Modern Romance May 2017 Books 5 – 8. Louise Fuller
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Alim shook his head. ‘I would still rule, but they would be my heirs.’
He had thought every detail through and he had presented it to his father, just as he would in any business meeting.
Only this one involved his heart.
‘He knows I am strong, and he knows his own regrets. He agreed.’
‘And Lucia...’ Gabi asked. ‘What will your people think?’
‘My father has been unwell, that is enough reason to have refrained from announcements and celebrations. This photo, of the night I made a commitment to you, is enough testimony of our love.’
It was love.
She had never truly thought she would know it.
Not fully.
An unrequited version perhaps, if she remained with Alim. Or a diluted version if she attempted to move on and meet someone else.
Yet the man she loved had changed his world for a chance for them. And he told her now why he had.
‘Gabi, I never considered love important. I grew up in a loveless, albeit privileged home. I saw first-hand the pain love caused for my father and Fleur...’
He thought back to when love had first started to arrive in his heart.
‘When I came to buy the Grande Lucia you were setting up for a wedding. It was the first time I saw you.’
Gabi thought back.
‘No, the first time we saw each other was the day after a wedding. You had come back for a second viewing of the hotel...’
‘No.’
And Gabi realised then that he had memories of her that she did not know, that the days she had felt so invisible had been days when she had, in fact, been noticed.
‘Marry me?’ he said, and she nodded.
‘Oh, yes.’
‘There is only one problem.’
And here it came, Gabi thought, the downside, for she could not remain on this cloud for ever. She braced herself for impact.
‘It has to be now.’
Gabi frowned. ‘Now?’
‘We’re already late for our own wedding.’
‘You mean now!’
‘The Sultan of Sultans has chosen. I was lucky to buy us even a few days. I have my family gathered, and I went and spoke with your mother; she has given her blessing if you say yes.’
‘When did you speak with my mother?’
‘That is why I was late to meet Lucia.’
Gabi was lying in bed on her wedding day when surely there was so much to be done.
‘Alim...’ She sat up. ‘I haven’t...’
There was panic, because she was a wedding planner after all and this wedding was her very own.
‘There is nothing for you to do. I know you would have dreamed of this day and that it might not be quite what you had planned...’
‘No.’ Gabi shook her head. ‘I never thought of my own.’
‘There will be a bigger celebration in Zethlehan but for today everything is under control.’
Except the bride!
For instead of answering her million questions Alim got dressed and then, having read her note with a smile, he left.
Gabi sat in the unmade bed, unsure what she was supposed to do, so she called her mum.
‘I am so happy for you,’ Carmel said. ‘It meant everything that he came and spoke with me...’
‘You’ll be there?’
‘Of course,’ her mother said. ‘I’m at the hotel now with Lucia and we’re both being very spoiled. I shall see you at the wedding.’
It seemed everyone knew what was happening except Gabi and just when she was starting to think she must have misunderstood the bedside phone rang.
‘Gabi...’
Gabi rolled her eyes at the familiar voice.
‘I can’t work today,’ Gabi started, but then realised that Bernadetta wasn’t calling her to ask her to work.
‘If you’d like to put on a robe, the bridal suite is ready for you.’
‘For me?’
‘Gabi, I haven’t been avoiding your calls. Well perhaps a bit, but I’ve been very busy arranging a royal wedding in Rome, with only five days’ notice. Thank goodness I’m good at my job!’
Gabi had always resented that Alim seemed one step ahead of her.
She didn’t today.
Yes, Bernadetta was a right royal pain, but she was the best in the business.
Gabi almost felt sorry for Bernadetta for the panic she must have had to arrange such a rapid wedding.
Almost!
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