Page 24 of Sheikh's Accidental Pregnancy

Fiddah was late, even by her standards. She’d been acting strangely over the last week, her normal schedule in complete disarray. She’d missed their lunch date last Saturday completely. He did not like that both his grandmother and Sara were not where they were supposed to be.

Sara had called in sick for the entire week, leaving all her projects hanging. Adiva had helped pick up some of the work, but Tariq and Amir had done most of it. And Sara had even refused to tell them what the problem was.

“None of your business,” she’d said when he called her.

And why the hell had he called Sara?

He knew why. Because she was his, like it or not. Because he couldn’t get the memories of her—good and bad—out of his head. Her pale, sweaty face when he’d intercepted her on the street. Her flushed, ecstatic face when she lay spread before him on the conference table. The taste and sounds of her pleasure. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair and looked around again.

“Sorry I’m late, everyone!” His grandmother sailed into the room as if she were only a few minutes late.

“We were beginning to worry, Mother,” Tariq’s father said, kissing Fiddah in greeting.

“I went by Sara’s apartment to see how she was feeling, and we got to talking. You know how she is.”

Tariq’s mother herded everyone toward the table. “One of these days, I’m going to have to meet the infamous Sara.”

“She is a lovely girl. I like her very much,” Fiddah replied. She took the seat next to Tariq, and for some inexplicable reason, she gave him a wink and a pat on the arm. It made him nervous.

“Who is Sara?” Aaliyah, Tariq and Amir’s cousin, asked. She had moved in with them after her parents died, and she had been raised along with them like a younger sister.

“My assistant,” Amir replied, tousling her hair. She smacked his hand and ducked away. He was always play fighting with her, and her patience for him treating her like a child was running out, Tariq knew.

“Do you like this one?” Mrs. Botros asked. Everyone here knew Amir went through assistants like most people went through socks.

“I do. She is very competent and intelligent. And she’s very funny,” Amir replied. “She’s made the office a happier, more productive place.”

“What do you think of her, Tariq?” Aaliyah asked.

“He loathes her,” Amir said before Tariq could answer. “He always loathes my assistants.”

“But why have you been looking after her, Mother?” their father asked Fiddah.

“Poor girl,” Fiddah said and took a sip of her water.

“Why? Is it something serious?” Amir asked. “I know I should have gone to see her, but she refused to talk to me and made it clear she didn’t want to see me. She’s been ill for over a week now.” His face was creased with worry.

Tariq couldn’t quell his own concern. It swelled inside him, and when Aaliyah glanced at him, she narrowed her eyes. He must not be hiding it well.

“She is expecting, but don’t tell her I told—” Fiddah said.

Tariq’s fork clattered to his plate, and everyone turned to him in stunned silence. “She’s what?” He could hear the tremble in his voice, and so could his family.

“Sara is pregnant?” Amir questioned in shock. Fiddah nodded.

Tariq rose from the table and stalked out of the dining room, calling for a servant to have his car brought around.

* * *

Sara jumped when she heard loud banging on the door. She pressed the security camera button to see who it was.

Tariq. What is he doing here?

She wanted to ignore him, but he kept banging. Kaleena stepped into the camera’s field of vision, presumably to find out what the commotion was all about.

“Sheikh Tariq?” Kaleena asked.

“Is she home?” he asked her.

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