Page 21 of A Win-Win Situation

"Sure," I reply, trying to sound as composed as possible.

After repeatedly askingevery staff member I come across for directions, I finally find someone who agrees to help me—Pierre, the concierge.

Together, we ascend the stairs, as there's no way I'm taking an elevator thirty floors up. However, Pierre seems to be growing increasingly agitated. He’s been shooting angry glances my way since the sixteenth floor. Granted, I'm also exhausted and drenched in sweat, but I didn't force him to accompany me on the staircase. He could have easily taken the elevator and left me to my own devices.

Eventually, we arrive at a door with a lock—guests aren't permitted to access the office floors. Pierre leads me through another set of stairs behind the keycard-locked door.

As we walk through the office, I can't help but marvel at its beauty. The space is filled with natural light and the walls are adorned with gorgeous artwork. The floors are covered in rich mahogany, adding warmth to the atmosphere and the furniture is sleek and modern. I feel a little intimidated, like I don't belong here. That feeling is only intensified when we're met by Camille, who looks like she's stepped out of a fashion magazine. Shegreets me warmly and introduces herself as the assistant tobothMr. Ayoubs.

There are, apparently, two of them.

"Thank you, Pierre," she dismisses him and I follow her. We approach a closed door and I hear muffled voices coming from the other side. "They’re waiting for you." She knocks on the door and then guides me in.

Upon entering the room, the voices become clearer and I hear someone yelling, "Are you kidding me? I told you I would handle this myself!"

My heart sinks a little at the tension in the room, but then Antoine spots me and his face lights up. I immediately feel relief at seeing a friendly face.

He opens his arms. "Welcome, Leora."

The relief quickly disappears when the angry man in the room turns around, and I feel as though someone has poured ice-cold water down my back.

"You!" We exclaim at the same time

In front of me stands none other than the handsome asshole, Lucas.

NINE

LUCAS

My uncle rescheduled our mid-day meeting, and my body fills with rage as I enter his office.

"You’re notchoosinga wife for me."

"I’ve already chosen one, and she’ll be great for you."

"I won't marry a random girl you've picked," I say through gritted teeth. "You don't even know her yourself. You just met hertoday."

"You forget that I've lived much longer than you, and that my eyes have seen more people than you could ever dream of. You don't succeed in life without learning how to read people and understand their hearts."

I shake my head at his words. My uncle has been spewing Arabic proverbs about understanding people since I was young, with his favorite being,"The heart knows what the tongue can't say, and what the ears can't hear."He’s always encouraging me to learn how to understand a person through their eyes and determine if they're trustworthy. But he seems to forget that times change and people are much more calculated nowadays. Eyes don’t speak the same language anymore.

"I’m not interested in this girl," I say, crossing my arms in defiance like my younger self.

"You should give her a chance. At least meet her and see for yourself."

I sigh at his words before answering with, "I’ll choose my own wife."

"It’s been over three months, Lucas, and you only have three months left. From my perspective, it doesn't seem like you can. Besides, she’s on her way here now."

Fire courses through my veins. "Are you kidding me? I told you I would handle this myself!"

My uncle just laughs, seeming very pleased with himself.

Suddenly, the door opens and my uncle speaks, "Welcome, Leora."

Leora.

I know that name.

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