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Once outside, she gave the driver her destination then slid into the backseat.
Plan this wedding with the same care and consideration as if it were your own…
Nassir’s words from their first day together in Al-Sarid came back with sickening clarity. Pulse pounding and stomach knotted, the drive to Adjalane Oil seemed to take forever yet fly by in seconds. By the time the driver opened the door and she climbed out onto the sidewalk, her head spun with the implications. “Do you know where Sheik Nassir is meeting?”
Hamal bowed slightly and escorted her through the front doors and over to a set of elevators. “Top floor.”
She stared at his retreating form as she waited for the elevator to arrive then stepped aboard and pushed the button for the upper most floor. If Nassir had gone behind her back and thought to trick her into marrying him, then he was in for a very big surprise. And an even bigger disappointment.
> Chapter 11
Nassir listened as various departments gave their updated reports and projections and was pleased with the results so far. The estimated profit margins for the next year were up and more money meant cooler tempers and happier board members. After the last manager had finished their presentation, all of them left, bowing to Nassir on their way out. Perhaps his plans were headed in the right direction after all.
He turned to the other board members present and smiled. “The projections are higher than we originally projected. As you can see from the spreadsheets before you, under my leadership Adjalane Oil is expected to continue doing very well far into the future.”
“Yes, but…” one of the older board members said. “We still haven’t recovered our momentum from what was lost due to your indiscretions. The stock prices have only regained six percent of the ten percent lost after that media fiasco with the strumpet in Europe”
Nassir glanced at Nimr, even though he knew better than to expect help from that quarter now. Old habit. He exhaled slowly before continuing. “Things are righting themselves quickly. We are strengthening our ties to the West, and have several new contracts in the works.”
“What about the new field?” Another of the ancient coots asked. “When is it going to start producing?”
With infinite patience born of necessity, Nassir fielded their questions, eager to end the meeting and get on with his day. “Drilling is ahead of schedule. We should start shipping from that field in the next month. Now, if there are no other items of business…”
Nimr spoke up at last. “What of the issue of your marriage. None of us have received an invitation to the event.”
“They went out this morning via electronic mail. My bride and I will be married in four days.”
"That is good.” Nimr flashed a small cold smile, all but dripping with insincerity.
A commotion sounded outside the double doors and everyone turned in time to see Janna burst into the room.
“Janna.” Nassir took a step toward her, taking in her pink cheeks and fever-bright eyes. Was she sick? “What are you doing here? Is everything all right?”
“No.” She waved a piece of paper in his face, her entire body fairly vibrating with rage. “Everything is most certainly not okay. Explain this.” She tossed the paper at him and crossed her arms. “I don’t know what you think you’re up to, but it won’t work.”
Nassir frowned and read the paper. The invitation. He wasn’t sure how she’d seen a copy of it, but now wasn’t the time to find out. “Janna, I can explain. Please, why don’t we…” He reached for her, but she shrugged him off and stepped back, “Janna?”
Tears welled in her eyes and his heart pinched with unexpected remorse. “Why? Why the deception?”
“Because they demanded it.” He gestured to the other men in the room.
“They who?” Her darted from one man to the next.
“This is the Adjalane Oil board. I made some very costly, very public mistakes and this was their solution. I had thirty days to find an American bride.”
“I see.” Janna’s expression shifted from anger to hurt. “So, I was a means to an end. How barbaric of you.”
“Janna, I realize how this must sound, but if you give me a chance to explain.” Nassir stepped closer to her, lowering his voice. He wished they were anywhere but here, somewhere they could speak privately, but such was not the case. “I was going to tell you all of this tonight, at dinner, but now…” He frowned. “How did you get a copy of the e-invite?”
“Your friend from the restaurant, Hazim, stopped by this morning after you left. He thought I might be interested in your deception. He was right.”
“Hazim?” Nassir clenched his fists. Of course that bastard would do this. He stood the most to gain if Nassir failed. He took a deep breath and forced his voice to calm. “Hazim would gain much if I do not fulfil my obligation to marry. We have a long standing rivalry that extends well beyond business.”
“Great.” Janna’s full lips compressed into a thin white line. “And what about the woman in the burqa? Nehla? Is she your girlfriend?”
“No.” Nassir took Janna by the elbow and tugged her off into one corner of the space. Not exactly the ideal spot for his confession, but it was the best available. He stared down into Janna’s beautiful azure eyes, his tone serious. “I care for no woman but you. I love you, Janna.”
Surprise flickered through her gaze, but she remained silent, her expression beyond skepitcal. Not the response he expected or wanted. Fine. She wanted proof? He’d give it to her. “Come with me.” He led her toward the doors. “Let me show you something.”
