Everyone was astonished by what transpired that night when the sheikh mistreated his housemaid and abruptly declared, “I’ll marry you if you wear this dress to the party tonight.”
The evening reception was being prepared in Sheikh Khaled’s spacious marble ballroom. As they set up tables, decorated the columns, and hung crystal garlands, workers rushed back and forth.
Leila, a huge, humble woman in her forties, worked quietly and discreetly as a housemaid. Nobody ever listened to her.
On that particular day, however, a mannequin dressed in an opulent crimson dress stood in the middle of the hall and caught everyone’s attention. It had a train and was form-fitting and thin.
It was purchased by Sheikh Khaled for his new partner. The cost of the outfit was equal to that of a house. To dazzle the guests that night, he had ordered it from a high-end couturier.
Leila stopped inadvertently as she walked by with a tray of glasses. The outfit was silky, shining, and incredibly beautiful—like a work of art. The slight touch of her palm against the silk went unnoticed by her.
However, the sheikh entered the hall at that same moment.
Why are you doing this? – He spoke loudly and angrily.
The glass nearly fell, the tray trembled, and Leila jerked.
— I apologize. I was simply
— You just touched a dress that’s more expensive than your whole life? He stepped closer and snarled. Behind him, his girlfriend and two other women were already giggling and putting their hands over their faces.
— I didn’t intend to It’s simply breathtaking.
Gorgeous? — he snorted. You’re using your hands to contaminate it. Are you even aware of the cost of just one fold of this fabric?
Leila looked down.
The sheikh then chose to put on a show because he was enjoying the attention:
What do you know? There are two choices. First, you give me the dress’s worth. Now.
Behind him, the women erupted in laughing. This was amusement for them.
“Or the second option,” he said, pausing for everyone to hear, “you wear this dress tonight at the party.”
Already, the women were giggling uncontrollably.
Even louder, he added:
And I’ll marry you if you dare to wear this attire! Tomorrow morning!
The laughter grew louder.
Leila reddened so much that she thought her skin may catch fire. The outfit was three sizes too small. She refused to even put her arm in. It was blatantly brutal shaming.
“So?” the sheikh asked sternly. You will be in debt to me for the rest of your life unless you wear it.
Leila muttered:
— I I’ll give it some thought.
But everyone had already left, so nobody heard.
Leila had a lump in her throat the entire day following the humiliation in the hallway. She was aware that she wouldn’t only look awful in a dress that big, but she wouldn’t be able to fit into it.
After completing her task in the evening, Leila walked discreetly to the home seamstress. The old woman consented to assist her.
The main hall was packed with people that night. Standing in the middle, the sheikh was sure he was going to see the most hilarious performance of the evening. As everyone laughed, he could almost picture Leila, panting and looking foolish as she tried to fit into the outfit.
Lifting his drink, he declared loudly:
— Gentlemen and ladies! Leila will soon be joining us. I hope you’re all set!
As the guests whispered, the doors began to gently open.
Everyone fell silent. Leila entered.
She was wearing the red dress, but it was ingeniously concealed with silk ribbons because it was split open from the neckline all the way down.
A flawless silhouette from the front, as though the dress had been made especially for her. From the rear, a clever structure became a chic designer feature.
It didn’t appear “torn” at all; rather, it appeared to be a high-end evening gown that had been specifically constructed that way.
The sheikh’s face went white. He was anticipating a circus. He had anticipated being humiliated. Rather, he experienced an affect so potent that, in comparison to Leila, even his own partner appeared bland.
