Chapter 2

One week later, they were getting ready for their departure. "Hon, did you bring my favorite pajama?" James asked.

"Of course dear,"

James took the suitcases and brought them downstairs.

Meanwhile, Haley had already tied her hair, and when she had finished knitting, Kyle suddenly came inside her room.

"Haley, mom said that you are looking for these?" Kyle said while holding the amulet pendant. She couldn't believe when she saw it.

"How did it gone to you? I'm desperately looking for it!" She said furrowing her brows.

"You left it in the bath room a few days ago, so I took it, I almost threw it away, what are you going to do in it anyway?" Kyle said, and he threw the pendant to Haley, and she caught it by her right hand. Haley felt a sense of relief when she had the pendant. "I just want to bring it there, maybe I will know the meaning of these symbols,"

"Ok then, its only a toy anyway!" Kyle said and he turned away. Haley glanced at the pendant and couldn't understand why she felt so strange to it. Later on, she heard her mother calling her.

"Haley, were going!"

"Yes mom, I'll be down in a minute!" Haley called out, then she put the necklace inside her bag. They met Allen with his family at the airport.

The arrival of the Robertson's family in Egypt.

When they arrived in Cairo, Egypt, they greeted by a male tourist guide. "Welcome to Egypt! My name is Banjo, and I am your tour guide!"

They were boarded in a tourist van with 'Castle House' written on it, he will tour them a bit in the city before going to the castle house. While in the van, the guide talk to them about all the things on the way as well as other aspects of their tour that may interest them.

"These are Egyptian's currency, you might like to buy some souvenirs," said James and Allen to their children. When they arrived in the city, they all went down for a walk and shopping. Their eyes are set on the strange environment of Egypt. There are unique infrastructure buildings and there are so many vendors on the sidewalk selling of any kind, and they enter an arcade with many sellers inside.

Haley looked for a sale, and she found a pocketbook with titled "The Castle House" she finds it interesting, so she bought it. Then after a few minutes of shopping, she heard her mother calls her.

"Haley, lets go!"

"I'm coming mom!"

They all returned to where the tourist van was parked.

"We are now going to the city of Horeb, to the castle house!" The tour guide Banjo said lively. Haley felt a strange feeling. While traveling, Haley presents her purchased book to her cousin Chloe.

"Chloe, look at this pocketbook that I bought,"

"May I see?" Chloe looks at the cover and read the title. "The Castle House? Isn't that where we're going?"

"Yes, that's why I liked it, sounds interesting right?"

"It's old isn't it?"

"Yeah I bought it from the antique store,"

As they traveled, they enjoy the scenery and passed by the great pyramid.

...

Then, after a couple of hours drive, they had to cross the desert.

And they reached where the castle house is located. And while on their way, they overlook the huge castle house, and everyone was feeling excited. And they got off the van, Banjo took them to the lake beside the castle house.

"This lake is so amazing!" Allen said with astonishment.

"You can swim or boating there anytime you want, the water was fresh and crystal clear!" Said the tour guide Banjo.

Afterwards, they are about to enter the castle house, and everyone was feeling excited, as they entered they were amazed at the beauty of it. "Welcome to castle house!" said the tourist guide lively, some servants open its huge doors for them. The lobby has warm and light golden-yellow color tones, that symbolize the worship of God of ancient Egypt. The interior was unique in style with powerful beauty of ancient Egyptian civilization. The ancient chandelier was magnificent hanging at the high ceiling. There's a large fountain in the center of the lobby. And many miniature seals swimming and basking around on it. There's a grand winding staircase side by side and facing each other. In the living room, there are large couches and elegant center table. The wall has ancient Egyptian

hieroglyphs, paintings and canopies in bright colors tones. The entire room brought them exotic charm and luxury. Beautiful chairs and small benches, made of dark wood with carved ornaments displayed. Egyptian style furniture decorated with enamel, mother of pearl, gilding and inlay.

Their eyes are wide open for those unique ornaments and artifacts displayed anywhere. Like Egyptian statues of birds, animals, deities and mythological creatures, vases and rugs that comes from the world of pharaohs. And the most noticeable was the ancient armaments like a sphere attached on the reeds. "What are those for?" Jazzy asked curiously as she looked at the sphere.

"Oh, maybe the Egyptian warriors probably used that, as I have seen in Hollywood movies!" Kyle said in astonishment.

"Yeah I think so, some kind of interesting isn't?"

"But why is it here in every corner?" Chloe wondered.

"That's just a display." Oliver said.

They continued walking around the castle house.

There are different kinds of statues like Egyptian Gods in the corners, there are also large portraits of ancient Egyptians on the walls.

As they enjoyed looking around ..... suddenly, there's five beautiful women approaching, wearing their native Egyptian garments. They wear sheath dresses which were known as a Kalasiris.

Their dresses went down to the ankles and were held up by straps around the shoulders. They bowed their heads to them. "They will be your servants for your entire stay here in the castle house," Banjo proudly said. "This is great!" Kyle exclaimed with excitement. Then suddenly, another woman came.

She is the most beautiful of them all, her hair was a rich shade of mahagony. It flowed in waves to adorn her glowing, porcelain-like skin. Her eyes, framed by long lashes, were a bright, emerald-green and seemed to brighten the world. A straight nose, full lips - she seemed the picture of perfection. Had she smiled, the world would sigh with contentment. The girl was stunningly gorgeous, like a painting of a goddess brought to life. They were all stunned by her beauty, this woman named Abayomi. "She also serve you here," said the tourist guide Banjo.

"Wow, it's really great in here!" Oliver said excitedly as he stares at Abayomi, his girlfriend named Lena felt jelous, she furrowed her eyebrows to Oliver. Suddenly, five muscular and handsome men approaching, wearing their ancient Egyptian garments. And after a while, the last guy approaching in, he was the most handsome of them all, his name was Khazar.

He is tall as 6'4, he has a well-built muscular body. He has a long Jet black hair up to his shoulder. His frame is so firm and perfectly fit up to the cuts of his abs. His cheeks are chiseled, he has a bright blue eyes and looks so strong and seductive. His nose is perfectly symmetrical. His lips are slightly full, the kind that end in a cute little smirk at the corners. The rays of sun highlight the dimples in his cheeks and chin, he is very attractive. He is wearing a fancy wrap-around skirt called Shendyt which was tied with a belt around the waist and a light tunic with sleeves. His looks and appearance was jaw dropping. The girls were mesmerized and feel excited when they saw him.

"They are our new guests this week, the Robertson's family, give them what they need," says Banjo to them.

They stooped down and smiled, Haley noticed a small name plate on Khazar's chest, has inscribed with his name "Khazar", Haley remembered his name instantly.

"Just call them at the intercom if you need them. They will serve you right away. Your one week staying here will include breakfast, lunch and diner to be served at the dining room and there are so much more," Banjo said happily. He toured them around the castle house. "This castle house, is one of the oldest landmarks in Egypt that still exist, believed it or not, this is now owned by the descendant of Ammon. They renovated this yearly ever since before, it was turned into a Hotel, because many people wanted to come in, since no one lives here," Banjo said.

"Do you know who is Ammon?" Chloe mumbled to Haley.

"It seems that I have heard his name in Egyptian mythology," Haley whispered to Chloe's ears. "If it is a Myth, that means that's not true right?" she asked.

"Yeah it's a fictional character," said Haley. The tour guide over heard them. "There is a saying that Ammon was real, he is the richest man in all Egypt, maybe the whole world, he is the descendant of the owner of this castle house," Banjo said. They went to the other part of the castle house where Ammon's large portrait was placed. "That is Ammon, but that picture is based solely on stories of his appearance before," Banjo said.

Haley was startled by the picture frame and noticed that it was resembled Khazar.

They moved to the other frame, and they were shocked when they saw Ammon is fighting a man with a jackal head.

"My gosh! What is that?" Jazzy exclaimed.

"According to the history, he dealt with the Anubis, and he became their God, and he brought them back to the underworld!" Banjo said.

"What a history of its owner, like in Hollywood movie!" Kyle said as he laughed.

"Do you believe in that kind of history?" Haley asked the tour guide.

"Whether is it true or not, only the (owner) of this castle house can tell, it's up to people if they want to believe," Banjo said. "After all, maybe that is their strategy so that people will talk about this castle house?" Her father James mumbled. The tourist guide just smiled, because he also didn't believe that there was Anubis who were exists in the past.

After they had toured a few around the castle. Banjo were now taken them to their room of each of everyone, and they went up to the winding staircase. Haley was supposed to be helped by her father, but she refused.

"I'm okay dad, I can go up there by myself,"

"Be careful, its too high,"

As they go up, Haley look back at Khazar who was left down the stairs, he is staring at her. Haley fell in love the first time she saw him. But she thought that it is impossible for him to like her because of her disability. She just ignored her feeling with him.

When they reached the top, Banjo showed them their rooms, and everyone was delighted.

After a while, Banjo said he is going to leave, he would return on the next day for their tour.

Haley and Chloe shared a room together.

The room walls are a deep, royal purple and inlaid with patterns spanning floor to ceiling, seeming to be made of goldleaf. In the center is the largest bed they have ever seen, with silken sheets and curtains of a soft light purple coloration. On the bedstand is a vase of lavender, and its scent permeates the entirety of the room.

"This room is so fantastic, and smells so good!" Haley said happily.

"I know right, magnificent! this will be my best vacation ever! I'm just reading this at the magazines, but now we're here!" Chloe exclaimed.

"The ambiance was so cool here, its like we are in ancient times,"

"Yeah, anyway, did you noticed the stewards? They are all good looking, especially the other one, he is strikingly handsome! he looks so mysterious but tempting! I even forgot to ask his name, oh!" Chloe sighed.

"I know his name, it was Khazar,"

"Huh? You knew already? You are so fast!" she laughed.

"Did you not noticed that he had a small name plate on his chest?"

"Really? but I caught him looking at you Haley,"

"I don't think so Chloe,"

"That's what I thought, anyway let's rest now, so tiring,"

"We will have a fine dinner tonight at the grand dining area,"

"I am so excited about that, this is really cool!"

"Have some rest Chloe,"

"What about you? Don't you feel tired Haley?"

"Not quite, I will fix my belongings first,"

"Well okay then," Chloe sighed and laid down.

While arranging her things, she thought about the lake, and wanting to go there, she took out her book that she purchased, and she went outside and went beside the lake.

While she was looking the breath taking scenery, Haley feels refreshed. The lake was so quiet and very calm.

She sat on the beach chair and relaxed. The sun was still up, then she started reading the book.

"The city of Horeb was once known as The City of the Anubis, 46 B.C."

When Haley read it, she was startled.

"My gosh, this is sounds scary, but this is only a fiction anyway," she said to herself.

While she is reading, she heard a trample.

"What the?" Haley stood up and looked at where the noise was coming from. But all of a sudden, it was gone, Haley thought to go back inside. And as she turned away, she saw Khazar standing in front of her and smiling at her.

"Don't be afraid," He said gently, with his deep voice.

Haley glanced at Khazar and couldn't help but admire him for being so handsome. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a mop of long dark hair and heavy, solemn brows that were offset by a boyish grin. His eyes are sensuous and radiant like pure diamond which captures every nerve in Haley's mind. His body is firmly-built like a knight waiting to rescue her in his strong arms. He is undeniably gorgeous, but she didn't want Khazar to know that she was very attracted with him.

"I'm not afraid, I was just shocked, all of a sudden you come out there," she said.

"Oh sorry, I was here before you came, you just didn't see me, anyway I've been watching you all the while, you look like thinking so deeply?"

"Nothing, I just want to breathe some fresh air," Haley said straightening up then glanced at the lake.

"By the way my name is Khazar, what about you?" He grinned.

"I'm Haley," she smiled slightly.

"Where are you from?"

"I'm from Canada,"

"Uhm, Canadian, and I'm Egyptian, nice to meet you!"

"Oh, same here," she said coldly.

"I hope you enjoy this place, do you want me to take you in some good places here around the castle house?" Khazar smiled. But Haley was ashamed to be with him because of her disability.

"Umn…I'd like to but,"

"I'll take care of you, come on, I'll show you the beautiful view here,"

"Okay then,"

They walked beside the lake.

"I didn't imagine that there's a lake in this kind of place, near in the desert? This is so amazing! But why there so many deserts here?" Haley smiled as she gazed at the lake.

"Well, that's Egypt! The nearest one is the most visited by people, in the pyramid,"

"Oh, sounds interesting," Haley said happily and feeling good while with Khazar.

"Is this your first time here in Egypt?" He asked.

"Yeah, its my first time,"

"Oh, you must visit the Alexandria Library, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, pompeys pillar and the amphitheater or the lecture hallthen Quitbay castle, which was built on the same site of light house on Mediterranean sea, I'm sure you will love it!"

"I hope I can go there,"

"I will tour you there if you like to!" Khazar said in his deep, sexy voice.

"Really?" Haley felt amused.

Her eyes could barely focused on his face. Everytime he breathed in, the muscle on his chest rippled like a wave, every inch of him was carved like a sculpture. While their walking, suddenly, Haley was out of balance and almost stumbled, Khazar grabbed her quickly. "Ouch!"

"Be careful!"

As they held their hands, she sticks with Khazar's soft hand, and it seemed like there is a strange instinct coming through his hand, and entering inside her, Haley suddenly felt a strange feeling. And on that very moment, she wants to stay in that instinct forever. She doesn't wanna let go of Khazar's hand. Haley stared at Khazar, and she was very much attracted to his eyes. Its like the color of the sea. "I can't imagine that there's someone like him that existing in this world!" Haley said inside her.

While as stared at each other, suddenly, Abayomi arrived.

"Khazar, what are you doing here?" She doubted, then she looked at Haley.

The two turned to Abayomi, and they quickly released their hands to one another.

"Khazar, we have a lot of things to do, come!" Abayomi ordered then she gave Haley a sharped look. "Well, nice meeting you Ms. Haley, I must be going, if you need something, just call me in the intercom," Khazar smiled, and he gave Haley a jaw dropping wink.

Haley was so impressed with him, she couldn't believe that there was a type of guy like Khazar. She followed them through her eyes, she saw Khazar wrapped his arm on Abayomi's shoulder. Haley felt so much insecure.

…

Haley entered her room, and still feeling strange and amused in her brief encounter with Khazar. She lay in bed and remembered Khazar's sweet smiles, but she thought again, it would be impossible for Khazar to like her? Abayomi is like a greek goddess of beauty, while she was a lame.

At dinner, they all went down to the magnificent dining room. It had a long table and candelabras in the middle, they all sat down while the servants were serving food, one of them was Khazar. They are served by them, the youngsters have fun talking, while Haley often glanced at him. "Sumptuous food indeed!" Haley's father joyfully said.

They all enjoying feasting the sumptuous food that serves in the long table, they are all delighted, but Haley was the only one can't eat well. Because Khazar was staring at her.

Her mother Lucy noticed her. "Haley are you okay? Why don't you eat much?"

"I'm eating mom, I'm fine."

"You have to eat a lot baby, these foods are so delicious, nothing like this kind of food in Canada!" James said. Her mother Lucy looked at Khazar and saw him staring at Haley.

"Excuse me mister," Lucy nodded, and she looked at Khazar's name plate. "Khazar? Is that your name right?" Lucy asked. "Yes Madame, that's my name," He smiled then he pointed his index to his name plate.

"Anyway Khazar, will you please stop staring at my daughter, she can't eat well,"

Lucy said with furrowed eyebrows, "I'm so sorry Madame," Khazar said politely then he moves away a little. "Mom!" Haley nodded with embarrassed expression.

Soon after, Abayomi approached and called Khazar.

"Khazar, come with me, please excuse us!" Abayomi smiled slightly and they left the dining area. As they left, Haley felt uneasy for what her mother did.

"Mom, why did you do that?" Haley said anxiously. "Sweetie, I caught you looking at him constantly, that's why you can't eat well?"

"No mom!" she muttered iritately.

"Haley seems in love with the Egyptian servant," Aunt Eleanor said.

"Every girl does! Because he is strikingly handsome!" Chloe exclaimed.

Her father Allen furrowed his eyebrows to her. Then Chloe immediately turn her gazed on her food. "Yeah he is very handsome, but he is not good for Haley, they have different culture," said Lucy. "And he is too good for Haley," Eleanor retorted.

Lucy upset for what she said.

"You mean he is too good for my daughter? How dare you to say that?" Lucy retorted iritately. "I'm so sorry, I'm just kidding,"

"Stop this non sense!" James chimed in.

"Uncle James, Haley just admires Khazar, like crush," Chloe said.

"Yeah there's nothing wrong about that," Eleanor said.

Haley was speechless and felt embarrassed, she thought of going back to her room, she stood up.

"Haley you're not done yet?"

"Mom I'm full, I want to go to my room, thank's everyone for this sumptuous dinner." Haley said and went up to her room. After she left, her family talked about her.

"Haley is pitiable," Eleanor said while then shooked her head..

"How can you say that?" Lucy nodded.

"Her face was so beautiful, but its hard for her to find a boyfriend and husband in the future,"

"It's not a thing she has no hope of getting married," Lucy defends.

"Oh yeah, I mean, like now, let say it, she has a crush on that Egyptian, but....."

"You are trying to say that he will dislike my daughter because she was a lame?" Lucy says bit upset to Eleanor. "Lucy, I'm just telling the truth, that's why I feel sorry for Haley, you also have the same thought right?" she glanced to the other.

"Why are we talking about that Egyptian, we're here to enjoy," James chimed in.

"And besides, Khazar is just one of the servant here, I have a dream for Haley, she will be a successful lawyer one day," James said continously. "Your right my dear,"

"And that Egyptian being so handsome, I'm sure he doesn't even like someone with a disability, she'll just get hurt and hope for nothing," Eleanor said as she drank her glass of juice. Lucy couldn't help but not to say anything, because she thought Eleanor was right.

"Well! That kind of very good-looking guy are definitely taken, and maybe a womanizer, besides, we don't know the habits of the Egyptians, there are so many secrets!" Allen mumbled. They all laughed, and they were happy to continue to have fun while eating dinner.

....