Chapter 6: Surprised By Him

Ishmael did Amaro's demand, he secured all necessary documents so that Kashmir arrives in Dubai at Amaro's demand. He used Amaro's name to get what needs to be done in no time.

Kashmir, was surprised to get her visa and all necessary documents to work in Dubai.

Her family had mixed emotions, they were happy but sad at the same time. Her father and mother were a bit reluctant to let her go.  Nevertheless, they have to let her go because she wants to go and they did not force her to work abroad, she did it of her own volition.

Dubai, UAE

"Hey, you're here!" Ishmael was surprised to see Amaro at the airport.

"I am here to pick up my PA" his tone of voice was  curt. He did it to his friend so he would stop teasing him.

"Oh, you're that excited to see your PA." He smirked.

"We have to attend a meeting, that's why I need her to be with me. Didn't I tell you to book a flight so that she will be here by 11 am? " he lied. He wants them to have lunch together and bring her to see his parents.

"Oh, I see," he nodded. However, he did not buy into Amaro's reason, Ishmael knew his best friend likes his new PA.

"You may take your leave now." Amaro dismissed him.

"What? I am here to pick her up. My girlfriend will be mad at me if she learns that I did not wait for her friend to arrive." Ishmael was shocked by Amaro's order.

"Well, don't be frightened by her. You tell her that I was here waiting for her friend. And tonight we will have dinner together." Amaro coaxed his friend.

"Ok, fine. I'll take my leave now. I know you want to be with her alone" he winked at him while tapping his shoulder.

"Bye, buddy," Amaro said with a stoic face.

He looked at his watch and it's already 11 am. He assumed that her plane already arrived. He let his bodyguard wait for Kashmir and went to his limousine.

Kashmir, went out of the airport pulling her luggage and a tall and muscular man in black suit approached her.

"Miss Kashmir Lara, I am Max, Mr. Khan's bodyguard. Please follow me.” He took her luggage from her and walked toward the limousine. Kashmir followed the bodyguard, and a chauffeur opened the passenger seat.

"Welcome to Dubai Ms. Kashmir" he said smiling.

"Thank you." She smiled back at him and climbed into the car. She was startled when she saw Amaro inside the car. Her face turned like a ripe tomato because of blushing.

"M..mr Khan, you're here!" she almost choked.

"Ms. Kashmir, are you surprised to see me here?"

"I didn't expect you to be here sir. What I know is, Sir. Ishmael will be picking me here." Kashmir honestly replied.

"You don't want me to pick you up?" Amaro asked her, a crease between his eyebrows was formed.

"Please, don't get me wrong sir." Kashmir pleaded because she doesn't want to offend her new boss. She is now looking down at her feet.

"How was your flight?" Amaro changed the topic because he could feel that she's a bit tense now.

"It was fine, thanks for asking," Kashmir shyly replied.

"Are you hungry now?" looking at his watch.

"No, I'm not," Kashmir said but her stomach growled. She blushed because of humiliation.

"Your mouth said no, but your stomach betrayed you," Amaro laughed.

She bowed her head. She wished that the ground would open and swallow her.

"What do you want to eat?" Amaro stopped laughing when he realized that Kashmir was embarrassed. 

"Anything that is edible." She smiled.

"You know I am amused by your witty answer." he grinned.

"Mr. Khan, where do you plan to eat lunch?" 

"Why?" he raises his eyebrows.

"Uhmmm, look at my clothes. If you plan to eat at a high end restaurant, I am afraid you will lose your face because of me." Kashmir looked at Amaro as she explained her point.

"Well, what's with your clothes? I don't care." Amaro said, looking at Kashmir’s beautiful face.  

"But I do care, I don't want my boss to be humiliated because of me." she said, bowing her head. 

"And what are we gonna do?" Amaro asked, testing Kashmir.

"At your social status, it's not fitting for you to just eat anywhere. You go and eat at a high end restaurant and I will eat at a restaurant where I am fitted." Amaro was surprised by Kashmir’s answer. 

"No, I'll go with you" he refused. He then gave instruction to his chauffeur.

They stopped at a restaurant and entered. The restaurant's interior design is simple and elegant and there was no dress code observed.

They were escorted to a VIP room. Amaro chose food for them because she doesn't know what to choose.

They silently eat their food. When they finished eating, Amaro said that they will go straight to meet his parents. She gasped upon hearing what he said.

They arrived at Amaro's parents' place. Her eyes widened like a saucer.

"This is a palace; your parents stay here?" she yelped.

He nodded.

"You're a prince!" she panicked.

He nodded again.

"Why didn't Joyce and Sir. Ishmael tell me?" her palm sweat and beads of sweat started to form on her forehead.

"Joyce doesn't know. I told Ishmael not to talk about it" 

"But why?" her face turned pale. She is getting nervous.

"You looked pale, what's the matter with you?" Amaro was alarmed by her reaction. He was worried sick consequently, he couldn’t help himself but to pull her into his embrace.

Kashmir pushed Amaro gently to break free from his embrace and alighted from the limousine. He also alighted from the car. She stood still and waited for him.

He then came near to her "Don't be nervous, my parents are kind hearted." He whispered to her ears; his breath made her shiver.

"Father, Mother" Amaro hugged them.

"Son, you're here" the Queen spoke gently.

"I want to introduce you my new PA"

"Father, Mother. This is my new personal assistant Kashmir Lara"

"Greetings your majesties." she bowed her head.

"Hi Kashmir, I hope you work hard and take care of my son's needs. He needs you to stand by him" The queen spoke.

"Yes, her majesty" Kashmir respectably answered.

"Father, mother. We'll take our leave now" 

"You may now take your leave son" the king dismissed them.

While they were walking at the hallway,

"Kashmir, are you tired? Do you want to have a rest?" Amaro asked Kashmir who was pensive at the moment. 

Kashmir was snapped back and answered, "Yes, your highness" she bowed.

"Stop calling me like that, I don't like it. I want you to call me by my first name" he sternly rebuked her.

"But I have to, you’re a prince" Kashmir reasoned out.

"I don’t want you to call me 'Your Highness'." Amaro halted and faced Kashmir.

"What will people think about you if they hear me call you by your first name? They might be tempted to disrespect you" Kashmir didn’t want to cause trouble to her employer.

"Alright then, call me with my title when we are in public but when we are alone call me by my first name." Amaro made a compromise. 

He held her hand and abruptly pulled her. "Follow me, I will show you your room" 

She followed him, she tried to pull her hand but he did not loosen his grip. The servants are looking at them.

"Here is your chamber. Mine is opposite yours, we are in the east wing of the palace. There's my chamber over there." Pointing at his chamber. If I call you, it won't be hard for you to find my chamber.

"Your Highness" she was shocked that she is going to stay in the palace. 

"I told you not to call me like that when we are alone. Next time you call me like that, I am going to kiss you" he warned her.

"Uhhhm... Mr. Khan, I suppose, I should be living with Joyce and not here at the palace.” Her big brown eyes looked into Amaro’s eyes. 

"How could you attend to my needs early in the morning or when I need your assistance at night if you're not here?" Amaro said and smirked. 

"Well, I suppose I am your personal assistant but not your maid." Kashmir fought the urge to roll her eyes on him. 

"I have my own company in the US and most of the time I work at night and I need your assistance." Amaro explained.

"Alright" Kashmir said but still wasn’t comfortable staying in the palace. 

Amaro opened the door to her chamber.

"Oh, so beautiful," she gasped.

"Did you like it" 

"Yes, Mr. Khan"

"My name is Amaro" He stepped closer to Kashmir and held her chin. 

"Say 'Amaro' " he ordered, looking at Kashmir’s alluring lips.  

"A...a...Amaro" Kashmir stuttered. 

"Very good. Now take a rest and be ready at 6 pm to have dinner with Ishmael and Joyce." Amaro was close enough that he could smell Kashmir’s sweet scent as she took a deep breath and let out a long and resigned sigh.