Ismail and I have arrived at the hotel where we are meeting the owner to discuss our app, but he or she hasn’t arrived yet. I am about to suggest to Ismail that maybe we should leave, when a guy who looks like he just rushed out of bed walks up to our table.
“I am so sorry for being late Mr Uthman, I had an unexpected issue I had to deal with,” he says with a thick French accent while adjusting his tie. He is tall, over 6 feet, has black hair, a lean build and doesn’t look older than 26 or 27.
“It’s fine, Mr. Baron,” Ismail answers.
“And who might this lovely lady be?” Mr Baron asks, checking me out from head to toe with lust in his eyes.
“I am Miss Isa,” I say primly, trying not to sound hostile because I don’t like the way he is looking at me.
“If I had known such a pretty lady was waiting for me, I would have come sooner,” Mr Baron says smirking.
“I
A week has gone by so quickly. I am exhausted from all the meetings we had. It is Saturday and I have been sleeping all morning, although I woke up for Fajr. I am trying to pretend that I can’t hear Emma banging on my door for me to wake up, but too late for that because I am already up. I walk lazily to my door and open it before she breaks it down.“Umit, why are you not dressed,” Emma says walking into my room.“Because I was sleeping before you decided to wake me up,” I answer going back to my bed.“You can’t go back to sleep. Have you forgotten we have to go shopping today,” Emma says pulling me up.“I didn’t forget, I just want a few more hours of sleep,” I try to lie back down.“I know you are tired but today and tomorrow are the only days you are going to be free before the gala. So, please get your lazy body off the bed so we can go,” Emma says pulling me up with
Emma hired three makeup artists, so no one has to wait for the other. Two hours later, we are completely transformed. I am wearing a silver-grey evening dress in tulle, with 3D salmon-colored leaves embroidered and an overskirt. I am also wearing a silver hajib, the jewelry Ismail gave me, and elegant high heeled strap lace sandals. Fatima is wearing a salmon-colored dress in lace with crystal embroideries and a pleated skirt. She is also wearing rose gold ankle strap heels, diamond love knot earrings and a salmon-colored hajib. Emma is wearing an off-the-shoulder nude dress in embroidered tulle, embellished with blue and nude patchwork lace embroideries and sequins. She is wearing champagne glitter ankle strap heels and white gold round diamond stud earrings.“Hmmm, Umit, I like your jewelry. They are lovely.” Emma says smiling sheepishly.“Thank you, Ismail gave them to me,” I smile.“I know,” Emma smirks, “And I just
The weather is really warm today, even the sand feels warm under my feet. I wish I could dip my legs in the water, but it’s too cold so I won’t. The sun is warm today, making me feel very relaxed. I don’t mind coming here every day to relax.“The weather is really good today,” Fatima says beside me.“Yes, it is.”We are walking down the shore of Vik black beach in Iceland. The beautiful black sand is to die for over here. We arrived in Iceland a few days ago. Fatima and I are walking down the beach after a long day of meetings.“I wonder why Udar is taking so long,” Fatima says. Udar is picking us up from the beach.“Maybe something came up. I’m sure he will be here soon.”“He should hurry, I am tired.”“Are you sure it’s because you are tired or there is another reason?” I tease Fatima.“What are you trying to say?&rdquo
While shopping Aunt Maria asks me something unexpected that throws me off guard.“So, what is going on between my nephew and you?” she asks me, smiling sheepishly.“I don’t understand what you mean, Aunt Maria,” I reply totally confused as to why she would ask that.“Really? Because if I didn’t know better, I would say you guys are dating.”“Oh My! Why would you say such a thing, Aunt Maria,” I say feeling shy and confused as to what made her think that. But maybe she thinks that because of how close Ismail and I are.“Because of the way you treat each other.”“And how do we treat each other?” I wonder if she has another reason and it’s not because Ismail and I are close.“You treat each other like you are in love. You guys buy each other things when you go out, which is a sign you are thinking of one another while you are out. You are alwa
The next day I wake up early, pray, eat breakfast, and get ready for a day full of meetings. I get dressed for the meeting in a black jumpsuit with a collarless coat, black heels, a black clutch, a black hajib, and my black sunglasses. Everything I am wearing is black, today. As I go to meet Ismail, I try not to think about my feelings for him. As my Mum said, I will know with time if he likes me the same way. I will act like nothing has changed between us. But now I realize the depth of my feelings for him, I will never see Ismail as just my ‘brother-in-law’ again.“Aha! Umit, did someone die?” Ismail chuckles as I walk toward him.“Is the black too much?” I ask, wondering if instead of looking professional I look like I am going to a funeral.“A bit, but you look beautiful as always.”“Thank you,” I say trying to hide my smile. Maybe everyone is right, and Ismail does really like me, but
Today is Thursday. I am sitting in the living room watching TV while I wait for Fatima to come over so we can go shopping. Udar and Ismail are having dinner to mark the end of the successful business trip, and to thank everyone for their contributions to making it a success. Fatima and I finished our meetings early, so we have time to go shopping. I’m becoming impatient as she is running late when she finally comes down the stairs.“What took you so long?” I pick up my handbag and start walking to the garage. We are taking one of Aunt Maria’s cars. We are taking her Lexus LC to the mall.“Sorry, I was talking to my mom,” Fatima says walking up beside me.“Oh, did you say hi to her for me,” I say entering the car.“I did. She asked how you were doing, and I told her you are fine,” Fatima says getting in too.“Alright let’s go,” I say driving out of the garage. 
Last night the men took us out for that dinner we extorted. Udar and Ismail did manage to get us a booking at the restaurant. We all had a great time until it was time to pay. Fatima and I were only joking about making them pay, but they took it seriously. In the end, Fatima and I graciously allowed them to pay, not wanting the evening to end on a sour note.Fatima and I plan to go to the spa for a good massage after our two weeks of work in Iceland. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), we are through with advertising our app to all the hotels and tour guide companies in various countries. Some did not sign with us, but overall, it was a success. And I am sure once others see its success, we will get more interest.While I am getting my massage, my phone starts buzzing with text messages. I put my phone on silent so no one would disturb me, but it seems this person found another way to get my attention. I pick up my phone to find out who is disturbing me when my phone s
The following week—which is vacation week—is spent in the best way possible. Aunt Maria kept true to her word and showed us a few wonders of Iceland. We visited the Iceland ice caves. The caves are unique and memorable to visit, the amazing forms and shapes of the ice have a magnificent beauty to it. We visited the Golden circle with places like Gullfoss falls. It is one of the most massive waterfalls I have ever seen, tumbling between two rugged rock faces, releasing a magnificent mass of water. The Silfra, which is an underwater crack in the continental divide, that separates Eurasia and American continental plates. The water is also one of the clearest waters in the world. There are still a lot of places to visit, like viewing the northern lights and many others. But today we are going hiking in the mountains. We are climbing Mt. Esja, it is really a sight to see. It is dominating the Reykjavík City skyline and providing a stunning backdrop to the capital city.