Fickle

Chapter 11

Today was the D-day, and Abdullah was prepared for anything that was going to go south no matter what it was. As he was currently dressing himself up, he imagined all the possible scenarios that might occur when he finally meets Kulthum’s husband. Damn it! Why was he trying to soil his mood right now? He pushed the terrible thought behind his head and got dressed, and to God be the glory, he was looking breathtaking like always, but something about today made him put an extra effort. 

“Sam? Where is General Mustapha?” He asked as soon as he came down for his breakfast. 

“I haven't seen him since he left to find you last night. Do you want me to send someone  after him?” Sam asked 

“No, he can take care of himself. Tell him…” his head turned to the direction of the footsteps approaching them. 

“Morning your royal highness,” he bowed at him, “hello Sam” he nodded at the middle-aged butler. Sam smiled at him and responded to his greeting, then decided to let them be. 

“Where were you?” Abdullah asked as soon as Sam left. 

“I went to take care of some irrelevant stuff, your royal highness. Please don't bother yourself. Have you had your breakfast already?” He asked instead, dismissing the topic about him. 

“No, I am about to,” he sat down, and the servant served him. “Sit with me General” it wasn't an offer but an order instead. When he did, the servant served him also, but General was oddly uncomfortable because he wasn't used to eating together with the prince. 

“Thank you” he told the young girl. When she left, Abdullah cleared his throat and said, 

“I got a call from an anonymous number last night. He said Ammar was alive, and he knows where he is” General cleared his throat, gulped his drink down before he spoke,

“And you believe him, why?” He asked 

“I don't know, but something about it feels… real. And I want to find out more, I just want to find out, that is all” 

“What if it is some kind of lunatic that is pulling a prank on you?” General asked, eating his food calmly. 

“Will you help me or not?” He suddenly became irritated. “If you won't, stop asking me questions and just leave” 

“I apologise your royal highness, I mean no disrespect” he said. He wondered why Abdullah was suddenly trying to look into his brother death again, the last time he did that, it didn't ended well for him and he almost sent someone innocent to his doom while he became a drunk. “Are you willing to risk everything you've worked hard for to go down the drain just because of a mere phone call?” General couldn't help but ask. 

“I know what happened the last time, and I will try my best not to make the same mistake again. All I am asking is for you to look into this person, get all the necessary information you can get about him, and then I will know what to do. That is all I am asking” 

“As you wish your royal highness” General was very reluctant to do as he was told. He couldn't allow the prince to experience what had happened to him years ago to happen again. But what can he do? He was but a subject to him. 

“I know what you are thinking, but I promise I won't allow it to happen again. You have my word” That was all it took for General to believe him. He knows how the prince operates. The moment he gives his word, there is no going back for him. 

“Alright, your royal highness, I will do as you say” they continued their breakfast calmly, and when they were done, they both set out for the competition at the kid's school.