Withered Rose III

Julia Silverman was smoking hot by any standards. Her golden hair hung across her round face and she wore a pinstripe black business suit. Julia waited excitedly at the lobby of Mal’s Manhattan Penthouse & was awestruck at the beauty of the place. She was wise beyond years and loved the chase in the corporate Cat & mouse game; not many wondered why this 37 year old feminist she had worked her way through an MBA from Havard and come to work for some very rich Arab as his PR manager in the United States.

“Good Morning, Ms.Silverman”, Mal said with a grin and walked over to the dining table and gestured her to sit. Paul stood beside him.
“Hello Mr.Malik, It’s so kind of you. I have heard a lot about you!” She tried to make it sound genuine but Mal could sense her deep dislike of men. Mal took little notice of her nonchalance and continued as they ate breakfast. She sat opposite him in the balcony facing central park and explained that her client regarded this matter of

utmost importance and expected Mal to understand the secrecy of her visit. She also went on to explain the legal hassle her boss was entwined in and what role she expected Mal to play;

“Oh! Ms. Silverman, I’m sorry. I don’t know if this interests me and I’m not very likely to be involved lobbing for big corporations; on the contrary I’d love to sue corporations”, He laughed! Julia was not one to let go easily. She looked into his eyes, and put her hand on his wrist; “Please, call me Julia; I also have to say that you would never regret having this meeting with my boss.” She appeared desperate and Mal liked that; people around him wanting his mercy and grace but more so due to her initial repulsiveness to him. He always said the air of humility he cultivated around him was a tribute to his school; deep inside he was just a megalomaniac, he only knew it too well. Mal agreed to meet with her boss on the Saturday after. She thanked Mal and assured him he would not regret it.

Mal liked to put a price tag on his time and Paul did a great job at telling people how busy his boss was.
Mal had a busy week; his recent success had caused a lot of influential men on Wall Street to sit up and take notice and he played this waiting game so well; it’s said he once made the Mayor wait on the phone for almost a minute; but that’s how Mal got his daily share of sadistic happiness.
Friday night Julia picked up Mal and Paul and took them to the airport. When Paul told Julia, that his boss would only fly first class, she simply smiled and said “I know”. Mal was puzzled but had a calm appearance on his face till he saw the car pull to a stop next to Gulfstream Private Jet. He couldn’t help but smile. Julia saw that and she knew he was impressed.The 12 hour flight to Abu Dhabi aboard a private jet was exhilarating for Paul Simmons. He had worked for Mal for the last 4 years and knew his boss inside out. He knew of his ill tempered tantrums and steered clear of his ego and at times even helped stoke it gently.
On landing, Mal and Paul were escorted to the Presidential suite in the Palm Jumeirah. Mal slept the jetlag away while Paul chose to go swimming.
The next morning, Mal dressed immaculately in navy was escorted to a conference room. He liked it and told Paul to find the one who designed it; As Paul was writing it down, an Arab Sheikh walked in with Julia. Harvard had not taught Paul how to say hi to Arab Sheikhs! Paul was excited and whispered to Mal’s ears, “His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Al Nahyan, he’s brother of the president of UAE and also owner of Manchester City!” Mal was stunned for a moment; Julia had meant what she had said; now he knew why it was such a big secret!
“Marhaba! I finally get to meet you, Mr.Malik, I trust Julia had taken good care of you!” He winked. The Sheikh was a tall man with a beard and looked alarmingly powerful. He was extremely well mannered. Mal wanted to turn him down just to see what the sheikh would do; but he didn’t dare. Their meeting went well and the Sheikh invited Mal for a detailed discussion in the afternoon.
Mal was about to stand up and take leave when the Sheik summoned his secretary, “Anitha”, the Shiekh called out.
Anitha Basu, clad in a black suit walked into to the room. Paul had never seen Mal this petrified. Mal who stood frozen; time seemed to wrap around him.