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
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
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
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,
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
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.”
INTRODUCTION 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
Now Some tourists claim to know the desert. They spend two weeks sunbathing by the swimming pools with extravagant shapes, found in several luxury hotels, and think they have become Bedouins. But the Bedouins are nomadic peoples of the desert, who move rudimentary through the sands as far as the eye can see, under a scorching sun. Their survival depends on a lot of resistance to difficulties, the ability to defend themselves against dangers, and the capacity to face a sea of sand. Bethany would never have the vanity to declare that she knew the desert, because she lived a life of luxuries and riches, protected from the least discomfort anyone could imagine. She thought it was foolish to declare herself an expert in the desert, as it would be as if, after watching some dance performances, she declared herself a ballerina. You don't become something, just by looking at it. Great efforts, adaptations, and a huge amount of talent are needed. And t
Now:The sheik Omar Sahid al Maliq's palace was imposing and sumptuous. Inheritance of a wealthy family for generations, it had been modernized by the current sheik, providing all the comforts that money can buy.Its facade was imposing and impressive, however, it showed all the charms of a building made to shelter dreams.The walls were of an almost shining white, in undulating lines, common to Arabian taste, and rose to great heights until they gave way to towers and roofs of gold.On the main dome, a flag with the family's coat of arms identified who the majestic palace belonged to.There were more than two hundred rooms spread over several floors. All the expensive furniture attested to the good taste of its owner.After three weeks of business travel, the sheik approached his valuable property. He was proud of his possessions and all he had achieved.But he was absolutely convinced that his most valuable asset was in the palace's