Page 4 of Sheikh's Accidental Pregnancy

“It was not the best moment to meet him,” she said. As if there would ever be a more suitable time. She was always a clumsy, awkward girl.

“Don’t worry about it,” Amir said. “You’remyassistant, not his. I don’t mind if you aren’t a perfect, demure lady, especially in your own office. But maybe be a little more careful in the future. You’ll have to win him over if you want to advance here, and that will be harder now.”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry for how that meeting went.”

“I’m happy to say you have another opportunity to make a good impression. There’s a meeting tomorrow morning I need you to attend with me. We’ll be discussing the Samaal Bi’r oil field I mentioned this morning. Tariq, the rest of the board, and the lead engineers will all be there.”

The purpose of the meeting was to have a rough estimate of how much the project was going to cost, how many workers needed to be transferred to that field, how many barrels they expected to produce in a week, and other concerns.

“Any questions?” he asked after explaining everything to her.

“What’s expected of me?”

“Just listen and learn. This will be part of your training.”

“I’m surprised that you’re training me yourself. A man of your importance usually has someone else do that for him,” Sara said.

“I want things a particular way.”

“Like your brother.”

“He’d beg to differ if he heard you,” Amir said with a mischievous smile. He spun on his heel and headed for the door.

Sara chewed on her pen. She figured her next meeting with Tariq was going to be an awkward one as well. But at least she still had a job. She let out a deep sigh.

4

Sara walked into the office the next morning wearing gray pants and a baby-blue long-sleeved shirt. After significant effort, she had managed to tie her hair back in a tight bun, but curls popped out on the sides. She tugged at them to keep them in place. She was nervous about her first meeting, and she wasn’t sure what to expect, especially since Tariq would be there. She greeted Adiva on her way to her office and twirled around in front of her.

“Do I look professional enough for the meeting?” Sara asked.

Adiva smiled. “You look perfect. Don’t be nervous. Everything will be fine.” The receptionist squeezed her arm in reassurance.

“I hope so.” Sara smiled and walked toward the conference room. She was so nervous she’d woken up an hour before her alarm was due to go off, which was just as well given how her hair had fought back. She dropped her bag in her office and went to greet Amir. She found him standing in the conference room with Tariq.

“Good morning, sir,” Sara said to Amir.

“Good morning, Sara. Ready for the meeting?” he asked.

“I think so.” She smiled nervously.

“For today, you’ll only be listening and taking notes. We’ll review the content of the meeting later. Now, allow me to officially introduce you to my brother, Sheikh Tariq Botros. Tariq, my new assistant, Sara Matthews. I understand you spoke yesterday.”

She turned her attention to Tariq, who barely glanced her way. She recalled their interaction from the day before and the view he must have had—her barefoot with her skirt riding up as she bent over the desk. She blushed and swallowed her embarrassment.

“Good morning, Sheikh Tariq.” She’d known she would have to face him this morning. At least she was getting it over with before the rest of the attendees arrived for the meeting. Tariq did not offer a response. He simply looked down at her. Up close, she realized just how much smaller she was than him.

Sara glanced at Amir, unsure what to do now, but her boss was giving Tariq a questioning stare. Then he shook his head with a rueful smile and pointed at a chair against the wall near the head of the table. “Go sit over there,” he told her.

She would be second tier at this meeting—no seat at the table for her just yet. Literally. And honestly, that was fine with her.

She watched the Botros brothers exchange words in Arabic, and when Amir glanced at her while Tariq studiously kept his back to her, Sara knew they were talking about her. Amir patted his brother on the back, and then took his seat at the conference table just in front of Sara, and just to the right of Tariq, who took the head of the table.

A moment later, the rest of the board members arrived in the conference room in ones and twos and sat. A few other people took chairs against the wall, and Sara guessed they were assistants and other support staff like her. As everyone came in, they bowed to Tariq. She leaned forward to whisper to Amir.

“Should I have bowed to your brother?”

“Yes,” Amir whispered back.

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