Married to a Billionaire (Completed)

CHAPTER: 4

Sheikh-Amir-AL-Aman planned that he would marry Serena, but it would be a business arrangement. The marriage would be a marriage of convenience. A way for him to maintain his control over the 'AL-Aman Oil Board and Business Corporation.'

"You really think she will agree to marry you?" Zubair asked, getting Amir out of his thoughts.

Amir gave a brief nod as they headed towards the locker room. "She will," he replied.

"I have got doubts on that count, brother. The next few days will be very interesting. I look forward to watching you fail," Zubair said.

"Then you will be disappointed," Amir replied with a grin. "She will be mine. I have no doubts. Even better, she will be planning her own dream wedding, without even realizing it." 

"No. I believe she is too smart for you." Zubair chuckled. "Any woman who carries a portfolio like that is a force to reckon with. She will catch you at your game, and then she will make you pay."

"That is not going to happen," Amir scoffed. "Besides that pink monstrosity, she calls a portfolio, everything she uses is that color. Pens, papers, business cards. Everything. Do you know what that means?"

Zubair shook his head.

"It means, dear brother, that she has her head in the clouds. While she is planning other people's weddings, she probably has hers already planned out down to the smallest detail. It seems my new bride is a hopeless romantic. And romance or love makes people blind, and stupid."  

"Perhaps," Zubair replied. He then headed for the shower, his grin was though wide. "But I will still be anxiously awaiting your downfall."

Twenty minutes later, Amir walked into the restaurant, nodding to the owner, as he was then escorted to his private dining room. The purpose of his visit and luncheon was to discuss the current board situation with Sheikh-Rashid, his uncle, and the man who had trained him for his position with the company.

"Uncle," Amir greeted Rashid with a kiss to each cheek, as was their custom, although there was little affection behind the act for them. "Thank you, for agreeing to meet with me today," Amir said.

Rashid took his seat and sipped water. "You are most welcome, though I wonder why you have called me here?"

Amir fidgeted with his fingers and waited, while the waiter took their orders, then left them alone once more in their private room, a veil hung over the door for added security. Amir then said, "The current demands of the board are unacceptable."

Rashid looked at him, and asked, "The marriage clause?" Does that mean you intend to defy their orders?"

Amir asked him, "Why did you not participate in the voting, of the board?"

"It seemed unfair to participate in a vote, that could easily allow me to step into your position," Rashid replied.

Amir appreciated the man's frankness. He always preferred to meet his competition head-on, knowing where the strike would come from, and then plan the moves accordingly.

Rashid continued, "Besides, the fact remains your recent public affair debacles have left the board's reputation in tatters. To overcome that precarious position will require a show of obedience on your part, a sacrifice. Thus the wedding."

"And I am sure you had nothing to do with the fabrication of such a plan?" Amir told him.

Rashid gave him a very cold smile, he said, "Actually, I did not. This was totally your father's doing. My brother has protected you in the past, but this time you have pushed him to the limits, and he thus chose to let the wrath of the board fall on you." Rashid then comfortably sat back and said, "Lucky for you, I have no desire to run the AL-Aman Oil Corporation."

"Don't lie to me." Amir then leaned forward slightly. "You have wanted my position since the day I was appointed."

Rashid replied, "At first, yes. But now that I have seen the amount of stress it has caused you, the way it has taken over every aspect of your life, I have changed my mind. I would much rather have someone else at the forefront and simply know that my wishes were going to be met."

Amir shook his head, clenching his jaw he said, "And you believe I will be your puppet?"

"Yes. I do," Rashid said.   

Stunned, Amir sat back again, speechless.

"Listen, dear nephew," Rashid continued, leaning forward now to rest his forearms on his knees. "I have come prepared to help you solve your dilemma." He snapped his fingers and a woman in a black burqa or veil, stepped through into the room.

Her kohl-rimmed gaze met Amir's from behind her veil and she made no attempt to look away, as was the normal custom of respect.

The longer Amir stared into those dark brown eyes, the more recognition dawned. She was Nyla-Al-Abed, Mistress of Sheikh-Rashid.

"I see that you already have recognized my guest." Rashid gestured for her to join them. "She has been apprised of the situation, and is ready to become your bride." 

"No." Amir held up his hand. "Much as I appreciate the offer, I already have a bride."

"Really?" Rashid gave him a curious look. "That is not what I have heard."

"Well, you have heard wrong," Amir replied.

"Nyla would be a suitable bride and one the board would readily accept, with a little persuasion from me," Rashid said.

"The clause was that I marry someone with ties to the West. Not only does Nyla not meet that requirement, why would you think for a moment I would marry your Mistress?" Amir questioned his Uncle.

The thought of marrying his uncle's mistress turned his stomach. Nyla might dress as a chaste woman now, but Amir knew it was only an act.

"You are running out of time. You could be married to Nyla before the end of the week," Rashid said to Amir.

"No." Just then Amir spotted Serena entering the restaurant. He called for a waiter and instructed him to get her over to their table. He then stood up, and said, "This meeting is over. Good day."

Rashid pushed to his feet as well, but before he could say a word, Serena approached.

"Who is this?" Rashid asked Amir.

"Serena, this is my uncle Rashid. Rashid, Serena is planning my wedding."

"What?" Rashid's complexion flushed red, and his dark gaze sparked with anger.

"Yes. Now, if you will excuse us, Serena and I have much to discuss. I will see you at the next board meeting, Rashid, if not sooner."

Amir stared at his uncle from across the table, daring the man to stay. After waiting for a moment, Rashid gave up the fight and strode away from their private dining room, with Nyla in tow.

Once Amir and Serena were alone again, he held her chair for her as she sat, then went back to his seat across the table.

Serena still stared after their departed guests, frowning. "Was that your bride?" she asked.

Amir didn't answer and instead called the waiter. He ordered a white wine and water for Serena, and a refill of his sweet wine, all the while thinking out the best response to her question. "She will be unable to attend today, unfortunately," he replied.

"Oh, dear." Serena then kept her pink planner on the table beside her and appeared genuinely disheartened. "I was really hoping to get started on the preparations as soon as possible."

The platters of food that he had ordered earlier arrived and Amir stifled a laugh as Serena began staring at the mountains of hummus, pita bread, rice, and chicken curries, kebabs, all laid out before her. And lastly arrived the salads, fresh cucumber with lettuce, and other vegetables.

"Wow." Serena's gaze shifted from the feast to Amir. "All this looks and smells so amazing," she said.

Amir asked her, "Do you like Arab cuisine?"

"I don't know. I have never tried before," she replied.

"Then you shall enjoy your first experience of sampling the treats of my country." He smiled and pointed towards the chicken curry. "This one is spicy, so be careful."

"I like spicy stuff," she replied. She then picked up her fork and sampled a small bite. The tiny groan of pleasure that escaped her, had Amir shifting in his seat and thinking of the bedroom, not the dining room. "This is fantastic," she said.

"I am glad that you are enjoying it." He could not seem to stop staring at her mouth, at the way her tongue moistened her lower lip.

She said, "I have had Indian curry before, but this seems to be different. This has just the right amount of heat."

The fact that Serena seemed to like his native food, pleased Amir, more than he cared to admit. In the palace, the chef would cook whatever she wanted, including American dishes. The thought of them sharing a banquet for two of their favorite spicy dishes brought a smile to his lips.

"So," Serena while having a bite of salad said, "Your bride does not want to have a say in the planning of the wedding?"

"Let us finish our meals first, then we will discuss business, Yes?"

"Okay," she nodded.