CHAPTER ONE

 

THE NAMELESS MUSLIM GIRL ASKS FOR A SEAT

 July 9, 2023, around nine a.m., eastside of Monaco’s luxurious restaurant, 

when unforeseen two soulmates are meant to be in heaven. 

“Lord Jesus, You know that I am very afraid as a sheep before the slaughter that I have to face very soon. And ask that You calm me to be obediently faithful in You, take away my fears. Please calm this uneasiness that I have and let me rest on You forever. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.” I said.

After I had done praying, five enormous hounds surrounded me the moment I opened my eyes.  

One minute later, I woke up that morning shivering in fear.  

I rushed to the restroom of the luxurious motel in Monaco.  

Minutes had passed; I found myself sitting at the restaurant’s two chairs table. 

“Mind if seat here with you? Um, mercy, is this seat taken?” the girl asked in an Ethiopian accent.  

“Not at all. Have your way, please.” I answered.  

“Would you mind telling me if is that the Holy Bible you are reading?” She asked.  

“I am. And I am a Christian.” I said in an African accent.  

Her eyes widened in being wilderness, and she was a most astonishing girl wearing a Hijab.  

“Um, listen I am fond of a Christian man. And I hope I will find my one day. But my grandmother told me that Christians and my kind are enemies,” she said.  

“Nope, we are not. Because Christians are friends with everybody. No matter what background you came from. Neither are we enemies with no one.” I said.  

“I see. Would I be your friend then? Um, it is because I have never seen a man who looks like me.” She said. 

 I burst out laughing hard because the girl in question has a rich pale skin color tone.

“Um, why are you laughing?” she asked.  

“No offense. And what do you mean you are like me?” I chuckled.  

“Huh, forgive me.” she laughed.  

“Well, my mother is of Ethiopian African descent but has a lighter skin tone. She died in labor,”  

“My condolence. And forgive me for asking, but are you a girl from a wealthy family? Am I in trouble or something?” I stated.  

“Nah, I am not. Besides, neither are you in trouble. And what part of Africa are you from?” She asked.  

“I am from Central Africa in the Congo. But I am only here on vacation with my old British American friend. I did not want to come. All I want is to seek a girl. I want to lift off her feet on my terms.” I laughed.  

“He is insisting that I come here in Monaco for business reasons. And Voila I am here.” I sighed.  

“Tell me about it, my friend. All I want is to fall in love with a man of my choice. Not some arranged marriage suitor with a stranger wealthy man. Um, that my grandmother brought for me. That is the reason I ran away to this restaurant. Besides, I am nineteen years old.” She sighed.

“Nineteen you said? I am twenty-eight.” I declared. 

When the two-man in suits interrupted, she was about to ask me some more questions.  

“Emunah, forgive us for the interruption but your grandmother is worried sick. I mean, her only fifty-two grandchild went missing.” one of the men apologized.  

“I see. Forgive me for that. It is only for my safety and yours. And my name is Emunah. Would kind tell me yours?” Emunah asked.  

“Understanding, my friend. And I am William. It is nice to meet you, Emunah—.” I paused.  

“Williams, there you are. And how could you go missing like that!” the voice behind me scolded. 

“Um, my good God. And my child forgives me for the interruption.”  

“Perfect. It seems as if we have something in common of gone missing.” Emunah giggled.  

“Right about that, Emunah.” I chuckled.  

I was first to stand up, but Emunah came to hug me tightly in excitement.  

It followed her dushing out of the enormous restaurant.

The two men behind her hurriedly.  

“My, my, I should know better, William. Is this the time for you to seek a girl on your terms? And I am sure Monaco’s infamous only girl is interested in you. My boy will be the luckiest man to capture the sight of Emunah, the girl of the Mansion of the Ebrahim house. I mean, to be an infamous man of the Monacan’s people.” He teased.  

“Please, Minister Meadowlark, stop dreaming. Besides, she and I are worlds apart. And her grandmother might have planned a suitor for her before we even met. I beg of you to erase the idea from your mind, my old friend.” I scoffed.  

Minister Meadowlark cracked in laughter. He led the way, and I followed.  

Later, we found ourselves in a silver Ford limo on the road.  

On our way to the unquestioning destination, I was bewildered when the limo came parking on the gigantic luxurious white marble stones palace.  

“I beg your pardon. Isn’t this a palace?” I gasped.  

“Correct. And William welcomes to the Palace of the royal family.” Minister Meadowlark grinned.  

“No way, please, please take me back. And was this in your plan whole along?” I swallowed.  

“Nope, this is my business. I am the Prime Minister of Monaco. I am meeting the Arabian descent, Queen. And it is too bad you did not change into an expensive suit. But khaki pants, white sweater, navy army coat, and noir leather shoes are outstanding.” He chuckled.  

“Minister Meadow don’t make fun of me. I am ridiculous in these clothes! I am like a homeless man!” I shouted.  

“Would you mind telling me you trying to impress our princess then?” He smirked. 

“Meadowlark, I forbid you to not change the topic. Jesus, my living God. Lead the way because I have no choice. And don’t want you to be late for the meeting with the Queen,” I groaned.  

“Nice choice, my boy.” Minister Meadowlark said.  

“Please, no patronizing me!” I scolded.  

“Wah—my good Jesus. Sheesh, William, calm down!” Minister Meadowlark swallowed. 

Later, we came out of the limo after the driver and the passage driver opened the doors for us.  

Minister of Monaco led the way as I followed behind him.

After marching along the long corridors, we find ourselves in front of the enormous real gold throne with a red cushion.

I scanned around. I saw a woman, a mysterious rich noble young man, and a girl standing next to the old woman.  

It seems like the girl I saw had an unsettled expression.  

Even worse, when I studied, my eyes widened when I saw the girl I met earlier. 

“My good Allah, minister. It is finally nice to see you at last.” the Queen said.  

“Sure. My majesty so it is the same to me. Besides, I can see you still kick.” Meadowlark forced a chuckle.  

“Rightly you are my old friend.” She stated.  

“And who is this young man next to you? Is that the Holy Bible he is holding?”  

“His name is William. I insisted he comes on this vacation voyage with me to Monaco for this minister business,” Minister Meadowlark answered.  

“Marvelous. Besides, I was introducing to you our lord to my grandchild‘s marriage before you interrupted us. Aren’t they make an exceptional couple?” She chuckled.  

“No clue, majesty.” Minister Meadowlark insisted.  

He glanced at me in the corner of his eye, and he chuckled in a whispering voice. He looked back at the Queen.  

When the Queen of Monaco and her minister were having a conversation, Emunah was lost in her mind as she focuses on my direction.  

“That is right she is lucky to have such a charming man to come to ask for her hand in marriage—.” I sighed.  

“Mama, please. Neither am I interested in him. And I want to choose the man whom I will fall in love with by myself!” Emunah pleaded. Neither do I need to marry the same people in Monaca. I love them all so much, but I want a man from a different culture. Mama, is that possible if William decides to marry me?”  

“Nonsense. our lord from the noble family will be your husband to be my child.” The Queen said.  

“But mama. I hardly know him!” Emunah insisted.  

“Then I suggest you learn to know him, my child. Besides, my word is final.” Emunah’s grandmother snapped.  

Emunah’s suitor walked up to me with a grin on his face. His hand stretched out.  

I came to my senses as I hid behind Minister Meadowlark, but he came to where I was hiding.  

“No worry because I do not bite. And would you mind telling me you are a thing with, my girl?” He scoffed.  

“Not even close. Besides, it is that you startled me. That is all. And what do you mean we are a thing? Even so, I am a Christian, so it is a forbidden love. I mean, a Muslim girl and you know—!” I swallowed hard.  

“Correct. And it shall remain like that, commoner. Even worse, in love with a Muslim girl as a Christian. It is a forbidden relationship a life-threatening highest sacrilege sin by death.” He growled.  

“We get it! And would you leave him alone? Besides, Williams, it is nice to meet you.” Emunah laughed.  

“My suitor who has come for my hand is quite sarcastic sometimes.”  

“Classically right about. Nice to meet you too,” I chuckled nervously.  

“Nice. Now this is settled, would you go out with me, my princess?” He interfered.  

“I see why not,” she stated.  

Emunah locked our eyes with mine after she look at me, but I shy away.  

Later, she goes to march next to her rich suitor out of our sight.  

“My grandchild is interested in your friend at first sight. But it is not going to work between them,” The queen said. 

“Surely, no need to worry about it. Still, what if it has come happened? I meant our princess fell in love with him, what then? She wanted to find her man herself.” Minister Meadowlark asked.  

“Then I will reconsider if it has come to, but he is a Christian. So, their love for each other is forbidden. Even so, I get frustrated to see her patty sad face. Besides, I have invited everyone for a royal gala to officially represent our lord as Emunah’s husband-to-be.” She stated. Come with me, please, my old friend.” she declared. 

Minister Meadowlark nodded as he glanced at me. After the queen of Monaco marched away, I walked next to them. 

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 10.07.2023

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