CHAPTER 5 SHEIKH ABDULLAH WARNS DEVLIN ABOUT MESSING WITH HIS PA

     When they all got back to Abu Dhabi, Mabel couldn’t help but notice the change in Devlin’s attitude towards her. He no longer tries to corner her, instead he avoids her. For some reason, Mabel missed the aggressive Devlin. However, she wasn’t complaining as it made her life easier, though less exciting. One morning however as per her normal routine, at 7:45 am she went inside the Sheikh’s home office only to discover her boss and the partner having coffee again. It seemed a normal occurrence but she didn’t mind as Devlin just gave her a passing glance. Deep inside though, Mabel was longing for the times he stole kisses from her. Did he already got bored or was he able to find a woman who satisfies his needs? That thought caused a tightening in Mabel’s chest. Before, she always catches him stealing glances at her, now it seems the opposite. He was dressed impeccably, although not a normal businessman’s suit. He’s wearing a whte polo shirt which was stretched taut against his muscled torso and blue slacks that outlined his legs. Looking at him aroused a hunger in her. What might it feel to be enclosed in those strong arms of his again or to be carried by him. She averted her gaze when Devlin lifted his head from his laptop. Mabel missed his satisfied grin, it was worth the effort to ask Larry’s advice, no wonder the man found his fiancee. Devlin continued his lackluster interest in her despite having a hard time resisting temptation by his side as Mabel approached where he was seated in front of the Sheikh’s desk. The sheikh asked her to bring Devlin the printed copies of the contracts they discussed during the video conference when both Mabel and Devlin were in the Philippines. Mabel was wearing a knee high dress that brushed Devlin’s legs as she approached. He had to suck in the sensation not wanting to give him away. As Mabel bent a little to move the documents towards the Sheikh, he wanted to grab her sexy ass and pull her to his lap. When she straightened and asked if they both needed something, in his mind he said, yes Mabel I need you impaled on my dick. He pretended disinterest when she excused herself and went out to grab some breakfast. As soon as she was out of earshot though, his partner spoke.

     “I am warning you American, do not mess with my PA. You can have women at your beck and call but my employees are not for you. Mabel has been through a lot and we do not want her hurt. She is my employee but like most of my staff, I treat them like family. The women are like my daughters while the men are like my sons. You, however, are my partner and that’s that.”

     “Huh! What gave you the impression that I want to mess with your PA? Have you seen me molesting her or harassing her right now? I was working, you old man. “

     “Working my butt! I was once like you Devlin, I employed the same tactics to endear me to my lovely wife so do not take me for an ignoramus. And who are you calling old? I’m only 10 years older than you, what are you, 45?”

     “I’m only 35, do I look like I am a father? That’s beside the point, I am not messing with your PA and if I want to pursue her, would that be a problem? I am single, rich not to mention good-looking and she is beautiful and available. Unless you became her adopted father without me knowing. Come on Abdullah, don’t be a spoilsport. You were never a dunderhead that is why I agreed to be your partner. I would never mess with her, maybe at first I thought she was game but as I got to know her, she is quite a formidable lady. Am I missing something in the equation? She avoids me like I have the plague and when we butt heads, she is quite the meany. I have never met someone like her and she challenges me.”

     “It is probably just the novelty of her and you’ll get bored soon. You are not the type of man to settle down and she is the type of woman who will, that is if she wants to. From what I’ve learned about her, she is kind of philophobic. I do not know the particulars about her past and I do not want to pry.”

     “Philophobic, afraid to fall in love? Love is an overrated thing and I think she does well to be that, however, a little fun could do us both good.”

     “I told you Devlin, no messing around with my employees. Go find someone to scratch your itch. “

     “My, my, I am really impressed with your vocabulary, Sheikh!”

     “Expecting me to be uneducated, do you? I grew up in your fraudish country, American so I knew your ways although I thank Allah for sparing me the vile things. “ As Devlin was about to give his retort, Mabel came back bearing a tray of snacks.

     “Madam said to give you both something to eat otherwise, coffee will pester in your guts.” She set down the tray on the coffee table and proceeded to her desk by the corner. Unlike the last time, a desk with a front cover has replaced her previous work table. Only the lower part of Mabel’s legs were visible and Devlin nearly growled his irritation. Since he wanted to maintain a facade of indifference, he just covered his irritation by clearing his throat eliciting a questioning stare from the sheikh which he ignored. Seeing the tasty array of cakes and pastries on the tray though made him reach for a vanilla cake. Having a sweet tooth was almost his downfall when he was a kid but now that he can buy all the sweet treats in the world, he tends to indulge in them. There was an icing on his finger so he licked it clean which caused Mabel to swallow as she was surreptitiously watching him. Watching him lick his finger caused heat to pool in her loins. She tried to shake his effect on her but to no avail as he kept eating cake and kept licking his fingers and lips when icing got smudged in them. She kicked her toe on the edge of her desk to distract herself and because she was not concentrating, she stubbed it hard.

     “Oww, ouchie!” she exclaimed. Both men looked up at her. She colored and apologized. 

     “I accidentally stubbed my toe, sorry. I am fine.” she limped away from her desk and slowly limped out of the office. “

     “Make sure to apply some ice on that toe, child.It might end up swollen and bruised.” the sheikh affectionately told her as she limped past his table.”

     “Yes, sir. I will go to the kitchen and see if I can get some ice.”

     When Devlin heard her exclaim of pain, he nearly blew his facade but he clamped it in time as Mabel nearly stumbled and fell on him again. He would have loved for that to happen but he was not that lucky. 

     As Mabel limped towards the kitchen, Fidelo saw her and he was suddenly all too solicitous of her. He assisted her to a chair and kneeled down inspecting her toe. Mabel was too embarrassed to talk but she was in pain so she let him check the injured toe.

     “Isn’t it funny that a small toe hurts a lot no matter how slight the injury is?” She asked him. Fidelo looked up at her from his kneeling position and grinned.

     “Yes, very much but I hope you will be fine soon, lovely Mabel.”

     “You’re a tease, aren’t you, Mr. Spaniard?” Mabel poked fun at him. It was this teasing that Devlin found when he got impatient for Mabel to return to the office. What he saw sent him into a jealous state that he turned around and went back inside the office. 

     “How is she?”

     “She looked fine to me as she is busy flirting with your chef.” He did not hide his annoyance from the sheikh.

     “Ahh, Okay, might as well go check. We do not want our chef to carry her off to his bed, don’t we?” That statement was said to rile Devlin and he knew it but it still grated. 

     “I thought you do not condone such acts under your house? It seems to me, you will allow your male employees to play with your female ones.`` Devlin uttered sarcastically.

      “Of course I do not condone it. Fidelo would not risk his job messing with any female member of my household. You’re just being consumed by your jealousy Devlin and I do not understand. “

     “Jealousy? Don’t be ridiculous. She is just a passing fancy and you are right, she is a novelty. What do I care if your employees tup each other senselessly?”

     “Hey language Sir. You are still under my roof and if you do not give respect to me or my employees, then I will have to boot you out.`` The sheikh was angered by what Devlin said that he stood up from where he was calmly seated a few minutes ago. It was at this point that Mabel was returning and she heard every last word that Devlin uttered. She felt hurt by his callous words, it is true then, he lost interest in her and he got bored. Though she has no right to be hurt, she still was. Having seen to her toe, Fidelo went back to the kitchen and as she still had emails to send, she decided to return to the office. She also heard her employer’s angry voice and was surprised to see his red face. Her concern for her employer overshadowed all other emotions she has.

     “Sir, sir, please sit down.” Mabel tried to placate him but he was too angry. She glowered at Devlin and irritatedly exclaimed

     “Look what you've done to my boss you bothersome creature!” She went to her desk and retrieved a portable BP monitor. As soon as the sheikh was settled, she checked her employer’s blood pressure. It was a little bit high but after she gave him some water, he calmed down somehow.

     “I am okay, Habibti, don’t worry. It just makes me angry that some people seem to be tactless.” he looked pointedly at Devlin who didn’t even have the decency to apologize as he was furious himself. He huffed and walked out on them like a boy having tantrums. Once in his own suite in the villa, Devlin sat down and frowned at himself.

     “What the heck was I thinking, walking out on them like some spoiled brat?! And the hell with that Spaniard flirting with what is mine!” 

     He walked towards his bedroom and looked at himself in his dresser mirror. “You are a first rate idiot, Devlin. How can you win that damnable woman this way?! He pointed at himself in the mirror a couple more times before he sank on his bed and groaned. “This isn’t me, why am I losing focus? All because of a woman who is as beautiful as a goddess but as formidable as one too.” He got up, went to the shower, changed into his business suit and without saying anything to anyone, drove out of the villa. He might as well use his pent-up energy in conducting his business. He is interested in pastries and cakes so he asked Larry to find him a suitable business partner. He found a European expat who was interested to be his partner because she was interested in him in a different way. He did not mind and he thought it might help in ridding his brain of a particular woman. When he arrived at the appointed place, the woman was dressed provocatively, he wondered how she was not thrown out of the establishment and then he remembered, she was a diplomat. Perks of a VIP he smirked. The woman was shameless in embracing him tightly and claiming his arm like he was her husband when he knew she’s already married and that the husband is abroad on a business trip leaving her alone in the UAE to play as she wished. She was quite clingy and Devlin wanted to shake her so hard that she rattled but he needed this distraction for now. He has borne her clinginess for almost two hours before she reluctantly let go because she was approached by her husband’s friend. Devlin waited patiently until the business was settled before he drove himself to a hotel. He just texted the sheikh informing him that he’ll be staying in the city proper for a while. An ingrained habit of packing change of clothes wherever he goes lets him go places without worrying about what to wear the next day. 

      The hotel he stayed in is close to the Abu Dhabi corniche so he was able to relax on the beachfront of the hotel. He had the dream again so he was early in going to the beach but he didn’t mind as it keeps him alert for whatever emergency it might bring. He just learned too that the Al Fahezis are going on a cruise and they are bringing the cousins with them. He agreed to join them when they dock in Greece but he’ll stay for a week in Abu Dhabi to oversee things while they’re gone. Not seeing Mabel calmed him a little, it’s out of sight, out of mind. His clingy partner did not volunteer to see to his needs because her husband will be arriving in a few days and she did not want to be caught unawares. It suited him though as he wasn’t sure he would be able to perform. He only stayed on the beach for a couple of hours but had to go back to his hotel room for a video conference with his employees in the US. It was a routine meeting and no matter where he went, he made sure it always happens. It is more of a monthly report to update him about his business ventures. 

     “Good morning everyone, how’s it going over there? I have acquired another partnership here and we’re trying pastries and cakes.”

    “Trust you boss to indulge in your sweet tooth,” remarked Larry.

     “Do you have any problem with it Lawrence? He answered. 

     “Nothing sir, so long as it gives us profit, we’re happy and good.”

     “Any update on Tire’s business venture over here?”

     “About that, can we talk in private?”

     Noticing the discomfort on Larry’s face, Devlin consented. Everything is doing fine in his New York businesses so he adjourned the meeting with the other employees.

     “Now, what has made you worried, Larry?”

     “Devlin, he’s going there and you need to be very careful. I heard he’s taking two of his goons with him. I do not know what prompted him to attack your business but he is starting with the one you just started there in the UAE. Be very careful boss.”

     “Don’t worry Larry, everything will be okay. The Al Fahezi’s will be going on a cruise in a week’s time and I will meet up with them in Greece. However, send extra men here if you think it necessary. Anything else that I should worry about? Carter?”

     “Carter said he’ll deal with you in time but he is not making any issues at the moment so I     think we’re good with that bastard friend of yours.”

     “Being his business partner doesn’t mean he is my friend. I just need his expert opinion on certain aspects of my businesses so I tolerate him. If everything is good, I will hang up now. By the way, when’s the wedding?”

     “Okay boss. The wedding will probably be next year as Callista is still finishing university.”

     “No way, are you a cradle snatcher now? A university student for goodness’ sake!”

     “She is not that young, she only attended university late as she had to work first. You’ll meet her when the time is right, bye boss. Enjoy your upcoming cruise.”

     “Right ho! “

     After that meeting, he busied himself by looking at different color schemes for the cafe and what would be the best location. It took him almost the whole day before he received a message from his European partner. She wanted him to meet her husband who arrived earlier than expected. They met at the hotel’s Japanese restaurant and unlike the first meeting, Stella Conti was dressed in a pantsuit, not a skin showing except part of her neck. Devlin was surprised how she behaved when her husband was present. To be honest, her husband is very good-looking although very rigid. That is probably why she rebels when the man is away.  Devlin is so grateful that the husband is around as he couldn’t survive another of the woman’s clinginess. To be fair, she seemed to be very clingy to her husband as well, especially when pretty girls glance his way. Devlin couldn’t hide his sneer. If this is marriage, he doesn’t want anything to do with it but he knows married couples who have a special kind of bond between them. The sheikh and his sheikha are one, and his mother and stepfather are the second ones. Maybe worth thinking about in the future but not this time around. He decided to conclude his business in the city center and go back to Al Reef, since he is missing a particular woman. The day before, he was okay but somehow seeing Mrs. Conti and her husband brought a different kind of ache in his chest like he is missing a part of himself. On his way back to the villa, he remembered Larry’s suggestion of gifting the woman flowers and chocolates so that is what he did. He also added a blueberry cheesecake because he knew it was Mabel's favorite. He just hopes she’d accept them. She can be very stubborn when she wants to.

     Armed with flowers, chocolates and a cake, Devlin drove back to the villa hoping nobody would bother him before he encountered Mabel. Much to his delight, nobody was about as he was parking the borrowed car. He immediately went to his suite. He freshened up before peeking into the sheikh’s office. Nobody was there. Searching the kitchens, he saw Mario, another chef but a friendly Filipino. He asked discreetly if he had seen Mabel. The chef said he saw her going to the library not a few minutes ago. Devlin went back to his suite, retrieved his gifts and went in search of the library which was a floor above. He wished to whistle but did not want to alert his prey so he went to look for her quietly. It’s nearly dinner time so he wanted it done quickly.

     Mabel was reading in a relaxed manner by the window when she heard a knock. Without thinking who it might be, she bade the knocker to come in.

     “Come in, the door is open.” When the door opened, she gaped because Devlin was so handsome in his shirt and jeans holding a bouquet of flowers and some gifts. She thought he got bored of her, that is why he left, she heard him say the word.

     “De, Devlin?” she stammered. He looked annoyed with the name she used to address him though but he smiled.

     “Hello, stubborn Mabel. I thought I told you to call me Varrick when we’re alone. Here, these are for you.” He said while handing his gifts to her. Mabel’s mouth snapped shut.

     “What’s the occasion?”

     “Nothing, I just thought I would give you something as we have not seen each other for two days. However, I was also hoping you’d call me by my proper name. Please accept them.”

     Not above herself being delighted with gifts she did not hesitate to reach for them.

     “Thank you Varrick, although you shouldn’t be giving me gifts. It is not my birthday.” As she said so though, she caressed the pink roses and inhaled the sweet smell. She also clutched the chocolate and cake lovingly and with a twinkle in her eyes.”

     Her reaction was all the invitation Devlin needed to get nearer but as per his promise to himself, he did not grab and kiss her although he wanted to. He sat calmly and asked

     “So, how were your days without the pest that’s me? I hope they were peaceful.”

     “Ohh, peaceful indeed, thank you. How about you? I heard you got another business deal in town. You look rested too.”

     “Who is the gossipmonger? Learned about that, already did you? Yes, my partners and I will be opening a cafe sometime in the very near future. Maybe you would be kind enough to accompany me on its opening day?” He looked at her with his most behaved and hopeful smile.

     “Are you sure? Don’t you have any female friends you’d like to take with you?” Mabel was enjoying this conversation and she wanted to go with him. Hopefully after the cruise that was coming up. 

     “Mabel, I wouldn’t be asking you if I have already asked someone, will I? If you do not wish to be with my company, however, I won’t hold it against you. I think I have bothered you enough, see you at dinner?”

     “I will let you know Varrick, we have the cruise to think about for now. Okay, see you at dinner and thanks again for these lovely gifts.” She went to him and kissed him on the cheek. 

     Devlin was aghast. If only he was quick enough, he could have kissed her full on her lips but her kissing him on her own volition is an improvement. He’ll take that anytime. He bowed low and quit the library before he could be tempted to do something that might destroy his plans. He’d lain the bait, all he has to do is slowly reel it in. He’ll remember to give Larry an incentive,maybe a gift for his wedding. He was just too happy to care, his happiness probably showed in his face because when he met Mansour, the latter whistled. Devlin just ignored him though and went ahead to the dining hall being set up at that moment. He’ll take any opportunity he could to get to know Mabel better and to spend more time with her before he moves to his own apartment in the city. 

     In the library, Mabel was humming as she kept inhaling the roses. This gesture of his caused butterflies in her stomach. Maybe he wasn’t bad after all, she mused.