PRINCESS OF THE EAST. Vida Lagodina

rows, various dresses, skirts, blouses and suits were having fun. Downstairs, on the shelves, there were a huge amount of different shoes, and my suitcase was in the corner. I ran my eyes through the hangers and stumbled upon a small island on which my things were fun. How is this possible?

      I looked around for my handbag, but it was nowhere to be found. It seems that everything is planned in advance and thought out to the smallest detail. When I reached the bathroom, I breathed a sigh of relief. There was nothing golden or screaming, otherwise I would have thought that I was in the house of an Arab sheikh. A small mirror above the sink, a large white bathtub covered with the same white and brown mosaic as the floor and walls, a transparent glass shower and toilet in the far corner of the room.

      Looking at myself in the mirror, I could not resist a groan. Tangled hair, puffy and reddened eyes, an unhealthy flush on the cheeks. Several times I sprayed water on my face, opened the closet next to the sink and took out one of the many towels, found a new toothbrush and comb. Opening the second door, I found a huge number of cans of different colors, among which were shower gels, conditioners, shampoos, lotions and other body care products.

      I washed, combed my hair and returned to the room to put on the dress chosen by my “assistant”. Looking at myself in a large mirror, I saw fear and loss on my face. To feel the light breeze from the balcony, I opened the curtains, closed my eyes from the bright sunlight and hesitantly stepped onto the granite balcony, from which a beautiful view of the green garden with a large round fountain in the center and a smooth lawn opened. He was perfect, but something was missing in him, maybe they looked after him, but they did not put his soul into him.

      – Miss, please come with me. – I flinched in surprise, turning to the sound of my voice.

      The girl hesitantly shifted from foot to foot. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders and followed her to the door of the room. Well, the time has come for truth. It’s time to find out everything that happens here. We walked along a wide, long corridor that looked more like an art gallery. We turned left, climbed the stairs one more floor, then went through several doors, and with every step my heart beat faster. Finally we stopped in front of a massive dark door. My assistant knocked, a few moments later opened the door and, with her head bowed, indicated to me that I could enter.

      CHAPTER 7

      He stood with his back to me with his hands behind his back. Still not seeing his face, I knew who he was (not often in life you meet such people).

      – Good morning, – he addressed me with a benevolent smile on his face and wariness in his eyes, – I hope you had a good night’s sleep.

      – Why am I here now? And by the way, where exactly am I? – I crossed my arms over my chest to feel confident.

      – Have a seat. – He pointed me to one of the soft black armchairs facing the massive table and separated by a small dark coffee table. “I think our conversation will drag on.”

      Without taking my eyes off him, I slowly sank down to the place that was offered to me.

      – You did not answer my question. How did I get here? – He grinned, walked around the table and sat across from me.

      – My driver brought you. You are in my house.

      I closed my eyes, dimly recalling how it all began.

      – I wanted to fly home, but… at the airport they said that I was forbidden to leave your country. What does it mean? – I looked at him demandingly, noting what expressive eyes he had and how impudently he was looking at me with them.

      – Right. You will have to stay with us for a while. – I froze in shock, not knowing how to react to his words.

      – I don’t understand anything… can you explain to me why I am here with you, and not with my parents, for example? And anyway, for what reason have I been banned from crossing the border? I have done nothing to facilitate this.

      – You are my guest. – He openly laughed at me. Interestingly, according to their laws, what punishment will they give me if I beat the Crown Prince of the Emirate?

      – It turns out interesting … – I sat comfortably in an armchair and slowly put my hands on the armrests – do you first euthanize all your guests and then steal them? Does the standard prompt no longer work? Or are you still using barbaric methods here?

      He smiled broadly at me and licked his lips, looking into my eyes.

      – And it turns out that you have a sharp tongue.

      I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

      – You are laughing at me? – With each inhalation and exhalation, the tension in the room increased, but, despite this, the prince continued to smile. “Why are you smiling all the time?” I threw up in exasperation, to which he pursed his lips and thought about something.

      – For a few days you will be a guest in this house.

      – How long will these few days be?

      – Until I solve some issues.

      – Saying that I will be your guest, you mean – I will be your captive?

      – No, – he shook his head, running his fingers over his plump lips, trying to suppress a smile and continuing to study me with a thoughtful look, – I said what I wanted to say.

      – And how do you think the guest differs from the captive?

      He sighed heavily, reflecting on my question.

      – The house is completely at your disposal. If you need anything, you can tell Samira.

      – Samire? – He nodded, continuing to look at me, which was terribly annoying.

      – To your assistant, who accompanied you here. You can look around the house, take a walk in the garden, read or watch TV in the relaxation room, but there is one invariable rule – I raised an eyebrow inquiringly – you should go downstairs for dinner at seven o’clock. Samira kindly guides you to the dining room

      Wow, like a monster from a fairy tale. I got to my feet, restraining myself with all my might so as not to pounce on this annoyingly calm prince. After taking a few steps toward the door, I turned around and looked at him point blank.

      – Have I broken the law in your country?

      My question surprised him.

      – As far as I know, no. – He answered with a shrug.

      – Then why can’t I go home? – Is a short pause during which our eye contact did not interrupt.

      – Becauze I whant so. – I blinked in confusion, and he pretended to say nothing unusual. – Have a nice day, Miss Mironova.

      I left the office, leaning back against the wall and feeling how all the cells of my body relax.

      – Miss, is everything all right with you? – Samira quickly approached me, who, as it turned out, had been waiting all this time for me under the door.

      – Yes, just … – I looked into her frightened face – everything is fine. – This look. She looks at me as frightened as the airport staff when they found out who I was. – I need to go to the bedroom.

      – Yes, well, miss, I will accompany you. – I nodded and tried to take a few steps, but then I felt dizzy, because of which I had to stop, leaning again on the wall.

      – Miss?

      – I’m fine, – I tried to focus my eyes on her. – Do not worry.

      – If you will allow? She reached out to hold me under her elbow, and I nodded in agreement. “Have you already had breakfast?” I shook my head. “I knew that at first it was