Elara took a deep breath, nodding. "Mother, Father," she practiced quietly, as if rehearsing. "Daniel and I have made a decision of great importance. In light of the current global situation, and to further strengthen the unbreakable bond Daniel already shares with Aisha's royal family, King and Prince Rashid, in a gesture of trust and honor, have offered Aisha's hand in marriage to Daniel." She looked at Aisha, who smiled encouragingly. "I will explain that, while unusual for our culture, for theirs it is a blood bond, a promise of loyalty and prosperity for generations. And that Daniel and I, our love is undeniable and the foundation of everything, but the addition of Aisha is a blessing, a bridge between our worlds, strengthening Daniel's security and influence in an increasingly volatile world."
Aisha then added, "To my family, Daniel, we will emphasize the honor of your gesture in accepting this union and the importance of an intimate and quick ceremony due to thedelicate circumstances that require discretion– not to mention the problems in the United States, of course. We will tell them that the King and Prince Rashid see this union as a guarantee of continuity and strength for the kingdom. And Daniel," Aisha looked at him, a glint of affection in her eyes, "I will remind my family that, although I will adapt to life with you and Elara, your word about the hijab is a gesture of respect and deep acceptance. I will tell them that you allow me to choose, showing that in your home, I will be respected for who I am, not just for what tradition demands of me when there are no outsiders."
Daniel nodded, satisfaction evident on his face. "Perfect, Aisha. This will demonstrate that, while we honor traditions, our union is based on respect and mutual choice, within the privacy of our family. And for everyone, the message will be clear: the wedding in Dubai, in two weeks, will be a private event and essential for the safety of our extended family, at a time of great change in the world. It's the safest way to protect them from any unwanted attention, as my work requires absolute discretion."
With the story firmly established, Daniel activated the holographic communication system. First, Elara's family. Her parents appeared, their faces showing a mixture of curiosity and concern. Elara and Daniel, with Aisha at their side, presented their carefully rehearsed narrative, emphasizing the honor of the King and the Prince, the importance of alliances, and the need for discretion for everyone's safety. Elara's parents, after a brief period of assimilation, accepted the explanation, trusting Daniel's judgment and their daughter's happiness. The promise of an intimate ceremony in Dubai, away from prying eyes, seemed to reassure them.
Daniel then connected with the King and Prince Rashid. The conversation was quicker, as they had already been informed. Daniel reiterated the urgency and the need for discretion, and the King reaffirmed his blessing and satisfaction with the union. Prince Rashid, though with his usual joking tone about the "race against time," promised that all preparations would be impeccable, and that the vast royal family would be present to witness the union.
The calls ended, and silence filled the suite again. Daniel pulled Elara and Aisha into a tight hug. "Well, my queens," he whispered, kissing their foreheads. "The move has been made. Now, it's only a matter of time until we're in Dubai, married, and with our extended family. And protected, of course."
Elara snuggled into his chest. "You're amazing, Daniel. The way you make everything seem so... normal, even when it's so extraordinary."
"It's the art of stealth, my love," Daniel murmured. "The Ghost operates in the shadows to protect the light. And you are my light." He looked at Aisha, who smiled serenely. "We await sunrise to take off for our new home. Rest easy."
Night was falling, and the promise of a grand, safe, and adventurous future hung in the cabin. The A390, the "machine" that defied the limits of engineering and imagination, was more than just an airplane. It was a symbol of Daniel's power, the complexity of his life as a "Ghost," and his unwavering commitment to protecting his family, which now expanded to encompass two worlds and three hearts. The journey to Dubai aboard this flying fortress would mark the beginning of a new chapter, where luxury, danger, and love intertwined in ways only the "Ghost" could orchestrate.
Dusk tinted the Tokyo sky with plum and gold hues, peeking through the vast windows of Daniel's opulent mansion. Inside, the main living area, a vast space with high ceilings and glass walls that opened onto a sunlit Zen garden, was set for alarge-scale meeting, a virtual confluence of distinct worlds. The ambient temperature, perfectly maintained by the whisper of the air conditioning, created a serene atmosphere, contrasting with the complexity of the topics to be discussed.
In the center of the room, a curved, cream-colored leather sofa invited comfort, flanked by individual armchairs that resembled sculpted clouds. A low, polished dark wood coffee table held minimalist floral arrangements and delicate porcelain teacups. On one wall, a100-inch TVdominated the room, its black screen reflecting the subtle glow of the room's lights.
Daniel, dressed in a casual dark linen suit that accentuated his impeccable posture, adjusted the final details of the videoconferencing console. His fingers glided familiarly over the touch-sensitive controls, his expression focused. Beside him, Elara, in a navy blue silk dress that enhanced the color of her eyes, and Aisha, in a modern, pearl-toned dress that complemented her golden skin, waited with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. Aisha had chosen not to wear the hijab inside Daniel's home, a gesture of trust and acceptance Daniel had expressed and which she deeply valued, especially now that they were in a familiar environment. Her dark, glossy hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, highlighting her delicate features.
On the couch, more comfortably seated, were Elara's parents, whose expressions, though still slightly apprehensive, betrayed their trust in Daniel. Beside them, Kenji, Elara's younger brother, was absently fiddling with his tablet, though his ears were attentive to the conversation. The presence of his family, living under the same roof as Danieljust two days ago, was a testament to the swiftness and intensity of recent events that had united everyone under the wing of Daniel, the visionary billionaire.
"Ready?" Daniel asked, turning to them, a slight smile on his lips. "It's the big premiere of our story."
Elara took a deep breath, holding Daniel's hand. "As ready as I can be."
Aisha nodded calmly, her eyes meeting Elara's in a knowing gesture. "Together."
Daniel pressed a final command, and the 100-inch screen lit up, splitting into two windows. In one of them, an image of the luxurious palace in Dubai appeared, revealing theKing and the Prince Rashid, seated side by side on an ornate throne, surrounded by several members of the vast royal family, all in traditional attire that radiated authority and wealth. The palace room was grand, with sumptuous arches and gilded details that gleamed under the warm lighting. The atmosphere among them, even through the screen, was one of power and tradition.
"Good evening, Family," Daniel greeted, his voice resonating with clarity and authority. The holographic image of his own face, standing in the room in Tokyo, slightly overlapped the two call windows, like a link between worlds. "Thank you all for attending this virtual meeting. We have important news and plans to discuss that affect us all."
The King, with his ancient wisdom in his eyes, made a solemn gesture. "Speak, my son. We are listening."
Daniel began, his voice taking on a formal tone, but with a note of sincerity that always characterized him. He explained the carefully crafted narrative without hesitation. "As you know, my global business requires deep alliances and, above all, unshakable trust with strategic partners around the world. Recently, the partnership with His Majesty the King and Prince Rashid, my esteemed friend, has deepened in a way that transcends commercial agreements." He looked at the King and Prince Rashid, who maintained serious expressions, though Prince Rashid had a slight glint of amusement in his eyes.
"His Majesty and the Prince, in a gesture of great honor and to cement our bond for generations, have offered me a priceless gift: the hand of their daughter, Princess Aisha, sister of Prince Rashid, in marriage." Daniel gestured to Aisha, who stepped forward, her calm and dignified presence filling the space. Elara, beside Daniel, discreetly held his hand, a gesture of support and unity.
Aisha then took the floor, her voice soft and melodious, addressing Elara's parents first, with a welcoming smile. "Gentlemen, it is a great honor for me and my family to be part of this union. My brother and father see in Daniel a visionary leader, and in his daughter, Elara, a soul that Daniel needs for his balance. We believe that the union of our families through Daniel is a blessing that will strengthen our cultural and strategic ties. My presence is to honor this alliance and to learn and share the richness of our cultures." She then turned to her own family on screen. "Father, Rashid, it is with great humility and joy that I accept this new journey, promising to bring honor and stability to our alliance."
Elara intervened, her voice full of conviction, looking directly at her parents on the couch, then back at the screen. "Mother, Father, I know this may seem... atypical of our customs. But in Daniel's world and Aisha's culture, this is the greatest way to honor friendship and trust on an unwavering level. Daniel and I love each other above all else. Aisha comes not to replace me, but to be a precious addition to our family, a bridge between our worlds. It is a sign of the trust the King and the Prince place in Daniel, and in us."