HOUSE OF HAYDAR 2 - THE WARRIOR OF HAYDAR - completed

Chapter Two

After sleeping around the clock and some more, Zoe showered and ate, then rushed off to the hospital. A chaffer-driven limousine was provided for her needs. She felt so much better and no arrogant Sheikh was going to spoil her stay with her best friend and planned to help as much as she could. Assad and Bella both needed her and Kahlil wasn't going to stop her from doing so. As he had said they didn't even have to see each other and she planned to keep it that way.

All they did was clash, and get each other backs up that would never do. Bella would need quiet and rest, not them at each other's throats. He did make her blood boil and normally she was such an easy going person who liked everyone and vice versa. She sighed looking at the window. She guessed not everyone liked her. He always had to have his little digs at her and Philip. What was that? Boredom? Oh, never mind, she will just stay out of his way, though it still did bother her.

Arriving at the hospital her door was opened by another to take an offered hand and rose to find herself staring at the last man she expected to see. "Where did you come from?" she asked agape.

"The same reason you are here, Miss Zoe."

"What? Of course," she shook her head as to clear it. "I just didn't expect you to be opening my door. Are you coming or leaving?" she hoped the latter to have an arm sweep open in invitation to realise he wasn't leaving to head inside the hospital.

"I hope you have recovered from your flight?" he asked, taking her by surprise to look up at him, since he was at her side. Him and his long legs had caught up with her easily feeling slightly under dressed in her jeans and bright blue T-shirt against his perfect pure white linen robes of the highest quality, head-dress in place pinned back into the ropes, exposing his neckline and strong angular stubble jaw line, and towered over her. He was even taller than his brother Assad who was over six foot. She had to crane her neck to look up into his dark amber eyes that she hadn't noticed before, much lighter than Assad dark chocolate ones.

"Yes, thank you, and I promise you I won't be so snappy," she apologised.

"I wouldn't have called you snappy, Miss Zoe. Rude maybe, but not snappy." She stopped dead to place hands on her hips. "I see you're about to be snappy, so much for your promise." He placed a hand on to the small her back and urged forward sending heat through her body. "Please, no more scenes, Miss Zoe, perhaps you need more sleep," he suggested lightly.

What was the use, she fumed. It seemed she can't do anything right in his eyes. So much for ignoring him, wondering if one palace was going to be big enough to keep them separated. Oh, why did he have to be here to take a deep calming breath. She needed to be calm for Bella's sake to place a smile on her lips as they entered the suite.

"Very good, Miss Zoe," he whispered in passing as he headed towards his brother who hadn't left Bella's side.

Zoe heart sunk at the sight of a still very pale Bella perched up by pillows and around her to help her support her son in her weak arm with the help of Assad. She had hoped after a good night's sleep she would be much better than that to hover in the background while Kahlil went over to check up on his queen kissing her forehead in greeting then greeted his brother with a handshake and asked about her welfare. In her family it was all big hugs and kisses. Dread filled her heart not sure how she could bear to see her friend like she was and it was going to be a long recovery by what Assad was saying to take a step back.

"Zoe." She looked at Kahlil who had called her name and held out his hand in offer his gaze holding her, forcing her to cross the room and take his offered hand to stand at his side. Her fingers tightened around his to gather strength that seemed to have seeped out of her. Assad removed his son as Bella eyes began to close.