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THREE

Sleep caer after we cleaned up, and he’d been such a chahts that I didn’t pester hih I wanted the company Instead, , hot shower Hours passed, tossing and turning, as I had iant asshole froiven hih

The next day, I was too tired and down to worry about changing out the paintings in the gallery for the general public The curation I had done for the Sheikh was a bit different than what I typically kept hanging up, but that was a problem for another day, I decided once I came downstairs

The gallery opened on tiet in At least the war across the floor and white walls see checklist, I made a pot of burned coffee in the kitchenette in the back rooallery floor, while I enjoyed the warmth

Around noon, soht in front of Constantine, a long horizontal piece briht, and the faint iia Sophia’s iconicallery and the piece before atte any interaction Some of these people were like bunny rabbits, and if I ht out the door, and so would my rent money

Before I could get to the

It was the Sheikh, closing the gallery door gently behind hi like the night before There was no snooty power, no anger, no darkness He was pale, his lips dry He’d shaven cleanly and showered, and instead of a nighttime-style tailored suit, he wore a casual button-up and slacks But he was clearly in the throes of a hangover He took off his dark sunglasses and scanned the gallery until his eyes landed on aze softened so distinctly that I could see it from across the room

Anger flared behind my eyes as I blinked in disbelief I never expected he’d have the nerve to show his face around here again; but then, rich assholes obviously do whatever they want, regardless of whose days they ruin

I looked back to the ed couple near Constantine They hadn’t noticedquietly with each other as they swept over the features of the ith pointed fingers I changed course and headed for the Sheikh

He stood waiting for me, and I crossed my arms as I came to a stop in front of him

“What is it I can do for you now, Sheikh Al-Zayn? You already drank all of ne, remember?” I said lowly

He cleared his throat “I think I’ve lost the right for such respectful formality Please, call me Rafiq”

I didn’t respond

So hand through his black hair “Miss Pryce, I’ that happened last night May I ask for a azed over to the couple, “in private?”

“You can speak to ht didn’t earn you any favors from me”

There was no way he was going to get me alone where he could intiant jerk I’d met in my life

He didn’t argue with ize to you profusely for ht, and for the behavior of ot a little out of hand at the engage prior, and I didn’t realize at the ti I should have called and cancelled”

“You should have stayed sober enough to make your appointments,” I said before I could stopa line, but I was too upset to care “I didn’t get as far as I a people walk all over me, and you’re not about to be the first”

Rafiq’s face fell, but he didn’t get angry He only nodded again “Fair enough I respect that,” he said “My behavior was selfish and indefensible I hope you can forgive me”