Conversations

The smell of disinfectant wafted in my nose. Hospitals never changed. The eternal smell of sickness and death clung to these places like a ghost clinging to the world.

But, my baby was in here and I wasn't going anywhere. I dismissed Beth with a smile and a thanks and made myself comfortable. Josh slept motionless in his bed. Or at least, I pretended he was asleep. It was easier that way.

"Hey, querido. I had a hectic day at the office today. My boss is a total asshat.", I said and paused.

" I know..... I know I am not supposed to swear, in case you are listening but I am on the edge here. I haven't heard from Ethan yet. Oh, by the way, did I tell you, that he......that he got this job far away. It's in Afghanistan. You know better than me why I'm worried. You are smart. But, he needed to go. So, I am all alone. A bit crappy. But, I've got cool friends, ya know. Lola is very beautiful and we shared a drink today. I think it's my last day at the office today. It's not the kind of place you would like me working at and I really want to be a good example to you. My mom wasn't....isn't. Huh! I guess what I'm trying to say is, it would be a really good time to wake up. I could use your advice.", I blabbered on squeezing his hand.

His fingers didn't move.

I laughed mirthlessly, my throat tightening and eyes brimming. I put my head on my folded hands and rested myself against the bed.

"It's just so hard, Joshie....so hard to do this without anyone.", I said in a hushed voice.

"I know that I am supposed to be kickass Boss Lady but I have no idea what to do. Honestly, I am just surviving here.", I confessed to him.

I rested there for some time and then resolutely rubbed my eyes.

There was work to do.

Georgiana had sent me the list of board members and new additions. The only way to remove Jules out of the CEO position would be a vote of no-confidence by a majority among the board of directors.

Technically, the same had happened to me but if I could show the members that Jules was unfit to run the company, I would have a fighting chance.

And the key to that plan was on this list.

Jamie Kincaid

Francois Gauthier

Ellis Garcia

Jane Marconi

These were the biggest players on the list and the ones who were against me. Out of the nine people in the board, these were the four I needed to get on my side. The others would tide over soon.

The plan was simple. Play nice or play bad or bribe, I needed to convince them of my importance in the company. I just needed the perfect opportunity to make a move.

My phone rang. Without seeing the ID, I picked it up.

"I heard you had an eventful first day at the office. You even managed to impress Aslan, 'The Tiger'", said Jamal in the way of greeting.

"But, he didn't impress me.", I replied in the way of greeting.

Jamal chuckled.

"You are one who is jobless now. The boss doesn't need to impress you.", he reminded me.

" Yeah, well, I am leaving the job tomorrow, so there's no question of impressing me any more.", I went in for the kill.

He went silent on the other side.

"Do I receive an explanation for this?", he asked softly.

I picked an invisible thread out of my dress.

" He is not the kind of man I feel proud to work for. He is not a good boss. He is a tyrant. He mistreats his employees.", I told Jamal plainly.

He sighed.

"Habibti.....you don't need money. You have enough money to last 5 generations that is not counting your personal investments. But, money is not the point. You need engagement. You need a distraction from the storm in your life. You need a foot in the game. You can't afford to sit back and relax. Emir.....he is a......friend of sorts. I can assure you things will get better.", he said being cryptic again.

"What's the deal with guy anyway? Does he get a kick out of being an ass?"

Jamal snorted derisively. Prince Jamal snorted. I should have recorded it. He was the most controlled man I knew.

"I can assure you that is not the case. Emir....he is a brilliant designer and a great man. He is an alumni of Les Ecole Des Beaux-Arts. His work is monumental in Turkish fashion. I haven't sent you to work for someone less."

"That's not the point. He can Da Vinci for all I care. But it doesn't give him the right to be a dictator at the office.", I said indignantly.

"He wasn't always like this. Things changed. Two years ago....something happened to him. I can't tell you what. That would be breaking his trust. Aslan is a trusted friend but more than that, he can be your ally to get your company back. Trust me on this."

"Anyways....enough bitching about work. My romantic life is drier than the Sahara. Tell me about yours so I can annoy you.", I said being incredibly nosy.

Jamal sighed again probably sory to have called me. But, he wasn't getting out of this so quickly.

" Rumor has it that you're getting hitched. The 'World's Most Eligible Bachelor is Off The Market:Mothers Across The World in Nervous Breakdown'", I said my voice comically loud. I was trying to impersonate Attenborough.

"I don't know why I tolerate you. I regret taking you as protege.", he said not sounding regretful at all. He sounded more annoyed like I was a pesky fly ruining his meditation by buzzing around.

" So you really are getting hitched?!", I asked excited at the prospect of one of my family members getting married.

"I can neither deny nor confirm your accusations.", he said, his voice annoyingly calm.

Then he stayed quiet for a minute.

" You okay?", I asked.

"No.....no....actually. But, I am getting married. It's time I settled down, had an heir to my empire. You know, marrying for strategic reasons.", he confessed.

Jamal came from a uber-conservative Saudi Muslim family. Love was a foreign concept in his world. Though his country was technologically advanced, open-mindedness had yet to be a part of their culture. The laws of that society were so deeply ingrained in him, that 19 years in the U. S could still not change his mind about relationships. I knew for a fact that he didn't wish for such a burdensome marriage and had pushed as hard as possible to extend his bachelorhood but duty to the family was first. Jamal bint Sayad was nothing if not the dutiful son.

I just felt sad to see my friend marrying in the name of duty. I wasn't naive enough to think that love marriages had happy endings either but I had found someone to be happy with. I wanted him to have that happiness.

"Have you at least met the girl?", I asked tentatively.

Marrying someone without seeing her face was a terrifying prospect. This was the matter of his entire life. I couldn't imagine what he was going through. More than that, I couldn't imagine what his fiance was going through. The poor terrified girl!

" I haven't.", he answered. There was resignation in his tone. He was a determined and tenacious man that made him the best in business. It hurt to hear him so defeated.

It wasn't my place to pry in his personal matters but I couldn't help but feel concerned.

"You know, you have the resources to find out.", I said gently.

" I would rather not. It's been decided. The less I think about this, the better for my sanity.", he said.

"It's the 21st century Jamal. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. If it is someone else you want...'', I left the sentence open-ended.

"I always knew what was coming. It's just unfair. I am a man. I can cheat on my marriage. I am allowed my freedom. I am more worried about the girl. She too may have dreams. Aspirations. Whoever she may be, I am sure she doesn't want this any more than I do. All she will have is a husband married to his work than her. This may seem weird to you, but for us it's quite natural. It's just....I have been here so long, I almost forgot that I have shackles.", he said dryly.

"I think she is a lucky girl. To have a husband like you."

He snorted again.

"Besides, if you need help, just ask me. I will corrupt the girl in a day."

"No, thank you. You are not coming anywhere near my wife. She will be divorcing me in a day and running off with you.", he said amused now.

" What can I say, it's all part of the charm! ", I exaggerated.

"I would greatly appreciate it if you don't resign tomorrow. Give it a go. Who knows what might happen!", he said cheerfully.

I swore under my breath.

"I will but I need your help with something."

He wasn't getting off so easy. If he needed me there, he would have to do something for me.

"If you wanted Jaine Kincaid on your side, what would you do? Hypothetically speaking of course.",I asked.

"Isn't he one of the board members at Boss Lady?", he questioned.

I stayed quiet.

He released a breath.

"I would get him a membership at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. The man is an aficionado. Been on the waiting list for years. Got rejected every time."

"It's super exclusive. Their recruitment process is recommendation based.", I argued.

" It's the price I would pay for his vote.", he countered.

I made a humming noise.

"I didn't tell you any of this.", he said neutrally.

" I didn't hear anything.", I replied.

Then we clicked off with a goodbye. The biggest question was how to get that membership.

Finally, in control of my restlessness, I returned to work on the designs more focused.

I didn't know how long I stayed up at the hospital.

But, I did drift off beside my son without nightmares.