Puzzled Hearts (Book 3 of Precious Series)

Most of the names here are made up specially the ones for the Emirati family. I could have used a real Emirati surname but I just made up my own, better to be safe than sorry. Some of the events here are close to my heart. PROLOGUE Eliza looked up admiringly at Valeria and Regina who were both in their late teens. They were so pretty and tall, an impressionable girl of 8 like her would believe anything they would say. Valeria is the only child of their next-door neighbor and Regina who also lives next to Valeria’s house is the second eldest child of their other neighbor. Eliza thought they really think her cute so whenever the two young adults, Regina being 19 while Valeria just turned 18; ask her parents to bring her with them, she gleefully goes. She never suspected that they’ll be her downfall. One day, they tagged ger along to Valeria’s house and went into a forbidden room that contains adult magazines. As young as she was, she thought those magazines were okay to be v

"You must be Eliza, Madam's new PA," a voice said behind Eliza in the elevator on her way up to the office. She turned around and met the eyes of a tall gentleman with laugh lines around the eyes which are currently twinkling with admiration as he looked at her. She didn't notice him when she entered the elevator as she was so focused on not stumbling. She was wearing her heels today in a dark blue skirt suit, purchased by Ami as a gift upon her arrival in the UAE. She wanted to give a good impression on her first day as Mariam’s PA. She smiled at the gentleman warily and replied, "I am sorry Sir, but how did you know? I don't even know you" " I beg your pardon Miss, I am Theo. We will be seeing each other a lot as I also work for Madam." "Oh, Mr. Theo Matthews? The Manager?", suddenly she recalled reading his name on the website when she was looking it up last night. "A pleasure to meet you, sir", Eliza gushed. "Oh, nonsense my dear.

After a long day, Eliza was grateful to be home. Her training lasted a month and thankfully, after that first day, Mariam continued training her with the help of Theo. As she is a quick-study, it didn’t take her long to learn the ins and outs of the business. It also helped that Ami was so organized that all the documents she needed were filed meticulously both soft and hard copies. Matan just pops in every now and then, considering he has his businesses to run but even if she hates to admit it, Eliza misses him to her extreme annoyance. Although she yearned to walk by the Corniche as the water looked so refreshing and inviting, she just wanted to rest. Home was the accommodation provided by the company. She doesn't really care as long as she can lie down on her own bed. Meera treated her to dinner despite Theo inviting her first. She declined for the reason that other employees might put meaning to the special attention he seems to be giving her. She may be naive but not tha

Is the woman trying to annoy him? Can't she even find a decent clothing to dress herself? Those were the thoughts currently running in Matan's head as he beheld the vision in black coming into the restaurant. He was more annoyed to see Theo with a smug smile on his face while Eliza's hand was on his arm as they were ushered in. Noticing the admiring looks she was garnering, he slowly took off his coat and swiftly covered her with it all the while whispering "Are you intentionally attracting attention to yourself?" Eliza was shocked and incensed with his action and whispered words that she stopped, flung his coat back at him and and said aloud " Ain't your damn business. You're not my keeper!?" Matan was taken aback by her response that he nearly dragged her out of the restaurant if not for Theo managing to lead her away before their altercation escalated further. To be fair, Eliza was attired appropriately compared to some of the lady diners present. It was just

“Have you found my grandson?” the don asked the two men sitting tensely across him in the courtyard of his villa. Though the question was asked softly, it held a menace to it. The two men were fidgety as they were very apprehensive of how the don would take their report. Impatient of their answers, the don flicked his wrist and his whip was speedily in his hands. The two gentlemen quaked in their boots. They know the sting of that dratted whip as they were the recipient more than once in their growing up years. They hated that they have to kowtow to his every demand. If only they could find that very precious grandson and get rid of him permanently, but alas, they have scoured Italy to no avail. Even with the don’s extensive connections, they couldn’t find their prey. That is what’s worrying them because they know how volatile the don is. More fearful of what the don might ask his minions to do, the taller and much heavier man stood up and with false bravado said: “Uncle, I m