“Mr. Gibson, thank you very much for joining us. It is extremely gratifying for us to have the honor of your company. If you don’t mind, can we have a photograph together?” Ben interrupts his exit. It is a perfect time to slip out of here. So I move toward the door.
“Ms. Ahmed, please join us. Honor me with your presence,” Adam says from behind me.
I close my eyes for a moment and turn. Both the men are waiting for my answer. I have to smile back; I have no other option, do I? Ben waves over a photographer from some business magazine. I stand between Ben and Adam. The photographer asks us to move closer. Adam shifts slightly toward me, crowding me, and I lose my balance. He grabs me by my waist as if he knew I was falling.
“Hey, you okay?”
How can someone ask like this, so charmingly?
“Yes. Thanks.” I stand up straight. His hands are still holding me from the back, and he doesn’t seem like he’s planning to move them. It is not fair that he can send electricity up my spine with just his touch.
The photographer does his work and leaves.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Gibson. We will not take up any more of your very precious time. We all look forward to working with your prestigious company.” Ben is shaking hands with Adam very firmly. He is looking forward to this opportunity, and I know he would never put it at risk for any reason.
“I also look forward to it, Mr. Dynham. More than you.” Adam’s eyes rake down my body from my head to my shoes, when he says more than you. “It would be a great privilege for me if Ms. Ahmed would escort me to the elevator.” Adam takes one deeper look.
“Please come,” I say to Ben. I have a feeling that Ben will be using me in getting this business, like bait. I don’t like that idea. He had always treated me like his daughter.
I start walking quickly to the elevator.
“Rania?” I hear Adam’s voice behind me but I don’t stop. It is a long corridor and I have to get it over with soon and push him inside the elevator so that he can vanish once and for all.
Just keep moving!
“Rania, please stop. I am talking to you.” He grabs me by my elbow and pushes me toward the wall.
“Mr. Gibson, I have been asked to escort you to the elevator. I assume you are late for your urgent meeting.” He puts one hand on the wall, over my head, blocking the view from the Maple Room, if anyone should happen to be looking at us.
His eyes bore into me, and when I look at him, he says, “And now, this is the sweetest and most glorious day that ever my eyes did see.”1 He smiles at me but I look away, ignoring his appreciation for me. “Why are you doing this to me? What have I done to deserve this?” His plea is melting me like snow on a sunny winter afternoon. Our eyes lock.
“Deserve what? What did I do, Mr. Gibson?” I keep my tone very professional.
“You know what I’m talking about. You ignore me… all the time. You don’t look at me when you talk. I feel like you’re trying to escape from me. Do I intimidate you?” His appeal sounds more like a silent prayer.
I don’t realize at first that his other hand is on my face, lifting my chin so that I can look into his eyes. There is no sexual intention. No lust. Just a request. At his touch, my heart starts to beat very loudly.
“I am not comfortable talking to strangers, Mr. Gibson. I hardly know you.”
“Then let’s get to know each other. I want to know you. Everything about you. How about lunch together today? Let me take you out somewhere.”
What? He is asking me out? Say something, Rania, before you start melting in his arms.
“We just had breakfast; there is no room for lunch, I don’t think.” I move away from him, and this time he takes his hands off of me.
“How about coffee… umm… juice? Ice cream?” He sounds really desperate.
“I have some work, Mr. Gibson. I cannot delay it.” I look around the corridor and see Ben standing in the doorway; perhaps he has been watching us all the time. I don’t care what he might be thinking.
“How about dinner tonight then?” He is unstoppable. Why doesn’t the day end at lunchtime? He is making me furious. I have handled many men in this situation. I know how to push men away. I am good at it.
“I have plans.” I avoid his gaze. I don’t want him to catch my lie. I look down and rotate my ring on my finger.
“What plans?” His tone changes immediately, and he scowls.
“I have my personal life as well, Mr. Gibson. Goodbye.”
And I escape from his gaze and run into the ladies room. I don’t even care if Ben sees it or not. I am sure Adam wants me. There was desperation in those green eyes. He would ask me out to dinner, and then he would take me back to his place, and eventually he would use me as his fucking toy and toss me aside. By now he should know I am not that girl, one who would drool over his bank balance and kiss the ground he walks on.
Not a chance!
RELEVANCE
♂
Do I intimidate her?
My eyes keep following her as she disappears into the ladies’ room. She dazzles me every time. What is in her that I have not seen in any other girl? She doesn’t seem to be interested in me at all, and still, I can’t keep my eyes off her. I know I made her uncomfortable and nervous, ogling her like I did.
You are fucking screwed, Adam!
There is something in her that keeps pulling me toward her, yet she keeps pushing me away. I have my personal life as well, Mr. Gibson. Does she have a boyfriend? It’s too frustrating to even imagine someone holding her hand, kissing her, getting close to her. I close my eyes and shake my head. The mere idea makes me feel chafed.
Shit! What am I doing?
I realize she is not like the other girls whom I used merely to satisfy my sexual urges. My heart and soul are swinging between celibacy and desire. I don’t know what I want from her but I know I want to keep her, admire her beauty… forever.
I enter my room and Ali is waiting for me. “We have found some information about the… girl. You want me to read it out, or will you have a look for yourself?” Ali realizes instantly that I am not myself. That’s why he suggests the idea of reading it out to me.
I stand mutely, facing the Toronto skyline, visible through the large floor-to-ceiling windows behind my chair. “Carry on,” I say, speaking low, not sure if he has heard me.
“The girl… umm… Rania Ahmed; she has worked as a creative graphics designer at Greenway Advertising for three years.” I stare out the window, listening intently to what Ali has to share. “She graduated from Ryerson University in Software Engineering and started working with Gibbs and Gills software company as a software developer. She did some courses in digital media and printing, and joined Greenway later on.” I see Ali’s reflection in the glass as he checks my expression. He continues, “She lives in North York near the Finch station, in Archeries Condominiums. Apartment number 1609. The apartment is owned by Ben Dynham, which means she is renting it.” The name catches my attention.
“What did you say? Who owns the apartment?” I turn back to face Ali, whose eyes are fixed on his report.
“Ben Dynham. I suppose he is the same guy, CEO of Greenway. Her rent is deducted from her salary. That’s what it shows here.” So this means Ben and Rania have a relationship other than an employee and employer. I need more details on that. Ali continues. “She is originally from Lebanon. Her father’s name is Ahmed Al-Bari. We do not have any record of him right now. She came on a student’s visa five years back, graduated, and filed for her immigration. Currently, she does not carry a Canadian passport. She is twenty-five years old and will be turning twenty-six in January.” Ali looks to see if I have anything to say. I sit down in my black leather chair and close my eyes, leaning against the headrest. “I am not sure what other information I can provide. Her record shows she doesn’t even have a driver’s license.” Real
ly? No car, and she is living in Toronto? Ali sounds surprised too. “I am not sure about her personal interests, Adam, but her credit card transactions show that she likes reading. The major transactions are from Amazon, downloading e-books. Apparently, she doesn’t have a Facebook account, but she is on some professional websites. Other than that, she has a membership in a dance school, which runs a dance class every day. She is enrolled in the evening classes.” My eyes open wide at that.
“I need the address of the dance school.” I take the paper from him and check what he has to share.
“Sure. Anything else you would like to know? I will follow her routine as you asked me, but don’t you think this is violating her privacy?” I look up at him, and his eyes show some sympathy for her. “I am sorry, Adam, I have no right to intrude in your personal life, but she doesn’t seem like the others that have been in your past. I don’t want you to end up disappointed. Her record shows she is single. At the age of twenty-five, she has no boyfriend or husband. This means she is the type who waits for the right person. With a belief of… umm… some kind of soulmate, perhaps. I am from the same religious background, and I know in our culture, women don’t have relationships other than with the man they marry. This is how they are raised.” Ali takes a seat opposite me, and I know he wants to say more. I stay quiet. I believe his point is valid. “We belong to a very conservative society. Having a sexual, or any kind of physical relationship outside of marriage, is not permissible in our religion. And if this girl is even a little bit religious or follows the values she was raised by, then you would have to try too hard. She may not be your type, Adam.” I rest my elbow on the desk and rub my forehead. I am gazing at the paper, my eyes down, but I am not reading it. “I don’t know what is going on in your mind or how you plan to go ahead with this girl, but I can see that she has changed you. I have not seen you like this before. You look lost!” Ali has always been like a brother to me, more than a friend, though his job description says he is just my bodyguard. I can tell he is concerned about me now. I lean back on the headrest and close my eyes again.
“If you don’t mind my asking you, where did you meet her? I mean the first time?” First time? Is she the same woman I saw a few months back? But that place never existed.
“This morning. Outside the building.”
“And?”
“Ah… I just kept staring at her.” Ali’s smile leaves his lips and he becomes more attentive to my words, but he waits for me to continue. “I was completely dazzled. I stood there doing… nothing. It felt like I was under some spell. And when she looked up at me, I was…” I am at a loss for words.
“Awed?” Ali continues on my behalf. He has found the right word.
“Yes, exactly. Thank you.” I open my eyes and look at him with gratitude. His smile comes back. Something is going on in his head, but I cannot figure it out. There is too much going on in my own mind.
“I am speechless, Adam. You sound like a mid-century poet. It looks like a love-at-first-sight thing to me.” He winks at me with a mischievous smile.
Love? I never thought about it. No, it cannot be love. Women are only for sexual pleasure. How can you give your heart at first sight and surrender everything you have? You are not as imbecilic as that. You run an empire here. You don’t approach women and beg them to have mercy on you. You are a ruthless man, Adam. You have broken many hearts. You cannot give your heart to someone.
“Why don’t you ask her for a date? Take her out for lunch or dinner and get to know her.” Ali’s suggestions interrupt my thoughts.
“I did. She seemed to…” I avert my eyes and look down at the paper. “Ignore me.”
“Ignore you? A girl ignoring Adam Gibson?” His voice is full of amusement.
“Yes, Ali. She ignored me.” My eyes widen and my words are very specific.
“No doubt exists that all women are crazy; it’s only a question of degree.”2 Ali smirks at me and I look at him, open-mouthed. “Did you ask her in a decent manner? I mean, you have never asked a girl out before. I doubt your experience in this field.” Ali has a point. He has more experience than me in terms of approaching women. “You met her today and you asked her out already. Isn’t it too soon?” He makes it sound as if I have done something against the laws of dating. “Obviously, it is not an at-first-sight thing from her side. Girls’ minds don’t work like that, Adam. You need to give ’em some space. At least, normal girls, not the ones you pick up at a club or a party. Does she know who you are? I mean, your social status?” Ali’s interrogation seems never-ending. He is concerned about me. And he is the only one with whom I can share my feelings.
“Yes, after I surprised her at breakfast. But even after she learned who I was, she still didn’t give a damn.” I take a sip of water from the glass that Sylvain keeps filled on my desk. “She is the first girl I’ve met who has no interest in money. She didn’t look rich to me, but there was no greed in her eyes. She was dressed simply and…”
I am out of words.
“Conservatively?” Ali can read my mind. He always comes up with the right words.
“Yes. Thanks.” The dress she was wearing showed all her curves, but she was fully covered, not showing a single inch of her body other than her face and hands. Even so, she was seductive. She was not wearing expensive jewelry, but I noticed that she twisted her ring every time she felt uncomfortable. The fact that the ring is on her index finger calms me. She is not engaged.
Fuck! Where am I going with this?
“So, her ignorance of your status and the fact that she is not covetous about wealth… that disintegrated your ego?” Ali doesn’t look at me when he speaks, as he knows his words will not provide any comfort. He is firing the truth. This girl has dismembered my self-esteem. “You need to be careful this time, Adam. I can only wish you luck.” Ali looks at me once again for my response. I peep at him from the corner of my eye. “Take it easy and move slowly. If she refused to go out with you, chances are that she will push you away next time as well.” I stay quiet and watch Ali. “If she is not tempted by your status, then do something different… please her.” Please her. I have never tried to please a woman.
“How do I please her? I don’t even know what she likes or dislikes.” I’m hoping he has some useful advice.
“Try to get to know her,” Ali says. “Offer her your friendship rather than your…” Ali looks around the room, as if he is searching for the word from the walls. “Your lasciviousness.” He pauses and I look at him with vexation. “I am sorry, I—” He looks nervous, like he has crossed some line.
“That’s all right, Ali. You made your point. I know what you are saying and I really appreciate it.” My words ease the tension in the air and we smile at each other. “I agree with your point about violating her privacy. I think I have enough information. You don’t need to chase her. But…” I stand up and start to pace behind my desk. “But what if she is not even interested in my friendship?” My question dismays both of us. “I will have to find some other ways to be around her… which reminds me…” I stop walking and glance at him. “You need to vacate the half of the thirteenth floor occupied by Peterson Law firm. And this should be done as soon as possible. Sometime in the next week—”
“But this is impossible! They just signed the lease in October, for a year, and you are asking me to abrogate the contract?” Ali is gasping in astonishment.
“I don’t care, Ali. Whatever it takes. Just do it.” I turn toward the window and glance down at the world outside.
“We would have to pay a penalty and return the rent they paid. But it is not about that—I know you can afford it. It’s about the Gibson reputation.” Ali’s concerns do not even pass close to my ears. I keep looking outside.
“I don’t care, Ali. I told you. Whatever it takes. If there is a penalty for breaching the contract, that’s fine. Return the rent for the whole year; I don’t
give a damn. In fact, tell them that we will find a suitable place for their firm on the same street. We will bear the charges for all the arrangements and pay the rent for the other location as well. I am sure they will not refuse.” I turn around and smile wickedly. Ali’s eyes widen with a shock that clearly says: you-know-how-to-use-your-wealth-at-the-right-time-you-filthy-rich-bastard. “I have given my word to Ben Dynham. And I know what you are thinking, Ali. I know I am one affluent sinner.” I smirk at Ali maliciously. Poor him. He will have to work very hard to make this happen. I am not keen to know how he will do it.
“I think I should leave now,” Ali says. “I will contact the law firm and check all the conditions of the contract. How soon do you want to relocate Greenway?” Ali gathers his papers.
“I’d like them to work with us starting Monday morning. Can you do that?” I rest my butt on the corner of the desk.
“No, Adam, it is not possible. It is already Friday afternoon. Half of the people involved are probably gone already. I will arrange the meeting with Ben Dynham and the other law firm to see the possibilities. But what are the chances that Greenway agrees to move in here? I mean, the rest of the departments?” Ali shifts and leans toward me.
“They have already agreed. I put an offer to Dynham. We will outsource our graphics and media printing work to them. He has been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time and—”
“What? You offered them our business? What about the people who are working in our media department? You are taking work from them.” Ali backs off a few steps and sighs in bewilderment.
“I am not asking you to fire the whole department. I know there are two hundred people working in that group, and that means two hundred mortgages. We will find something for them. Let’s discuss it later.”
I look at Ali, who shakes his head bemusedly. He is also smirking.
“I don’t know what to say, Adam. Everything you say surprises me. Within half an hour, you have spent a fortune for someone who is not even aware what is going on behind her back. I am just wondering how you will control yourself if she actually agrees to hang out with you. This is crazy, but trust me, I am enjoying it.”
A Silent Prayer Page 4