I recognized his voice with a strong accent. The man learned our language when he studied in college, but his accent remained thick. I quickly stood up and hugged the newcomers except for Mr. Samer Khalifa.
“Khaleel! Ameera! I won’t forgive you for doing this!” I scolded Samer, but the truth was I was overjoyed to see the twins. “I miss you guys,” I said to the twins while giving them a kiss on the cheek.
“We miss you too, Miss Jamie!”
“How sweet of you, Khaleel, Ameera. I’m sure you are hungry, correct?” When they nodded, I didn’t even bother asking Samer what they wanted to eat. As their tutor-slash-nanny for five years, I knew exactly what their favorite foods were.
“Baba, faster!”
I chuckled as Ameera urged her father to walk faster as we headed to my car.
“Get in,” I said to them after I opened the door of my Chevy Captiva.
For safety reasons, I had them sit in the back, but Samer moved to the front seat, saying he didn’t want to make it look like I was their driver. Well, how could I refuse him? After all, he’s the boss!
“So, how are you?” he asked while we were heading to the restaurant where I’d treat them.
“Here, still single and without a love life.” Samer knew everything that happened to me because I didn’t hide anything from him.
“Don’t you think it’s time to move on?” he asked.
“Come on, as if you’ve moved on from Kate!” He fell silent when I mentioned Kate’s name. She’s so lucky that even until now, Samer hasn’t forgotten her.
“Actually, that’s why we are here.”
“I don’t get it. What do you mean?”
“Kate is getting married,” he announced.
“WTF!” I cursed after hearing what he said, but of course, I controlled myself as there were kids in the back.
“Yeah. And the kids are invited to her wedding.”
Samer’s voice was calm as he shared the whole story, but I knew how he truly felt. I felt sorry for him and for the kids. All these years, Samer made the kids believe that their mother was just busy working in the Claybourne.
“What now? What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know, Jamie. I don’t know how to tell the kids the truth. I should have seen this coming.” There was a hint of regret in his voice, and it made me feel even sorrier for him.
“Later, we’ll figure things out, okay?”
“Thank you, Jamie.”
“Just thank you? Aren’t you going to pay me for my talent fee?” I saw him smiling at my corny line, and I knew that he’s going to be fine. Khaleel and Ameera will also be fine.
“Aren’t you content with your salary yet? I won’t be surprised if you’re the reason for my companies’ downfall, and now, I’m already broke because of your salary!”
“May I remind you that I was underpaid while I was their tutor slash nanny slash cook slash housekeeper?” Should I go on listing all the tasks I did at his house back then?
“Oh God, here we go again. But back then, I wasn’t rich yet.”
“But you are rich now!”
“And so are you,” he told me.
Yeah, Samer was right. Literally speaking, I have my own money now. Aside from my monthly salary from the company, he also gave me some shares in the company. Actually, I owned fifteen percent of Khalifa Group, and fifteen percent of an empire worth more than a hundred billion US dollars was more than good enough for me.
When we arrived at Pita Grill, a famous restaurant near the airport, there were few patrons dining. The twins were already used to local food, so they didn’t have a hard time adjusting. Ameera’s favorite sweet and sour fish was among the dishes I ordered. Of course, Khaleel’s favorite fish soup was also there. Samer had lobster, while I had chef salad.
After eating, we went back to the hotel for them to rest. And of course, for me to process the staff’s payroll. I needed to transfer their salaries before five in the afternoon so they could use it for their commute home.
“Miss Jamie, can you stay with us tonight?” Ameera asked me after I brought her to her room.
The 7th floor was exclusive to the offices, while the 12th floor was dedicated to VIPs. The entire floor was filled with suite rooms suitable for families, lovers, and single travelers. It had its own elevator, swimming pool, and many other amenities. Above all, the chef at the VIP restaurant was top-notch.
“I would love to, sweetheart, but I have to go to my hometown tonight.”
“Can we just come with you? Baba told us that you have cows and chickens at your home in the countryside.”
When Ameera tried to be cute with me, it was hard to say no to her wishes, but… Samer called her daughter’s attention, and I silently begged for his help.
“Ameera, stop it now! Miss Jamie has private matters to settle there; we’ll go with her next time. Okay?”
“Okay, Baba. Miss Jamie, enjoy your trip.”
As the sitting area of the suite room emptied out, leaving just Samer and me, an air of melancholy hung in the room. We couldn’t help but delve into a heartfelt conversation about Kate’s upcoming wedding with another man. The emotions were palpable, and I knew I had to be honest with Samer.
“Have you thought about trying to reconcile with Kate?” I asked, trying to choose my words carefully. “Maybe for one last time, you should talk to her, even if it means involving the twins. After all, they say all is fair in love and war.”
Samer looked contemplative for a moment, his gaze distant. “I don’t know, it’s been so complicated,” he replied, his voice tinged with sadness. “But maybe you’re right. I can’t let her go without at least trying.”
“So, good luck,” I said to him as I was about to leave.
“Same to you, Jamie. I hope that before you become an old lady, you’ll meet someone worthy of your love.”
“Old lady already? Watch out, I might get married before Kate!”
Before I left my heartbroken boss, I saw him smile wryly. Perhaps because I mentioned Kate’s wedding again?