Chapter 2

[July 2021, Desert Nation of Zidra]

"Either find your runaway wife or take a new bride," Karim Al Ahmed’s voice boomed in the living room of his suite.

Zayed Ahmed al Zidra stared at his father impassively.

Sheikh Karim Ahmed al Zidra stared back, breathing fire through his nostrils.

Zayed curbed his urge to roll his eyes.

Zayed had always been a disappointment for Karim.

The constitution of Zidra states that the heir to the throne is the first born of the particular generation. It doesn’t matter if they are not born to the present ruling King.

Karim al Ahmed being the elder son of the family had ruled over Zidra for forty glorious years.

Much to Karim’s disappointment, his younger brother fathered a child before him, making Salim Al Ahmed the crown prince of Zidra.

Zayed was born a year later. That has been his father’s first disappointment

The disappointment increased when Zayed spent more time creating art than learning business.

According to Karim, the only sensible thing Zayed did in his entire life was giving up art six years ago.

Zayed is now known as a cut throat business man and no one knows why the reclusive artist turned into a ruthless businessman.

Only if they knew, Zayed thought with a derisive curl of his lip.

"Do you hear me, Zayed. I don’t want the throne to be passed on to Salim’s kid. It’s in our favour that Camille has issues with conceiving. I want you to get married and give me an heir, Zayed. I don’t care who you marry as long as I get my heir," Karim snarled.

"Father. It is a disappointment that you have wasted your time on something I don’t plan to do ever," Zayed said in an icy calm tone.

"If you don’t find a wife for yourself, I will have to do that for you, son." Karim snapped.

"I would like to see you try, father." With that said, Zayed walked out of his father’s suite of rooms in the palace.

Marriage!! Zayed thought with disgust.

Never again!

He had never believed in the notion of love and marriage.

He had grown up witnessing his parent’s miserable marriage.

Karim Ahmed al Zidra was a committed philanderer.

His mother Rosaline, daughter of a businessman from England had fallen in love with the young charismatic Karim nearly four decades ago.

His father too had fallen in love with her.

Unfortunately, his father’s love didn’t last, making his mother a miserable woman and turning her into an alcoholic.

Yet, he had given the relationship a chance by trusting Brianna. His on and off ex-girlfriend of five years.

He had met Brianna during his one-year art course. He might not have loved her, but he had trusted her and she broke his trust by joining hands with his father.

Then Ameya came along. He had extended his hands of friendship and she tried to take advantage of it. At least she did it for her parents.

Then came Aveline.

The woman he has absolutely no interest in talking about.

Zayed added another layer of bricks around his heart at the single thought of Aveline.

No, she doesn’t even deserve to be remembered!

***

Sheikh Zayed Ahmed al Zidra sat behind his desk in the skyscraper building of Ahmed Industries’ headquarters in Zidra, going back and forth between files regarding the latest oil production venture.

Zayed Ahmed al Zidra is now one of the top most businessmen all over the world. He has been winning back to back business awards for the past years.

The supposed betrayal of his wife had been the driving force behind this ruthless cold-hearted businessman.

People all over wondered what happened to the once calm and reclusive artist.

No one knew he was once married, for he never thought it important to publicise his short-lived marriage. And he was absolutely grateful for that now.

"Zayed. Dad wants to talk to you." Rosaline said, walking into the cabin which is her son’s home now.

Rosaline Ahmed, the former queen of Zidra.

She was a lovely woman with a broken heart. Zayed always wondered why his mother couldn’t just divorce her husband and leave. But she never did. She kept on loving him through all her misery.

"Yes Mom. I will call him once I am done with this one," he said pointing at the file he was working on.

"Zayed." Rosaline called again in a soft voice.

"Yes mom. Everything alright?" He asked

"How can it be alright when my son’s life is not alright?" She sighed

"Mom. Not again!" Zayed groaned bracing himself for the same old conversation.

"Zayed, dear, whatever happened between you two must be a misunderstanding. Please try to find where Ava is," Rosaline pleaded with her elder son.

"Mom. I have told you several times not to utter that woman’s name in front of me. I absolutely hate her," he spat out furiously.

"If hate is what you felt for her, you wouldn’t have changed like this Zayed. This is not you, Zayed. This is not you!" Rosaline said sadly.

"Mom. This discussion is pointless." Zayed said with an air of finality and Rosaline sighed wearily.

Rosaline stared at her elder son and her heart wept for him. Her Zayed had never known what happiness is. He had never known what love is.

The only love he got is from his siblings Salim, Basim and Mizna.

She failed as a mother. She had wasted the better part of her life wallowing in her own misery, unintentionally neglecting her beloved children.

At a young age Zayed had to become a father and mother for his younger siblings Basim and Mizna.

She would be eternally grateful to Salim, her nephew, for always having Zayed’s back.

"Call dad. He wants to talk to you." Rosaline said

"Is Grandpa okay?" Zayed wondered why his maternal grandfather didn’t contact him directly.

"He is alright. A bit weak. Just call him." Rosaline said and left.

Zayed leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

Suddenly a pair of tortured hazel green eyes came into his vision and he cursed under his breath.

No Zayed! Stop thinking about her. He ordered himself.

Zayed tried once again to forget the woman his mind could never love and his heart could never hate.