Kamal’s one-week trip turned into fifteen days. I’m not sure if he’s avoiding me or if he really needed to be away for so long, but I think it might be the former.
After all, if it was simply for work, why didn’t he take me along with him? Isn’t that what he hired me for? To assist him in being more diplomatic in negotiations with Western companies?
“Okay, I haven’t gone out much here in London, but still, I’m not sure if I should go, Zarif. Where is it going to be?”
“Ibiza, Spain. If you say yes, I’ll make all the arrangements.”
“Why are you insisting on my presence like this?”
“For the obvious reason, of course.”
“Which is?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Nothing is going to happen between us. I’m your brother’s employee.” And a great liar too, because I’m not just Kamal’s employee—I might be carrying his child.
The fifteen days are finally up, and now I can go to the doctor to confirm or completely dismiss the possibility of being pregnant. Where’s my courage, though?
Since the morning after, in Turkey, I’ve kept myself away from the Sheikh, even during our flight back. I wanted to avoid the awkwardness of saying goodbye on English soil, so I spent the entire trip pretending to read on my Kindle.
I could feel his eyes on me. He didn’t even try to hide it, but I needed to protect myself somehow, because I know that, regardless of what we had previously agreed on, I’ve grown attached to him. What started as an overwhelming physical attraction is about to turn into something more. And if that happens, I’ll be lost. I’ll have to leave because there’s no way I won’t get hurt.
Since he left, he’s sent me a few texts, mostly related to tasks. When he tried to get more personal, I changed the subject.
I can’t play this hot and cold game. Either I cut our ties once and for all, leaving behind what we’ve experienced, or I’ll end up acting like a fool, just like Danna did at that party.
“Being my brother’s employee wouldn’t be an obstacle for us,” he says, bringing me back to reality.
“If that’s your thinking, then my answer is ‘no, thank you.’”
“Don’t be so reactive. What if I invite you as a friend?”
“Do you have any female friends?”
“Do the ones I’ve taken to bed count?”
“No.”
“In that case, the answer is: I’ve never tried, but I’m open to new experiences.”
“I’m very inclined to accept because I can’t stand being locked up in my apartment any longer, but only if you promise to treat me as a friend.”
“You have my word. I’ll have my assistant send you the information.”
“I need to be back on Monday, which means I have to leave on Sunday night. Do you know if there are flights?”
“You don’t have to worry. As I said before, I’ll take care of everything. You just need to say ‘yes.’”
I take a deep breath, deciding that I’ll do the blood test when I get back from the trip.
“Yes, I’ll go.”
Ibiza—Spain
Saturday
“You don’t seem very excited,” Zarif says, joining me by the yacht’s railing.
