Bahlam Feeki

Chapter 15

"So you're telling me that Jackass is giving you more work," I say while lying on my back.

" YES! And then he had the nerve to smile at me, you know, if I wasn't at work I would have dashed the water on him in the break room." Amber says while letting out a groan filled with annoyance. Normally when we went on vacation we'll just wait to fill each other in, but the way things are going back in the office she couldn't hold back

" Okay well, enough about work. How is it going with you know who?" Her mood suddenly perked up almost making me laugh but I let out a deep sigh and began to talk

"Girl, where do I even start?" She chuckles on the other side of the phone

"Honestly, things have been pretty good. We went on a couple of dates here and there."

"Ok aaaand? Hurry up and tell me!" She says eagerly.

"Well, I don't know what you expect to hear. We didn't have sex if that's what you mean." I can hear her groan on the other line but I ignore her.

" anyways he's been really nice to be around tonight actually he's taking me to a museum event."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, you know I love them." She chuckles while biting down on some type of fruit. Even though Amber and I are really close we have two different versions of fun. Don't get me wrong I enjoy partying but I would prefer to go to a museum or take a historical tour. I always said if what I was doing now didn't work out I would be a history teacher or something that had to do with history.

"I mean at least he's making the effort. So are you actually giving him a chance or what?" Amber says while still chomping on her food

"As much as I don't want to I think I will, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. What happens if he turns out to be like them or worse?" I let out a deep sigh annoyed with all the choices I have to make.

"Well, if he is anything like those assholes best believe I'll be there with my bat. I'll beat a bitch up if I have to," she says in a serious tone but all I can do is chuckle at her eagerness to fight for me, and I know she would. The last time we had a situation like that was at a bar, of course, let's say if I didn't pull her off of them we would be in jail for the night.

" No you don't have to do that, but I appreciate it. At least if things go sour I can just leave early." My phone starts to vibrate as Amber continues to talk about how I should just go for it.

I look at my screen to see that Aahil was calling. Seeing his name pop up on my screen sent chills down my spine not in a bad way I think

" hey I have another call coming in I'll fill you in tomorrow okay."

"Mhm, you better also try to enjoy tonight. Don't get wrapped up in your head just live in the moments okay Mila." I give her a firm yes and say our goodbyes before answering the next call.

I try to get in a better position seeing as how he was facetiming me and this angle is not it for me.

"What took you so long to answer?" he questions me while holding a stern face.

"I was on the other line with my friend so I was saying goodbye. What's up why did you call?" I notice his eyes are glued to me almost observing every part that was visible

"I wanted to see your face," he says honestly almost catching me off guard. But I quickly shake the feeling and respond

"You're going to see me later Aahil in four hours to be exact." He scoffs lightly while getting up to go somewhere he wasn't in a room that looked familiar

"Mmm that's too long for me I wanted to see you know, and plus we haven't seen each other in two days." He props his phone up on something and turns the light on to reveal all the hung clothes in the background.

" It couldn't be helped you had those emergency meetings plus I still enjoyed my day." He walks away from the camera as I hear him mumble something in Arabic.

"I could have skipped them for you."

"Nope, your job is important." He comes back on screen with his shirt off chest exposed and all. He quickly throws on a white tee.

"I could have just had someone fill in for me it wasn't a big deal." He rolls his eyes while searching for something. "We only have a couple of days left together and I won't get as much time in with you. I would be an idiot to let someone like you slip from my fingers."

" I'm not that important I'm just like any regular person on the street."

"Wrong," he says firmly almost as if he was warning me not to say it again.

" Are we still on for tomorrow?" he asked while turning off his light and walking back into the room he was in before.

"Yes, and you still haven't told me where we are going," he smirks he thought I was not gonna ask him.

" because you have been nice ill tell-"

"nice? Excuse you're the one with the constant arrogant attitude!" he chuckles deeply almost breaking into a full-on laugh but he catches himself

" I beg to differ but it's a picnic so dress comfortably." I nod my head

"Is there anything I should know before we go to this event?" He clears his throat and sits at the bottom of his bed.

"Yes, if anyone asks you questions don't answer that includes your name or how you know me. Don't leave my sight, if you see any cameras turn the other way and avoid them." His tone shifts making sure I know he's being serious.

"Why? You don't want to be seen with me?" I say playfully but that didn't help seeing as he still had that look on his face.

"No, that's not it. I simply do not want to have photos of us and say if "this" doesn't work out, you would have people bothering you nonstop." He lets out a sigh but shakes it off

"Okay, I got it, no pictures, stay near you no questions."

"Yes, but we can take all the pictures we want together." I roll my eyes playfully and I hear him laugh

"You know you are something else."

" well I'm one of a kind what can I say?" He says giving me a contagious smile.

"Well, seeing as how you are dressed to go somewhere I'll let you go because I now have to get ready," I say while getting up from the bed only to hear him groan but we quickly say our goodbyes mainly me because I know if I didn't hang up he would be watching me do everything.

"Welp time to get started I now have four hours left."

—

I pull the dress out of one of the many bags he gave me. I find it hilarious that he doesn't want others looking at me yet he gets me a dress like this. I hold it up in front of me and just shake my head.

Since the dress is gold I'll stick with that color. This is just a museum date right there's no reason to go all out like it's the met gala.

I look back at the dress on my bed and let out a sigh

"Regular date, my ass that dress would be something you would at least see in the after party of some gala." Turning around I begin to apply my makeup. This is going to take a while and to get a beat face to look nice is key and takes time.

My phone suddenly vibrates against the chair. I look down to see it's my boss

"Damn this man can't leave me alone." I place my makeup bush down on the napkin next to me and open the email

Hello Jamila Barlowe, are the following details for your work adventure next week.

We decided to let you choose since you are already in the Middle East so email Sandra the country, and housing. And we will send you the final details.

I'll handle this tomorrow. I really wish I didn't have to do this but of course, they pick me. Now I need to focus on getting ready before I'm late.