A/N: You all rock! Thank you for the amazing feedback. I have read all the emails and just set up a new email account so I can get your messages faster and respond. Keep it coming. I have considered all of your suggestions, exclamations and frustration. Remember if you send something anonymous there is no way I can reply via email. Thank you for continuing to read heaven and for all my loyal readers and followers, xoxox. Enjoy!
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As Ariana walked toward the outside of the palace flanked by Kadshah, Ghita, and her shadows, she was in high spirits.
After meeting Aaryan yesterday she had gotten the best nights rest of her life. Something about him just made her feel at peace.
Nothing like meeting a handsome man to lift a girl's spirits, Ariana thought as she began to daydream.
She was startled when she abruptly ran into something solid. She put her arms out to prevent her fall but it never came.
Warm hands braced her upper arms and set her a few feet apart.
"I'm sorry Mr. Razam," Ariana said looking up into Aaryan's smiling eyes. "I didn't see you there."
"No worry at all." Aaryan said still holding her close. "Where are you off to this morning?"
"Your mother has informed me that I will be staying indefinitely until the master returns. So she has ordered me to get more clothes. Would you like to join?" Ariana asked hopefully.
"I don't know, women's clothing isn't really my expertise." Aaryan said.
"Nonsense. I'm sure with all of the women you've dated you have a lot of experience with women's clothes." Ariana joked.
Both Kadshah and Rafiq laughed.
Becoming serious, Ariana leaned in closer and whispered, "No offense but Ghita and Kadshah are too old to tell me what's stylish and suitable."
"I would not want to offend the sultan with my dress." Ariana said innocently with pleading eyes.
"Well when you put it that way, how can I refuse?" Aaryan said.
Good, Ariana thought with an outward smile as she bounced up and down in glee. He had played right into her hands.
"Rafiq, have Bashir bring another car around." Aaryan said as he escorted Ariana outside.
When Ariana noticed the two cars being brought around she couldn't hide her distaste quickly enough.
"Does the modest American woman not like Mercedes?" Aaryan asked with a smile.
"I always said if I ever had a ton of money I would buy myself a V12 Zagato, a V8 Vantage SP10 or a Rapide S Aston Martin." Ariana said. "If you have the money to spend, why not got for style, class and speed."
"Expensive cars for a college student." Aaryan commented thoughtfully.
"A girl can dream can't she?" Ariana said stepping into the GL63 AMG Mercedes SUV.
All of the women rode together while the men followed closely behind in their own suv.
When they arrived at the marketplace. Everyone stopped and stared at Aaryan.
Women, men and children all came up to him and grasped his hands.
They were talking to him in Omashi so Ariana could not understand what they were saying. When she asked Ghita, she told her that they were thanking him and his family for their generosity.
Aaryan accepted the appraisal modestly as he smiled at all of the people and spoke to them.
Ariana looked on in awe. Aaryan had a commanding presence but it was not domineering. He was commanding when needed but very approachable.
I see why his people like him, Ariana thought, as she continued walking with Ghita.
Instead of the previous clothing shop, Aaryan took Ariana to a boutique that the younger women of Omash frequented.
Ariana was instantly in love with the selection. The clothing was still modest but trendier. In addition to the embroidery, the clothing had jewels, flowers, beads and chains. The clothing also fit more to Ariana's curves and she liked that.
Ariana tried on many dresses for Aaryan's approval. Some dresses he liked while others he nixed before she even tried on.
He could tell that Ariana was having a good time and enjoyed the smile that she readily displayed.
In addition to clothing there were also under clothes, shoes and accessories. Ghita directed Ariana over to these with express instructions from Ghaniyah.
Ariana was in 7th heaven. She was not wealthy by any means but her one indulgence to herself was expensive lingerie. She loved it. She loved the feeling of having on sexy lace panties under her grungy work clothes and no one being the wiser. It made her feel womanly and pretty.
She perused the section of under garments and picked out many selections to Aaryan's secret approval.
Why not have a little fun while I'm here, Ariana thought as she picked out lingerie in her favorite colors.
After picking out more shoes the group decided to bring their shopping trip to a close. It was now close to sundown.
Instead of going back to Aaryan's palace, Aaryan decided to take Ariana to see one of his offices.
Ariana was amazed at the sights of the city along the way. Although it wasn't like the major cities of the west it definitely left an impression.
On the outskirts of the city, in a rural area, there were modest houses, children playing, women hanging clothes on clothing lines and community fountains.
This was an extreme contrast to the inner city that was highly industrialized. The closer they got to the inner city the more buildings and people Ariana saw. It was almost like arriving in New York City but much more reminiscent of Dubai.
The city was an architectural dream, it seemed like every architect tried to out due the next with a bigger and better architectural feat. It was beautiful.
Tall glass buildings cast a beautiful glow on the blue green waters that now appeared almost black.
The group arrived outside of an enormous glass office building that was shaped like a tidal wave. Aaryan got out of his car followed by Rafiq and Rakshan.
"I will only be a minute." He said as he passed by Ariana's window.
After 10 minutes of waiting Ariana decided to explore the building for herself.
"Miss Ariana! Miss Ariana! The master would not like it if you took off alone." Kadshah said racing after Ariana.
After arriving inside and stepping across the decorative marble tile she arrived at a front desk that proudly displayed Aaban in gold letters.
"I don't think he will mind me taking an interest in his brother's business." Ariana said to Kadshah with a smile over her shoulder.
Stepping toward the elevator she looked at the directory of floors.
She noticed that there were 35 floors labeled but when she stepped into the elevator it went up to 42 floors.
She decided to stop by the research department on the 22nd floor and see the chemistry lab.
As soon as they arrived on the 22nd floor and she saw all the lab equipment, Ariana bounced around in glee.
She grabbed a nearby lab coat and goggles and entered into the lab.
Kadshah wrinkled her nose at the chemical smell and said that she would wait for Ariana outside.
Meanwhile, Aaryan, Rafiq and Rakshan had reached his office on the 41st floor, his penthouse was on the 42nd.
