Underneath the Billionaire's Crimson Veil

love just walks int

ke a teasing breeze,

familiar knot with steady precision-his palms calloused, his movements smooth from years of repetiti

love doesn't need to knock twice. Wh

opinions and even more failed romances-laughed under his breath. Sweat ro

who's never had h

. "Or maybe like a man who's never been f

that tongue of yours, boy. A

ing dust from his palms. "Th

ad, a soft grin tugging at

ning back to his task. "But

ered off the pavement in fluid waves, blurring the edges of ships and scaffolding. It was the kind of heat that wrapped around you like a sec

hum of forklifts and creaking ropes. The sea whispered its ancient language just b

to prayer rolled over the harbor. The sound clung to

he weight pressing on Ahmed's shoulders had not

e equipment shed. It wasn't much, but it was shelter from the dying sun. He pulle

13

thoughts were elsewhere-home, his father, the quiet coughing that had grown louder at night. The medication was running

, wiping a bead of

more minut

phone buzze

ome home.

o context. Just t

y were

nt, every sound around him dulling to a distant ec

t need t

mov

-

se together like secrets whispered into each other's walls. Narrow alleyways curved and twisted, guiding barefoot

d moved to a d

r the morning sun. Laundry fluttered on lines strung from rooftop to roofto

the wind fe

il

lding it

the gate of his home, he felt i

in the center o

e clenched tightly around something-some

ett

t an envelope

real l

d in gold. Sealed wit

ulled together.

ally spoke, her voice was soft and deliberate

ivate courier,

your father. Said i

e arbor where his father sat b

ss his aging face. The letter lay open in his lap. His eyes, usually

the letter and ext

ad

uxurious in a way he had only seen in museum displays. And it smelled faintly.

is heart thudded louder

he

ly of Ahmed

veiled by grief and wealth, h

ty rare in men: humility

ask for his ha

union shall be ar

ry is e

his co

ed. Read

family title

a pro

us. And comple

up. "Is th

alace colors brought it. His manner was too sh

is

added. "Only that she is a widow

ountain. The letter remained in his hands, but it f

rriage offer. No

roposal this way? Who looks

. the

adn't asked for his education, or whether he

n h

His characte

made his ch

derstand,"

is father replied. "Yo

x seal. A veil. Crimso

f it's

s, son... the doors that open without reason are

moved to si

s time. Maybe this is your time. And maybe it's

ned, as if exhal

ngers folded the letter again-e

hem I a

ak. But the look they

-

shadows kissed the marble

oved he

into a drawer lined with velvet and sil

d sai

ing was abo

-

r was being written; this one not scented with roses, but

ore Ahme