***

Asahd's POV:

I got to work and went to the locker room to change and drop my things. The others were there. I greeted and they all replied.

"How was your Sunday, buddy?" Derrick asked as we shared a handshake.

"Interesting." I replied, noticing Allison in a corner, blushing and smiling a little.

"Mmhmm. Any girl involved?" he mused.

"Not that I know of." I chuckled.

"Alright, man."

I just liked having Derrick or Alex around me. I'd actually become friends with them. They were the less annoying and competitive guys amongst the others. For example, Jason was always teasing me and tried to make me uncomfortable most of the time, calling me pretty boy and saying in a 'joking' manner that he didn't see why the girls we worked with found me cute. That I wasn't that pretty and blah blah. His ass was just jealous. I ignored him most of the time. Stephan was annoying because he teased me too and kept trying to make me hook him up with Saïda. Just like Jason, he was very competitive too. For no reason at all. He would always become dry towards me when one of the girls complimented me and always tried to compare everything with me. I avoided them so I would not get really angry and do the unthinkable.

Matt on the other hand was quite simple. He was nice yet didn't really mingle with the others. A bit like a boy version of Elsa. He would do what he had to, tell us goodbye and leave. Always minding his business.

--

The others changed and left till I was left alone. I had just put my T-shirt when Allison entered.

"Good morning." she smiled and I smiled back, pulling her in for a hug.

"Good morning. How was your night?" I kissed her forehead.

"Great. Thought about you the entire time." she giggled.

"Really? That's nice."

"And how was yours? You look a little tired." she said.

'That's cuz I spent the whole night gossiping with Saïda.'

The thought made me smile because she'd told me a lot of amusing and embarrassing things about the annoying chief butlers in the palace, back in Zagreh. Things I didn't even know about.

"You're smiling?" Allison mused, snapping me out of it.

"I slept late cuz I was thinking about you and how I hope to return your feelings with time."

She smiled.

"I'm sure you will."

We shared a short kiss.

"No one should know about us, just yet. Especially the girls." she mused and stepped back. "Brittany kinda likes you, though she's acting all bitter because of that party night. She told us about it. Jenna likes you too. I'm sure of that one. They're mean at times and I don't want them throwing odd words at me."

"Okay, they won't know." I reassured her.

"Thank you. Let's go."

*

Saïda's POV:

Finally it was twelve, my break time. I excused myself and left the shop to go sit at a nearby café.

I ordered donuts and sat to eat them, while manipulating my phone. I texted Asahd:

-I'm on break. And you?-

-Same. What are you doing?-

-Eating donuts.-

-Keep me some.-

-No way... You work in a fast food. Eat some fries or something-

-Fine.-

-Please keep me a burger...-

I dared to ask, after refusing to keep some donuts for him. I laughed a little, expecting the shadiest reply.

-Are you serious? I'm not keeping anything!-

-Fine, too T^T .-

I received a call.

-I got a call. Bye.-

-Bye-

I checked and it was an unknown number. I picked.

"Hello?"

"Hello, my dear?"  It was Noure!

"Noure?? Whose number is this? It's an American number."

"Yes, sweetheart. My father has a seminar here. We arrived New York earlier today. He's gone for his meeting and so I'm free. How do we meet? Where are you?"

My heart threatened to burst out of my chest as happiness took over.

He gave me the name of the hotel where he lodged and I realised it wasn't very far from where I was.

"I'll be there in ten to fifteen minutes!"

"Can't wait! I'll be waiting for you at the entrance."

"Okay!"

I hung up and called the waiter.

"Please wrap these up for me. I'll come pick them, later."

"Sure."

They already knew me there and so I could ask them to keep the donuts till I returned.

"Taxi!" I stopped a cab and got in. I was so impatient to meet Noure.

*

When I saw him through the taxi's window, my heart skipped a beat. He stood there, all tall and handsome. He'd recently turned twenty three. About a week or so, ago.

I paid the driver and rushed out. Immediately he saw me, he opened his arms and I ran into them, hugging him tight. We laughed happily, hugging each other tight.

"I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too!"

"Let's go inside. Wouldn't want someone we probably know, to see us." he chuckled and grabbed my hand. I giggled and followed him into the hotel.

We entered the elevator and reached his floor.

--

I admired the suite in which he was, while he closed the door behind us.

"Wow, this suite is beautiful." I cooed.

"Saïda?" he called softly and I turned to him. He smiled and approached me, holding my hands in his. I smiled back.

"Yes?"

"I want to kiss you so bad."

I smiled and bit my lower lip.

"What are you waiting for?" my reply came out in a soft whisper. I was a good and kind of timid girl, but all my manners vanished when I was alone with someone I was falling in love with. I suddenly became courageous and spoke my mind.

"You don't need to ask permission." I wrapped my arms around his neck.

He smiled and wrapped me up too, pulling me closer to his body. It wasn't right for us to share passionate moments or even meet this way, before our engagement, but who were we kidding? I couldn't resist him and he couldn't resist me.

He lowered his head and we shared a long, deep and passionate kiss. For the first time, ever! Back in Zagreh we never had enough privacy and the highest we did was to peck each other on the lips.

I loved the feeling and I kissed him with the same crave. We needed that little moment that would stick to our skins, keeping us patient and satisfied until our engagement. Because for sure, we would never kiss like that again till our engagement day and then wedding.

After a long kiss, we slowly parted and I pulled on his bottom lip, surprising myself. Gosh, I'd needed that. I didn't even know that sensual part of me existed or could surface.

"You drive me even more crazy." Noure whispered as we stared at each other, our foreheads touching and our breaths a little raged.

"I didn't know you could be this sensual and passionate. You've left me craving for more, Saïda. I can't wait to finally wed you."

'And Asahd says, I'm a turn off. Wish he could see this...'

"I'm full of surprises." I smiled and pecked him "Just a few weeks till I turn twenty. Our engagement is closer than you think."

"I can't wait."

We smiled at each other and hugged again.

***

That night, I returned to the apartment, happy as ever. I was in the best mood. My afternoon with Noure had been perfect. He'd travelled back that same night.

I got in and hugged my father, feeling happy. I then went to my room to change and go shower. Nothing could spoil my evening.

-

Later that night, after Asahd was done eating, I grabbed his plate and went to wash it.

"Okay, tell me." he suddenly said and I laughed a little.

"Tell you what?" I mused.

"Saïda you are washing my plate. You usually force me to wash my own plate but now you're helping me. What put you in such a mood? Spill the tea!" he laughed.

Recently, we'd been telling each other almost everything and he always kept me updated on Allison and so, I decided to tell him about my afternoon. Plus, my father had retired to bed.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I finally kept you some donuts. They're in the fridge. You can eat them as breakfast tomorrow." I said and a wide smile drew itself on his lips.

"Seriously??" he rushed to the fridge and saw them, "Saïda?" he called softly.

"Yes?" I mused.

He approached me and made me face him.

"I bless you and your generation." he mused and when he grabbed my face and kissed my forehead, I burst out in laughter. He was always so extra and I just loved that aspect of his.

"Thank you." I laughed.

"Now I remember. I kept you a burger and forgot it in my bag. Guess you can warm it for breakfast tomorrow too. Now bless me." he chuckled and I laughed.

"I bless you and your generation."

"Good. Now spill the tea."

I looked around and made sure my father's door was well closed.

"Noure was in this city today. We met during my break." I whispered and his eyes went wide.

"For real?? Stubborn girl. Didn't they tell you to stay away from him for the little while given?" he teased and I giggled.

"Punish me then." I mused.

"How did it go?"

"Well. We talked a lot and had a little catch up."

"What kind of catch up?" he mused.

I looked around again.

"We kissed. Not a peck. A real kiss."

"Are you serious??" his mouth dropped open and I laughed "Saïda, you??"

"Mmhmm. And I'm a pretty good kisser." I giggled nervously

"I'm reporting."

"Asahd!" I laughed and pulled on his arm when he pretended to go report to my father. He laughed.

"You're not so innocent after all, Saïda." he chuckled.

"It was just a kiss, Asahd. That doesn't make me naughty or something." I laughed.

"I'm kinda happy for you. And I can't believe you'll be getting married in a short time. You're turning twenty soon, right?"

"Yup, in some weeks."

"I'll dance, drink and feast at your wedding. Big facts."

"Hahaha I hope you do."