Crystal
Loud bangs on her door woke her up from her sleep. Worry and fear washed over her face as she tried to wonder who might be knocking on her door at 5am in the morning.
The knocks came again, louder this time, followed by threats from the voice outside. Crystal sprung to her feet, shuffling her feet trying to find her slippers in the dark.
"Look, if you don't open this door, I'll break it down this instant" She heard the person on the other side snap at her.
The voice was unmistakable, her heart pounded loudly.
She found her slippers and quickly dashed at the door. She opened it and froze at the sight of the man before her. A cold sweat crept down her spine.
"I'm really sorry Mr Dexter" She stammered. "I was about to get your money to you this morning as soon as I woke up". Her voice was trembling with fear.
"Well, I'm here now. Where's the money or do you want us to sell off your organs to pay instead??" The man snapped at her.
Crystal rushed inside her room, her fingers trembling as she rummaged through her bag for the cheque Amir Al-Fayad had given her the previous night.
"I…I don't have the complete 2.5 million dirhams. I just have 500,000 here". She cried, her voice cracking. "And you gave me 6 months. I still have 3 months left to pay the balance of 2 million. I promise I'll pay before my time is up". She pleaded with them, tears in her eyes.
"Young lady, the big boss changed his mind. You have just one month to pay your father's debt or else, we'll harvest your organs". And with that Mr Dexter and his crew stormed off leaving crystal In tears.
She broke down crying after they'd left wondering where she was going to get 2 million dirhams in a month. Even the 500k she got was a miracle.
She didn't realize she'd cried herself to sleep until her phone rang. She jolted up. It was Laila.
"Girl, where are you? It's like you've made it a habit to piss the manager off these days. You've forgotten you're supposed to clock in by 12:30 today?" Laila screamed at her on the phone.
She checked the time and it was 12:56pm.
"I'm really sorry, I fell asleep. Could you cover for me?? I'll be there soon, please?" She pleaded, leaping to her feet and rushing into the bathroom.
Crystal dashed to the bathroom with the speed of lightning and grabbed her toothbrush trying to brush her teeth quickly and jump in the shower.
10 minutes later, she was out of the house and trying to hail a taxi.
As she climbed in, she thought about him again.
The handsome stranger with jet black hair and blue eyes. She shook the thought off. She couldn't afford to catch feelings for a total stranger and a powerful one at that.
"El-paso" she told the driver.
By 1:15, the taxi stopped in front of the restaurant, and she handed 10 dirhams to the driver and dashed out, mumbling her thanks.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry" She apologized to Laila as she reached the counter
"How many times do I have to cover for you Crystal? You know that if the manager finds out about your lateness today, he may fire me and you both and we'll be screwed" Laila told her with an annoying scowl on her face
"Look, a lot happened this morning and I'm sorry again. I'll make it up to you, I promise," Crystal pleaded with puppy eyes.
"Just get to it. And the same VIP client has booked you for tonight" Laila huffed as she turned to walk away.
Crystal stood rooted in her spot. What could Amir Al-fayad want with her?
"Crystal!!!" Amanda brought her back. "Where has your mind been girl?? Table 6, Single order. Come pick it up" Amanda tapped Crystal's shoulder lightly.
She took the tray from Amanda and brought it to the table. It was a single black coffee and peanut butter sandwich.
"Here's your order, I hope you enjoy...." She had started to say before her voice trailed off
She stood rooted in her tracks. Her knees weakened. She didn't expect to see him here.
Ahmad. Those same blue eyes and calm smile.
She could melt right now under his gaze. She grabbed the chair to steady herself.
Ahmad
"Hello, stranger". He smiled at her. "You never had the time to tell me your name yesterday. You seemed to be in such a hurry and I couldn't ask you as you were scolding me at the time".
He chuckled at the memory. Her eyes,wide with shock, still remained beautiful.
"Miss Crystal?" He tapped the tray gently. "I saw your name tag" He said with a warm smile.
"Hi, Mr Ahmad" She said softly, looking down.
That voice, soft, nervous, lovely. He felt like he could listen to her talk all day.
"Okay, I didn't realize someone was stalking me?" He teased, trying to ease the tension.
"I wasn't, believe me". She replied quickly, looking up at him. "But who wouldn't know you in the whole of Dubai?? It just came up as I surfed online". She looked down again.
He smiled. He felt she was lying, but he didn't press.
"I wanted to keep my status a secret. Anyway, I didn't get a chance to thank you yesterday". He smiled at her.
She looked up briefly, and the way she looked at him almost made him forget where he was.
But Amanda was already calling her back.
"Mr Ahmad, I'm really sorry but I have a lot of customers to attend to. Enjoy your coffee sir" And with that, she was gone.
Crystal.
She felt like fate was playing a fast one on her. Ahmad Al-Fayad was in front of her.
And he. was. talking. to. her.
She felt like she couldn't breathe.
He had a sweet smile on his face as he was talking to her. His smile could calm the thousand storms raging within her.
She had no idea she was gaping till he tapped the tray in front of her.
His eyes were so calming, calling her to experience the peace in them.
Amanda had already started beckoning to her. Crystal looked at him as he continued to express his thanks. His face was so beautiful, so divine, so calm unlike his brother's.
Back at the counter, Laila was buzzing with excitement.
"Girl, I saw you talking to Mr Ahmad. What was that?!" Laila had so much excitement in her voice.
"I'll tell you all about it later girl. Today, there has been a whole lot" Crystal sighed.
"Okay girl, but don't forget you owe me one. And don't forget about your VIP client, because you're dancing for him tonight." And with that Laila turned and walked away.
What could Amir Al-fayad want with her again? That was the thought that occupied her head all day. She worked like a robot thinking about the Al-fayad twins and how different they were. Amir was cold, Ahmad was kind.
At exactly 10:30 pm, her alarm went off, reminding her of the moment she was dreading.
She swiftly went to the changing room and put on her costume. She was going as a sexy bunny tonight. She prayed he wouldn't recognize her. She hated his eyes on her.
She went to the lounge, swinging her hips as she walked.
She went straight to the bar. "The usual, but make it three shots". She told Garcia over the loud music.
Tonight, she felt even three shots weren't enough. She had a bad feeling that she couldn't shake off. Something was definitely off.
"And now, let's welcome the star of the show, the queen of El-paso and the owner of your pockets. Your all time favourite, Crystal Lin!!!". The DJ shouted into the mic.
Loud cheers erupted from the audience. The men left their seats wildly in excitement as Crystal took the stage.
She felt uneasy but she started her set, dancing seductively and teasing her audience, tossing her cap and gloves into the audience.
30 minutes later, her set was over but her night was far from over.
She made her way to the VIP section with sweaty palms and dread all over her.
She entered the section and she felt those eyes on her again. She entered the light and touched the pole to begin dancing and she heard his voice.
She froze. Dread, then goosebumps. This wasn't good.
Amir.
She walked into the light, he didn't move.
"Stop, Sit." She trembled and shivered at the sound of his voice.
She scrambled to the nearest chair and sat.
This was good for him, she was obedient.
"I told you yesterday that you were going to be of service to me again. I have a proposal for you that I know you won't refuse." He told her, observing her face.
She looked up at him, puzzled and wondering what proposal that could be.
"I want you to marry me" He said again, his tone cold.
She jolted up from her seat, surprised and shocked
"I'm sorry sir, I don't know what type of girl you take me for but I don't...…."
He cut her with a single motion, throwing an envelope toward her.
"Go through that, sign it. I'll come pick you up tomorrow evening at the same time." He stood up from his seat and disappeared through the doors.
Crystal
Crystal picked up the envelope with shaky fingers.
It was a contract.
She was going to marry Amir Al-fayad for two years, bear him a child and disappear after the time elapsed.
In return, she'd get ten million dirhams in total.
2 million after the wedding.
8 million after the child is born.
Crystal stood rooted to the spot. She couldn't breathe.
She didn't want to marry Amir but if she didn't pay the loan sharks in a month, she was going to be killed.
Crystal knew she was between the devil and the deep blue sea but she didn't know which evil to pick
Her life in one sentence? She was fucked!!.