Sweet Obsession

Betray Not My Heart

As the days passed blissfully, I regained my strength, but I still had no answer from Nidal. Where was he for three days and three nights? Who was he with? I waited patiently for Nidal to feel comfortable enough to talk to me about it. My suspicions took over, and a million things came to my mind. So I tried to focus on things that were pleasant and brought me peace.

One afternoon a few days later, when I was coming back from the orphanage, I saw Princess Shaeena coming down my path. As she approached me, she had a wicked smile on her lips, a smile I wanted to slap off her lovely face. But instead, I smiled back at her sweetly, playing her game, as I waited for her to speak. I was sure she was here to serve me with poisonous words.

"Taking an afternoon walk all by yourself, I see." She looked around. "Where is Nidal? Tired of you already?" she asked sweetly.

I just continued walking, ignoring her snide remarks. I will not allow myself to stoop to her level. But she marched right next to me, matching every step I took with her own. I knew I was not going to be rid of her any time soon as her cold glare scanned me from head to toe. I braced myself for her next words that I knew were coming.

"What's the matter, Loula? I know something happened with the two of you. Otherwise, he would not come over to my palace for three nights in a row warming my bed," she purred, smiling with satisfaction.

Even if she tried, she could not hurt me any more this moment than when she revealed Nidal's whereabouts on the day he walked out on me. My blood froze. My heart pounded out of control, and my senses whirled like a spinning tornado as I turned and looked at her, stunned. But I was not about to give her the satisfaction she was craving. I smiled and thanked her for taking good care of my Nidal. I simply walked away from her with my head held high.

"Yes, keep walking, bitch!" she hissed, as if trying to scare me, as if she were in total control of herself.

I heard her huffing and puffing and stomping her feet. I would have laughed my head off, but for the fact that now I knew and it was confirmed that my prince had spent three nights with her. How could he do this to me? I thought I knew him better than that. But Nidal was full of surprises. Back home, they say, "If it's too good to be true, it's not true."

Warm tears escaped my eyes as they made their way down my cheeks. I choked back a cry, plastered a smile on my face, and entered the palace. A smiling and welcoming queen greeted Shaeena, who followed behind me. They entered the tea room, but not before the queen threw me a worried look. Embarrassed, I ran as fast as my feet could take me to my chambers.

I could not believe it. A tight knot was forming in the pit of my stomach. He had betrayed me! He had run off to her bed. How could he do this to me? I believed every word he ever told me. How naïve of me!

Now what do I do? How could I accept his kisses without feeling betrayed? How could I make a life with him knowing what I now know? Maybe she was just lying. Maybe she made it all up. I have to ask Nidal. He needs to tell me the truth. I sat frozen on my bed, thinking of everything. I was trying to make sense of it all. I knew that things would never be the same now. Everything had changed.

About an hour passed, and Nidal still had not come home. I walked over to the window to see if he were anywhere in sight. Just as Nidal was making his way up the stairs to the palace, by coincidence, Princess Shaeena was walking out the palace at the same time. They greeted each other with a hug and a kiss on the lips, which made my stomach turn as I witnessed this. The princess held on to Nidal's arm and whispered something in his ear, and Nidal smiled at her. Sick to my stomach, I saw the princess pull Nidal toward the rose garden. Nidal hesitated at first, but then he walked with her. She was still holding on to his arm as they disappeared into the gardens.

Now I know how Nidal had felt when Billal kissed me. If it were anywhere near the pain that I was feeling at this moment, then the punch he threw Billal was somehow justifiable. I leaned against the wall and prayed that this was a misunderstanding, hoping she was the one who kissed him just now on the lips. But I was witness to it. I saw him kiss her back.

I heard laughter, and I braced myself as I took another peek outside the window. The princess kissed him again, but it was on his cheek this time, as she laughingly said her good-bye and walked gracefully away. Nidal stood there looking at her until she disappeared from his view. The look on his face as he watched the princess leave was warm and pleasant.

I cannot believe it. I don't understand it. He had better do some good explaining when he comes to me, or else I will never forgive him. Never!

So I waited, thinking Nidal would come to me at any moment and make the pain go away. But he never did. Instead, he headed straight for the stables and rode away on his black stallion, taking the same road that Princess Shaeena's carriage had taken.

He is going to her, I thought miserably, holding back a stifled cry as my mind raced to remember again the conversation I had with the princess earlier in the day.

She won, and I lost. I suddenly realized it. Exhausted now, I undressed, lay on my bed under the covers, and closed my eyes. I knew it was impossible for me to sleep right now, but maybe a nap was necessary. Maybe when I wake up I will realize that it is all just a bad dream.

AUTHORS NOTE: Hello my beautiful faithful fans, I hope you like my story so far. For those of you who cannot wait to find out what happens in the other chapters, my book is available at barnesandnoble.com and also on amazon.com and the ebook is only $3.99. love you all and GOD bless.