Bethany is an intelligent businesswoman inherits her family companies and becomes the CEO of a powerful conglomerate. She believes in equal rights and also equal responsibilities for her employees. For her expansions, she makes many contacts with influential men. But she was not prepared to find an arrogant opponent, Omar, one Sheik that comes from the mysterious lands in the deserts, the birthplace of the petroleum empires. This romance is about these two people whose chances to mix are like water and oil. And still, the blood is racing in their veins and their hearts have already accelerated. Will love overcome prejudices?
Leer másINTRODUCTION
The first reports of the Arab civilizations and the beginning of the tribes of the powerful sheiks bring emotions, struggles, conquests...
Everything for the survival of those ancient peoples.
And love, could it survive?
IN THE DESERT
Now
Bethany was hidden among the luggage of the cart. She could hear her brother talking to the head of the caravan that he had hired. It was a vibrant and cheerful voice. Scott was very protective, but even so, she was afraid.
She had everything to lose if she was discovered. Her life. And her son's. The baby slept peacefully in her arms. Looking at that angelic calm, Bethany managed to smile for the first time in weeks.
Her son. Her love. He fully filled her heart and it was worth all the sacrifice she made to protect him.
“Are you warm enough, little sister?” He still called Bethany by her childhood nickname.
“Yes, Scott. But I would like to stop for a while to feed the baby.”
Scott smiled and nodded. He immediately gave the order to the members of the caravan. They were crossing the desert regions of the Arab world, heading for a region far to the south. Scott had business with some of the tribal leaders there.
These tribesmen did business to survive. Just like their parents had done, and their grandparents, great-grandparents, and other ancestors. But there was no record of any of that. Writing had not been invented at that time. As well as almost nothing in the world that accompanies the writing.
It was all very rudimentary in those desert places, however, the willpower and determination of those men, made possible the formation of several villages that today have become busy cities.
It would be a good hiding place for Bethany and her baby.
The cunning for trade and the fighting force against the enemy tribes had passed from parents to children, countless times.
Bethany had heard many stories about these fascinating events. And today she was part of that chain of influencers who commanded most people's lives there. Those willing to follow confident leadership.
And that was because Bethany was the wife of Sheik Omar Sahid al Maliq.
The facts that Bethany intended to pass on as an inheritance to her son, and everything she knew about the past, came from stories told as treasures.
These commercial links were true heritages. People´s very survival depended on strengthening these contacts and not making mistakes that overthrew others, in that region so difficult to live.
Everyone in the caravan was excited about the stop and started preparing and distributing food. There was a mix of people, but most were from the Maghni tribe, which meant ‘singer’.
These people were very happy. Where they were, fun was guaranteed. Even the simplest task was performed with singing and laughter. As that vast desert was a place of many conflicts and wars, this quality was a real fuel for them to face tragedies.
Not to mention sandstorms, which destroyed many lives and goods.
The people of that region were always under reconstruction.
So it was fortunate to have an ally or friend from the Maghni tribe, to be able to do everything with joy.
Scott had a good friend from that tribe, the head of that caravan. His name was Habibdul, a young man with a strong and attractive voice. He always stood out at meetings and parties. He was frequently asked to contribute with his music. He sang from war hymns to pleas for the love of some more attractive woman.
He had already had his share of passions, but he had not yet formed a family, like many young people his age.
All protective, Scott sat next to his sister. While the baby was being fed, they listened to Habibdul, who softly sang a ballad from his childhood, which he had learned from his grandfather.
The baby was almost asleep and Bethany, calmer with the song, leaned against her brother's shoulder and gave herself up to the memories of when she first met Sheik Omar Sahid al Maliq.
CHILDHOOD
Past
Bethany's grandfather was the billionaire Christopher Worthgold. A ruthless man, considered to have a heart of steel, he only softened in the presence of that sweet and beautiful child, his granddaughter and only heir.
He had warned her that they would receive visitors from a very distant country. They were powerful men with different customs. Their clothes were special and their customs could surprise her.
He explained to Bethany that they were from the desert regions.
"The country of the camels, grandpa?” Old Worthgold laughed a lot at the naive child's description. Bethany was only nine years old.
"Well, I believe that our Arab friends, would not like to think that way about their country."
"Why not? Camels are very beautiful animals. And useful. I studied about them at school.”
“You are very smart, dear. Now go get ready, so they know that we also have princesses in our country.”
Bethany kissed her grandfather and followed the nanny. She was very obedient. She did not care about Arab customs, because for her, her grandfather was the real prince.
FIRST SIGHT
Past
“Where are you taking that bird, girl?”
Bethany looked and saw the young boy who was staring at her with curiosity. He must have been about ten years old. She was nine. She did not recognize him from the surroundings, but her grandfather had warned her about foreign visitors.
However, this boy was not wearing different clothes, as her grandfather had suggested. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt.
“I will release the bird in those trees to see if it can already fly. It had injured the wing and I fed it for a while until it got better.”
“Nonsense. The bird will not make it. I am Omar, son of Mohamed al Maliq.” He was very proud of his father, who was the sheik of his tribe. It was the equivalent of a king's position in a monarchical country.
“I'm Bethany. Do you want to go with me?”
“Let's go.”
And from then on, while the visit lasted, they walked together everywhere, while the heads of their families were together closing deals.
When they reached the trees, Bethany put the bird down and said a few words to encourage it to fly.
Omar, beside her, watched in silence.
Then he was taken by surprise when, for the first time in his life, he heard Bethany sing. She had that gift. In a soft and charming voice, she managed to transmit calm and joy.
The little bird seemed to have felt all this energy coming from the girl because it had stirred a little and flew.
It was as if the bird had received vital fuel. It flew high and far away.
The girl raised both arms in a happy waving of goodbyes.
All her gestures were delicate and matched with the music she continued to sing.
Bethany surrendered to the moment and did not realize that Omar was also supplied with all those feelings. Something moved very deep in the boy´s soul and connected him to her in that inexplicable way that happens to some people, even though they are not even fully aware of it.
“The little bird did it, did you see it?” She addressed him, smiling broadly. Her stare was deep and true.
Although too young to know this, they would become husband and wife, respected and beloved leaders of the Al Maliq tribe.
Some weeks had passed since the rescue and Bethany still didn´t feel like going back to the palace. There were functions there to attend and other royal compromises but she just didn´t feel up to it. One day, Omar suggested that they could go for the celebration of Ben´s birthday which was near.“Omar, I am so sorry. I just can´t.”“Why, Bethany? It is our home. Ben will be the sheik one day. We have postponed our return long enough.”“I know. You are right but even so, I feel sick when I think of going there. I was threatened beyond my forces there.”“It is all over now.”“We don´t know that. There were some maids and other staff who received money to act against us.”“I see.”“And your uncle was making a lot of money from illicit deals. Maybe he still wants revenge.”“Nobody has access to him in jail.”
Habibdul and his armed men walked in front of the small group. Then Bethany with Ben in her arms and Adjia followed them and Scott was the last one. They arrived at the caves and Bethany thought that they were really ugly.Everybody was exhausted but then Habibdul summed their feelings with a relieved exclamation.“Here they are!”And so it was. Three big helicopters that could fit twenty people each were right ahead waiting for them. Bethany noticed that they were those kinds of military choppers that traveled long distances.“Are they taking us all the way home, Scott?”“No. Only to the neighboring country, where we shall take a jet plane. Someone from the embassy is on board to facilitate the permissions.”“Now I am impressed.”And she really was. But nothing could have prepared Bethany for the surprise she felt when Michelle came down from one of the choppers.“Mom!&rdqu
After a week had passed on their trip through the scorching desert, Bethany got used to the slow rhythm of the caravan. It was a relief to realize that Ben was not suffering the effects of the trip so much because he was always protected by the shadows and well-fed. Adjia had proved to be of great help since she loved to play with Ben and his laughter could be heard by his mom while she had her meals or talked to her brother.Then one day, there was a change in the scene. They were near some rock formations and a dozen men dressed in dark robes climbed down and approached them. It was clear that their intention was to plunder.Immediately Habibdul and his men reached inside the coffee grains´ bags and took out the most impressive machine guns that Bethany had ever seen.The outlaws seemed to be impressed too because they took some steps back and stayed quiet, just watching the caravan pass.Scott rode beside Bethany´s wagon and shouted to her,
Bethany got in touch with her brother and he came to the palace immediately. It was lucky for her that he had not left for one of his trips to the desert. Scott had bought an apartment for himself a few blocks from the bank and the truth is that he was keeping an eye on her since they had found out that Omar´s relatives were thieves and crooks.So, when he took his sister´s hands and read despair in her eyes, Scott knew that something very serious had happened because Bethany was a strong woman and he had never seen her so distraught.“Oh, Scott, I am so glad you are here.”“What is it, little sister?”And then she told him everything that Khaleb had said to her.“So he is a murderer, after all.”“Yes. And he is a coward too. He threatened Ben´s life.”“The nerve of the man. Where is he now?”“I don´t know. Why do you ask?”&l
As the days went by a distance took place between Omar and Bethany. It was as if they couldn´t communicate with each other openly. Omar had a vast land of sorrow inside him caused by his mourning. He thought it best to spare his wife from the dark that called to him. And he closed up, even more, when he listened to his uncle telling him that he would never be a great leader like Mohamed if he let a woman interfere with the country´s affairs.It was shocking for Bethany to recognize how much Omar had changed in such a short time. One day, Malouf suggested the purchase of farms in New Zealand during lunch.“Please, I have asked you not to discuss business during meals.”“So, as a counselor, I can only talk to the sheik if you give permission, Bethany?”“That is not what I am saying.”“Time is pressing. I need to have Omar´s signature in order to beat the competitor who wants to buy the farms
Their return to the palace was very well-received by the sheik. If Mohamed had missed his son in the past, now he made clear that he almost got sick when he parted from his grandson. He declared that Ben was the reason for his joy and the light of his life.Sheik Mohamed also made it very clear the length of his appreciation for his daughter-in-law and often he compared her beauty and wit to his late wife´s.They had become close friends and he offered his advice to Bethany in the same quantity as he asked for her opinions. This relationship made Omar very happy because these were the two people he most loved in the world. Except for Benjamin, who was the winner of everybody´s heart. Ben was number one for all of them, which only caused a stronger bond to take place.The night of their return there was a banquet for dinner, Omar and Bethany sat at each side of sheik Mohamed. That night, Khaleb was sitting beside Omar, across from Bethany.It w
Último capítulo