Bought by The Sheikh: Their marriage would be a real one, in every way. by Clare Connelly

of the statuesque and rotund senior citizen was perfect. In the end, it was simply a matter of helping her send an email. Julia waited until she’d heard it go into the mystical ether and headed back upstairs. The door was wide open, but Georgie was just standing on the threshold. Slowly, she turned around, and her face was almost split in two with the most ridiculous smile Julia had ever seen. “What in the world has got into you?” Julia asked, curious. “Just… look.” Georgina stepped aside to allow her best friend access to the apartment. Or what used to be her apartment. Now it looked like the escape plan for every long stemmed red rose that feared a death in captivity. “What the heck?” She pushed into the apartment, overwhelmed by the sweet fragrance the roses lent the atmosphere. She spun around, but every single surface was covered in vases and pots of roses. She walked from the lounge room to the kitchen, then the dining room, and finally to her bedroom. Her Laura Ashley quilt cover was barely visible beneath the thick blanket of red roses. There was only one man capable of such a lavish gesture. With her heart racing, she ran back into the lounge, calling out, “Zayn?” “I found this.” Georgie was fingering a shiny grey envelope. The writing on the front was bold and cursive, and she recognized it instantly. Unsteadily, she took the envelope, casting her friend a look of disbelief as she lifted the triangle tab and slid the thick cardstock rectangle out. “Trust. Respect. C