Chapter 119

Chapter 119
\-“He did not mean what he said, did he?” Ahmed asked with half voice, after Ricardo left the office like nothing happened. – “Did I hear correct?”

\-“I’m afraid that you heard him just fine.” Rudolfo said sighting.

They all knew that if a citizen in Almor was called to rapport at the central offices it was very serious, but if the leader himself told them to do that, then it meant the shit just hit the fan.

\-“Think about it as the most professional thing to do Ahmed, you go there to answer their question then you let us do the rest. No worries.”  Mariana assured him.

But that did not calm him. He went out of the office as well, leaving the others discuss this matter and Catalina was the only to follow him out.

\-“Ahmed, what does this mean? Why did you become so pale? Is it serious?” She asked him preoccupied now.  

Ahmed was not sure if she would understand it, usually they were not affected by the country’s inner laws, but somehow, he felt that she might get an idea. -“Kind of, this is a very serious matter, the fact is that I also had to rapport that we would go visit into their territory to meet the southern, it is a problem itself. No one has ever trespassed that territory and left alive to tell the story.” And that clicked something for Ahmed.

\-“OH MY GOD! I am the first almoorian to enter their inner secret territory, to see their place and left alive to describe it.” And then the sudden panic followed.

\-“They are going to fry&squeeze me to tell them all the details about them. Maybe that’s why they want me.” He said panicking even more, putting his hand on his hand while closing his eyes to process all that.

\-“No, no, no … you can’t do that Ahmed. We promised Zuleica that no harm would come from our visit to her place. We cannot go back on our words and betray their belief. Plus, you did not see the road or anything at all, you had not so much interaction with them and you saw it yourself how polite and well-mannered hostess they were to us.” Catalina said worriedly to him.

\-“Yes, exactly. I did nothing wrong, saw nothing suspicious and was there only to ensure your safety and nothing dangerous happened!” Ali said after a moment as if repeating it as a grounding calm mantra.

\-“Yes! Exactly! Because this was what really happened!” Catalina repeated after him. She wanted to say more when suddenly a sound of tires stretching was heard from the outside.

She saw from the hobby window that it was Ricardo’s car and she went out, hoping she could stop him from having a word with him alone.

Unfortunately, she was late and he drove faster seeing her following after him from the front mirror. She smiled knowing exactly what she was after for. Things were starting to move now he thought.

How he stood there, in that office without greeting her properly with a kiss was beyond him. His hands scratching to get a glimpse of her skin, dressed in those short travelling grey pants with her belly exposed and her half braid, giving her an exotic call of taste. The poker face that he was supposed to maintain in order not to let anyone see the furious he was when Catalina left the town to go to some southern territory was beyond him. Yes, he knew that Zuleica would never try to harm her, mostly because it seemed they had become friends together, but you can never know what the chances are.

Or even worse, one of his opponents might try to harm them, frame the south maybe and his work to bring the country all together will go into ruins and Omer benefiting from him. He knew that they were waiting just for the right time and opportunity to strike, especially now that Kane’s wedding was getting closer and his supposed wedding with Tara was still pending for a proper date. But damn him, if he was to follow suit with their antics.

Catalina returned inside, angry with herself, that could not stop him leaving with his fancy Roll Royce. She could not allow their friendly invitation from Zuleica to be used as a political pawn, bringing diplomatic stirs to their ambassy. Seeing her shadowed face Ahmed sighted even worse:

\-“I’m doomed!”

\-“No, you’re not!” she snapped back at him.

\-“What do you mean, Sherlock?” he asked her in return with a gloomy face.

\-“When are you going at the central offices for the report?” – she asked him dry.

\-“Well, you heard the leader, this afternoon.” He said as if explaining to a kid who had difficulties with her hearing.

\-“Catalina, you don’t have to interfere on these!” Caesar said suddenly approaching them.

\-“Yeah? You think so? Watch me!” and before she left up to her room to change, she said sternly at Ahmed.

\-“Don’t go nowhere without me. We will leave together. I will be ready in two hours.”

\-“But, I can’t wait that long…” Ahmed reminded her but was cut shortly one more time.

\-“I said two hours only!” and she went upstairs without glancing back.

Meanwhile Mariana and Rudolfo went over with their report as well, stating that the visit was not a diplomatic one, that’s why the ambassador, Rudolfo did not followed after and only a friendly trip with the girls, accompanied by a small group to ensure their safe journey. They specifically stated that this trip was only a cultural and ethnic exploration and the intel collected was for introduction only, no ulterior moves to that.

\-“Do you think mister Ricardo will be happy now dear?” Mariana asked her husband.

\-“Well, you know that this is a sensitive topic for them and how the elders don’t like us the diplomatics to meet them. This is why they heavily guard us in order not to help them, but Ricardo is a good guy. I think that deep down he is happy that someone at least did this and made a bridge not only between them and us, but also to help understand them better in order that he can unify the country.”

\-“Darling, come on, I think this is ridiculous, if so, then why did he come here so agitated and nearly accused us of betraying …”

\-“Well, we must understand him, if this information goes to the wrong hand, like for instance Omer, they could use this in their interest to turn the people against the reforms and revolution. This is why in the first place why I was against us going there in the first place, but since Catalina trusted her friend and you all are here safe and sound means those people really deserve our help for their community and with Ricardo willing to do the right thing, means there is hope for all to live in peace. The only obstacle? the gritty elders.”

\-“Plus, don’t forget he worries too much for a certain brunette.” He said to her winking and she smiled knowing his meaning.