The CEO'S syndrome

CHAPTER EIGHT: Voice like soft as summer rain.

       

"You have been sour all day. What is it?", Omar asked Fyodor with a smile warming his features.

Fyodor groaned as he harshly pulled his tie loose, he had a rough day, to top it all, he got a call from his father.

"My father has invited me to some party, now of all times. There's no time to socialize, the company is preparing for its annual inspection! God forbid those heartless prosecutors find a problem with our services". 

The other men laughed as they watched Fyodor lament like an overgrown baby.

"What party?", Omar asked grinning.

He had a feeling he knew the exact party Fyodor was talking about.

"The Duncans. Do you know the most annoying part? My whole family would be attending. Including Ivan. I would definitely be grizzled before the end of the day!"

The other two gave each other a knowing look and made sport of Fyodor. Omar covered the short distance to his fridge and threw a bottle of beer for his friends.

"We are invited too", They said in uniform.

Fyodor exhaled in relief and smiled. "Wow. Thank God. For a second, I pictured my last minutes with my brother around me for the whole night. Let me guess, your family is invited as well"

Omar nodded. "Good reason why you have to shop our suits, we just saved your life"

"Ewww. I am not doing diaper shopping for you. As for me, I am going to wear my oldest suit. I am not interested in some silly party"

Fyodor proudly announced.

"Oldest suit? And lose the opportunity to meet potential clients?", Joseph advised.

Fyodor sighed in defeat.

Joseph gave the party a second thought, why were they all invited to go with their family. This was not the first time he was attending a party with his family, but he felt uneasy about it. 

What if their parents were trying to match them?

"Guys, what if our parents are trying to set us up with their business partners' daughters?"

He shared his thoughts.

"Then they have something else coming their way", Omar sneered.

"I do not mind as long as she is my type", Fyodor remarked.

Joseph shrugged as he headed to the fridge to retrieve another can of beer.

"Jeez! Slow down, will you?" 

Omar playfully warned. He shook his head and found files he planned to work on for the night.

Joseph rolled his eyes as he got comfortable on the sofa and began to prepare his work space, he opened his bag and brought out documents he planned to go through.

"Snap out of it, will you?" Only Fyodor sat still, he wool gathered about the lady he might be introduced to, at the party. She would charm him with her porcelain skin, a voice like soft summer rain, her shiny long hair, with a phlegmatic temperament.

Omar smacked his head hard to stop the dreamer.

Fyodor grunted as he got to work as well. 

The men pulled an all-nighter every Wednesday, they usually work quietly together but sometimes counsel one another on business issues.

Omar checked his wrist watch, it was two in the morning.

"Gentlemen, the long awaited break is here. Who wants some snacks?"

They all found their way to the floor and sat in a circle as Joseph opened the tupperware he had come with.

Omar did the serving of the fruit salad and said in a jocular tone when he tasted a forkful.

"Someone needs to work on their cooking skills. Even a fruit salad tastes awful"

Joseph rolled his eyes and ate quietly. He is used to Omar's teasing.

The men took turns in making the midnight snacks they took every Wednesday.

"Guys why don't we use our break to order the suits. Instead of sending me to go tampon shopping", Fyodor suggested.

Joseph gave him a thumbs up.

Omar ruffled his hair, "Are we girls? Sometimes when we talk, we act like my younger sisters"

The men finished their midnight snack and completed their work.

Four hours later, they went their separate ways to prepare for the business goodies Thursday would grant them.

       

                    …

Omar greeted a few staff that were already awake and carrying out their duties as he walked to the room.

"Al'akh al'akbar! She won't wake up again. It's almost time for Solah"

Farah exclaimed as she saw her half brother take the last step to his room.

"She won't? Then we better wake her up", he grinned widely with his twelve year old sister as they skidded through the familiar hallway and faintly opened the door to their target's room.

Akilah lay peacefully on the bed, deep in slumber, her even breathing became labored by the sudden intrusion.

Omar and Farah had shouted her name on the count of three.

Akilah lazily rubbed her eyes and glared at her siblings. She pointed at Farah and recited, just like every other day they woke her up. The fifteen year old calls herself a beauty queen and acts like one.

"This beauty queen needs her beauty sleep to look beautiful"

Facing her brother, who smirked like he had no idea why she was getting worked up.

"Why do you always come home in time to wake me up? Ugh, I love you brother".

She stood up and ran into the bathroom to prepare for her morning prayer.

"What of me sister?" Farah half yelled for her sister to hear behind the closed bathroom door.

"I hate you!" Akilah yelled back.

The two siblings laughed and walked out of the room. They had completed their task. A job well done indeed.

Hand in hand, they walked to the mosque with Farah telling her brother in full details how she spent her Wednesday. She reminded him again of her first music show and begged him not to miss it. She threatened that she would not perform without him.

Farah is the baby of the house and Omar's favorite. He spoils her with gifts and enjoys talking to her the most.

After the morning prayer, Omar greeted his stepmother and father.

Gamila and Djamila, the two quiet twins, offered their greetings.

Nora, the eldest, was not present. She had her monthly flow and was unfit for the prayer. 

Omar did not return to his room for a short nap but followed his younger sister to her room to help her pick an outfit for her first ballet class. All he wished for was to rest his eyes, but he could not say no to his little princess.

Thirty minutes later, he was relieved to be able to turn the knob of his room, but his little celebration was cut short by the sight of the man who sat on his bed.

Omar sighed inwardly and said politely, "What can I do for you sir"

His father smiled sadly and patted the space next to him.

Omar stood still and patiently waited for his father to speak.

"How are you son? I just wanted to remind you of the party. I hope you are looking forward to it too?"

Omar stoically replied, "Yes sir"

His father nodded his head in approval. "God. Cause there's someone I would like you to meet"

"Okay sir"

His father stood up and patted his son's shoulder before leaving.

"Keep up with the good work. May God continue to bless you"