Chapter 29 - Sayid
I made sure our honeymoon is the perfect trip away together before settling into the commotion of the royal life we would have from now on. I arranged multiple places to sail our yacht to, and embark on excursions together.
Before we set sail, I made sure everything was perfect. The yacht is stocked with the finest food, wine, and everything Nora could possibly need. I kept the crew minimal—just enough to handle the ship without interfering with our time together.
Privacy was the priority. I want her to feel like the world outside of us doesn’t exist, that nothing can touch us out on the open sea. Just me, her, and endless horizons. More importantly, I want to be able to take her when, and wherever we feel like it.
I am certainly not going to stifle down my attraction to my wife on our honeymoon. Her beauty glistening in the sun, her hair set ablaze, it is enough to keep me rock hard for her at all times.
We do not waste a single second of our time together. Each of our excursions were planned with elaborate details. Our first stop is in Barcelona.
The way Nora’s eyes widen at the sight of the Sagrada Família makes my chest tighten.
I’ve seen this city before, walked these streets a dozen times, but watching her experience it for the first time is like seeing it anew. I keep her close as we wander through the Gothic Quarter, her fingers laced through mine, her other hand wrapped around a cup of rich Spanish espresso. She hums in pleasure after dipping a churro into warm chocolate, letting the sweetness linger on her tongue.
That night, we went to a flamenco show. My arm draped around her waist as we sat up in a private balcony overlooking the stage. The passion in the dancer’s movements, the music thrumming through the air—it reminds me of her, of us. The constant flow of energy between us.
When we return to the yacht, I pull her onto the deck, holding her against me as we dance under the moonlight. No music, just the sound of the waves and her breath mingling with mine before I carry her inside and lose myself in her once again.
As we arrive in Monaco, I tell her we’re going sightseeing, but in truth, I have something planned. I take her to Monte Carlo’s finest boutiques, watching her eyes flicker with wonder and hesitation as she runs her fingers over silk gowns and glittering jewelry.
“Anything you want, Hayati, ” I murmured against her ear. “Let me spoil my wife.” It takes convincing, but when she finally picks a dress—a deep sapphire color that I know will look devastating on her—I make sure she leaves with more than just one.
At the famous Monte Carlo Casino, she teases me as I teach her poker, her lips curling in amusement when she wins against me. “You let me win,” she accuses, narrowing her eyes. I only smirk, letting her believe what she wants.
Later, I take her back to the yacht, anchored just off the coast where the sky erupts in fireworks. As the golden light reflects in her eyes, I tilt her chin up. “Every luxury in this world means nothing if I can’t enjoy it with you.”
When we arrive in Naples, I rent a Vespa, and I make her ride with me along the Amalfi Coast. Her laughter carried away by the sea breeze. She clings against me, pressing kisses up my arms and neck at every stoplight. I swear I would drive forever just to keep her this close.
We find a hidden beach, the kind only locals know about, and I watch her wade into the water, the sun kissing her bare shoulders. When she turns to me with a wicked smile, splashing water in my direction, I decide right then that she finally deserves some punishment—the kind that involves me pinning her beneath me in the sand, teasing and tickling her body until she’s breathless.
At dinner, I take her to a small trattoria owned by a family who treats us like their own. When she takes her first bite of handmade pasta, she closes her eyes in delight, and I decide I’ll bring her here every year just to see that expression on her beautiful face again.
The ruins of Pompeii are our next stop, and while she’s fascinated by the history, I’m more focused on keeping her steady, making sure she doesn’t misstep on the uneven paths. “Protective much?” she teases, but she doesn’t pull away. And when she does catch her sandal on a loose rock, I am there to catch her, enjoying the smug look we both share.
Later that night in our villa overlooking the sea, I take my time with her, whispering that she is more timeless than anything carved in history. I savor each moan, committing her to memory. I don't want this trip to end. No amount of time we have together will ever be enough.
When we are not exploring, our days are spent on the yacht, making love under the sun. Indulging in each other in ways neither of us can ever seem to get enough of. At night, we drink, we laugh, we plan our future. And with every passing day, I fall deeper, as if I wasn’t already hers from the moment I laid eyes on her.
When we sail to Greece, we island-hop, but one place in particular feels like paradise. I take her to a secluded beach where I’ve arranged a private dinner under a cabana. The sunset paints her in hues of gold and rose, and as we sip wine, she stands, reaching for my hand.
“Dance with me,” she says, barefoot in the sand, her dress swaying in the breeze. I can never deny her. We move slowly, my hands possessively gripping her hips, her fingers threading through my hair. The desire in her eyes is unmistakable.
By the time I carry her back to our yacht, I already know we won’t be leaving the bed until late the next morning. This honeymoon isn’t just a trip. It’s a promise. That no matter where we go, no matter what happens— she will always be my home.
Our final destination is a resort, perched on the cliffs of Santorini, overlooking the endless stretch of blue where the sky meets the sea. The air is warm with the scent of salt and blooming jasmine as I guide Nora through the open-air lobby.
Checking in is seamless. The staff greet us with chilled glasses of citrus-infused water, their smiles warm as they lead us to our private villa. The infinity pool overlooks the sea, and inside, everything is designed for indulgence—marble floors, a bed draped in crisp linen, and a sunken tub large enough for the both of us. I knew exactly where I would be taking her next.
Nora sighs in appreciation as she takes it all in. "This feels like I’m in a dream," she murmurs, slipping her hand into mine. "You always do too much, Shamsi."
I smirk, brushing my lips over her temple. "Nothing is too much for you, Amirati. My princess deserves everything in this life, and the next." She squeezes my hand, but there’s a flicker of unease in her gaze as she glances around.
“What is it, Hayati?” I ask, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. She hesitates before murmuring,
“When we were in the lobby, I felt like I was being watched.”
Tension coils in my chest. I’ve made sure our security is ironclad, but I won’t dismiss her instincts. Cupping her face, I press a kiss to her forehead. “You are safe. No one can touch you, not while I breathe.”
The next morning we indulge in each other before getting out of bed. Waking up with her next to me, sent my body into an extra frenzy. There was something different about her, but I couldn’t begin to process what it could be. Maybe it was her smell, even more sweeter than normal. I couldn’t leave her side until I kissed every bit of her bare body.
When we finally leave our room, we spend the afternoon at the pool, the sun warm against our skin. I watch Nora as she floats lazily on her back while I lean against the edge of the pool. I can see the tension slowly melting from her.
But later on, when she gets out of the pool to join me laying in the sun to dry, there is something in her eyes—something uncertain.
I can even sense her hesitation when she speaks. "Sayid… I don't know if I’m being paranoid, but I feel like someone’s watching me again."
Every muscle in my body goes taut. I scan the area instinctively, my trained eye searching for anything unusual. The resort is exclusive, heavily secured. My men are stationed discreetly, always alert. Tyson is locked away in a maximum security federal prison, awaiting sentencing, with no bail. There is no way anyone can get close without my knowledge.
I cup her face, forcing her to meet my gaze. "You are safe, Amirati. No one will touch you. No one will harm you." She swallows, nodding, but I can see the unease still lingering. I need to do something more for her. So when we get back to our room, I call and arrange something special for her—a private experience at the resort’s renowned womens-only spa for tomorrow afternoon. It is a sanctuary of relaxation, away from prying eyes, a place where she might feel at peace.
I also arranged for room service to deliver our breakfast in the morning so we could have extra time behind closed doors together, before her spa reservation. But when we get up, Nora isn't hungry. She doesn't want to eat. She doesn’t even touch her iced coffee. Even when she was going through mornings of depression during her recovery from Tyson’s attack, she always drank her coffee.
“Please Habibti, you need to put something into your body, you need energy for your day.” I try to reason with her, but she is being uncharacteristically stubborn over not eating. “What is wrong, my beautiful wife? Are you still feeling uneasy from yesterday?” She shakes her head, and folds her arms across her stomach.
“Nothing sounds good right now. Maybe at the spa I might feel up to something.” I kiss her forehead, trying to push down my concern. But it is still there, I will never be able to not worry about my wife when I can clearly tell something is wrong.
She changes into a simple white and gold two piece swimsuit, and pulls a silky white robe over top. It takes all my restraint not to untie her robe, so I can see her glowing body again. Even walking her across the courtyard and over to the spa, I can’t keep my hands off of her.
I feel that extra pull between us. Her hair is flowing freely in the slight breeze as we walk. When we approach the spa, I bend down to kiss her forehead. I am overcome by her intoxicating smell, and I can’t help but grab the back of her head, fisting her hair, and pulling her into me, I kiss the top of her head, breathing her in.
“Hayati, you better go before I change my mind and lead you over to the coed spa instead,” I tease, but I also mean it. Her scent is more strawberry than vanilla today, and my cock is already pressing against my pants. It doesn’t help that she is now nuzzling deeper against my chest.
"Go, enjoy yourself," I tell her as I kiss her forehead. "Let them pamper you. I’ll meet you to get ready for dinner afterward."
She smiles, touching my cheek. "And what will you do in the meantime, Mr. Hassan?"
I sigh, rolling my shoulders. "Unfortunately, I have to check in with my team. I've neglected business long enough, and things need my attention."
She pouts playfully. "Poor Sayid, having to work on his honeymoon."
I chuckle. "It’s the price of having an empire." I kiss her soft lips one more time before letting her go. “I’ll see you soon, Qamari.”
After seeing her off to the spa, I join my men down at the yacht. It is time to not only catch up on the flood of emails, and calls I have missed. But there are also business updates, and decisions waiting for me. My right-hand man, Youssef, is already set up, briefing me on the latest developments in our business affairs.
∞∞∞
A little over an hour has gone by, and we aren’t even halfway through our meeting. Suddenly, an alarm in the distance shatters the calm. A fire alarm. Every instinct in me screams as I shoot to my feet. Nora! Youssef’s phone is already in his hand, making calls, but I am not waiting for answers.
As I race off the yacht and back towards the resort, as chaos erupts around us. My mind is already racing back to Nora. My men move with me, but as we near the buildings, my stomach drops.
Thick smoke billows from the spa building. Flames lick at the sky, turning the paradise we arrived at into a nightmare. And Nora is still inside. I don’t hesitate, I can’t. I ran towards the fire—toward her. "Find out where it’s coming from," I order, as I move.
The scent of smoke hits me before I even reach the doors nearest to the spa. My worst nightmare unfolds before the building is engulfed in thick, curling flames.
The fire is too intense—I can’t get through. My men pull me back as I fight against them, snarling like a wild animal. “Let me go! Nora! I've got to get to her!”
“The awning is collapsing, Sayid! We have to go around!” I rip free, taking another route around the building, through the resort grounds, searching for any way in. Then I see it—near the back, where the smoke is thinner, where an exit should be. The glass door is already ajar.
I enter the back of the spa, going through the massage rooms. The smoke is thick, choking the air, burning my throat as I push through the corridors, searching each room. The heat presses against my skin, but I don’t care. I have to find her.
“NORA!” My voice is raw, desperation laced with rage. Every part of the spa I search is empty. I get to the far side, the flames lick at walls, and the sound of the crackling wood is deafening. My men are behind me, shouting as well. I reach what’s left of the spa’s lounge, scanning the wreckage, my heart hammering in my chest. And then—Something glints on the scorched tile.
A small, delicate gold bangle. I know it instantly, it’s her Mahr. She never takes it off. Not even when she sleeps. I crouch, ignoring the way the heat stings my skin, and pick it up with careful fingers. My fingers trace the emeralds and the inscription that is meant only for her.
My chest tightens painfully. She wouldn’t have left this behind by accident. This is intentional, this is a sign from my clever girl. I push to my feet, shoving the bracelet into my pocket, and turn to my men. “Fan out,” I ordered, my voice sharp as steel. “She’s not in here, we need to search the grounds. Find her. Now.”
No one hesitates. They know better. I storm out of the burning building, my lungs screaming for air, but all I can taste is fury. My mind races as I scan the resort grounds, looking for any trace of her. I head to the backside of the resort, opposite from the way I had come earlier.
Then—Something down the coastline catches my eye. A dock, hidden on the backside of the island, secluded from view. My gut twists. I take off running, my men scrambling to keep up.
The dock is empty. But something small rests between two of the wooden planks I reach down, my heart pounding. A hair clip. Not just any hair clip. The one my mother gave her at our wedding reception.
I exhale sharply, gripping it in my fist. I take a deep breath as I process everything, going back through every detail I can recall. My wife felt something was off, she knew she was being watched. I thought she was just being cautious from all the years of having to look over her shoulder to see if the darkness had followed her
Her instincts have never been wrong before. She processes every single detail. I know for a fact that her spatial memory is what has helped her succeed in her studies. She can quickly absorb her surroundings, committing them to memory. She had to be correct in feeling that someone out of place was watching her.
And if that is the case, adding in the fact that the fire was contained to this one building. The fire was clearly a distraction. A calculated move. Now I am positive—someone took her. Rage surges like an inferno inside me. One thing is absolutely certain, I will burn this world to the ground in order to get her back.