Sweet Fire

15.

 Samira woke up the next morning bursting with happiness. Usually, she was this excited because of work. However, today, something else excited her and it started with the letter D.

 Yes, she was excited for the date with Eros. So darn excited that, she cancelled all the meetings for the day. She wanted time to search for the perfect dress and even more time to get ready. Tonight, she intends to blow his mind.

  Samira got into the shower and took a quick bath. She then went to the closet and picked clothes that would make her feel comfortable while shopping. She held her hair in a ponytail, grabbed her purse and then walked out of her room.

  Tamera was leaving her own room when Samira was walking down the hallway. They met at Tamera’s door and she smirked, saying. “I think the lord has finally answered my prayers.” Throwing an arm around Samira’s shoulders, she added. “Isn’t that right sister?”      

 Samira only chuckled and then held her sister’s waist. “I feel great today.”

  “I can see. You are all smiles. Tamera traced her lips with a thumb as they moved down the stairs.

  Their parents were sitting at the dining table, as usual. They were always the first to come to the table and the last to leave. The girls joined them, while greeting in unison. “Good morning.”

  Barbara, who was holding a cup of coffee, returned it to the table and responded to her children’s greeting. “Good morning to you. You two are ecstatic today… especially Samira.” She eyed her daughter, who grinned.

  “Mother, I know right?” Tamera touched her sister’s cheeks. “She is glowing. Perhaps, did a certain somebody enjoy themselves last night?” She winked and Samira laughed, replying.

  “Shut up!”

  They moved back chairs and sat down. Samira glanced at her father and saw that he still had his face buried in a newspaper. She wondered if he even heard them greet. Maybe he did and refused to respond. Anyway, she decided to greet him again.

 “Good morning, dad.”

 The newspaper lowered in front of him to reveal, a grumpy man. Their father was not an old man. However, he looked it. Of course, why would he not? He never smiled unless one of his daughter’s did something to make him proud. Even then, his smile does not reach his ears. Sometimes, Samira wondered how their mother was able to love such a cold man.

 “Why did you cancel all your appointments today?” He questioned, eyes narrowing at her. At the question, Barbara and Tamera also looked her way. Samira groaned internally and wondered who blabbered to her father. She precisely told Drew not to mention this to him. Maybe there were more of her father’s spies in the company than she imagined.

  “I need a break from work.” She replied while pouring herself a cup of coffee.

 “No, you don’t!” He snapped. “You are the CEO, not a mere employee. And even if you were a mere employee, employees give a month’s notice before going on a break.”

“Can’t I at least get a day off?” She asked.

“No!” He growled. “You won’t have a day off and even if you want a day off, you first ask permission from me, the owner of the company. You are no different from the other employees.”

  Samira’s lips pressed into a line as she stared at her father. She felt like he had just slapped her, slapped her with his position and power and made her feel like she more of an employee to him than a daughter.