piece was now back in place.

When she sauntered into my room last night, I'd been trying to get some rest. Already accustomed to the darkness, I'd already seen her.

But once I'd turned the lights on, her beauty had captivated me. What, with those fiery green eyes, and plump lips.

"You were about to tell me something?" I asked him, after a while. I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind.

"Ah, yes. I just got a report that your uncle has been trying to buy shares from your rivals." He informed me, and a cold smirk touched my lips.

"He's trying really hard, isn't he?" I asked.

"What should we do?" Amad stood up, and waited for my response.

"Let him do whatever he wants. He can only go so far." I waved my hand dismissively.

He took that as his cue to leave. Once the door clicked shut, I was left alone with my thoughts.

That god-damned tradition. I grabbed at the laptop, and strolled out. Now, I simply had to ask her what her decision was.

***

The door to the prisoner's room was left open, on my orders. On the bed right in the middle of the room, was Kacie. I had my men look into her, and everyone around her too.

She sat up, her eyes going wide with fear, as I walked into the room.

"Decided yet?" I pulled at a chair, and plopped down on it, studying her closely. She had almond shaped green eyes, and lush looking black hair. Her oval face accentuated the shape of her aquiline nose, granting her a fiery, yet subtle beauty.

"There's no decision to make." She muttered, in a voice barely audible.

I chuckled lowly, trying to get a hold on my anger. "I'll take that as a no, then?"

She visibly swallowed, clutching the edge of the duvet, and pulling it around her body. She didn't respond.

"Josh, was it? That's the name of your partner, right?" I asked in a nonchalant manner, as I leaned back.

But that wasn't the same for Kacie, who now had a horrified look on her face. "You-" Her voice broke, and she swallowed. "What have you done to him?" She heaved.

I laughed. "Done? What do you take me for? An unfeeling being? Your friend is safe. But I'm not sure that'd be the case in a few hours' time." I stroked the ring on my finger casually.

She blanched. "Please, don't. Don't hurt him, he's innocent. This was all my plan." She pleaded.

I scoffed. Such naivety.

"What do I care? Even if this plan was yours, or his, if you don't make the right decision, you'd all be dead." I warned, my calmness a contrast to my words.

She sucked in a breath. "No, you won't do that. You just said you weren't an unfeeling being." She retorted.

I almost laughed. "And that's why we're having a decent conversation, Kacie." I shrugged.

Her face turned pale, as she struggled to form a coherent sentence. "You know my name?"

I ignored her words, and rose to my feet. "I'd be back in two hours. Your decision should be made by then."

I was already pulling on the doorknob, when her voice stopped me. "Wait, I agree."

I turned to her, with a triumphant look. "I thought as much. Now, I have a condition. You agree to it, and we have a deal."

She had a hesitant look on her face, as she struggled to respond. "What condition?"

I approached her slowly. With each step I took, I could see how fast her breath was accelerating.

I stopped beside her, and bent to her eye level. "You must never fall in love with me, Kacie. The day you do, would be your end." I warned.

I could fulfill my obligations by getting married. But there was no way in hell I'd fall in love.

She nodded. "I agree, Al-Zayn. I'll be your fiancèe."

I nodded in satisfaction, and moved away. "Good. We have a deal."

Chapter three

Kacie

It was already a week since I was captured. A week since I'd been imprisoned at Zayn's mansion.

Two maids came into the room, holding neatly folded clothes. I looked at them questioningly. "Is there something wrong?"

"It's time for your bath." They simply said.

As I got out of my gown, I wondered at their use of vocabulary. Prisoner's room, Zayn had said. But this room didn't bear any resemblance to a prisoner's room.

If there was anything, my pathetic condo was more a prisoner's room, compared to this beautiful and expensive looking room. When I'd looked into the walk-in closet out of curiosity, my eyes had gone wide in shock.

Just how rich was Al-Zayn?

During breakfast, Zayn had an odd look on his face. For whatever reason, he had a guard bring me over to have breakfast with him. And boy, was I intimidated.

I barely ate, as I picked at my plate. "You should know about me, since you're my fake bride to be." He suddenly said, after a thousand minutes of uncomfortable silence.

I raised my head abruptly, and slowly brought it down. "There's nothing I want to know." I muttered.

"That wasn't a request, but an order." His voice went a notch higher.

I lost whatever appetite I had left. "Why did you spare me?" I asked. It was a silly question, of course. But I wanted to know.

He scoffed. "Is that even a question? But I'd answer you. I told you already, it's because you're pretty." He shrugged.

"That isn't enough reason, Al-Zayn. You can have as many pretty women as you wish." And it was true.

"I don't know either. Ask whatever you want to know." That was enough hint to stop pushing it.

I nodded. "What do you like the most?" It was the first question which popped into my mind.

"Wits." He simply said, and I watched him as he popped a strawberry into his mouth. "I love wits. Now it's my turn, Kacie. Why the hell did you sneak into my mansion, knowing my status fully well?"

"But you said you just wanted to-" I protested, and he cut me off.

"I don't care what I said, answer the damn question."

I reached for a glass of water, and downed its content in one gulp.

"I did it for the money." I whispered.

He rose from his seat, and leaned down. "I love wits, but unfortunately, you have none of it."

Minutes after he left the dining room, I sat back there, frozen still. His words shouldn't hurt that much, but I didn't know why they did.

***

I found myself pacing the expansive room, my hands getting all sweaty.

They'd be here in an hour's time.

Earlier during breakfast, Zayn had told me that his parents would be visiting, and I'd be meeting them. My heart had almost jumped out of my body.

I inhaled and exhaled sharply, reminding myself that I had to do well, else everyone I cared for would die.

From the little time I'd known Zayn, I knew he hadn't been bluffing.

The door pushed open, and an exquisitely dressed maid walked in. She gave a low bow. "The Sheikh requests your presence in his room." And she left, just as quickly as she came.

I had no problem finding Zayn's room. I'd been there before, after all.

The moment I walked in, the dread which I'd been trying to push to the back of my mind, surfaced yet again.

He was dressed in a black suit, and black pants. His hair had been styled, and he looked breathtaking. His room was even more so. Golden colored chandeliers hung down from the ceiling, casting beautiful lights on his black themed room. It was even more expansive, than mine. Probably more than any room in the mansion.

"Done looking?" His voice shook me out of my thoughts, and I cleared my throat awkwardly.

"You sent for me." I said nervously.

He nodded, and reached for a box from the nearby dresser.

I watched him curiously, as he turned back towards me. "Remember, I won't tolerate any mistakes of any sort. If you jeopardize this, I'd ruin you." He warned, his eyes gleaming dangerously.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

He walked towards me, and finally opened the box. When I saw its content, I gasped audibly.

It was the most expensive and beautiful looking diamond ring I'd ever seen.

"Why are you giving me this?" I breathed, not taking my glance away from the ring.

"My parents aren't fools. What proof is there to show that we're engaged, without a ring? Put this on." He pushed it into my hand.

This wasn't how I'd imagined my engagement to be. I'd always imagined my prince charming kneeling, and asking if I'd like to marry him. Imagined him spiraling me around, out of happiness when I said yes. And kissing me with love.

But that wasn't the case. Instead of the sweetness I'd imagined, I was about to convince my enemy's parents that I was his bride to be.

Ironic, wasn't it?

I slipped the ring on, and admired how it glinted in the light, against my fingers. It was a little too big.

I looked up at Zayn who was staring at me with a darkened gaze.

The door opened before he could say a word, and Amad dashed in.

"They are here." He said, as his gaze darted between me and Zayn.

Zayn encircled my waist with his hand, and I almost flinched at his touch. His touch sent spasms of pleasure coursing through my body.

I swallowed the non-existent saliva, and waited, as Amad pulled the door open.

"Are you ready?" I heard him ask, just as buzzing sounds filled my ears.

God help me, but I felt like I was about to lose consciousness.

In a tiny voice, I said, "Yes."

***

The large hall was brightly lit, with dozens of bodyguards flanking both sides. There might have been more than a dozen.

Totally nervous, I took solace in the fact that the man holding my waist had the same agenda I did. Which was to please his parents.

I didn't spot his parents at first, since they were obscured from sight by their convoy. But when I did, the bile like taste in my mouth increased. If I had thought Zayn was intimidating, the man seated on the two seater sofa, was more so. Right beside him, was a pleasant looking woman. Their gentle perfume whiffed into my nose, and I inhaled deeply.

They rose from their seats, as we got closer. The woman spoke first.

"My, my. You look beautiful. I've always known Zayn has good taste, like his father." She pulled me away from Zayn's grip, and hugged me gently.

In the absence of Zayn's comforting hold, the nervousness came back in full force.

I forced some words out. "You flatter me, mother." The words were out before I could stop them. I waited with bated breath, for her to flare up at my way of addressing her. But she didn't. Instead, her smile broadened, as she pulled away.

"So humble." She looked past me, at Zayn and winked.

I turned to the unsmiling man behind her, who hadn't said a word. Zayn came forward at that moment, and placed an arm across my shoulder. "Father, mother, meet my fiancèe, Kacie Aurel. And Kacie-" He turned to me, and gestured at his parents.

"Meet Sheikh Khalid Fazzal, and my lovely mother, Humairah Fazzal." His tone was as bland as always.

It might have gone unnoticed, but I'd always been sensitive of my surroundings for as long as I could remember. And the stare Sheikh Khalid threw at me wasn't a welcoming one.

His mother was a different matter altogether, and I was sure cozying up to her wouldn't be a problem.

"I had a feast prepared for your arrival. Let's go." Zayn said, and let the way out of the large living room.

As I walked closely behind my abductor, I tried to ignore the heavy stare behind me. To ignore the fact that these people wielded power, greater than anything I've seen before. And to ignore the fact that at any slightest mistake, I'd be dead.

It was a feast indeed. Laid out on the table, were different mouthwatering dishes. There were maids, standing in a clean line, as we all piled into the dining hall. They bowed, and chorused something in Arabic that I didn't understand.

It wasn't until we took our seats, did Sheikh Khalid speak to me. "So you're my son's fiancèe?" He asked, his voice making my heart skip.

What was it with these men, and their intimidating looks and voices?

"Yes, Sheikh." I simply replied, and kept my head fixed downwards.

I was about to cut a steak, when he spoke again. "And who're you? Introduce yourself, Miss Kacie."

My soul literally left my body. I quickly turned to look at Zayn who was seated beside me. How was I supposed to answer that question?