Chapter 11

The moment the words left my mouth, Maiko stood up from the table. She looked like she wanted to throw her coffee at me but I reacted in time.

Maiko: James! You!

James: The choice is yours.

I quickly left the café and practically ran back to the office without getting a drink for myself. My heart was thumping as I stood in the lift; my nerves were rattled from the despicable act that I had just pulled. It was despicable, yes, but it was also arousing to me. It was arousing to see that helpless look on Maiko’s face when I stated my demands.

Around noon that day, Rashid came into the office with Barkar. Everyone did their work as usual. At about four p.m. in the afternoon. Rashid summoned Lydia, Maiko and me into his office. Barkar remained in the room which was rare since he usually excused himself when it came to our usual work discussions. Rashid got Barkar to close the door and draw the blinds, a sign that we were about to talk about a confidential project where information must be kept within the staff in the team only. We were not to mention it even to other colleagues in the office.

Rashid: Lydia, we are bringing forward the trip to Dubai to tomorrow afternoon. Can you get ready in time?

Lydia: Tomorrow? Oh ... okay.

She gave me a look before she added that it should not be a problem. Of course it was not a problem. No one said no to Sheikh Rashid.

Rashid: James, Maiko, I need you guys to go with me too.

Maiko and I looked at Rashid in surprise when he told us about the one week trip to Dubai.

Rashid: I want to introduce you guys to some clients, and in the future, I hope you can manage some properties I have in the UAE because I’m looking to expand into Africa.

All of us nodded as Rashid went on about his briefing. After he got the work out of the way, he shut his laptop and leaned back on his chair.

Rashid: There is actually another matter I want to talk to you three about.