Opening the car door, Zaid offered his hand to help her to stand at his side. The stunning dress, an embellished, high neck, skater dress, with a mesh back of the olive green, they had bought, made Lottie ran hands nervously down the front, over the Georgette material with satin lining. 

"You don't think it's too much?" she turned to him placing a hand on his jacket chest. "You don't have to do this Zaid. I could say you were called away on an emergency meeting with Josh."

"What are you scared of Charlotte?" he asked covering her cold hand with his warm one. He frowned. "Perhaps we should've gone for something warmer, you're frozen."

"With fear," she gave a weak smile.

"These are your friends," he reassured.

"You didn't see me today. It was a joke. We -no I have changed. They are a clicky, correction clucky motherhood friends club."

"Then it's a good thing I have came then, we can't have all those wives jealous over you being there all by yourself with their husbands around."

She had to chuckle, leaning in towards him, feeling better. "There's no guarantee these days, there are husbands, just partners, de facto, or single mothers."

"If you're trying to shock me it isn't working," he noted dryly, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Glad to hear it. Have no idea, hopefully, all be happily married. Don't look now, we are being watched," she stated, pulling away at the flicking curtains behind them.

He smiled at her, and eyes warmed with mischief. "Shall we give them something to talk about?"

"Oh, great, now having a fling with my boss," she laughed. "They would never believe it. You're safe Zaid, and thank you for coming."

"It's time I met the other people in your life."

"As long as it's not my family, you'd never survive." She placed on a smile, hooking an arm through his as the door opened. "Take a deep breath, and welcome to Australia."

"Land of debauchery, boisterous rude humour, and speaking one's mind."

She laughed out loud at his dry tone. "Gawd, I hope not. However, I think they would be on best behaviour," she noted as Annie opened the door further, dressed in a very classy dress, make-up on, and hairdo for a gala event. 

Then again she might dress like that all the time and dressed down to meet her that afternoon. She glanced around. A very upmarket area. They had been a mixed group at school. Bounded together, because they never really fitted in.

"Annie," she greeted, "this is Zaid, my boss." He had insisted on keeping it informal as possible.

"Boss," he hissed in her ear.

"You are, and they know it." Of course, they did, because that's all she talked about, she came to realise. 

Zaid this, Zaid that.

"So nice to finally met you, Sheikh," Annie greeted him warmly. "All we have heard about is you."

"Nothing bad I hope," he said all smiles.

"No way," Annie beamed. "That's all our Lottie gushed over was how marvellous you were."

Dark eyes danced at Lottie. "Really, how interesting."

"Damn," Lottie muttered as colour flooded her cheeks. Sprung. "There goes my pay rise."

"We can negotiate," he promised, placing a hand on the middle of her back to guide her inside to emerge into a group of people. 

Instead of a private dinner party, it had been turned into a major event held by Annie Storm and her husband Jeff. All dying to meet the Sheikh, who was led through the gathering as some prize. Lottie stayed back, swamped by it all. The walls seemed to be closing in on her. It was supposed to be a get-together. A dinner that had turned into a sort of show and tell, and Zaid was the show. 

She felt sick to the stomach.

Ashamed of her friend, she turned to leave, then would call Zaid to get him out of there. Only to have her upper arm caught, looking up into dark eyes. "I'm so sorry Zaid, they have turned this into a circus, I would get you out of here," she promised, leaning into him, placing a hand on his chest, begging.

"Calm down Charlotte," his calming voice washed over her as he always did. "We would deal with this," he promised.

"They were supposed to be my friends, and did this," she hissed. "I trusted them, and look what they did. Put you on a pedestal. Look who I know." Her breath caught to be gently guided to his side.

"Take deep breathes," he ordered to be done. "You work for me, and remember that." She looked at him, closed her eyes, nodded, and calmed.

"I'm sorry it won't happen again," she vowed.

"Good, now stay at my side," he placed his hand on her back as they emerged back into the gathering. Lottie went into work mode, smiling, and supporting Zaid as he greeted, and conversed with others. Just a meet and greet. But deep down it hurt her friend would do this to her to look around to frown, because she saw no others from her old group, only Annie.

"Zaid?" she touched his arm.

"Hmm."

"I need to make some calls." After making calls to her friends she pulled Zaid aside. "We are leaving now," she hissed.

"What's wrong Charlotte."

"She didn't even invite my real friends. This is all her husband's friends, and associates. Please Zaid," she begged. "I can't stay here, not now. I have organised a room at the Crown to meet with my other friends and their families. I had to use your name to get in at all, and booked it under your name as well." 

He nodded to go make their excuses and escorted Charlotte out to be followed by the hostess, who was confused by their sudden departure.

Zaid paused just outside the doorway of the entrance. "If you do this, there would be consequences. I know you're angry. Just do the right thing. I'd be waiting in the car." He walked away to leave her to face her old school friend.

Lottie walked up to her. "I know what you have done, and you disgust me. You used my boss to impress your new friends, and ignored our own."

"Coming from the one who ran from us all."

She gasped to think and nodded because she had. "Because I'm not used to babies and families. I saw how we have nothing in common," she shrugged. "We have all change, and I guess I should've been more tolerant, but then again, none of you was interested in my life either." She wasn't judging, just saying the way it was.

"Your life is amazing. You work for a prince, for goodness sake."

"I didn't tell you that," she said softly, frowning.

"No, just your whole family did for the last four years. They're so proud of you." Her eyes widened in shock. Really? Her heart swelled. They were proud of her. "How can you compete against that."

"You didn't have to. I'm just his assistant."

"Who came to a friend's gathering? I think you're more than that."

Lottie swallowed hard. "Zaid's a kind man, who cares. I work for him, and you abused my trust in you." Colour tinted Annie's cheeks. "He came to meet my friends, and they aren't even here. Just your hubby's friends. How could you?" she hissed upset. "We are going to the Crown. A room has been organised, and you are welcome to come as long as you apologise to your friends for doing that."

"My friends? I thought they were ours."

"Really where are they? You don't seem to think so," she turned and walked away. She slipped into the passenger seat after opening the door to close. He glanced across.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"Not so good. I lost it. She used you." She blinked back tears. "I'm so sorry Zaid. I never expected that. Let's go back. I want to change so they can see who I am, and have dinner with my friends." She shook her head, keeping her eyes lowered.

"You don't want me to go, do you?"

"I don't want you to be put on display as some prize," she corrected. "You're my work, they're my private life. I think it is best if we keep it that way, don't you?"

"As you wish." He shrugged off his jacket, handing it over to be put on as he started the car, emerge onto the street, and drove away, followed by his security team. With the roof down, it was cold, so was grateful, shrug on his jacket to wrap around her as they headed back to the hotel in silence. 

Guilt ate at her all the way back that she didn't feel like going now, yet her friends were expecting her.

Huddled under his jacket, she followed him back to their room. She licked dry lips, trying to find her voice. "It's not that I don't want you to go Zaid, but after everything you had just been through, I thought you would've had enough. Of course, you're welcome to come. You can have something to eat this time," she added since they left before they were served. "I would be honoured to have you join my little group of friends. My real friends, not that facade."

He went to her, cradled her face into his hand and guided her into his arms. "Don't be stressed Charlotte, none of that was your fault. Now go and change for your friends." She nodded and went to her room. Lottie changed into a kaftan, while Zaid was distracted by his phone, covering the mouthpiece with a hand when she come back. "Go ahead, I don't know how long this would take."

"No matter. It's not your friends, and I would pay you back," she promised.

"Charlotte!" She looked at him. "No, you won't. Go and enjoy yourself. What happened before wasn't your fault, so let it go." She went to him, hugged him, and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you," she mouthed, then rushed off to go and greet her friends downstairs in the lobby with all their families, including their children. No one could get babysitters at such short notice. They were greeted by the owner, and shown to a private room that was filled with toys to keep the children happy as they were seated around a table.

At first, she was nervous, but once she settled in meeting the husbands and children that wasn't such a scary prospect as she had thought it would be. A four-course meal was served from canapes to deserts. The children were catered with fish and chips, nuggets and pizza to dig in hungrily at their group of smaller tables.

Most of the husbands were new to her except for one, who had married her best friend Frances. They had been high school sweethearts as they would say. A geek, who now ran his own business. They had all married well, contented with their lot, and children. She couldn't be happier for them. She was the odd one out. No relationship, no kids, just a working girl. Wouldn't have it any other way. 

Lottie stood suddenly as another entered to leave and go to Zaid. "Have you eaten? Shall I organise anything for you?"

"I'm fine Charlotte, come, introduce me to your friends." Taking hold of his arm, she guided him across, doing introductions to have warm greetings and handshakes, spending a relaxing time of fun and laughter. 

In some ways, it was like being back at school, except for wiping running noses, squealing, laughing children, and a few squabbles. The men were very interested in Zaid. Asking him endless questions about his life, home, and travelling. 

Lottie was filled with pride because he was so tolerant, and nice. 

Giving his time. Answering their questions.

Then all too soon, her friends had to go, because it was getting too late for their children. It was still so early. However, very tiring as she found out, being a parent. She was tired, just from watching them run after them. How anyone can be a parent, and work was beyond her. Parenthood to her, looked like a full-time job. 

At twenty-five she hadn't thought about it. And there are her friends, all the same age, all having kids, married, and so happy. She couldn't help feeling maybe she was missing out on something, looking upon Zaid, wondering, speculating. At that time, he glanced across, dark eyes warm to smile. She smiled back and stood. It was time to go.

After seeing the last guest, Zaid led her away to one of the crown's gambling rooms. Spending a few hours just relaxing to finally head back to their rooms and settled down on the sofa with Cognac, and a platter of cheese and biscuits that were sent for to be savoured as they settled in to watch a movie. Contented, Lottie snuggled up against his side, he kicked off his shoes to place his socked feet on a matching footstool. His arm stretched along the back of the sofa.

"I'm glad we don't do that every day, worse than one of your dinners."

"Because we don't have the dramas," he noted, taking a sip of the Cognac that travelled smoothly down his throat. She smiled reaching for her phone as it rang. So true they don't do dramas.

"Oh, hi, Josh. Do you want to talk to Zaid?" she asked, though confused why he would call her.

"No, just checking up on our dinner date for tomorrow night?"

"Oh, that. Love to, just give me a time and place. Okay fine. See you then." She hung up to snuggle back against Zaid.

"Josh?" he asked casually.

"Yes, just organising that dinner date."

"Busy social life," he noted.

"Hmm, this time I'd have to go home, so I'd be out of your hair by tomorrow morning."

As promised, she was gone in the morning, hitting the streets to buy new clothes. As it was pointed out it had been four years since she had left Melbourne, and didn't have suitable clothing. Because she didn't have many expenditures, her bank balance was healthy to have a splurge. 

Even got a taxi home, carrying many packages of good casual clothes that were suitable, modern, and wouldn't offend Zaid in any way. Her mother Jules, an attractive dark-headed woman, came to see who had entered wiping her hands on a cleaning cloth to get rid of the paint stains to spend a lovely afternoon. 

A parade of showing off her new clothes.

"So what has brought this on?" Jules Johnson asked.

"Sorry? I guess my lack of normal clothes. I do have to wear a certain code of clothes for my boss."

"Ah, yes this mysterious prince. Are we ever going to meet him?"

"Mum he's working, and I'm the one on the break."

"You spend more time with him than us," she pointed out with a smile. "Now you're going to dinner with Josh. Interesting, and I think you should wear that little black dress upstairs."

She frowned. "You don't think it's a little bit over the top, it's only friends catching up."

"Is it?"

She blushed. "Yes, now it is." She had made a fool of herself over Josh all those years ago, and thankfully her mother was the only one who knew.

"I just hope he doesn't break your heart," her mother said softly.

Lottie looked at her strangely. "Who Josh?" she asked confused.

"No. Never mind," she waved away. "Is Josh picking you up here, or are you meeting him?"

"Meeting him in town. Some little eatery." She gave a name, one she never heard of before.

Jules nodded. "Very nice, and cosy."

Lottie eyed her closely. "I told you, we're just friends."

"Ah, but does he know that? Josh always had a soft spot for you and vice versa. Are you sure?"

She rolled her eyes, turning away. "Yes. And I better get ready."

As it turned out Matt, her brother with dark curly hair, extremely good looks, and smartly dressed, arrived to pick her up and drove Lottie into town. Organised by her mother. and to be teased shamelessly by her brother that she was ready to bop him one. "Ooh, you're as bad as, Mum," she moaned. "We are just friends, so stop it," she hissed, climbing out of the car to be grinned at.

"I want a full report later," he winked at her, then drove off to have her seething. She swung around, spotting Josh looking smart in a casual sort of way. Not a suit in sight, just white jeans, and a polo shirt, buttons undone, showing off his natural dark, olive skin. 

His father's side, Spanish in his bloodline. She crossed over to the other side of the footpath and greeted with a kiss on the cheek, and shown inside. Her mother had been right nice and cosy, with a wood fire burning off to the side, where they made wood-fired pizza.

They were shown to a table in the corner for two and handed a menu each, where they glanced over and put in their orders followed by drinks. They asked about each other, what they had been doing in the last four years. She works for the Sheikh, and with his degree, topping the class, starting his own business. 

Getting this job with the Sheikh would certainly add to his clientele in a big way.

"So how did you get involved with the Sheikh?" Josh asked, leaning back into his seat as his meal was served. Stone fire pizza like hers was placed in front of her, removing a knife and fork to cut into. Josh just removed a piece to lift, the cheese stretched as he took a bite. She cut off a piece to place it in her mouth.

"Put in my resume and voila, never looked back."

He frowned. "Where? Online?"

She shook her head. "No, I just dropped it off, excuse me," she reached into her handbag to remove her ringing phone, knowing the caller to answer instantly. "Zaid?"

"Charlotte?" he answered dazed.

"You rang me," she smiled.

"Oh, sorry, habit," he sounded distracted.

"I'm here so can I help?" she asked.

"You with Josh?"

"Yes," she smiled across to the watching man. "Of course," she handed over the phone. "Zaid needs to talk to you." 

Placing down his pizza he took the phone, while she went back to her meal as they talked. Josh finally hang up and handed her phone back, dropped it in her open handbag and went back to her pizza. She wasn't used to fast food anymore. Zaid diet was more upmarket. Had his own chef, so only had two pieces, placing down her knife and fork, indicating she was finished. 

She was turning into a food snob now, reaching for her glass of Chardonnay to sip from.

"As you were saying," Josh pushed, munching on his pizza. She looked at him confused. "How you got your job?"

"Oh, that. Zaid interviewed me. He had taught me everything I know, done to his standards as he would say. Sorry," she dived back in for her phone. "Back again?" she teased handing the phone to Josh. She waved her hand at Josh, getting his attention, receiving a raised dark brow. "Tell Zaid we would be there soon if he needs you. We can have desserts there they are amazing. Zaid has the best coffee." Josh nodded to pass on then the phone back to Lottie.

"Are you sure? I don't want to .... interrupt your..... date."

"Date?" she laughed. "No, Zaid just friends, catching up. You supply the desserts, and we would be there," she looked across at Josh. "Let's say in an hour, is that alright? Or do you want us there sooner?"

"No, that's fine Charlotte. As requested your desserts would be waiting. Your usual?"

"Oh, yes please."

Pleased with himself, Zaid hung up the phone and pushed the remote control to the television, going back to watching the movie. He set his alarm on his watch, so he could go, and change out of his loose white pants and dress appropriately before they arrived here. He removed his Shiraz to sip and enjoyed the flavours of the berries, robust. 

He smiled to himself.

Good to know, not on a date. Just friends catching up. He'd just have to make sure it stays that way. He had invested four years in grooming her, not to lose her to an old flame, correction, crush. An old-school crush. He would have to make sure they were kept apart. 

Another three weeks before she was permanently back at his side. He missed her presence. She had always been at his side. He missed her closeness, her point of view. Her soft whispery voice against his ear. Her special aroma was all Charlotte. 

Soft, eluding, and endearing just like the wearer. In no way overpowering.

Lately, she had become more heated. Her meltdown, her obvious reaction to Christine, and didn't she hate it when he called her Chrissy? Sparks in her eyes, and thinning of lips. She felt so threatened and was taking it out on him. He was going to savour these moments because he would get his Charlotte back and they would go back to where they had been. 

The others would be gone. Probably best this happened, no matter how annoying. She would see, what she already had, was what she wanted. He was pushing his father for a date. Four years was long enough as he had pointed out. 

Then again, he'd just have to see what happens from this fallout.

Within the hour as promised, Lottie entered Zaid's suite. Josh followed behind, walking in with a spring in her step, wearing a little black lace dress. Zaid rose to his feet, wearing dark suit pants, a light blue shirt, top three buttons undone, sleeves rolled back, and papers spread across the table, scowling at her. She waved Josh across. 

"I'd just change," she lifted one foot to remove a high heel, then the other, walking off barefooted towards the spare room, where her clothes were. He told Josh to make himself at home, pointing over to the bar as he disappeared down the same corridor.

"Charlotte?" came a questioning voice. Zaid.

She turned her back to him. "Can you unzip me?" she asked, having him cross over and unzipped her dress. "What is it Zaid?" she asked, crossing over towards the wardrobe, flicking through her clothes, and removing a kaftan. "You don't mind if I sleep here tonight? It would save Josh from taking me home. I can relax more." She turned to him holding the kaftan to her chest, pausing at his deep frown. "What is it Zaid?"

"Do you normally dress like that when just going out with friends?"

"This old thing? Last time I wore it was four years ago," then added with thought. "Sorry if it offends. I won't wear it again in your company."

He shook his head to smile. "No, it's fine, Charlotte. Just thought you would've been more casually dressed that is all."

"You mean the jeans and tops you hate so much."

He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pants pockets. "I just thought you said it was just a friend catch-up, and it seems to me a little over the top."

She smiled. "Friends can dress up. I guess you're not used to our ways, um, can I get changed? I won't be long," she promised all smiles. He closed the distance between them, and softly cradled the side of her face in his hand, stroking his thumb against her cheek.

"I miss you." He leaned in closer to kiss her other cheek, then departed, leaving her standing there holding the kaftan to her aching heart, and blinked back tears.

"I miss you also," she whispered. 

Fighting against those feelings, she had kept hidden for four, long years. Something, she had kept hidden from herself that she had done the one thing she wasn't allowed to do. Fall in love with your boss. Not now. Not when her whole life was so topsy-turvy. She needed to keep a lid on it but didn't help when he did that. Beginning to understand her emotional meltdown, and it had nothing to do with Melbourne or her family.

She just had to stay focused, stripped and placed the dress on the bed, then pulled on the kaftan over her head and join the others. Zaid held out a plate for her to race across and settled down at his side, taking the offered plate of her favourite Arabian dessert, baklava. She snuggled back into the sofa at Zaid's side, digging in as the men talked business and went over rough drafts of drawings.

The men went over the drawings for ages Charlotte leaned against Zaid's arm, sleepy from the dinner, desserts, and the port they were sharing, feet tucked up at her side. Zaid cradled her face in his hand. "Go to bed Charlotte, this could take ages."

"If you're sure. Do you need me to organise anything?"

"No, now go," he ordered. 

Bidding Josh goodnight, she stood, departed and hit the sack.

Half an hour later, Zaid leaned back. "Let me look over these. I need to clear my head." He stood bringing the night to an end. "To be honest Josh, I was thinking of getting away completely. Would you be able to join us? The Greek islands. Away from distractions. I would pay for your time, of course."

"Would Lottie be joining us?" Hard dark eyes glared at him. "Of course, how silly of me." He stood. "Off limits."

"So glad we came to an agreement."

"We didn't," Josh said and walked away. He paused at the door, glancing back over his shoulder. "I can't help wondering, if Lottie knows she is off limits to anyone, but you?" He walked out, closing the door. 

Zaid's hand clenched at his side, glancing down at the drawing on the table he had brought out. Perhaps he should go with another architect, shaking his head. He was too good to let go and would learn his place.

The following morning, Lottie hunted down Zaid, and find him in his office, going over the daily schedule with Christine. Crossing her arms, she leaned against the wall as she waited for Zaid to finish up with Christine. All in white, so different from the interview. Smart and classy. 

The school ma'am looks dead and buried. She resented that she was doing her job. It used to be her at his side, leaning close to him as they discussed the daily workload. What needed to be done, now she was an outsider looking in, and hated it.

"What do you want Lottie? I only have a few minutes, then I'm gone." She glanced across towards the man seated behind his desk looking at his watch, twitching her nose. Time was money, and she didn't like him calling her that. Her and her big mouth. He stood collecting his jacket from his chair to shrug on. "Walk me out," she straightened, joined him and walked him out. "So?"

"So nothing. Is there anything need doing?" she asked instead.

"Not a thing," he smiled. "Everything is under control. I couldn't have done better myself if I had hand-picked her. So stop fussing, and go and spend time with your family and friends. Everything is running smoothly."

"Oh. I see. I just need to go to my room." She pointed down the hallway towards her room as they entered. "I'd let myself out when finished." He nodded, letting her go to watch her walk away. 

Strange, she just didn't seem like her normal self. The short black lace dress wasn't suitable but had incredible legs, to be admired. Things were moving much faster than he expected. She hated the fact someone else was doing her job. He'd just make her suffer just a little bit longer. Smiling to himself, he left to go meet up for a lunch meeting with another architect. 

He always left his options open.

Just needing time to herself, Lottie had no plans to go anywhere. Just stay here in her room, enjoying the peace, spending time going over those designs, she had printed out the other day. Spread across the bed, ringing for coffee and food, knowing Zaid wouldn't mind. He never did. 

Yawning she stretched out on the bed to rest her eyes.

Just for five minutes, then she really would have to go.