by Sara Greene
Royal Deceit, Love Worth Waiting For
The Sheikh's London Love Child
Billionaire Romance of the Kingdoms Series
Sara Greene
© 2016 Sara Greene. All rights reserved.
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Don’t hesitate to find yourself lost and discover a new life of dreams.
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Sara Greene
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Chapter 1
“Okay then, pack Azam’s things and we will be leaving in a while,” said Riza as he settled down on the sofa and cradled his son.
“You can’t be serious?” gasped Vanessa. Matilda who had come into the living room when she heard voices stood holding on to Brian’s hand.
“I did warn you Vanessa,” he said. “I did tell you that if you cannot come to Zemaba, I shall file for custody of my son and you can rest assured that the judge will favor me with his award.” Vanessa closed her mouth as bile churned inside her. She turned and ran out of the living room crying bitterly.
Mumtaz who was quiet all that while spoke in a low voice. “May I go to Vanessa?” she asked Matilda. Matilda nodded. “Come with me,” she said as she led the way to Vanessa’s room.
What Mumtaz saw broke her heart. Vanessa was seated on the ground hugging Azam’s teddy bear and crying bitterly.
Mumtaz knelt before Vanessa and took her hands in hers. “Van, listen to me, Riza need you and Azam needs a father and no doubt you need Riza. You have to make up your mind and do what is best for Azam,” she said. Vanessa looked at Mumtaz through the blur of tears. “Are you telling me that I should give up Azam to Riza?’ asked Vanessa. Mumtaz shook her head. “No Van, I did not mean that. What I meant was for both Azam and you to come to Zemaba when the time is right. Why I say that is because Riza has changed the constitution and now any member of the royal family could marry a commoner of different nationality. He did it for your Vanessa and for his son,” said Mumtaz gently.
“Where does that leave you Mumtaz?” asked Vanessa. Mumtaz smiled. “You need not come with us this time. But once Riza and I return to Zemaba he shall file for divorce stating that I am baron and then once the divorce is through I will return to my country and then you could come over to Zemaba as the country’s new Queen,” said Mumtaz rubbing Vanessa’s hand.
“I really don’t know what to think or do Mumtaz,” said Vanessa.
Mumtaz and Riza left Vanessa’s home, but Riza’ heart was with his son. He kissed Azam several times before they left.
“I shall be in touch with you Van and don’t try to run as the consequences would be disastrous,” said Riza before he left.
Vanessa rushed into her bedroom with Azam and closed the door behind her locking it in the process.
“Azam my son, we have to run, no matter how disastrous it is going to be,” she said. Vanessa gently placed Azam on her bed and then knelt down and pulled a suitcase from under the bed. She turned to open her wardrobe when Azam let out a yell. “Oh darling you are hungry,” said Vanessa forgetting about her suitcase and picking her son gently from the bed. She undid the buttons of her blouse and even before she could put her nipple in little Azam’s rose petal mouth the little boy found his way to her nipple and latched his pink little mouth on to it. Vanessa heart leapt as love for her son soared to great heights as little Azam suckled at her breast.
She heard someone gently tapping on her bedroom door, but Vanessa took no notice. She never trained her mind on anything else when she was feeding her son.
Azam fell asleep after his feed and Vanessa gently placed him in his crib. She then turned to look at her half open suitcase.
“If I pack and leave, where am I going to?” she asked herself. Vanessa knew no one in Australia except her Aunt, Uncle and Brian her cousin. She sighed and sat on the bed cradling her head in her hands. “What a mess,” she said aloud.
She was about to put the suitcase back under the bed when she heard the sound of a vehicle. Vanessa quietly walked to the window and moved the curtain a wee bit. Riza and Mumtaz were leaving. They had called a cab to take them to the hotel. As if he felt someone looking at him Riza turned and looked up at her bedroom, only to see Vanessa vanish from his sight.
“She is going to be very difficult to handle,” said Riza once they were seated in the cab. “I think you should handle it in a diplomatic way, without threats and stuff like that. No woman will bow to your threats Riza. Remember that,” said Mumtaz. Riza looked at his wife and nodded, thinking from where she had got the courage to speak to him the way she did. But Mumtaz spent the better part of her life in London. She had graduated from Eton. In a way Riza was glad that Mumtaz was more westernized.
“What shall we do?” Riza asked Mumtaz. “Don’t file action right now. Baby Azam is too small and court will order that he be given to his mother,” said Mumtaz. “But then how am I to get Vanessa to come over to Zemaba?” asked Riza.
“We will think of something, but for the moment just let things lie as they are Riza,” said Mumtaz firmly.
“Like I said it is not going to be easy,” said Riza. “Who said it would be an easy task to take a son away from his mother?” asked Mumtaz. Riza nodded. “Vanessa will never part with Azam. I know that for sure,” he said. “And she will never come to Zemaba,” he concluded. “Look Riza I think you should slow down a bit. You are too anxious to get Azam to Zemaba and I don’t blame you. He is your son and the future heir to the Zemabian throne, but let’s take it step by step, instead of trying to run a marathon,” said Mumtaz wisely.
Chapter 2
Vanessa came out of her room and padded downstairs. Her aunt and uncle were seated in the living room talking.
They smiled when Vanessa entered the living room. “Is Azam asleep?” asked her uncle. Vanessa nodded and smiled sadly.
“I am sorry for the trouble I am causing all of you,” she said. “What trouble?” asked Matilda. “You are no trouble to us Van,” said her uncle. Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at her uncle and aunt, who were more like parents to her now. “If you think that I am causing you pain of mind, then I don’t mind leaving, but I don’t have a place to go,” said Vanessa beginning to cry.
Matilda was at Vanessa’s side in seconds. She put her arms around the girl and hugged her tight. “You will not leave here until you are ready. Azam and you are no problem to us and we can look after both of you,” said Matilda wiping the tears from her eyes. Frank nodded and smiled.
“Now Matilda with all this crying and visits from royalty, I am famished. Let’s tuck into your steak and kidney pie,” said Frank grinning. Vanessa smiled through her tears. Her uncle and aunt were darlings and so was her cousin Brian.
“When will Brian be back on vacation?” asked Vanessa. “He should be here by the end of this week,” said Frank. “The house seems so dull without him,” said Vanessa smiling. “Yes, I know what you mean.
When he is at home, he is like a tornado that circles in one place,” said Matilda laughing.
Vanessa was famished and tucked into Aunt Matilda’s steak and kidney pie with gusto and so did her Uncle. Matilda loved to see her family relish her cooking. “Would you like another piece of pie Van?” she asked. Vanessa looked longing at the pie and nodded. “Yes please,” she said. “You must eat well Vanessa, as you are still feeding Azam,” said Matilda cutting a generous piece of pie and placing it on Vanessa’s plate. “What about me Mat, don’t I have to eat well to be strong,” said Frank with a twinkle in his eye. Matilda smacked her husband playfully as she cut another piece of pie and placed it on his plate.
After dinner Vanessa, Matilda and Frank watched TV. Frank was dozing on his chair when Vanessa’s mobile buzzed in her pocket. He got up with a start. “What in heaven’s name is that?” he asked. “Oh Frank go to bed. It was only Vanessa’s mobile,” said Matilda smiling as Vanessa excused herself and went up to her room letting the mobile ring. She knew it was Riza and she needed time to compose herself.
“Why did you take so long to answer the phone?” boomed Riza. “What is it?” she asked. “Well have you decided on what you are going to do? Are you coming with me to Zemaba,” he asked. Vanessa sighed. “Riza I just cannot pack my bags and hop on your jet. You know that and I am sure Mumtaz knows it too. There are things we need to settle. What are you going to tell your people when you arrive with me in Zemaba? Are you going to tell them, ‘Hey look I have a son and this is his mother,” Is that what you are planning on doing?” she asked breathlessly. “Get real Riza,” she said.
Riza stared at his mobile and flung it across the hotel room. Mumtaz was quick and caught it deftly before it hit the ground. She saw that Vanessa was still on line. “Vanessa it’s me Mumtaz.” Hi Mumtaz, can you drive some sense into that man who is with you now,” said Vanessa angrily. “Calm down Vanessa. I will speak to Riza. In the meantime, I wanted to call you myself to tell you that we will be leaving for Zemaba tomorrow morning and should you make up your mind to come over to Zemaba, you could call me. I will text my mobile number to your phone after I hang up now,” said Mumtaz calmly. “Thank you Mumtaz for understanding,” said Vanessa sighing with relief. Riza was looking at his wife nonplussed. He had never indicated to her that they were leaving Australia the following day. After Mumtaz hung up she turned to Riza. “What was all that about leaving tomorrow morning?” he asked looking shocked.
“Yes we are leaving and until you begin to behave in a civilized manner the subject of Azam is closed. Only when you decide that you will stop throwing phones around then we will talk. But until then, we will leave tomorrow,” said Mumtaz firmly as she picked up her nightdress and padded to the bathroom. Riza stared after his wife as she walked into the bathroom and shut the door firmly. “Women,” he said as he stretched himself on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. Riza began to relax when he thought of his son. Azam was his carbon copy and a sweet boy. His temper mellowed as he thought of his son and how Azam had latched on to his little finger as if he knew that he was with his father. “Did he know that he was with his father?” wondered Riza aloud. “Of course Azam would have known he was with his father,” said Mumtaz who was standing and watching Riza. He smiled and heaved himself from the bed.
“How do children know that they are with their parents?” asked Riza. “They know when they feel the warmth and smell,” said Mumtaz. “Yes I think Azam felt my warmth,” said Riza smiling as he looked at his little finger as if expecting Azam to be there holding it. “He sure did. I was watching him closely, he even snuggled up to you,” said Mumtaz. “Yeah he did that too,” said Riza laughing.
Chapter 3
Vanessa’s mobile rang early in the morning. She had put it on vibrate so as not to wake up Azam. “Hello” she said not looking at the caller identity. “Hello Van, it’s me Riza.” Vanessa sat upright on her bed. She was wide awake now. “Riza” she whispered afraid that Azam would wake up. “We are at the airport now and leaving for Zemaba. You never got back to me about Azam and I do not have any alternative, but to file action against you, so that I could, someday, take my son Zemaba,” said Riza. He did not wait for Vanessa to answer him, but hung up and switched off his phone.
Mumtaz shook her head. “You will never learn Riza, never,” she said sadly. Riza looked the other way as he sprinted up the gangway and into his jet.
Vanessa sat on the bed shivering. It was not because of the cold, but because of the threat that Riza had just meted out to her. She got up and walked to where Azam slept peacefully oblivious of the threats his father had just given his mother. She wracked her brains as to why she should do. She could remain in Australia, but then again Riza was royalty and he could follow her anywhere. She sighed and paced the room. The sun was slowly rising when finally Vanessa made up her mind. She would return to London. That was her home and that was going to be Azam’s home too. Her mother and Aunt Molly had not seen Azam and this was a good opportunity for them.
When Vanessa went down for breakfast, Frank and Matilda were already in the dining room. “Did you sleep well Van?” asked Matilda. Vanessa nodded and smiled at her aunt. She did not know how she was going to tell them that she was moving to London. They had been so nice to her and treated her like their own daughter.
Matilda watched as Vanessa pushed her food around. She had hardly taken a bit of her toast and her scrambled eggs went in circles around her plate.
“Van darling is something bothering you?” asked Matilda.
Vanessa’s head shot up as she looked at her aunt sadly and nodded. “Aunt Matilda, I know you, Uncle Frank and Brian have been so nice to me, but I have decided to go back to London,” said Vanessa. “Oh dear me, I thought you would stay on with us,” said Matilda. Vanessa could have kicked herself for making her aunt so sad. “Darling, Vanessa’s home is in London and she has all the right to get back there,” said Frank as he patted his wife’s hand.
Matilda nodded and sniffed. She was on the brink of crying, but she pulled herself together and looked at Vanessa. “Remember Van if you ever want to come back here, you are always welcome,” she said as her voice cracked with emotion.
Vanessa got up and put her arms around her aunt. “I know that Aunt Matilda. This is my home away from home,” she said as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
One week later
Vanessa kissed her aunt and then hugged her tight, while Brian carried Azam in his arms. Azam was now four months old and quite a handful. “Goodbye darling. Call us no sooner you land in London,” said Matilda wiping the tears that streamed down her cheeks. She then turned to Azam, who was looking at her with his big black eyes. “Goodbye my little grandson. You got to come back and see grandma and grandpa sometime,” she said as she kissed Azam on the cheeks. Brian had tears in his eyes as well and so did Frank. Vanessa hugged all of them once again before she proceeded through customs. She turned and waved at them tears pouring down her cheeks and then she was gone.
Vanessa settled herself in the plane and she was glad that she had got a window seat. Azam was strapped in the seat next to her. He was very quiet as the plane taxied for takeoff. I was as if he was used to flying around in planes. The thought alone made Vanessa smile.
Two rows behind Vanessa, sat a man watching her. Vanessa was oblivious of his presence. Once or twice she turned around but she still did not recognize the man who was watching her. Vanessa fed Azam and put him to sleep. “You are such a good boy my darling,” said Vanessa as she kissed his pudgy nose. After she had settled Azam in his seat, Vanessa settled down to a well earned rest.
She awoke to the gentle tap on her shoulder. “We shall be landing in half an hour ma’am,” said the airhostess. “Oh thank you,” said Vanessa as she sat up and looked at Azam who was now playing with his tiny teddy bear. It was a gift from Brian to Azam just before they left for the airport. Vanessa smiled as she watched her son busy inspecting the teddy bear’s nose.
; The plane came taxied to a halt and all the passengers were anxious to get off as they surged to the entrance. Vanessa decided to wait until the last to get off and so did the man who was seated two rows away from her.
As she stepped out of the plane she saw a limo parked at short distance away from the plane. A cold shiver ran through her spine, but Vanessa shook herself and walked down the gangway. Just as she stepped off, the door of the limo opened and out stepped Riza dressed in flowing robes. Vanessa gasped as he strode toward her. She tightened her grip on Azam afraid that Riza might snatch him from her and take her baby away. She knew he could do that.
“Get in the car,” he said. “But….my Mum and Aunt Molly will be waiting for me at the arrival lounge,” stammered Vanessa. “They have been told that you are leaving for Zemaba and your mother and aunt were thrilled. I told them that I would send the jet for them next week when they could come over,” said Riza. “Oh you….you….” cried Vanessa. “Bastard,” finished Riza a lazy smile on his lips. “You definitely are that,” she spat out vehemently. “Vanessa cut out on the drama and get in the car,” said Riza. “But your jet is only a stone’s throw away,” said Vanessa looking at the gleaming golden jet that stood proudly on the tarmac resembling a golden eagle. “But we have other things to do,” said Riza as he pushed Vanessa gently toward the limo. Azam was gurgling at his father and Riza felt his heart flip. Azam was so much like him and Riza was proud of it.
