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“Your… guests?” Esther asked Sheikh Solomon. He took a deep breath before he replied.
“Yes,” he said.
“Oh.” Esther looked confused. She probably wanted to ask why they had come to her house. She looked at Olivia and Daya. “Hello,” she said to them.
“Hello, Mrs. Boutros,” Olivia and Daya said at the same time. They both smiled at her.
Joseph’s father walked into the room.
“I apologize for being tardy,” Sheikh Boutros senior said. Joseph looked like his father. They were both tall and handsome. His father had some grey in his hair. His presence was very noticeable, very demanding.
“It’s no problem, sheikh,” said Daaliyah.
“I trust that you have been well,” he said to Sheikh Solomon and shook his hand.
“I’ve been well, thank you,” Sheikh Solomon replied. He looked at Sheikh Boutros senior with so much respect in his eyes.
Olivia looked up and found Joseph staring at her. She looked away and looked back, he was still looking at her. He slipped his hands in his pockets and allowed his gaze to wash over her slowly. She crossed her eyebrows. She looked as though she was going to ask him why he was looking at her.
A maid walked in and announced that lunch was ready. They all made their way to the dining room. Joseph’s father looked at Olivia and Daya as they walked into the dining room. He raised his eyebrows. “I don’t think we’ve met,” he said.
“I am Olivia.” She extended her hand for a handshake.
Joseph’s father shook her hand with a smile.
“Hello Olivia.” He turned his attention to Daya. “And who is this young lady?”
“My name is Daya.” She smiled and shook his hand. Rania and Marina were watching Olivia and Daya. They did not look happy.
***
Joseph’s father sat at the head of the table. His wife sat to his right. Sheikh Solomon sat to his left. His wife sat next to him. Joseph sat opposite from his father. Amir sat to his left and Jasmine to his right. Olivia sat next to Jasmine. Joseph could see Olivia perfectly.
They all sat at the large, intricately designed, marble-topped dining table. A large crystal chandelier hung above the table. There was a variety of delicious and appetizing food on the table.
Naturally, the two older men started talking about business. They were both passionate about the oil business and were always looking for a way to expand their companies. Joseph, Amir and Jacob contributed to the conversation. They women just quietly agreed and kept eating. Joseph spotted Olivia and the unfamiliar woman she had come with whispering to each other.
Joseph wondered if she was Olivia’s cousin as they seemed so close. Jasmine leaned closer to Olivia and said something to her. Joseph wondered what she had said to her. Olivia faced Jasmine and smiled before she responded. She briefly made eye contact with Joseph, and then looked away.
The lunch was going well until Esther brought up the marriage issue. “Rania and Marina have grown into beautiful young ladies,” she said. “Don’t you think so, Joseph?”
Joseph smiled and took a sip of his drink. He did not want to answer her question because to him, Rania and Marina were just average. Amir looked at him and smiled. “It’s unfortunate that he has to make a choice between them,” he said. Joseph narrowed his gaze at him.
“You are right,” Esther said and laughed a little.
“Perhaps it would have been easier if he was to marry the eldest daughter,” said Jasmine. Joseph crossed his eyebrows subtly enough to warn Jasmine but not enough for Rania and Marina to notice. They were both staring at Joseph; smiling and tucking their hair behind their ears.
“There is something I must tell you all,” Sheikh Solomon said. He cleared his throat and squared his shoulders. Everyone whipped their heads in his direction. His wife looked uncomfortable.
“What is it?” Joseph’s father asked him. Sheikh Solomon cleared his throat again. Marina and Rania looked at each other. The atmosphere was thick with awkwardness.
“Olivia is my daughter.” He went straight to the point.
Esther gasped and placed her hand on her chest.
“Excuse me?” she spat out.
Joseph’s father leaned forward in his seat.
