Chapter 29
Ibiza
“Jesus, I’m not an envious person, but that backdrop behind you is drool-worthy,” Zoe says.
We’re on a video call. Kamal stepped inside to make some phone calls, and I decided to go to his house’s pool to have a bit more privacy with my cousin. His residence is literally by the sea, with a fantastic view of the Mediterranean.
“Coming from the woman who owns an island in Greece,” I say, laughing.
“Yeah, that place is paradise, isn’t it?”
“I’ve only been there once, but yes, it’s a piece of heaven.”
“You seem calmer, Maddie. Does that mean things got better?”
“I think so. I mean, yesterday Kamal said that regardless of whether I’m pregnant or not, he wants a relationship. That’s a start, considering his past with ex-girlfriends and the one-month deadline he gave them.”
“True. You did well not to give in, Madeline. Never underestimate yourself for anyone.”
“I’m still scared, though.”
“Because you may be pregnant?”
“Mainly that, but also because I think I’m in love with him, Zoe.”
“You’re the only one who hadn’t noticed that yet. I think what happened between you two was like a collision, like a runaway train, and I swear I’m not making a pun because of the coffee incident.”
“I get it. It was meteoric indeed. I used to consider myself a practical girl before I met my Sheikh, but I swear to God, my neurons turn into mush when I’m around him.”
“And you still say you think you’re in love? I’m pretty sure, cousin.”
“There’s something else that has been worrying me. I mean, as if the possibility of being pregnant by a Sheikh wasn’t enough to make me anxious.”
“What is it?”
“Our families. I know nothing about his, except that his father passed away, his mother never remarried, and he has five siblings.”
“Big family. Love it.” She pauses and furrows her brow, looking concerned. “I just thought of something, and don’t take this the wrong way if it’s not something you’d worry about, but it would drive me crazy.”
“I think I already know what it is. It’s about multiple wives, right?”
“Yeah. Seriously, just the thought of sharing my Christos with someone else makes my blood boil. I couldn’t do it.”
“Neither could I, and we’ve already talked about it. He told me that men in Sintarah, especially the ones in high places, never take more than one wife at a time, even if they can.”
“Smart men.”
I laugh. “And there’s more. He told me that women there are jealous and not very accepting of the idea of sharing.”
“I’m already a fan of Sintarah.”
“Right?” I joke. “But even with those assurances, there’s the cultural and religious differences between us. To top it all off, because Kamal is who he is, I’m worried about breaking the news to my mother.”
“Why?”
“She’ll hate him. You know how bigoted she is.”
“I don’t know how to answer that without sounding like a horrible human being. I’m pregnant, so supposedly I should have become as sweet as a sugar cube.”
“Go ahead, Zoe. If I can’t confide in you, who can I confide in?”
“Alright then. What I thought is that your mother, being who she is, will take about two seconds to overcome her prejudice and be happy that you snagged a billionaire as your husband.”
My stomach churns. “I’m afraid people might think that I tried to get pregnant on purpose, given my father’s current situation.”
“Madeline, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s that people will judge and talk about you no matter what, because there are human beings so empty that they need to fill their own lives by watching and disparaging others.
What matters is that you know that if the pregnancy is confirmed, it was an accident. Don’t worry so much.”
“I’ll try, but it’s hard to ignore the gossip when you were raised to live by others’ expectations.”
“Free yourself, Maddie. You’re no longer the na?ve girl who lives according to what your parents dictate. You’re an adult, and soon to be a mother.”
“I’m trying, Zoe, but there are so many changes. I’m insecure. He wasn’t thinking of getting married, and now, because I may or may not be pregnant with his baby, he’s changed his mind.”
“I don’t know what to say. I can’t decide for you, just give my opinion. I understand that marrying someone as powerful as Kamal must be intimidating. I felt the same way about Christos, but if you’re in love—and even more so, if you’re expecting his child—doesn’t it seem like the right path?”
I sigh. “You’re right. Besides, I might be getting ahead of myself. I think the chances of me being pregnant are small.”
“Maybe they were slim the first time you had an ‘accident,’ but you said it happened again yesterday. It’s as if . . .”
“As if what?”
“Well, I’m not the most diplomatic person when it comes to expressing myself, so I’m afraid of scaring you.”
“Zoe, remember what I said about confiding in each other?”
“Alright then. What I thought is that this second ‘accident’ of Kamal’s doesn’t seem normal for a man as experienced as him and, I’m sure, accustomed to avoiding scammers.
The impression I get is that he also feels something more for you but needs the excuse that you’ll be together because it’s ‘inevitable,’ not because he’s in love. ”
“Zoe, I love you, but you’re seriously overthinking this.
Kamal is not the type to make excuses. He wants something or he doesn’t, and I don’t think he’s letting his subconscious guide him.
Yesterday we had an argument. What happened was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing, you know?
We were both upset, but we also felt incredibly drawn to each other. It was definitely an accident.”
“If you say so . . . Anyway, regardless, I want to know as soon as you find out whether you’re pregnant or not. If you need help telling your mom over a video call, just let me know.”
“You’d do that?”
“Of course I would. You know your mom isn’t even on my list of top thousand favorite people, but I promised I would be there for you.”
“I appreciate it so much, but I was thinking of going to Boston, if it really comes to that, to tell her in person.”
“That would be ideal, but face-to-face you won’t be able to end the conversation whenever you want. Think about it and let me know.”
“True. If it comes to that. I don’t even know if I’m pregnant for sure.”
“Yeah, but we’ll find out soon. Love you, cousin.”
“Love you too.”