take care of you both. Khalid is only twelve. And if you left right now, think about what that would do to Mom.â
âI know. I just hate this.â
âIâll do what I can, I promise,â swore Basra.
The sisters spoke a few more minutes and then disconnected. Basraâs stomach was churning and her eyes were red from crying. She stretched her long body across the bed for a few minutes while tossing and turning. Eventually, she rose and knocked on Luciaâs door. Basra knew what she had to do, and for the first time, no longer cared what anyone thought.
âWhatâs wrong?â Lucia asked.
âI really hope itâs not too late for the horseshoe party.â
Chapter 5
Lucia, Basra, and three other ladies arrived by boat on Isla de sa Ferradura on that Saturday morning. Basra was overwhelmed by the beauty of the island.
âIt looks like a painting,â she kept commenting to Lucia, who was also in awe.
As Basra walked on to the property, she was overcome with joy, feeling so blessed for the opportunity. Yet, in that same breath of gratification, she wondered about the consequence and questioned whether this good fortune was indeed good. Her mom used to say a great fortune can be a great slavery. Was she tangled in a weave that would be impossible to escape?
Basra glanced at Lucia, who was chatting with the other girls about the beauty of the mountainous cliffs. They seemed totally blissful with no worries or cares. But was it all an act? Were they any different from people who worked a nine-to-five and hated their jobs, but had to come into work each day with a smile so they could make ends meet? Everyone had to pretend at some point and time just to get by, and this was her moment on stage. Basra wandered a few feet away, gazed into the waters, and said a quiet prayer.
âGod, let your will be done, protect and watch over me,â she whispered.
Over her shoulders she heard more voices on the pontoon. The staff was coming to escort them into the hacienda.
âCome on, Basra,â called Lucia.
âWelcome to paradise,â said one of the ladies.
The private island, which was situated just off Ibiza in the beautiful bay of San Miguel, had a beautiful hacienda, accommodated fourteen people, and was equipped with a spa, fitness center, elegant dining quarters, and a beauty salon.
Each of the ladies placed their bags in their rooms and walked on to the north terrace.
âMy name is Yasmina, and I will be your maidservant this weekend. These are my assistants, Annisia and Sofia. If you need anything, feel free to call upon one of us. We have made appointments in the beauty center for each of you, so please enjoy, and welcome to paradise.â
The ladies followed the staff to the salon where Basra was treated to a facial, manicure, and pedicure. Lucia opted for the spa and relaxed with a warm basalt stone massage. In a few hours the ladies were primped and prepped to meet their hosts, a group of international steel magnates who rented the island that weekend. The women were asked to meet the men in the laguna garden and so they changed into swimsuits and lounge attire.
âThis looks like the Garden of Eden,â said Lucia to Basra as they gazed at the cascading waterfall that emptied into the huge lagoon-shaped pool.
âAnd those must be the serpents,â Basra whispered while pointing to the steel moguls sitting around the pool.
âStop it. Be pleasant,â Lucia said.
The women were introduced to the five men and for the first hour they all had fun mingling and dipping into the cool waters. Basra didnât want to dip in the pool because she wanted her straight hair to last as long as possible. However, the Mediterranean mist was already curling her edges. She continued to look at the beautiful waterfall and finally couldnât resist any longer. She untied her sarong and splashed into the blue waters. For a second, she almost forgot about
âI know. I just hate this.â
âIâll do what I can, I promise,â swore Basra.
The sisters spoke a few more minutes and then disconnected. Basraâs stomach was churning and her eyes were red from crying. She stretched her long body across the bed for a few minutes while tossing and turning. Eventually, she rose and knocked on Luciaâs door. Basra knew what she had to do, and for the first time, no longer cared what anyone thought.
âWhatâs wrong?â Lucia asked.
âI really hope itâs not too late for the horseshoe party.â
Chapter 5
Lucia, Basra, and three other ladies arrived by boat on Isla de sa Ferradura on that Saturday morning. Basra was overwhelmed by the beauty of the island.
âIt looks like a painting,â she kept commenting to Lucia, who was also in awe.
As Basra walked on to the property, she was overcome with joy, feeling so blessed for the opportunity. Yet, in that same breath of gratification, she wondered about the consequence and questioned whether this good fortune was indeed good. Her mom used to say a great fortune can be a great slavery. Was she tangled in a weave that would be impossible to escape?
Basra glanced at Lucia, who was chatting with the other girls about the beauty of the mountainous cliffs. They seemed totally blissful with no worries or cares. But was it all an act? Were they any different from people who worked a nine-to-five and hated their jobs, but had to come into work each day with a smile so they could make ends meet? Everyone had to pretend at some point and time just to get by, and this was her moment on stage. Basra wandered a few feet away, gazed into the waters, and said a quiet prayer.
âGod, let your will be done, protect and watch over me,â she whispered.
Over her shoulders she heard more voices on the pontoon. The staff was coming to escort them into the hacienda.
âCome on, Basra,â called Lucia.
âWelcome to paradise,â said one of the ladies.
The private island, which was situated just off Ibiza in the beautiful bay of San Miguel, had a beautiful hacienda, accommodated fourteen people, and was equipped with a spa, fitness center, elegant dining quarters, and a beauty salon.
Each of the ladies placed their bags in their rooms and walked on to the north terrace.
âMy name is Yasmina, and I will be your maidservant this weekend. These are my assistants, Annisia and Sofia. If you need anything, feel free to call upon one of us. We have made appointments in the beauty center for each of you, so please enjoy, and welcome to paradise.â
The ladies followed the staff to the salon where Basra was treated to a facial, manicure, and pedicure. Lucia opted for the spa and relaxed with a warm basalt stone massage. In a few hours the ladies were primped and prepped to meet their hosts, a group of international steel magnates who rented the island that weekend. The women were asked to meet the men in the laguna garden and so they changed into swimsuits and lounge attire.
âThis looks like the Garden of Eden,â said Lucia to Basra as they gazed at the cascading waterfall that emptied into the huge lagoon-shaped pool.
âAnd those must be the serpents,â Basra whispered while pointing to the steel moguls sitting around the pool.
âStop it. Be pleasant,â Lucia said.
The women were introduced to the five men and for the first hour they all had fun mingling and dipping into the cool waters. Basra didnât want to dip in the pool because she wanted her straight hair to last as long as possible. However, the Mediterranean mist was already curling her edges. She continued to look at the beautiful waterfall and finally couldnât resist any longer. She untied her sarong and splashed into the blue waters. For a second, she almost forgot about
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