Exiting the hotel, Hussein joined Khayri, who had stayed concealed until Nikki had disappeared out of sight.  Together they headed towards the waiting car, sliding into the back.

"Well?" Khayri asked as the driver pulled away, merging into the traffic.

"Nothing, they just went, didn't follow or head to the hotel."

"Hmm." Khayri looked out the window as they headed towards the Khalifa.

He hadn't been happy about leaving her alone in such a place. Not the most secure place, unlike Armani Hotel which was impossible to enter unless a guest to the upper levels. Unless visiting a restaurant, or viewing levels, the spa and lower pools were open to the paying public, yet couldn't enter the other levels without a key card.

Something she could never afford, by where she was staying, and seemed reluctant to spend her money. Then again, staying for two weeks, Dubai wasn't the cheapest place to stay. Yet to watch her innocent wonder and delight at everything she saw, touched and tasted, smelt had stirred something inside of him, he hadn't felt in a long time.

He found it hard to believe she read his books, smiling to himself, sure certain things would have been an eye-opener, especially the sex scenes. He could see her cheeks burn bright red, eyes wide as saucers, or maybe she skipped those pages.

Shaking his head.

So much for emerging himself into Hussein Abdul's headspace, yet had enjoyed his day and the way she made him feel when she kept touching the bracelet after he had attached it to her slender wrist, skin so soft and fair, ring-less.

Absently, he rubbed his finger where he wore his signet ring, one a few, that he didn't wear out in public when he didn't want to be known who he was. A part of his heritage.

The way things were going, he needed to distract himself from such an innocent. The sooner he went to the desert the better, no more distractions, yet didn't want to leave her unprotected either, giving Hussein a sideways glance to be eyed back.

"You want me to monitor her?" Hussein said before he could even ask.

"She is far too innocent to be left on her own. The problem is how you accidentally do that without being obvious. I don't think she has had much freedom to do so and I don't want to take that from her."

"At this stage, just monitor her and step in if needed."

"Also need to know more about her, where she is from."

"A deep probe?"

"No, just the basics. She was very vague about her family, avoiding it like the plague."

"Maybe she lost them."

"That's what I need to know, and would explain why they let her do this by herself when she has no travelling experience at all. Everything is bright, shiny, and new, which can be dangerous for someone like her. Do you have any idea where she's going next since you seem like old buddies?"

A smile grazed his lips. "I think I do. I've seen her extended list." 

That would be burned into his memory.

It's scary how much information he could recall at the drop of a hat. If he needed any background information on his book, which was a part of his new book, he just asked Hussein, who responded immediately.

Very handy. It's the little details that matter.

She would be in excellent hands.

****

The following morning, Nikki left the hotel much later than she had planned, having a leisurely breakfast in her room, showered and went over her list, circling the desert trip.

No matter how hard she tried, how much she researched, she couldn't find the oasis that Cobra headed out to often, to recuperate and centre himself, especially after a hard case.

It didn't seem to exist. A hidden gem in the desert, or didn't exist and based on a lot of oases mingling into one, so where did that leave her?

Shoving the list back into the backpack, she removed the book and locked it away in the room safe, changed the number, which allowed her to add a bottle of water, and a few treats and headed out, claiming her hat on the way, taking the elevator to the ground floor.

Before she left the hotel she glanced around for familiar faces from yesterday, the ones from the taxi boat, relieved when she didn't though would've welcomed Khayri and/or Hussein with open arms, but she couldn't manipulate their time.

Anyway, it had only been a coincidence that Khayri had been in the same water taxi.

He was there before she arrived, knowing how much Cobra didn't accept coincidence, yet it had to be.

There's no other reason for their meeting, first at the airport, then the taxi. As for the pool, she was with Hussein, who had been showing her the sights.

Leaving the hotel, she caught a taxi that was always hanging outside for fares and was driven towards the Dubai Marina. Hussy's on her lap.

Even if she had thought about leaving him behind, since it seemed to catch attention towards her, she couldn't. Hussy was a part of her journey.

Day three. The sun was shining, blue skies, a new adventure, and hopefully no drama.

It's the last thing she needs. That's why she brought the water and treats, so she could just enjoy the views, and walk the Marina, phone on full charge, glad she had added a memory card, just for this trip.

After being dropped off, Hussy on her back, hat, and sunnies in place, walking the promenade that offered shops, restaurants, and cafes, a 3km stretch of shoreline with shining white yachts docked in many areas.

Not quite what she expected.

Far too upscale for any seedy area. No boats pushed up against each other to run across, escaping. Maybe she had the wrong Marina.

Finding an empty bench, she removed the bottle of water and sipped from. Hussy at her side, an arm through the straps to be on the safe side, taking in the surrounding city skyline.

Not what she expected at all. Removing the Kindle and opened it, flicking through the books until she found what she wanted, read over and looked around her.

Nope, not in the same area at all. Replacing the Kindle, sighing.

For now, she was going to enjoy the views. To be honest, she preferred the old world souk area to all the bling and futuristic high rises, like the Cayan Tower, a high-rise building with a twist of 90 degrees. Facing the marina, while behind her were the Jumeirah Beach and Palm Island, looking across to the other side of the Marina.

The yachts bobbed in the water, sparkling under the glistering sun, watching those who walked by, some on bikes, others walking their dogs wearing expensive blink around their necks, worth a small fortune.

The glamorous women meeting up with their friends, glad she had gone for a full, soft tan pleated skirt and white light top. Nothing in their class, but she didn't feel out of odds.

She wasn't used to mingling with all sorts, usually with Vincent and his friends, at his home, and she was here. This is what it's about, not just Hussein Abdul, yet he played a huge part in all this.

Without him, she would have never done this.

Maybe there's a reason for being here, taking another sip of water then packed away, placing Hussy onto her shoulder and joined the others on the walk taking in the views without a camera, enjoying the water with yachts cruising by either leaving or coming in to moor at their private pier for the super-rich.

Dubai was all about that, yet also catered to families and tourists.

Stopping, she looked across the water. Sadness washed over her. She had never known her family. Her actual family.

Vincent and his family had given her a home as a young baby. 

Wondering what her parents would have thought of her trip.

Vincent was far from happy, taking out her phone and video the marina to place on Instagram later, keeping Vincent happy, when she got back to the hotel with free internet.

He didn't know what he was missing out on.

This was beyond anything she had known.

Only two weeks and she would go back home. To what? She wasn't sure but things had changed, ever since he had brought up the one thing he shouldn't have, bringing Hussy around to a hug, resting her chin on its head.

Time to just breathe. She was safe and nothing was going to happen to her; she was surrounded by others, tourists, families, never alone, and time to move on, shifting Hussy back onto her shoulder and followed the path around the stunning marina.

They didn't believe in doing anything small or no sparing the expense, and what she had read, apart from Walker they had the money to do so, and had built some magnificent buildings, and locations like the Miracle Garden that wasn't on her list. 

She didn't see Cobra spending the day in a place full of topiary on steroids. Unless he had to discover a clue, or an arranged special meeting, out in plain sight, chuckling to herself, knowing that would go down like a ton of bricks.

Yet wished she had someone to share this with. After yesterday, she realised how that one person can make everything so much better, and add fun.

The delights she had tasted, everything was much more enticing, seeing all those around her, as a couple or family, made her heart ache, not sure what for. Her own family?

Maybe more to do with finding herself than anything else.

One thing was for sure, she didn't want to do it with Vincent, so his suggestion of waiting until he was free to join her, made her feel faint. She had already booked her trip before she told him of her plans.

That was the only way to make it happen.

She had won the money and booked the trip without his knowledge.

It felt like it was the only choice she had to do this. Yet guilt was always there, niggling at her, after all, everything Vincent and his family had done for her. 

Even his parents had thought it was a wonderful idea.

To explore the world, when Vincent had tried to get them on his side that had backfired, as long as she could pay for it herself. Lucky for her, she had the money.

"Fancy meeting you again."

Surprised, she stopped. Her heart raced and soared at a familiar voice, spinning around, grinning. "Hussein!" she threw her arms around him in a hug and didn't care to be hugged back, then stepped back, eating him up with her eyes. He looked smashing, as usual, dressed in light pants and a loose white shirt.

"What are you doing here?" they said in unison.

"Well," Nikki waved around her, explaining itself in her eyes. "What about you?"

Hussein waved at the bobbing yachts. Her eyes widened. "You own one of them?" she gasped, then sighed. "Are you coming or going?"

"Just business, all done."

That brightened her day. "Are you free?" she asked hopefully, looking around. "I feel helplessly lost, it's so huge." Her eyes widened at Hussein.

"That is true, yet I'm sure you know every inch," he said, eyes gleaming.

"I do, but not quite what I expected."

"Ah, yes, Walker. That's an old marina if it was ever called that. This was manmade, and not really a working area."

"Yes, I noticed that, catering more to the super-rich. So Dubai Creek, where the souks are?" Feeling relieved, knowing she had to go back one day and walk the creek walkway. Nikki bit her bottom lip, looking across. "You don't mind walking with me?"

"Of course not." His eyes narrowed, shoving hands into his pants pockets. "No problems, I hope?"

"No, just me and Hussy," she turned around, showing him off.

"How did you think I knew it was you from the back? The only girl in town with the cutest backpack, named after me." His chest puffed out. She didn't have the heart to tell him otherwise.

Laughing, he joined her side, where he offered his arm, that she slipped her arm through. "I know exactly who Hussy was named after. We share a great name."

"That you do, and," she eyed him closely. "You look like a Hussein," squeezing his arm.

"I'm so glad I do. So where now, milady?"

"I owe you a coffee. There are many cafes," she pointed out. "And will be good to get out of the sun for a while."

"As you wish."

"I'm sure you would know where to go." She didn't know and trusted him to choose something reasonable, and she had bought nothing today, so had the funds to spend, and she wanted to. He had been so kind to her, spoiled her and it was time for her to return the favour.

They ended up in a cosy cafe on the edge of the marina with fantastic views under the provided umbrella, out in the open, where they shared coffee and baklava. Hussy on the back of her chair, her hat perched on the spare chair, sunglasses on top of her head, hair plaited down her back, keeping her hair off her under the heat.

Both relaxed, asking about his day that he was vague about, so guess it's none of her business or something sensitive. Maybe to do with the embassy, changing the subject when he asked about her list that she brought out again, explaining it. Now it's all about Hussein Abdul, everything she wanted to see, relive the book by going to the places.

Bringing up the oasis she was so desperate to see, yet couldn't find it anywhere.

Hussein placed a hand over the list. "There are many oases not mapped, or recorded, apart from the larger well-known ones. All you need is map directions."

"Oh, I have that. It's in the book." She retrieved the Kindle, to bring up the book, and flicked through the pages, by touch to find what she needed. It had been there all the time, right under her nose. Hussein brought up his phone since she didn't have the internet, and only used it for photos.

He brought up the map of the desert added the longitude and latitude given in the book, and pinpointed where the oasis would be. Hussein enlarged the area until they could see the oasis, surrounded by trees and rocky hills and desert.

Excitement rippled through her. It existed.

"The question is how I'm going to get out there."

Hussein scrutinised her. "Are you sure you want to go out there? By yourself?"

"I guess I can hire a driver."

"I don't think so." Shocked, she eased back in her seat. She hadn't expected this from Hussein, sounding like Vincent. She came here to take control of her life, even if for a short time. "I mean, it would be wiser if you let me organise that for you. I do have contacts." Relief washed through her.

"Of course, sorry," brushing a hand over her hair. "I don't want to put you out."

"And I don't want to be worrying about you."

"I thought Dubai was one of the safest cities in the world."

"True, but many people are arriving in the city who are not here with the best intentions. I will organise the driver. Make sure you have everything you need. How long did you plan to stay out in the desert, at an isolated oasis?"

Put like that, it seemed reckless. Vincent would have had kittens just by her suggestions. "I don't know. How long does it take to get there?"

"It's best if we leave very early in the morning. Take a few hours to get there, then set up a campsite, unless you only want to be there for the day."

"I would love to stay at least one night, sleeping out in the open under the stars." She sighed, resting her chin in hand, elbow on the table.

"Or you could ride in by camel." Her eyes lit up with that idea, yet shook her head. The logistics would be a headache. Not for her, she was sure. It would be quicker by car. That would be fun as well. She would add a camel ride to her list, all thanks to this man in front of her.

"How long would it take for you to organise this? I will fit in with you. I can work around my list depending on what's happening on the day. I can't believe this is happening. I thought I would never find it. Thank you so much. You don't know what this means to me."

"I'm seeing that," he smiled. "Don't be concerned. I will have you soon set up and out in the desert enjoying your adventure. I probably only do the one night if going alone." He arched a brow.

"I prefer to unless you don't think it's safe?"

"No, you should be fine. It's an area that is rarely visited. If Bedouin comes across, they are only there to have a pit stop and are friendly enough, just offer coffee and you'll be fine."

Nikki absorbed everything, jotting down notes and ordering extra coffee as her excitement grew with each detail, disregarding the Marina despite its grandeur, as it wasn't the one she desired to visit.

Yachts didn't do it for her, give her the desert and oasis.

While they had more coffee, Hussein was already on the phone putting things into place for her, that she would leave early tomorrow morning. The day was just getting better and better.

Best thing ever with Hussein spotting her out of the blue, and Hussy for catching his attention.

Hussy was going to go everywhere with her. And she was enjoying the company. It's nice that someone was interested in what she was doing, and treated more than just Vincent's charge, or hostess she often had to play at his functions.

No one ever saw her.

Hussein did, and she loved hearing about his own experience of being in the desert. Scary yet fascinating. She'll be fine at the oasis, fresh water, campsite, one day in, and out the next day, after sending the night under the stars.

It would only be her, all alone in the wilderness.

Well, she would have Hussy and Hussein's book that she could read by firelight.

Hussein laughed when she told him her thoughts. "Yes, I can see that. You reading his story into the winds, whispering across the sands."

"Oh, yeah." Her eyes grew brighter at the thought. She was so doing that. Hussein got her. At home, she used to curl up on a bay window cushioned sill, pillow behind in the corner, feet tucked at her side, lost in the world of Hussein Abdul. 

Now she was here living it.

She reached across and touched Hussein's hand, then eased back when his eyes widened. "I just making sure that you are real. Sorry, didn't mean to offend. It seems surreal. I can't believe you found the oasis I have been trying to find ever since I won the money and planned this trip."

Hussein leaned in closer, interested. "Won what money?"

"Oh, the lottery, the only reason I'm here, enough to pay for this."

"So not an instant millionaire?" he asked thoughtfully.

"Sorry to disappoint," she smiled, back in her seat, finishing the last of her coffee. "Just enough of this."

"Was it mentioned in the papers at all?"

"No, why?" Oh, she mouthed. "You don't think that is why they tried to grab Hussy?" She reached for Hussy, pulled it around and eased onto her lap, stroking its head. "I don't think so. It wasn't worth mentioning."

Not that Vincent would've read it unless it was a big win. And she hadn't registered it, just took the ticket in to get cashed, which she had to do on the secret, and even opened a bank account that she never had before.

No need for one.

Vincent had explained that she had accepted at the time.

Opening her first bank account had given her a taste of freedom that something that had belonged to her, without asking permission. She had to ask for everything. Having her own money had opened a need in her she hadn't known she had until then.

Vincent had found out about the money after he found out about her bank account. When a bank statement had arrived in the mail that he had opened, she had lost it.

Having their first proper fight.

He had no right to open her mail, and it's none of his business, and told him so, storming off. Only for him to watch her every move.

Vincent didn't allow her to leave the house alone, making things worse than before. 

Not that she did beforehand.

She couldn't make a move without a shadow, even in the house, having it out with Vincent.

He had only been concerned about how she got the money, so told him she had won it and had to set up an account to receive it. His relief had been almost comical until he found out what she planned to do with it.

Then he flipped, and she dug in her heels.

And here she was with a special friend sharing coffee. Never saw this happening.

Leaving the cafe, instead of seeing the rest of the Marina, Hussein drove her across town to the old area, and they walked the creek walkway, lost herself in the hustle and bustle of creek life exactly as it had been described.

No bling out here.

It had it has own beauty that Cobra had brought to her and fell in love with. The people, the sounds, the sights, and the scents enrich the experience. As did Hussein, just like Khayri, who knew the area and history.

"So you both are from here?" she asked, warming at the thought of Khayri, which was different.

A man who grudgingly tolerated her at first, yet was so kind to her after the water taxi ride, touching the bracelet on her wrist, drawing Hussein's gaze.

"A treasure from the Gold Souk I see."

"Yes," she beamed. "A memory of a special day." And it had been, fingers falling away, but back to the question of who he was, a friend/boss/whoever he was to Hussein.

None. Of. Her. Business.

 And he didn't answer her question, so not from here? 

Men of mystery. Did it matter?

She was here with Hussein, named after her hero, who was walking at her side, showing the sights ending up at the Wings of Mexico.

A sign of hope that people lined up to have their photo taken in front of the man-made wings, framed with the Khalifa behind, and a water feature with palm trees on each side, making it picturesque.

Something she had to do, entering the long line, finally handing over her phone to Hussein, hat in his hand, sunnies in Hussy, hanging off Hussein's arm, while she climbed upon the platform, holding her arms above her head and a leg out to the side as they posed on the red carpet at the Oscars.

Also added Hussy, onto her back, turned around so he had wings, then swapped taking photos of Angel Hussein that was going up on Instagram, and had a photo of Hussy hanging off a wing.

Finished, they headed out to have street food for lunch which she devoured. Everything was an assault on the senses, savouring every bite filled with spices that tingled the senses in ways she never dreamed of.

Hussein's phone pinged, he opened it and flicked through it as Nikki gathered her free hair over her shoulder. Hussein's instance she released it from her plait for the photo and sunglasses off, and looked over the photos that she had to agree.

In the sunlight, her hair appeared lighter, and the red highlights were accentuated and it had a crimped, wavy texture from the braid.

These photos said she was here.

Living the life that she wanted to. She couldn't go back to her old life she had a right to find out what she wanted.

It wasn't under Vincent's care anymore.

He had to let her go.

****

Khayri glanced at the photo sent to his phone, smiling at the sight of Nikki in front of the wings of Mexico, so it seemed they had caught up, wondering if anything else had happened. Trouble did seem to follow her around, looking out the window, only wearing loose pants, as he always did when he wrote, yet the words still didn't come.

Maybe it was time to put everything in place to move out, yet his eyes kept drifting back to the photo of Nikki grinning at him, wings sprouting behind her from the sides, arms up in the air, looking like an angel.

One that shouldn't be wandering around by herself, relieved that Hussein was with her.

Not quite where he expected her to be.

Nikki and her camel backpack, with such an innocent look upon life, yet was enchanting as he found out, falling under her magical smile, so open, loving all things Dubai.

She couldn't get enough.

His phone rang, distracting him from the photo to take since it was the palace and they never called unless something important when he was having a break, seeing his trip delayed, it was getting too late in the day to travel out into the desert to his special oasis.

The way things are going he never going to get there.