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Chapter 21
“Show me what you are wearing,” Daya said through Skype. Olivia had video called on Skype. She had a lot to tell her. After she had made sure that Daya and her father were okay, Olivia told Daya everything that had happened since she left.
“I am wearing this white peplum dress,” Olivia said as she rushed towards her laptop. She twirled to make sure Daya could see the entire outfit.
“That is decent,” said Daya.
“It is. I am so nervous, Daya. I hope his father isn’t as mean as his wife.”
“If you marry Joseph, you will have a monster for a mother-in-law.” Daya burst into laughter.
“Why would I marry Joseph?” Olivia asked. The idea was no longer strange or bad to her. Joseph was easy to talk to. She enjoyed talking to him about anything. He was the only man that she had ever been so close to, especially in such a short time.
“It seems as though your relationship has advanced,” said Daya. Olivia sighed deeply.
“Why does everything have to be so complicated?”
“That’s life, my darling.”
Olivia slipped into her white flats. She had her hair neatly packed into a tight bun. She wanted to look as presentable as possible. For some odd reason, she wanted to make a good impression on Joseph’s father.
“Why couldn’t Joseph ask for a relationship? Why marriage? It’s so final. I thought that by now he would have abandoned the idea,” said Olivia.
“Maybe he genuinely likes you. At the start I was wary of him but now that you’ve told me about how he stood up for you in front of his mother and comforted you, I am starting to change my mind,” said Daya.
“You and me both.” Olivia picked up her laptop. “I have to go now. I can’t be late,” she said.
“Okay, good luck.”
“Thanks.” Olivia ended the call. She put the laptop on the nightstand and rushed out of the room.
***
Olivia arrived at the restaurant a while later. The restaurant was empty when she arrived. She stood at the entrance gaping at the big room. It had a black and maroon décor. A waiter dressed in black approached her.
“Good afternoon, miss,” he greeted her.
“Hi, is the restaurant open?” she asked as she looked around.
“What is your name?”
“Olivia,” she said skeptically.
“The sheikh will be here soon. Please have a seat.” He gestured towards a reddish wooden table in the middle of the room. She slowly walked towards the table. She pulled out a chair for herself and sat down.
“Would you like some water or anything while you wait for Sheikh Boutros?” the waiter asked Olivia.
“Yes, some water, please.” She needed some water to cool her nerves. The waiter nodded and disappeared. He reappeared with a jar of water and a glass a few moments later. He placed the glass on the table and poured out some water for Olivia. She drank her water as she waited.
The sheikh arrived moments later. He was dressed in a charcoal grey suit. He was tall, taller than Sheikh Solomon. The sheikh looked very much like Joseph, an older version of him. He had a lot of grey in his hair. Olivia put her glass down and rose to her feet.
“Good afternoon, Miss Grant,” Joseph’s father said as he approached Olivia. She felt odd hearing him calling her Miss Grant. Joseph always called her that.
“Good afternoon,” she replied. She extended her hand and gestured for a handshake. He took her hand into his and shook it. He had a firm grip. He gestured towards the chair for Olivia to sit down. She nodded and took her seat.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet me,” he said to her.
“It’s okay.” Olivia laughed nervously. She did not feel like she had a choice. That’s when it dawned on her. The restaurant had been closed down so that they could dine alone. She partially wished that there were other people around. Joseph had offered to come with her, but as much as she wanted to say yes, it was not wise. She needed to see his father alone.
