Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“You’ve never lost me,” she whispered. “You’ll never lose me.” Her voice caught. “So can we please get to treating your wound because it’s starting to occur to me I might be hemophobic?”
A hoarse laugh escaped him. “Of course.” But the sheikh’s own eyes were as bright as hers, and she bit her lip hard.
She let him gently pull her up, and she reached for the niqab once more.
Don’t cry, H.
Don’t cry.
Don’t cry.
She started to wrap the niqab around his hand, and the tears started to fall – but it was not hers.
“I love you, my Hyacinth.”
And because she really did love him back, and she would rather have him furious than humble, she whispered, “I love you, my bae.”
Epilogue
My Dear Mrs. B,
I hope this letter finds you well.
No, actually fuck that.
I hope you’re still kicking yourself in the head for betraying the only friend you have in the world. But other than that – I truly wish you well. I just got off the phone with your therapist – no offense, but I trust him more than I trust you (this may still change, don’t worry), and he says he’s confident if you keep working hard, you may start walking as early as next year. I’m so happy for you!
As for me, life’s still crazy WONDERFUL. By the end of the year, I might actually earn my first mil! Who knew being bitchy paid so well?
Oh, and I’m not sure if you’ve seen the photos – they’re all over the net – so I thought I’d just attach them anyway. Rayyan’s birthday gift was a custom-built studio for Marwan and me right here in the palace. He wants us to relocate back to Ramil, and he doesn’t mind using his influence to get us whoever we want to guest on our show. It’s 100% FBPC, right?
So you bet I said yes, but in case you’re wondering, he will be very discreet about it. We still haven’t gone public about our relationship yet. No special reason. We just want to keep it private for a while longer, and TBH all the sneaking around we do for our little trysts make for the most exciting times.
Like last week, I was part of the sheikh’s entourage when he went for a pre-launch inspection of a commercial bank, and Rayyan managed to score us some alone time (if you know what I mean) in the VAULT. You may think I’m lying, but I’m not (that’s your thing, not mine).
Well, anyway, that’s it for now.
Write back, okay?
XOXO
Hyacinth
As always, Gadi was red-faced when he finished reading Hyacinth’s letter out loud to Mrs. Bauer.
“That little slut.”
Gadi pretended not to hear this, also as always.
Dark eyes narrowed at him. “Were you at the inspection she mentioned?”
“Nem, anisdi.” Yes, milady.
“And do you think it really—-” Cecile noticed the way Gadi’s color deepened. “Never mind.” And then she said it again. “That little slut.” But it was all for show, really. Because the truth was, Hyacinth Kahveci was still an idiot, with the way she kept writing all these letters to Cecile, punishing and keeping her as a friend at the same time.
It was, they both knew, the only way Cecile’s pride would allow her to stay in contact with the girl who had once been her friend...before coming to replace Cecile in Rayyan Al-Atassi’s heart.
“Would you care to reply, Mrs. Bauer?” Gadi was obliged to ask even though this offer had always been rejected in the past.
But to his surprise, he heard Mrs. Bauer murmur, “I rather think I will.”
Gadi quickly reached for pen and paper, which Hyacinth had expressly requested him to always keep on hand for his visits.
Dear Little Slut,
I’m proud of you.
Love,
Mrs. B.
The End