Chapter 7

• “What was the reason for the retorts in his body?” He still didn't know, but the only thing that was clear to him was, that for a woman to generate this kind of reaction in him, was a novelty.
• It was absolutely clear that, after that Bedouin war in his beloved desert, his life had changed from day to night, not only because of the worry that added to his shoulders but also because of the dissatisfaction with his body.
• Saeed, along with his most indispensable men, had been ambushed as someone daggered his back in the dark ruining the trust. Willing to negotiate at his father's command with his Bedouin clan, they were victims of an attack, with explosive mines, the people along with him who traveled to the desert, were seriously wounded.
• Many of his men died and some were left with wounds that damaged parts of their bodies and even permanent immobility of limbs, and in his case, some burns that left scars.
• But that was not the most important thing for Saeed, the scars for him were only a reminder of how blessed he was to be alive, however, on this incident they had taken the focus off him.
• A few days later as the Sheikh's son, he was provided with thorough examinations and the doctor pinpointed the region where he suffered the major incursion on his body, which was on his right leg, pelvis, and torso. The doctor was a confidential man of his father's and it was very easy for both of them to talk without having any cover-ups in between.
• “My lord, I'm sorry to have to give you this news....”
• “What is it, Mali?”
• “I... sir... the burns and the shock...”
• “Mali...” Saeed asked rudely, making it direct.
• “Sir..., you won't be able to beget... there is damage that caused this evil and... I don't think there is any treatment option...”
• Saeed blinked to focus his eyes on the woman who was looking at him with concern.
• He had left all these memories behind, but, “Why was this all coming back to his memories?”
• Of course! his ante leg tightened because of the woman sitting at his front.
• Mali had said that he won't have a problem with sex, he would have a normal sex life, however, in the last few months, he had failed to make it happen naturally. He had slept with other women, yes, but he had had to work hard to get his body to have the same commitment before the attack happened.
• He had no choice but to form a short smile towards Lia, who was only waiting for a reaction from him. But just as he was about to excuse himself, she stepped forward:
• “I... didn't know it was about you, last night....” Lia was very sincere this time.
• “I know,” but the moment he saw her smile, everything fell out of place again.
• He couldn't help but roam her slender neck without any heavy jewelry or decorum, her white skin was glowing, and for heaven's sake, he wished he knew what her hair looked like. It had to be very silky, just like all of her.
• Saeed cleared his throat, averting his gaze to her slender, clasped hands as if that was where she was holding her nervousness. She had to stop, this didn't make sense, but her legs were so tense that she still couldn't explain how this could happen so... spontaneously.
• She put all her efforts into it and changed her countenance to a serious and determined one.
• “Miss James, are you ready to leave with me tomorrow morning?”
• Lia widened her eyes even more shocked than before. “What was that sudden change in the first place?” her voice, her tone, even her posture that was relaxed before, was now in tension. “What had he done?” She wondered a little fearfully, she could see the man in front a little upset.
• “Tomorrow?” was all she managed to ask.
• “Yes, tomorrow. I need to go back to my country, I think your bosses have already told you why.”
• She didn't know shit, except for his father's murder and corruption cases. She stayed up late at night to read the entire report Almer had given Mila. That was counting on the fact that she would talk to Mila as soon as she could.
• “I understand, Sir,” Lia let out a sigh, and just as she was about to ask him what time he wished them to leave, she could see that behind the Sheikh's broad shoulders, stood Almer and David Brunel.
• “God help me!”
• Both men approached the table along with the same escort that brought the others to the meeting. Both Almer and Brunel frowned as soon as they arrived, and their faces of pure fear fell as the Sheikh asked them to sit down.
• “Miss James and I will be leaving first thing tomorrow morning.....”
• Lia gave a hard swallow as they both turned to her in shock and speechless.
• “Everything is in order, Mr. Almer,” her voice faltered slightly. “I was explaining to Mr. Abdullah that the company made a small mistake in sending my colleague Mila's file....”
• Almer's lips trembled, but Brunel's face was the most shocked.
• “Sir...” Brunel turned to the sheik, perhaps to improve this situation, but by some strange situation, Saeed's manager's cell phone rang interrupting everything.
• Saeed saw the screen and had to stand up, it was Tarha, his sister, and he had to answer.
• “I must answer, let me,” everyone nodded at the table while he diverted to a more private part of the table to make his call.
• Lia knew it was the end of her, but if she got past these two men, she could say she could do anything from now on.
• “What in God's name is this!” Almer almost shouted, but Lia didn't let it daunt her but rather flashed him a stare.
• “Mila's father had a heart attack, we found out this morning, and he's in a very serious condition.”
• He gulped the drink at once, then shook his head.
• “I'm sorry for her, but what is this, Lia?” He addressed her as if he had known her for a long time, and Lia took advantage of his boldness.
• “I know Mila's work, I have all her work on this computer and I handle a lot of the trade. She asked me to replace her, and all because the company won't miss this opportunity. Despite Mila's pain, she thought of you....”
• “About us?” This time it was Brunel who intervened in a low but tight voice, “My position depends on this, Miss, you can ruin my relations, haven't you thought about it?”
• “Then it is more important that I must do it right,” said Lia firmly, “Because... we are not going to say anything at this point to the Sheikh, are we? don't you think it is better to give me the support I need so that everything goes well...?”
• David Brunel ran his hands over his face, very worried, while several drops of sweat smeared his forehead.
• However, Almer put her hand on his arm to reassure him and Lia added:
• “I will be in contact with Mila in case I miss something, I won't do something improvised, she already made a whole scheme for this job. But...” She stood up and picked up her bag. “If you don't want my help, then I'll leave....”
• Both men stood up, taking her arm.
• “It would be disastrous for us to tell the Sheikh that there had been another mistake.”
• “Then there is no other choice but to trust me....”
• Both men looked at each other but did not have time to say anything as the Sheikh was already back at the table. Their positions and faces were very strange to him, but immediately, they all sat back in their seats and smiled, except Lia, who looked very serious as she looked at him.
• At the obvious silence, Saeed added:
• “Do you want to eat first or shall we go to the paperwork at once?”
• “Let's eat first!” they all turned to Lia's place.
• “I can't think much when I'm hungry...”
• Saeed couldn't help but tighten his mouth, she was so spontaneous that it threatened his equilibrium.
• Everyone placed their orders and in a matter of a few minutes, the food was served. David tried to bring up isolated topics but Saeed always connected all the dots he was interested in discussing.
• He was a man who wasted no time.
• Lia was put in his eyes by Almer as if they were talking about Mila herself. The moment they talked about her abilities and intrinsically gave Lia's data about her work itself, she couldn't help but feel like complete shit knowing she was being part of a deception.
• She loathed lies, betrayal, and disloyalty. Her parents had been so adamant in her upbringing, and even in their absence, Anne had always taken great pains to ensure that she was of such integrity regardless of her busy work schedule, that her whole body became uncomfortable as she watched herself sink deeper and deeper into a never-ending web of lies.
• At least she had her identity and her name with her. She hoped he could do this work hand in hand with Mila, and sooner than ever, she would return to his country, her home, and her bed to ovulate.
• She missed her sister, and only diverted her thoughts when the plates were cleared and cups of very black coffee were poured.
• She watched as the man in front of her hurriedly drank his coffee, “it must be good,” She thought, but when she took a sip, she almost choked on how strong it was, it tasted awful.
• “I'm sorry,” she placed her hand covering her mouth, “I....”
• “It's Arabic coffee... you said yes when we asked you about it....”
• Lia didn't even remember that. “Yes, I'm sorry, it's a little strong for my taste....”
• Saeed pressed his lips together again staring at her as she looked away. He hated to be looked away, in his country no one would dare to do that while talking to him, ever.
• “Sir here is all the documentation, you can read it tonight and we will sign tomorrow...” announced Brunel passing all the papers to the Sheikh in a leather folder.
• The broad shoulders leaned it taking the folder, but instead of keeping it as everyone thought, he took out a golden pen from his coat and began to sign.
• “I don't have time to read, when I get to Kuwait someone will read it for me. You Brunel, you were recommended by people of my extreme confidence, if there is anything here that can harm me, I must not even say what can happen....”
• The tension became heavier than ever.
• “I... would never let your trust down, Sir.” The man's voice vibrated as he watched Lia sweating.
• At that precise moment Lia understood the burden resting on her shoulders, it wasn't just only supporting Mila's back, but these men, and of course, their families were at stake. It was until then that she turned her gaze to the Sheikh to see how he signed paper after paper, without even skimming a single word.
• Such a person must have a lot of power, and she couldn't help but watch in detail as a sort of lighter line the color of his tanned skin, protruded from his suit to go from his neck to his back. It wasn't very noticeable, but it was clear that someone had caused that wound on him.
• However, seeing a man so masculine, so... spacious in his manner and form, made her shiver in a way she didn't understand.
• She would like to know so much about him.
• Saeed finished with the sheets and closing the folder passed it to the men. He didn't know why he noticed Brunel nervous, but that didn't count now.
• The only thing he had in his head was why she was watching him in that prudent way as if she wanted to read his very soul.
• In the face of the Sheikh's silence, Almer and Brunel decided to stand up and let him rest.
• “Miss James, I think we'll take our leave one, and let Mr. Abdullah rest... tomorrow they have a trip and....”
• “I'd like to... have a little chat before I leave, with my new relationship manager.”
• Almer looked at Lia, and she nodded.
• “Of course... Lia, but how would you get to your hotel?”
• She smiled with pure sarcasm. “I will go with Ahmed who was delegated to be my hotel companion....”
• The men said their goodbyes with sober formality, and with their eyes, they delivered thousands of unsaid words to Lia. It was impossible for her not to know that they were on the verge of madness because of this step they were taking, and to be fair, it was not for nothing.
• Right now, she didn't fully understand what she was getting herself into as her eyes lingered on that gaze that wouldn't leave her for a second....
• She was afraid of the questions he would ask her, but in a way, she had taken an inordinate pleasure in staying with him....