Okay, I just had to add another flashback. I thought it was entertaining and informational to know about what happened in the past. I am so sorry for the late update. I just need a new laptop mine is on the verge of breaking and it can be any day now. I will try to hurry up before then.
After a while in the sewer we found our way back to the top. The men seemed to have disappeared we found our way back to the car. Surprisingly it still worked after Jonathan crashed it. They pushed the car back and onto the road.
Rick was driving us to our next destination while I sat next to him with Jon and Ardeth sat in the back. The sun was starting to rise as we left the city.
Unknowingly, I reached over the seat and grabbed onto Rick's hand. He squeezed mine in his. To say that it took a mummy coming back to life to get us back together was comical. We would always love each other no matter what happened in the past. I regret leaving, but I thought I was doing what was best.
"Rick?" he grunted keeping his eyes on the road. "Do you remember the first time that we snuck out? We ended up drunk lying in a fountain by the end of the night."
He chuckled at the memory. "Yeah, I remember. You were quiet the drinker."
"That's the night that I knew that I loved you." I felt his hand squeeze mine.
Flashback:
It's been about four weeks since Rick decided to stay. Well more like me being persistent along with Melanie. We both had different reasons as to why. Mrs. Everest didn't want to see him on the streets getting into trouble. My reason was because I was starting to develop feelings for him. Ever since that first night I met him, I've been getting these weird feelings around him.
When I told Melanie, she almost shrieked with delight. But the aftermath of me telling her was way worst. She gave me the talk, the one that parents give their children when they reach a certain age. I was not amused.
But today I was in the stables feeding my horse and the other camels. Mr. Everest used them when he went exploring. I was hesitant to go with them because of what happened with my parents last time.
"Zee," I heard someone call my name. Rick was standing in the open gate to the stables.
"Hi Rick, what are you doing here?" I asked him once he made it to the open door of Bell's stall.
He shrugged his shoulders, "Just wondering what the princess was doing."
I rolled my eyes at the name. "I am no princess. They just want me to be happy you know."
"Whatever you say." He walked up behind me as I closed the gate now finished for the day. As I locked the door he wrapped his arms around my waist. My eyes widened at the touch. Of course this was usual for Rick, but I always get this feeling in my stomach. "Now that my African Princess," my face heated up at the name, "is finished we can finally go out."
I quickly turned around with his arms still around me. "Go out? Where?"
He laughed at my excitement. "Well in the city of Cairo."
"Oh I don't think they would let me go. They say it's very dangerous at night."
"Well who said they have to know about it."
I was going to get into so much trouble for this. He was very tempting and I was a curious person. I had one of my dresses that I wore for special occasions with some flats. I looked in the mirror satisfied with the choice even though my hair was tough to work with.
The sun would be setting soon and we would like to be in the city by the time it set. I told everyone that I was retiring early because I felt bad.
I grabbed my coin bag and hurried out the door to meet Rick outside.
He stood in the back of the house with the light from the window shining on him. His hair was over his eyes as he stared at the ground. My heart was beating a mile a minute. I cleared my throat to get his attention.
His head snapped up. "Ready?" I asked him. He just nodded his head, but didn't move. "You okay?"
"…Yeah, you look… beautiful." My eyes instantly went to the dress. It wasn't that much. Rick was now standing in front of me. He gently lifted my face, "Do not doubt yourself."
"Is this all a part of your charm Mr. O'Connell?" I stepped closer to him.
He smirked, "Is it working?"
He was about to slip his arm around my waist, but I quickly backed away smiling. "We have to get going before someone figure out that we're gone."
On foot it took us about twenty minutes to reach the city. We couldn't risk taking one of the camels or my horse so we just walked.
This was very different from life in America. Where we lived there were more people out at night. Here everyone was inside with their families or having fun elsewhere. The dancers, flappers, would be in a lot of places at night from what Matthew would tell me. Now I was doing something on my own with Rick.
Once we reached a certain part of town he grabbed my hand and dragged me into a small building. It sat between two big ones. But once inside you could see a larger capacity. Several tables were spread out. There were a good amount of people in the room. And by the looks of it they were mostly American among other races.
"How did you find this place?" I asked him as we made it to the bar.
"Before you found me I used to come here. I stumbled upon this place running from some people." he flagged down the bartender.
The older Egyptian had a smile on his face. "It's been a while since I last saw you, O'Connell." He then turned to me, "And who is this lovely flower?"
"This is my friend, Aziza. We came to celebrate to good life." Rick said. I was a little disappointed being called friend, but we were.
"You came to the right place, Aziza. My name is Ammon and welcome to my castle." he stretched his arms out. "The first rounds are on me." Ammo took a bottle from the back and took out three shot glasses. He poured dark liquor into them. We each picked one up. "To good life," we all through back out heads and downed the shot.
"Eh!" I made a face, "What is that?" Rick laughed and patted my shoulder.
"A first time drinker. Do not worry, by the time you're finished you'll thank me."
And I did thank him. After an hour I found myself dancing with an American dancing to upbeat music. We twisted and turned while laughing. Rick was talking to some other people that he knew. I giggled when I was passed over to someone else. The last time I danced like this was before my parents died.
I felt free and happy again. As the music slowed down I thanked the men and walked back to Rick. "That was wonderful. I wished you showed me this place sooner."
He threw an arm around my shoulder, "I don't think your family would like that."
"Well we can get another drink then get back home." I say and hurry over to the bar. "Ammon can you give us something for the rode?"
He chuckled, "Of course." he disappeared in the back room for a moment. He came back with a flask. "Be safe, Aziza. There are dangers out there."
"Thank you again. I'll be back again." I handed him some money from my pouch.
Rick was standing right behind me. "Ready?" I nodded my head and placed my arms around his waist thanking him for the night.
Later I found myself almost drinking what was left in the flask when he snatched it from my hands. "That's enough for you."
I pouted and whined, "I wasn't finished," I then narrowed my eyes at him. He shrugged his shoulder and kept walking. Without another thought I snatched it from his hand. Before he could say anything I took off running in the opposite direction.
At this time of night no one was out. I ran past buildings and laughed while Rick chased me. Up ahead I could see a fountain. I ran closer to go around it, but I tripped.
I could feel the water surrounding me. Quickly, I got up more sober then before. I gasped for air since I fell in by surprise. I spit out the water and coughed out water.
I moved my hair from my face and I could hear laughing. Rick was bent over laughing at me. "That's… what you… get." He came up to the side of the fountain.
"Well if you simply let me have my fun I wouldn't be like this." I retorted. He just laughed more now. Fine, if he wanted to be that way. "Just get me out of here." I hid my smirk and held out my hand.
"You look like a drowned rat." He mocked me.
"Well so do you." He looked confused as I grabbed his hand then pulled him.
The look on his face was priceless. He jumped out of the water just like I had. When he realized what had happened he glared at me as if to kill me. I laughed, loudly. Now we were both soaked and cold. At night the temperature diminished drastically. The alcohol was fading and I could feel the chill. It caused me to start shaking.
He noticed it and moved closer to me. "You okay?"
"Other than trying not to freeze I'm fine."
He wrapped his arms around me. Even if he was soaked too I could feel the heat of his skin. I leaned my head back to look up at him. I held my breath seeing the expression in his eyes. In his were so blue and mesmerizing.
Suddenly and slowly he placed a hand on my cheek. I closed my eyes taking in the feeling of his other hand going around my waist. Never have I ever been so close to another like this. In that moment I could feel something soft touch my lips. I stayed still for a moment not knowing what to do.
He pulled back after a few seconds and leaned his head against mine. "I've wanted to do that for a while."
My voice was a bit shaky, "Well let's make up for lost time."
He smirked and leaned back in to kiss me. I wrapped my hands around his neck. I wasn't cold anymore. I was too happy.
End Flashback:
Rick pulled me closer to his side and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "When this is over we are going to leave. We are going to get far away from here."
"Definitely." I snuggled into his side. We were going to save Evy and get out of here. I don't know where, but Egypt will be the last place on our minds.
Sorry, I just finished writing on another computer. I hope no one is upset about the delay. I will try to get the next chapter up soon.