Hera was dreading home time. It was a day after the union of her dad and Evangeline who were now on honeymoon in Mauritius. The Uzayr siblings had left already and she was last one to leave. Her check out was in an hour and her flight back to London, 4 hours after that. During the waiting period for her flight, she'd planned to spend in the airport trying to figure out some more freelancing law work.

There was no one here now except for her. Her siblings had left, her dad's associates had left and she'd tied that down to Daman also leaving. He didn't even say goodbye to her and she was okay with that. Her mind still wandered off to the conclusion that she had sorely embarrassed him that he couldn't even stand to be around her.

It was back to reality now. A horrid reality.

She officially had no roof over her head considering the eviction notice she had received and neither did she have a contingency plan. Her rent was 2 months behind as it is so there was absolutely no way of securing the same flat she currently occupied.

Her bags were packed and placed by the open door waiting for the porter to come and collect them and load them into the taxi.

Hera sat on the bed hopelessly. She stared out the window into the sunny dunes of the beautiful Bahrain. Her mind couldn't stop. She checked her phone countless times for no particular reason.

Hera had graciously declined Tina's offer because her friend didn't have to bear the burden of her. Tina was not by any means rich and Hera would not bear to feel the guilt of taking money. Additionally, there was no guarantee that she could pay back the money. So why create more debt?

The wealth Youssef possessed was in abundance yet Hera could not ask him for money. She was already a failure in all departments compared to her siblings and asking him for money would just be the cherry on top. Besides, it was his wedding and they hardly ever had time to sit and talk properly. Hera could not ruin his wedding celebrations by begging hence she decided against it. Even if she was his daughter.

A deep sigh left Hera and she picked up her phone scrolling down in her contact list. Coming to the letter 'R' she scrolled slowly until 'Ruwayda' was in view.

It wasn't Mum or Mama, just Ruwayda. They were on good terms without any animosity or anything of that sort, but each had their reason for keeping their distance.

Hera hesitantly tapped the contact and brought the phone up to her ear.

"Oh hi, Hera. How are you?" came out her mother's angelic voice.

Hera fidgeted with her fingers as she replied, "Hey you. I am well thank you. How are you and all the boys?"

"They're all good. Asim is out for groceries, and Idrees and Kai are out in the yard riding their bikes," Ruwayda said referring to her husband and 2 sons.

Hera had taken note of her mother's voice that was filled with immense happiness and she was glad for the choices that were made. For the distances that was kept. Ruwayda deserved happiness Hera had always attested for and even if that meant keeping herself away.

It wasn't a conventional mother-daughter relationship by any means. To Ruwayda, Hera was just Hera and vice versa. Ruwayda was just Ruwayda.

Ruwayda was barely 20 when Hera was born and it was during the peak of divorce with Youssef. It was tough for her in all aspects - emotionally, physically, financially and mentally and adding a baby to the mix was disastrous.

Youssef was hardly present in any of his children's lives but he was the provider and the mothers were the caretakers. But not in Hera's case.

The nannies, staff and house Youssef had provided for Hera was everything and beyond. Hence, in the rattled state of being 20 and divorced, Ruwayda had hardly checked up on her daughter. It wasn't intentional, but Ruwayda loved Youssef with every fibre of her being. Unfortunately his womanizing tendencies were a deal breaker. Recovering from heartbreak was her priority and post-partum depression had hit her badly.

She was in absolutely no condition to look after a newborn without a support structure so she decided to take some time off. Ruwayda had went back to her parents who lived in Wales but then she met Asim and she had never felt as rejuvenated as she did.

As neglectful as Ruwayda was, she checked up on Hera every once in a while and as the years went passed an Hera understood where she was coming from.

Hera knew that every time Ruwayda looked at her she was reminded of the pain and aches she had went through and Hera hated to be the reminder of that. Therefore they lived separately, Hera was fine in Manchester with the nannies and staff while Ruwayda was healing along with Asim at her side in Wales.

"The boys must be so big now," Hera smiled into the phone. She had met them once in her life along with Asim when they came to London for a family holiday and stopped by to visit Hera.

Ruwayda laughed into the phone, "They are humongous, they're already so tall!"

Idle chatter had happened between them until Hera burst out in tears, unable to control her fleeting emotions.

"I need some help. I need money," Hera sobbed into the phone breaking all of her reservations.

Ruwayda had stilled on the other line wondering what just happened. "Money? What's going on?"

Hera was wailing like an infant but she was so lost and alone that it came naturally to her on many occasions. "I lost my job, and now I'm in credit card debt. I got an eviction notice too. I need help. Please."

"Please mum. Help me." It was the first time ever in her entire life that she had referred to Ruwayda as mum. But that was what Hera was craving for - a mother's hug and reassurance that everything will be fine.

Ruwayda was momentarily shocked unsure how to handle the situation. "Oh Hera, why don't you come and stay with me and Asim while you get back on your feet. The outhouse is free and-"

"I don't even have money for a train ticket!" Hera had officially lost all inhibitions but it was expected in that situation.

Hera's breath had rapidly increased before she apologized for her outburst and quickly cut the call. Wiping her tears away and composing herself, she checked the time and realised that she needed to check out. She grabbed her handbag and stood up ready to go but as she looked up with teary eyes, she halted.

There by the open door stood the duke with a hard look on his face.

It was evident that he had heard everything.

"I-I thought you had left," Hera let out shakily.

Daman was at a loss for words. He had heard everything and now he was wondering what to do. What Hera was going to do.

He entered the room clad in a pair of jeans and a light blue polo t-shirt. The duke looked absolutely handsome with his curly hair falling on his forehead. He placed his jacket on the sofa and closed the door behind him.

"I was just going to leave, the taxi would be waiting down for me..." She said to the duke and trailed off uncomfortably.

Daman was a little pissed at her. Why hadn't she told him anything? But then again, there was no obligation from her side to tell him anything at all.

They both stood their in silence for a few seconds and Daman's brain was working a mile per minute. It seems that he had to take the reign now. Maybe his initial plan was meant to be. It was the only beneficial way he saw for her.

Although, he could pay her rent for her and get her a job but he didn't want to do that now. He needed help and she needed help too.

"Where were you going to stay?" Daman let out in a harsh voice. He couldn't decipher why he was so angry, but he was even though he had no right to act this way towards her.

All he's heard was a private conversation that was not meant for his ears and now he was acting upon it.

Hera shrugged. If he'd already heard everything, then the least she could do is be honest now. "I was going to figure out some freelancing, then see where that goes. I still have a week left until I need to move."

Daman nodded at her and crossed his arms on his chest. He was once again contemplating his plan. He'd completely disregarded it after that eventful night but now he couldn't get faster into working out the pros and cons in his head.

"Why are you here?" asked Hera in a small voice before shaking her head. "I'm sorry, nevermind. I need to leave now."

"I came to say goodbye to you and perhaps steal a kiss if my luck allowed it," Daman admitted in blatant honesty, "But now, I'm not sure if the former still stands."

Hera was confused at Daman. What did he mean?

Before she could ask him anything, Daman had walked over to the landline and dialed for the reception. "Please cancel the taxi for room 148 and have the luggage sent up to the presidential suite."

Daman then turned to Hera as he picked up his jacket. "Let us go up to my suite."

Hera was wondering what was happening. He'd cancelled her taxi and moved her luggage into his suite. "Why?"

"I want to talk with you. I may have a solution to your issues."