ABOUT THIS BOOK
Description
The Luxurious Neighborhood
It is a neighborhood in the heart of Cairo, inhabited by wealthy elites, surrounded by well-structured and elegant houses, including the house of Muhammad Realwan, one of the grandest in the area.
The property is massive, with three multi-story buildings. From the entrance gate to the main parlour, the layout shows the grandeur of the compound. The main parlour contains every luxury and decoration imaginable; anyone inside could feel like they were in another world, far from the ordinary.
The walls are covered with black panels, with a large electric chandelier above, bright lights, cooling fans, and a luxurious round dining table with elegant chairs. Surrounding the parlour are white chairs with black detailing. Besides the kitchen, a single servant’s quarters, and the laundry, there is no other room in the parlour.
The upper floors house two rooms and a parlour each. Alhaji Realwan built this grand house for his children, Aliyu and Samir, and for himself when visiting the country. Samir’s layout mirrors Aliyu’s; everything inside is identical.
The Young Woman’s Arrival
A young woman sat on a chair in the parlour, extremely intimidated by its size. She clutched herself in the shadows of the room, hungry since her arrival the previous day, having eaten no substantial meal. She remembered the journey and how everything had seemed different from what her parents had described.
As the plane ascended, she tried to find the smile that had once been on her father’s face but could not. Her expression turned stormy, almost like a wild lioness. She rested her head on his shoulder, glancing up at him. He didn’t move, his attention partly elsewhere, fiddling with his phone as if no one else existed. The scent of his cologne mixed with the natural smell of his skin comforted her; she exhaled in relief. Yet, she sensed his heart was filled with frustration at her presence.
The young woman eventually drifted to sleep with her head on his shoulder, unaware of how much time had passed.
Settling into the House
Upon arrival in Cairo, the company car and escort awaited their arrival. Aliyu Muhammad Realwan went ahead, and the young woman adjusted her handbag and followed, knowing her movements mattered in such a setting. The escort approached respectfully, opened the house for him, and he entered, straightening his suit. She followed quickly, placing herself carefully to avoid inconveniencing him.
Inside, she observed the meticulous arrangement of the house, reflecting the influence of his Manchester United club connections. She stayed in the parlour while he moved upstairs. Observing him at the window, adjusting curtains, she noticed his focus was intense, almost military-like.
He instructed her sharply to leave the room. She complied, watching him move to the parlour behind her, carrying his large bags, switching off the lights, and locking the parlour door, leaving her to spend the night alone on a long chair.
Later, he entered the kitchen, fetched a cold bottle of water, and sprayed it over her as she slept, startling her awake. When she opened her eyes, he immediately turned his gaze onto her, then placed drinks, snacks, and cake on the chair beside her. She watched silently, her mind processing his indifference and the overwhelming luxury of the environment.
Even that day, he left early and returned late at night. She felt tense awaiting his arrival. When she finally saw his car, the light from his phone illuminated the parlour. He stood like a soldier, and despite the dim light, she could admire the sharp features of his face—harsh yet commanding, exuding authority, leaving her both awed and uneasy.
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