I didn’t mean to… it’s just so beautiful…

— Beautiful? — he snorted. — You’re dirtying it with your hands. Do you even know how much one single fold in this fabric costs?

Leila lowered her gaze.

And then the sheikh, enjoying the attention, decided to make a show out of it:

 

— You know what? Two options. FIRST: you pay me the value of the dress. Right now.

The women behind him burst into laughter. For them, this was entertainment.

— Or the SECOND option… — he paused so everyone could hear — you wear this dress tonight at the party.

The women were already doubled over with laughter.

He added even louder:

— And if you dare show up wearing this dress — I’ll marry you! Tomorrow morning!

The laughter intensified.

Leila blushed so deeply it seemed her skin might start smoking. The dress was three sizes too small. She wouldn’t even get her arm in. It was obvious, cruel humiliation.