Fiyameta

Business Associate!

Ato Lasta was a tinie-tiny bit nervous. If this project works, it's a big acheivement for his company.

Fiya was never interested in his company affairs. He was planning to pass it on to Surafel. Surafel was supposed to be here with him but because he had exams he couldn't.

Waking up earlier than usual, Ato Lasta decided to revise his proposal again. By now he would have already memorised the whole thing.

''Fiyameta Lasta Solomon, wake up!'' Ato Lasta said. Fiya jerked off her bed falling face first to the ground.

''Morning to you too ground.'' she said sarcastically. She hated it when her dad calls her name upto her grandpa's name. It meams she did something wrong.

''Start getting ready NOW!'' He instructed getting out of her room. This is why I hate business trips with dad. Fiya thought bitterly.

''Dad what am I supposed to wear now?'' She shouted hoarsly.

''The pencil skirt.''

Fiya never understood why they are called pencil skirts. It sounds so stupid in her ears that she laughed silently.

###

''Fiya please don't embarass me in front of Mr.Albasri and try to sound polite when you speak.''

''Dad, you practicaly called me rude.'' She said with an eye roll.

''Not that I lied though. Your way of expressing yourself is sometimes too blunt and turns out rude.''

''Well blame the genes then Ato Lasta.'' Fiya doesn't usually call her dad with fomality unless she's trying to tell him something bad.

''Just don't say something stupid.'' He said with a sigh. She is so stubborn. He thought.

Like her dad.

About twenty munites later, the car came to a halt and Fiya came out along with her dad. The huge building infront of her was so beautiful and graceful. It screamed of power and wealth. They entered the building and headed to the reception.

''How can I help you?'' She asked eyeing Fiya weirdly. What haven't these people ever seen someone in pencil skirt or is it so obvious that I don't like it? She thought but quickly swallowed her opinion.

''We have an appointment with Mr. Albasri in ten munites.'' Ato Lasta spoke in fluent Arabic.

''Wait a minute.'' Said the receptionist calling on the phone. She started talking but Fiya zoned out admiring the architectural beauy of the building.

''Take the elevator on the right to the last floor.'' The receptionnist said smiling to Ato Lasta.

The ride in the elevator was queit. Fiya thinking about all stuff she could have done in Dubai if she wasn't here with her dad.

''I think we are here.'' Ato Lasta said getting out of the elevator to a hijabi. ''Ato Lasta,'' she said smilling softly at them. ''This way.''

She guidded them through a hallway to a double door. She knocked twice before openning the door and gesturing her hand for them.

Ato Lasta got in first greeting the person inside and as Fiya entered, she noticed how pretty the office was.

''You must be Mr. Lasta. I'm Harun, Harun Albasri.'' Said an old man. He has greying dark brown hair. He was tall but far from being slim with his round belly. He was wearing the traditional thawb and smiling brightly.

''Yes sir. Nice to meet you.'' Though Ato Lasta was rich and all, he was always known to be humble.

The man noticed Fiya staring at them and his smile got bigger. '' How rude of me please take a sit.'' He said leading them to the couch.

''Mr. Lasta I read your proposal and I have to admit it is wonderful especially your idea to include environmental health as well.''

While listening to their talk, Fiya was admiring Mr. Albasri's fluent Arabic. Now that is a businessman.

The two men continued discussing intently and Fiya was starting to wonder why she was there.

''With your knowledge and my money, I think we can work just perfect.'' Mr. Albasri said.

''There is no doubt about it.'' Ato Lasta said with pride. They have finaly sealed the deal.

Fiya noticed that there was something missing. ''Business without advertisement is like winking at agirl in the dark.'' She said out loud so the men can hear her.

''Say what little girl?'' Mr. Albsri said in a good mood.

''Ya heard me old man.'' Fiya said in the same tone. She can feel her dad glaring at her to shut up but it was for their own benefit.

''What do you have in mind?'' Mr. Albasri asked.

''Ethiopian people like things that are fun and creative. You need to have an advertisement which can be fun to watch or hear repeatedly.'' Fiya answered in a duh tone.

Harun took his time to study her. Nothing about her was ordinary.

''So are you into shoes or bags?'' He asked out of the blue.

''Shoes. Jordan can definitely do awesome.'' She said nonchalantly.

''Jordan? I thought you would say Christian Luobotine or was it Loubootine?'' Harun tired to remember.

''Who is he?'' She asked completely lost. How did their conversation stirred this way again?

''You don't know it?'' Mr. Albasri asked very sirprised. ''I thought there was an unwritten law that all women should know about this Christian L-something thing.''

''So it's not a he but an it.'' Fiya said realisation sinking in. ''Why is it an it again?''

''Its a shoe brand.'' Mr. Albasri answered shaking his head in amusement.

''Then you're a big fan of....?'' Mr. Albasri asked waiting for her answer.

''Ford, Infinity, Ferari, Lamburgini...'' Fiya shut herself up when she felt like she was rambling.

''Cars? That's not what most of the girls like.'' Mr. Albasri said.

''Well sir, you should by now find out that I don't belong to the 'most of the girls' clan.'' Fiya answered giving more enphasis on each word.

Ato Lasta and Mr. Albasri talked about their busuness, even considered fun and creative advertisement as Fiya has suggested earlier.

''I have one last condition to accept this deal.'' Mr. Albasri announced in all his business glory.

Ato Lasta nodded his head for him to continue with the same expression.

''Your daughter has to be part of this.''

What the actually devil is that? Fiya hated her dad's business and that is why Surafel was taking over the business. Her dad nodded, like actually nodded. But she knew than to disagree. This whole deal meant alot to her dadand she just smiled a little too sweetly.

She has just got her first business associate!

--The End--