𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 |𝟏𝟖+

63 || Uninvited Guests

Where's My Love - SYLM

𝔚𝔚𝔚
Khalid Ayad

"Read it." 

She loosens her hold on the papers and throws them all over the table as if they're not priceless pieces of family history, older than even I am.

She has no idea of the importance of what I'm teaching her. Aside from myself, she'd be the only person in the world with the right knowledge to read my grandfather's Arabic scripture.

But one day she will understand. It's what connects us.

Right now, she looks fed up with it, sprawled over the garden sofa, her eyes anywhere but the paper. "What did I do to deserve this punishment?"

My informant waits by the door, watching in bewilderment as I attempt to bargain with my granddaughter who's not only got my eyes but my attitude. "Reading is a privilege."

"To those in prison." She's been reading for ten minutes and has spent nine of those minutes complaining.

I give a light shake to my head and suppress a laugh. She's got my humor and I can't be mad at it. "If I was your age and mouthing off to my elders like you are, I'd be sent to live with the wild dogs outside the gates."

Her eyes narrow, but she doesn't argue, she does however mutter a curse under her breath. For the sake of my own sanity, I pretend not to hear it.

I leave her in the garden and head to the guesthouse. It's rare for us to have guests come uninvited, no one is foolish enough to be so disrespectful.

Except for them.

When I enter the living room and spot the familiar figure, it soon makes sense.

She's here once again. This time, the man she's with doesn't look like her husband.

"Mr. Ayad." She greets me with a nod, her tone respectable.

I return it, after all, my people are taught to be polite, my grand-daughter seems to be the only exception. "Miss. Kozlova."

When I look to her companion, he merely nods. She clarifies. "This is Arturo Moretto. A friend," when she glances at him, a smile forms on her face. Much like all else it's cold. "And a perspective business partner."

I'd turned her down the last two times, but like I'd learned of the Russians, persistency ran in her royal blood. Luckily, it ran in mine aswell. "I'm not interested."

I do however take interest in this Arturo Moretto character. I knew very little about him. I'd heard his name, and knew he ran the small Italian business alongside that Italian idiot my daughter's convinced she's in love with.

He has no business here, with a Russian for that matter. Especially not one who's begun a war between them.

"I have a new proposal this time." She steps forward, I heave a sigh.

I have no clear idea of what this woman wants with me of all people. I don't involve myself in the business of crime outside of what I've already tied myself to.