***
The ride to Bassem’s office was pretty awkward for Blake. The queen asked her a lot of questions. It was clear that she was trying to get a feel for the kind of woman Blake was. At one point, she was on the phone speaking in Arabic.
They arrived at Bassem’s building moments later. They got into the elevator and headed to Bassem’s office. The sheikh was sitting at his desk looking at some paperwork. His eyes widened when he saw Blake and his mother walking into his office.
“What in the world?” He rose to his feet. “Why are the two of you together?”
“I wanted to see the woman that managed to get your heart,” said the queen. Bassem walked around his desk and kissed his mother on the cheek. Then he held Blake by her waist and pressed a small gentle kiss against her lips.
“I see,” Bassem replied. The queen walked over to the sofas in his office and sat down. “Did she yell at you?” Bassem whispered in Blake’s ear.
“No,” Blake replied. “But you are willing to give up the throne for me?” she whispered.
“She told you that?”
“Yes. Why would you do that? I never asked you to do that.”
“Stop whispering and come over here,” said the queen. Blake looked at Bassem and mouthed this conversation is not over. She wanted to marry Bassem but not like that. She didn’t want him to give up anything to be with her.
They both went to join his mother at the sofas.
“I spoke to your father a few minutes ago,” said the queen.
“About what?” Bassem asked.
“About this situation.”
“And what did he say?”
The queen sighed heavily. “We looked into Blake. She has a clean record. She’s never done any questionable acts. She won’t bring shame to our family,” she said.
“What are you saying to me right now?” Bassem asked.
“If you give up the throne, it means that Basil will be the king. Your father doesn’t want that. Your brother is too immature and knows nothing about running a country.”
“He can learn.”
The queen shook her head. “He doesn’t want to be the king either. He spent his entire life not wanting the position,” she said to him.
“So what will happen now?” Bassem asked. The queen sighed again.
“We have no choice but to let you marry her.” She looked at Blake. Bassem and Blake gasped and looked at each other.
“You mean that?” Bassem asked his mother.
“I don’t make jokes.”
“You can’t take it back!”
“It’s your father’s orders.” She rose to her feet. Bassem quickly got up and kissed his mother on the cheek.
“Thank you,” he said to her. Blake stood up and bowed her head to his mother.
“Thank you so much,” she said.
“Just don’t make me regret it.” With that, the queen walked out of the office. Bassem picked Blake up into his arms and spun around.
“This is good! I’m so happy,” he said. He held Blake tightly and kissed her. Blake hit him playfully.
“You should have told me that that was how your parents felt,” she said.
“I didn’t want it to upset you.”
“No more secrets, no matter what.”
“Sure.” Bassem kissed Blake again. Blake had gone through so many emotions in one day. She was just glad that she was going to marry the man she loved more than anything.
“You know, you’ll have to give me many children,” said Bassem. Blake wrapped her arms around his neck.
“How many?” she asked.
“Four or five.”
“What? No, that’s not happening. Two children are enough.”
“I want one son as my heir and three girls that look just like you.”
Blake rolled her eyes and smiled. “I want a boy just like you,” she said.
“I love you,” Bassem said to her.
“I love you too,” Blake replied and kissed him.
“The pair of you are so cheesy,” Basil said as he walked into the office. Bassem put Blake down.
“Congratulations, I just saw mother on the way out,” Basil said. He leaned in to kiss Blake on the cheek but Bassem stopped him.
“No more of that,” said Bassem. Basil laughed.
“I’ve never had feelings for her. I was always trying to get you to admit yours, that’s it.”
Blake smiled. “It’s your turn to find a wife,” she said to him.
“Not anytime soon.”
The three of them laughed and hugged each other. Blake was perfectly happy. The happiest she had ever been in her life.
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