The Daughter In the Corner

Charity Event

The three would keep in touch over the phone sharing pictures and stories but life had a funny way of working, every summer something would happen and they would be unable to meet. Still, they retained fond memories of their first summer together and remained steadfast friends.

- Fifteen Years Later -

“Amara, honey! Let’s go!” Amanda called up from the base of the stairs. She craned her neck hoping to see her daughter running down the hall but was disappointed yet again.

“Honey? Do you need help?” Amanda took a step up the wide spiral stairs.

“I’m coming!”

With quick thumping footsteps muffled by the carpet, Amara came into full view. In a shimmering gold spaghetti strap dress that wrapped around her torso and flared from her waist down to the floor, she descended the stairs like a star out of the sky.

Dustin walked from his study downstairs finishing a business call when his eyes landed on his beautiful grown daughter. A scowl set in on his face.

“This won’t do! Amara, go change!”

Amanda turned and shot him a death glare. “We don’t have time for this! We’re late!”

Before Dustin could protest further, Amara flew down the stairs and walked up to her parents.

“Dad, I have a shawl. Don’t worry!”

“But…those young bast— I mean there will be many young men tonight. I’m not sure I am ready for this.” Dustin gave his daughter a sad look.

Amanda rolled her eyes and slapped Dustin on his back. “We are going to a charity event, not a matchmaking session. Stop worrying and get in the car!”

Amanda herded Dustin out the door while Amara followed behind. Sneaking a look in the hallway mirror she fixed her necklace and tucked a loose strand of curled hair behind her ear exposing the teardrop diamond earrings Derrick sent her two years ago.

She practiced a smile and nodded in satisfaction. “Perfect!”

Once they were all in the limousine and on the road, Amanda turned to her daughter with a worried look.

“Darling?”

Amara hummed with a smile, turning toward her mother.

“Are you doing alright, dear?”

Amara tilted her head in confusion. “Yes…? Why do you ask?”

Amanda shook her head. “…It’s nothing. I’m glad you are fine.” She gave a weak smile.

Dustin glanced at his wife and took her hand in his own. With a squeeze, he smiled reassuringly as their eyes met.

It had been over a decade since they came back to the family estate in the bustling city. Dustin knew his wife and daughter had a hard time here in the past but he had hoped, after all these years, they would be able to face those bad memories. Now that Amara had finished college, it was time for her to take her place in his company.

“I will be meeting with a few leaders in the industry during the event but if either of you feel uncomfortable, let me know and we can leave early.”

Amanda smiled at her husband and nodded. “Thank you, darling.”

Dustin leaned over and kissed Amanda on her forehead.

Amara blushed and quickly turned her head to look out the window at the passing lights. Tonight she would see her old friend and maybe… he would turn out to be her special someone to share the rest of their life together.

***

Outside the glamorous venue, camera lights flashed nonstop on either side of the red carpet.

“Quick! Over there! It’s the Farleys!”

Everyone turned to look as an older gentleman stepped out of the back of a limo. He straightened the lapels of his suit before turning back and extending a hand inside the car.

A woman’s hand alighted on his and he helped her out of a car.

“Mr. and Mrs. Farley! Look here please!”

Amelia turned and smiled graciously while Chris c****d his eyebrow in his signature cold look.

The reporters glanced into the limo curiously as the door remained open and another set of long legs emerged.

All the young women standing nearby swooned at the sight of his handsome chiseled face with slicked-back hair. He started walking away from the car before he heard someone call his name.

“Dillon! Did you forget something?”

Dillon sighed and turned around to extend his hand like his father had done.

A young woman took his hand and pulled herself out of the limo. Giving him a stern look she placed a hand on the crook of his arm.

Dillon sighed and muttered, “Smile, sis. The reporters are taking pictures.”

Jenny straightened her back and flashed a dazzling smile towards the sea of lights. Her silver dress clung to her shapely body accentuating her curves and glimmered as it caught the camera flashes. A fur shawl draped across her shoulders hiding most of her upper body creating a sexy yet modest look.

In a way, she was a public figure as well. At twenty-nine, she had been in the work field for a few years and was due for a promotion to higher management at Farley Incorporated. Her grandfather, Henry Farley, had taken her under his wing and mentored her diligently over all these years which catapulted her career.

As they entered the venue behind their parents, Jenny looked around with an air of nonchalance but her heart was beating rapidly. As her eyes settled on the back of a familiar figure, she released, or more accurately, threw off Dillon’s arm and strode over confidently.

“Nathan!”

The man turned his head and his dark brown eyes lit up with joy. “Habibti!”

Jenny smiled broadly as she saw the man excuse himself quickly and stride over to her. His black hair peeked from underneath a white headscarf tied with a black rope band and his sculpted body was hidden under a white and gold slim-fit thobe, a traditional Arabic garment. Nathan Al Saad, her betrothed, is an Arabic billionaire and one of the sexiest men alive. However, due to his religion, he never touched her apart from a hug and that was only when they were formally engaged. Despite the lack of physical intimacy, she fell in love with his brilliant mind and passionate personality. His deeply emotional eyes drew her into his world and held her there, a willing captive. She couldn’t wait until their wedding which was set to happen in six months.

“Habibti?”

Jenny shook her head gently to jolt herself out of her reverie and tilted her head upwards slightly to catch him in all his glory.

“Hello, Habibi,” she whispered and reached out to give him a quick hug.

Nathan smiled and gave her a small squeeze before pulling away. Jenny wanted to feel his body against her longer but knew he had already moved his principles for her by allowing brief hugs and hand-holding. He was a westernized Arabic man but he was still religious and was steadfast to what was haram (forbidden). She let out a small sigh and took in his scent.

“Did I disturb you?”

Nathan shook his head. “Never, my love. To you, everything else is secondary.”

Jenny smiled, pleased that she was the center of his life. “May I sit with you?”

Nathan nodded and gestured to his table. “Of course, I saved you a seat.”

As they were walking over, Jenny noticed a commotion at the door. She turned to look and the smile on her face froze.

Her father entered with his new family and the young Amara who used to hide in the corner of the room was now a confident and beautiful young woman.

Jenny took a sharp breath, her chest suddenly felt restricted.