Sands of Time - The Al-Hakim brothers - Javier and Amanda story - Completed

Chapter Four

Watching the sunrise over Cairo that was beginning to wake already, Mandy absorbed the beauty of a new day, not the least bit tired as she clasped Javier's arm around her shoulder. She gasped in awe as the first rays of sunlight spread across the sky in a tinge of pink.

The thought of Melbourne's cold, bitter morning, where she would be struggling to get out from underneath the doona, brought joyful laughter. "I think I would like to spend all my winters here," she sighed in contentment, looking up at Javier, who smiled. Happily, she nestled closer, warming under his smile and caressing gaze. Impulsively, she rose on her tiptoes, kissing his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered.

Javier lowered his head, rubbing his cheek against her softer one. "What for? Although I am not complaining, I hope this has nothing to do with a certain subject of a car?"

Colour flooded her cheeks with guilt. "I'd forgotten about that. Javier I wish...."

"No, you don't," he warned, tapping her nose, and then outlined her bottom lip with a fingertip. For her own sanity, she grabbed his hand, bringing it down and looked up, under her lashes.

"Thank you for the wonderful evening, and staying all night." A wicked smile curled his lips. "Javier," she moaned self-conscience, edging away, only to be drawn back. "That's not what I meant, oh," in frustration, she took Javier's face in both of her hands and kissed him, hard on the lips. Who was most surprised, Mandy wasn't sure. Stepping back, eyes wide, she gave a nervous laugh. "Razul's correct, you're a bad influence. You must be tired and I have to pack."

Javier straightened, frowning that she wanted to caress away. "Pack? Oh yes, you're leaving today. What time?" Taking a deep breath, she watched him turn and walk away from her into the hotel room. She followed, stopping at the sliding glass door.

"This afternoon."

"At least that's something," she thought she heard him mumbled, and then he turned around abruptly, taking her by surprise. "I want you to have a shower and change. Do not argue or ask questions," he ordered, reaching for the telephone.

"Is there any use?" She asked, stepping into the room, being ignored. "I guess not, for a man of your age, you have remarkable stigma." Laughing, she raced for the bathroom as he shot her a look that spoke volumes. It has been ages since she had felt this lighthearted. She would pay for that comment later. "Javier would you get that," she called at the knock on the room's door as she turned on the taps, shutting the bathroom door, stripped, and stepped under the streaming water.

After a reinvigorating shower, Mandy left the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her breast, while drying her hair with another. She stopped in mid stride at the scene before her. Simone was pacing the room, smoking. Javier seated at the table, drinking coffee, although he looked relaxed, Mandy could feel his tension. She clutched at her towel in protection, letting the other fall away to the side.

Simone swung on her dangerously. "What is the meaning of this?!" She demanded.

Mandy frowned. "What are you talking about? Javier?" He glanced across and shrugged.

Simone seethed, clenching hands into fists. "Don't you dare act so innocently? How dare you act like such a whore?"

Mandy paled. Javier shot to his feet, sending the chair over at his force. "Shut your foul mouth before I do it for you Jefferson!" A hush descended across the room. Simone's lips pinched tightly. In a daze Mandy looked from one to another, and then walked on shaky legs towards Javier, standing between them. Javier placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. She reached up, covering his hand with her own.

"Simone you have no rights to abuse us like that." Her sister threw back her shoulders, eyes cold, running them over Mandy's attire.

"No? I think you say it all."