BEYOND THE ABAYA

36. The Riyadh Connections

THIRD-PERSON POV

As the sleek, silver Gulfstream G650ER soared into the sky, billionaire CEO Mujeeb Dapo Bankole gazed out the window, his piercing blue eyes scanning the disappearing landscape below. His tailored black suit seemed molded to his chiseled physique, exuding an aura of confidence and authority.

To his right, his loyal assistant, Nancy Williams, worked carefully on her iPad, her dark wig pulled back into a tight bun. Across from them, Islam Abubakar Attah scribbled notes on a leather-bound pad, his eyes darting occasionally to Mujeeb with a mix of admiration and intimidation.

At the rear of the cabin, stewardess Adebisi Jalilat expertly prepared refreshments, her hijab elegantly draped, her warm smile a comforting presence.

"Welcome, Mr. Mujeeb sir," Jalilat said, offering a crystal glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. "Can I get you anything else?"

Mujeeb smiled, his eyes crinkling. "Thank you, Jalilat. Just coffee later, please."

"Of course, sir."

The cabin was very luxurious. It had soft seats, shiny wood, and beautiful lights. Jazz music played, and it smelled like leather and fresh coffee.

Nancy looked up from her ipad . "Our team's been struggling to resolve the software glitches, sir."

Mujeeb looked confident. "We'll handle it," he said. "I'll meet the team, figure out the problem, and solve it."

Jalilat returned with a steaming cup of Arabica coffee, which Mujeeb accepted with a nod.

Mujeeb looked out the window as the plane turned. The clouds looked beautiful, with shades of gold and pink.

He turned to Islam who was busy wroting notes, "Hey Islam, come here."

Islam stood up from his seat and walked to Mujeeb, "Yes, sir?"

Mujeeb gestured for him to sit and islam sat without complain.

Islam went with a confident walk. Mujeeb, sitting behind his desk, gestured for him to sit. He sat.

"Islam Abubakar Attah, right?" Mujeeb asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Islam's reaction.

Islam's eyebrows shot up, surprise etched on his face. "How... how did you know?" he stammered, his voice tinged with a mix of shock and curiosity.

Mujeeb's expression turned reassuring. "Calm down, Islam. I've done my research." He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "I saw your credentials, and I must say, I'm impressed. You seem to prefer keeping a low profile, don't you?"

Islam's shock gave way to a nod, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Yes, sir. I prefer to focus on my work rather than seeking the spotlight."

Mujeeb nodded thoughtfully. "I see. I also heard you have a company in Abuja?"

Islam's eyes lit up with pride. "Yes, sir. I'm still building it."

Mujeeb's curiosity was piqued. "And yet, you're working in my company. Why?"

Islam leaned forward, his expression earnest. "I want to gain more experience before dedicating myself full-time to my own venture. I believe working under someone with your expertise will help me refine my skills."

Mujeeb's face creased into a warm smile. "I appreciate your humility, Islam. You're welcome to share your ideas and learn from ours. Who knows? Maybe one day, we'll be collaborating on a much larger scale."

Islam's face glowed with gratitude, his eyes shining with determination as he smiled.

Mujeeb leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Tell me, Islam, what inspired you to start your own company?"