Emerald St. Clair's POV

I went inside the coffee shop where Al-Farsi and I decided to meet the following morning after we came back to New York.

I glanced at my wristwatch and realized that I was 15 minutes early. Oh, well. I will just order my coffee and wait for him.

I went to the counter to order an Iced Caramel Macchiato with an extra two pumps of espresso. Once I placed my order to the friendly barista, someone called my name beside me.

"Dustin?" my eyes widened in surprise. Dustin was my first boyfriend in high school. Let's just say I was kinda mean to him back then. I agreed to become his girlfriend as an act of revenge on Al-Farsi.

"So, you still remember me?" he smiled at me. His friendly brown eyes danced with laughter. "I thought you had forgotten me since you are now a famous model."

I rolled my eyes in his direction. "Of course, I remember you. How are you?"

He was about to answer when someone cleared their throat behind us. We turned around to see that we were holding up the queue. We went to the receiving counter to get my order.

"So," Dustin said once we got our order. "Are you alone? Let's chat some more to catch up for old times' sake."

"Huh...?" I looked at the door and there was still no sign of Al-Farsi. A part of my brain told me that this was a bad idea, but a small part of me couldn't turn down his offer since I was still remorseful about my heartlessly using him in the past. He's a nice guy, after all. I think a few minutes of waiting for the egotistical king could not hurt, right?

"Emerald?"

I smiled in his direction brightly. "I am waiting for someone, but yeah, sure. Why not?"

We went to sit at the vacant table at the far end of the coffee shop. I took the opposite chair facing him while he got the full view of what was happening inside the coffee shop.

"How are you?" my ex-boyfriend asked. "It's been a while."

"I'm good," I replied, sipping my coffee. "How about you? Are you married?"

He smiled brightly in my direction. I frowned slightly. I think he got it wrong, my question, I mean. "I'm very much single, Emerald. How about you?" He pointed and looked at my ringless finger. "Single?"

"Yeah," I didn't exactly lie to him. I am very much single despite recently losing my virginity to the soon-to-be crowned king of Saqr. There was no real label in our relationship. We were just pretending. And then there's my unofficial fiancé.

It's complicated the more I think about it. This war I am having with granddad is starting to become a pain in the ass...

He grinned at me. His eyes were utterly pleased. He was happy to hear my answer. "I am having a hard time replacing my beautiful first ex-girlfriend. I've tried in the past, but no one can match up to her beauty."

Huh?

I gave him a slightly forced smile. Oh, boy. This is trouble. I think he was hinting at something. I glanced at my wristwatch. Ten minutes until Al-Farsi is expected to arrive. I need to send him away before he crosses the path with that jealous man.

"How about you, Em?" Dustin said conversationally. "Why are you still single?"

I sipped my drink. I could feel the danger coming my way. "Busy with my work."

"Being a famous model, you mean." Brown eyes smile at me. "I still have a hard time believing when I see your pictures on magazines and billboards that you were once my girlfriend. Even my friends at med school don't believe me."

Before I had the chance to answer, a pair of large hands forced my head to tilt backward. I got a full view of the ceiling while I was comfortably sitting in my chair. And then my vision was blocked by the familiar cobalt eyes that were cold and hard at the moment.

Before I had the chance to react, his warm but firm lips were pressing down on my lips. It was only a brief meeting of our mouths, but it was already enough to convey his message to everybody inside this coffee shop loud and clear about the status of our relationship.

"Habibti," he said, running his thumb sensually on my underlip. He has this two-day-old facial hair that gives him the aura of a sinfully handsome but undoubtedly dangerous man. "Sorry, I'm late."

I was still speechless at his public display. Everyone inside the coffee shop was looking at us.

"Khalil Al-Farsi," he extended his hand in Dustin's direction in a friendly manner, but I couldn't miss the darkening of his expressive eyes. He was clenching his jaw tightly. This guy was very much pissed, all right. "Emerald's man."

Dustin looked at me questioningly with a hint of disappointment on his face. He took the offered hand and shook it. "Dustin. Emerald's ex."

"I know," Al-Farsi replied with a tight smile. I could also see the way he tightened his grip on Dustin's hand. The poor man winced in his deathly grip.

"That's enough," I ordered him before he crushed Dustin's hand.

He finally let go of my ex's hand and sat beside me. There was no space separating our bodies because he sat far too close to me, his one arm resting on the backrest of my chair while the other was resting on the table in front of me as if guarding me against Dustin.

I threw him a discreet glare for his blunt display of possessiveness. But he took no notice of it since he was looking at the man in front of us. His gesture spoke of proprietorial claim on me. Silently telling this crowd, especially Dustin, that I was his. His alone.

"What a lucky coincidence to run into each other in this coffee shop, out of all the hundreds of coffee shops spread across New York City," Al-Farsi said conversationally. "Did you have a nice chat with my woman?"

I glared at him and this time he finally managed to look down at me. He raised an eyebrow while his jaw was still taut. He was pissed.

"Yes. I had a nice chat with Em after all these years," Dustin replied casually. "Though I didn't have any idea that she had a boyfriend. She made no mention of it." He slid a gaze on.

"Didn't she?" The fumingly mad Arabian beast looked down at me with narrowed eyes. He answered Dustin, but his eyes never left mine. "I wonder why she forgot to inform you that?" He glanced at my ex with a goading smirk. "Maybe because it doesn't matter since you are just part of her past. No need to inform you about her present and future."

I gasped at his announcement while Dustin drank his coffee.

My heart beat wildly in my chest when he leaned down to my ear and whispered something. "Make him leave." To onlookers, they would just assume that he was being flirty, but it was far from the truth. His jealousy was in full mode. "Make him leave now before I toss him in the Hudson River."

I stared at him in horror. From the grave expression on his face, I realized that he was not lying. He would do that. So, I looked at Dustin with pleading eyes. Thankfully he understood at once and excused himself.

"Good riddance," he muttered under his breath darkly.

"You're an ass, do you know that?"

He looked at me with accusing eyes. "He's your ex."

"What are you implying?"

"Exes should stay where they belong," he stated angrily. "In the fucking past."

"My God, Khalil!" I looked at him crossly. "We just met unexpectedly here. Let's just forget him, all right?"

He exhaled a deep breath. "How can I forget him when that bastard was your first boyfriend?"

I rolled my eyes. This man was hopeless. I shook my head in resignation and sipped my coffee.

"That reminds me," he changed the topic with the warmth that entered his eyes once again. "Let's go on a date today."

"Date?"

"Yes," he answered, playing with the strands of my hair with his fingers.

I shook my head. "I think I'll pass."

His eyebrows drew together. "You don't want to go on a date with me?"

My hands itched to run my fingers through his new beard. I shook my head again, focusing my attention back on the topic. "No thanks. The last time I went on a date with you everything went to hell." I looked at him pointedly. "Let's just say that I have trauma."

I saw him take a deep breath and then shift his position. "About that, let me explain my side." When I was about to argue, he held up his hand to stop me. "For once, hear me out."

What choice do I have? "Okay."

He cleared his throat. I could see the way his Adam's apple moved. "I know I messed up big time. That morning after our date, you saw me kissing another girl. I know, it's my entire fault..."

My heart constricted with pain, remembering that fateful day when he broke my teenage heart. I blocked away that image from my brain and hardened my heart.

"...that woman was my ex," he continued with his tale. "A very recent ex." I glowered at him. He then added immediately and panicked, "I already broke up with her before I ever saw you at Penelope Young's debutante ball, and as I got to know you on our dates, I asked myself what I felt for you was more than attraction. I mean, you were just sixteen and I am five years older than you. It felt like I was corrupting you with my not-so-gentlemanly thoughts. That morning, my ex paid me a visit to my hotel room...nothing happened, I swear to you."

"Oh?"

He nodded at once. "If you remember that day--"

"I don't want to remember."

"Fine," he conceded with a sigh, continuing with the story. "That day when she arrived, I was about to leave for my morning run in the park. I saw her in the lobby. She wanted to rekindle our relationship but I didn't have any plans of continuing since my mind was pretty occupied by a certain sixteen-year-old red-haired girl. I don't think I ever loved that girl."

I couldn't help the blush that spread through my cheeks.

He sighed again. His face was filled with remorse. "That time, I didn't know that things between us would move faster than I expected because I felt like I was already falling for you. She surprised me when she suddenly kissed me, and I didn't stop her since I wanted to test if what I felt for you was genuine or just pure lust. I know that's an ass move and I've regretted it ever since."

I bit my bottom lip, unsure of how to answer him. Finally, I knew the reason and I didn't know how to react.

"So?" he asked expectantly.

"What?"

"No reaction?"

I shrugged indifferently. "It doesn't change anything. As you said, let the past stay in the past, and I am not in the mood to go out."

He laughed bitterly, shaking his head in disbelief. "Sometimes, I hate the way your brain works. Your pride is as hard as the gemstone you are named after." He looked at me darkly. "Don't tell me you are refusing my invitation because you want to date that Dustin dude instead."

"What?!"

He looked at me with an unreadable expression on his face. His eyes were cold and distant. "I planned to make this a memorable date for us before I fly back to Saqr because my presence is needed there. You don't want to spend time with me?"

Before I had the chance to say anything, he stood from his chair and kissed me on the forehead. "I need to go. I'll see you when I get back."

My mouth hung open, watching him walk out of the coffee shop. What's wrong with him? I thought silently. When I finally summoned my feet to walk and follow him, he had already left in his car.

I shook my head. I think I should apologize to him, but I don't know how. Flagging a cab, I decided to visit Ruby's restaurant and maybe seek some advice from the woman. It's already lunch, anyway.

When I arrived at the restaurant located on 2nd Avenue, the waiter gave me one of the best tables inside since I am the twin sister of the owner. I was browsing the menu when I heard the familiar voice of Ruby.

"When my staff told me that my famous twin is here, I thought I misheard them." I looked up to see that Ruby was standing next to my table, wearing her chef's uniform. "To what I owe you this honor, Your Highness?"

I shrugged casually. "I'm just bored."

She sat down in the chair across from me. "Why don't you bother that Arabian stallion, instead?" When I looked away, she smirked. "I think I hit a nerve. Want to share?"

I pretended to browse the menu in my hand, unable to meet her eyes. "We kinda disagreed a while ago."

"What kind of disagreement?"

I bit my bottom lip. "I refused to go on a date with him."

Ruby whistled softly as she sat back in her chair, looking at me with an amused look. "So, he's mad at you. Want some advice?"

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you willing to give me?"

"Of course," she replied solemnly. She suddenly leaned forward on the table as if to give me a highly guarded secret. "Do you want to make Khalil's anger vanish instantly?"

I tried to look not-so-interested in what she was about to say. "Not really."

She chuckled. "You're not a very convincing liar, Em. I know when you're lying, you can't even look at me in the eyes." She paused for a moment before smiling wickedly at me. "I will teach you a trick to make his anger go up in smoke lightning fast."

My eyes narrowed in her direction. "What trick?"

There was mischievousness playing on her face. "This is tested and proven by me, Em. Give him 'head.'"

I blinked. "A what?!"

"Oh, come on, Em," she said, rolling her eyes at me. "Don't act as if you were just born yesterday. Return the favor he did for you back in Aspen."

I couldn't help but blush furiously at her suggestion. I shook my head indignantly. "No. Nope. I will not do that."

"Khalil will love it," The she-devil prodded with an evil smile. "I assure you. It will drive him crazy."

"No way!" I protested hotly. "Over my dead body."

"Good afternoon, ladies." I glanced up to see a smiling Ryker standing near our table.

"Ryker!" I exclaimed. Did he hear our conversation? I want to groan. If he has, that's so embarrassing. "What are you doing here?"

"My sister, Lia, made me her personal delivery guy," he stated with a mocking smile on his face. "She wants take-out from this restaurant."

"Hi, nice to meet you again." Ruby extended her hand in his direction. "Ruby. This woman's very own twin sister."

"Ryker." He shook her hand briefly.

"Did you place your order yet?" my sister asked, standing from her chair. "I need to go. It's already lunchtime. A horde of people will be arriving soon. I will leave my twin in your care."

I threw a parting glare at the maddening woman who vanished through the kitchen door. Ryker sat on the chair Ruby recently vacated.

"Fancy to see you here," he said conversationally.

I want to bark a humorless laugh. What kind of misfortune do I have today? Why do I keep on bumping into the people I know?

"Are you alone?" Ryker asked again. "I'm surprised to see you alone without your jealous boyfriend. I hear he's in town." When I looked away and didn't answer, he clicked his tongue. "Uh-oh...problem?"

"Just a small disagreement," I said shortly.

He raised an eyebrow at the news. "He's letting this disagreement drag for long?"

"I don't know, but he has a flight back home today." I gave him a short smile. "I think we're entering the cold war as of now."

"I know a way to ease your mind and forget about your blues." I gazed at him questioningly, and then he added. "I know a newly opened bar in this area."

I immediately shook my head in protest. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Come on, it will be fun," he cajoled with a winsome smile. "I promise that I will not take advantage of you, and I will take care of you."

I knew I was being reckless here, but I wanted to forget the pain in my heart that was caused by our dispute. So, I found myself agreeing to his invitation. I need to forget my problems and maybe this night at the bar would help my aching heart to straighten her priorities once Khalil left New York.

A few hours later, around 8 in the evening, I was dressed for my night in the club with Ryker. I wore a gold studded figure-hugging mini-dress and paired it with high stiletto heels. He picked me up from my penthouse wearing his dark ripped jeans, a white t-shirt, and a black leather jacket.

This man was quite handsome, I mused silently, but a voice inside me reminded me: But not as handsome as the cobalt-eyed devil who is messing with your head and heart right now.

"Ready?" he asked me suavely, standing from the sofa.

"Yeah..."

We rode in his sleek sports car and went to the bar he was talking about. After a silent fifteen-minute drive, we finally arrived at the nightclub. Inside we were greeted by the loud music laser lights, and people dancing to the beat inside. They were having fun.

I shall intend to have fun also. It has been a while since I went to a nightclub to have fun with my fellow models.

"Let's go over there!" Ryker practically shouted near my ear due to the loud music.

I nodded at him, guiding me to the vacant table. A strong arm was placed around my waist to protect me.

"What can I get you?" he asked.

"Something that can make me forget my problems," I replied to him gravely.

He smiled at me sympathetically. "I'll see what I can do."

I watched him disappear to the bar and I turned my attention to the people dancing on the dance floor.

"Dance?" A man standing in front of me asked airily.

"No," I replied frostily, and he thankfully left me alone.

"Hey, beautiful. Let's dance," another one invited me, flashing his most handsome smile.

"No. Thank you."

As soon as they came my way, the sooner I turned down their offer to dance or drink. I had already lost count of how many guys I turned down when another one came to our table. But this guy was different from the others; he was already drunk.

"Come on, babe. Let's dance."

"No. Thanks."

He smiled at me, looking at me from head to toe. He grabbed my wrist. "Come with me."

I was about to kick him in the groin when Ryker gripped the stranger's wrist. There was a dangerous glint in Ryker's eyes. "She's with me. Get lost."

The stranger let out a small cry of pain when Ryker put deadly pressure on his wrist that made him leave us alone.

"Sorry about that," Ryker apologized, placing a few bottles of beer and a bottle of hard liquor with two shot glasses on the table. "Here. I hope that guy didn't dampen your mood about partying."

"I'm good," I replied, opening the liquor and pouring myself a glass. "I can take care of myself. I was about to knee him if you didn't arrive."

"Ouch," Ryker winced at the thought. "Whoa...easy." He cautioned me when I took a swig of that hard alcohol. "You will regret that tomorrow."

"I don't think so," I told him, pouring myself another glass.

He did the same, pouring his shot glass and silently offering his glass for a toast. "Man, you act as if your heart has been shattered over and over."

"Feels that way," I said soberly, taking another shot. I don't know why my heart feels this way at the thought that we're currently not on speaking terms.

Ryker shook his head while looking at me. "Daniel will have my head if something happens to you."

"Ugh. I'm starting to enjoy this night," I commented after having my fifth, or is it my sixth shot? I've already lost count.

While enjoying the party, my mobile started ringing inside my clutch bag.

"Aren't you going to answer that?"

I shook my head. "That's probably one of my sisters or granddad. I don't want them to ruin our night." I raised my glass in his direction with a giggle. "Cheers!"

A few shots more and I felt the urge to dance, and whoever invited me tonight I would surely accept it. But as soon as guys came over to our table to ask me, Ryker would send them away. He's not acting like a jealous boyfriend but more like a big brother.

"Oh, for the love of pizza!" I cried out, fishing out my mobile in my clutch. "Can't a woman enjoy a night without turbulence?"

"I think you mean to say 'disturbance.'" Ryker corrected me dryly.

I chuckled. "That's what I said, Creed."

I slid my finger on the screen to answer. "What?" I barked on the other line.

"Where are you?"

I giggled when I heard the voice of my twin. "Oh, hi, sissy! Long time no see."

"Are you drunk?"

"Ofcoursenot."

I think I heard her sigh loudly on the other line. "Pull yourself together, Emerald St. Clair. Khalil is on his way to pick you up and he's very upset. You don't want him to turn ballistic when he sees you like that."

"What?" I asked her. "Can't hear you." This was true, but since I didn't have time to listen to her sermon, I disconnected the phone call.

"What does she say?"

I shrugged, sipping my liquor. "I don't know. Something mimicking me?"

"What?"

I waved my hand in front of him. "I didn't understand either."

After almost a whole bottle, I could feel the floor spinning beneath my feet. I shut my eyes tightly to stop the floor from spinning. I instructed Ryker to refill our bottle, despite his protest.

I was alone at the table, preventing my head from falling on the wooden table when a very tall man was standing in front of me. I smiled brightly at him while my chest gave a weird thud.

"You need to learn your lesson, woman."

I frowned at him. Why was he so mad at me? Did I do anything wrong to him?

"Let's go."

"No," I protested in a slurred voice. "In a moment. I'm still having fun."

I yelped out when my feet left the floor and I found myself on the handsome stranger's broad shoulder. That's the last thing I remember from this night.