Love or business

Maya POV On Thursday, I was wrapping up my work looking forward to a much needed weekend of relaxation... I worked non-stop for the past month and have to travel next week, so those two days are my shot in relaxing before another storm… maybe I want to go to our mansion in El-Ein El-Sokhna with my besties, but they are too much for relaxing…. I can escape to any resort in Sharm Elshiekh alone where no one knows me I am living with my parents near the main company, but we spend most of the holidays and usually all the times when we have the time at grandpa mansion outside the city For me I just have a bag in my car and sleep wherever I find myself when night comes.., for sure I find a hotel or one of our apartments, as work makes me go everywhere After finishing my work I head to our home… “Hi Hala, take my bags to my room, please,” I said to one of our maids I will replace my things in my bags and leave after lunch with my parents. I can’t take holiday in my formal suits and work outfits. “Hi mom where is Baba,” I said “He is up there in his office finishing some work before getting ready to go for grandpa this weekend,” mom said “You are going this weekend?!!” I said “Yes dear, WE ARE GOING TODAY, I don't know why, but he wants all of us, and Baba wanted to talk to you,” mom said “Ok I will go see him now, but I was about to take a weekend as normal people do… you know relax and have some fun away from work and stress,” I said laughing I went upstairs to my room to take a shower and went to my father's home office “Hi Baba, you want me,” I said “Sure, Maya come on,” Baba said “You know you are 25 now and it is time for you to think about having a relationship in your life, you may be late too” Oh, here we go again with the marriage talk, why is it always about settling down? “Yes Baba but I really can't, I don't know how to react with boys and when he is really into me not playing with my feelings or just wanting my status and money... It is just… Why they are not obvious and say what they really feel… I don’t like them Baba… they make it hard for me” I explained myself to Baba, he has always been my friend, both my parents are but at the topic of the relationships especially Baba is always my supporter. “Who dares to make it hard on my princess, you are Maya El-Nary, the strongest girl I have ever seen my dear, you ace bargains like nothing for you and fear from little emotions!!!” Baba said “When it comes to work and friendship, I know what I do, what to expect, and how to do it, but this is like a bet or gambling and I don’t do bets,” I said… “Hey, why are you talking to me on this topic now and grandpa wants us…… no, no way Baba. I am not ready for any arranged date nowadays and not when grandpa is involved this means it has something to do with business and money, which I completely refuse” “Hey memo calm down no one is forcing you now and I don’t know anything your grandpa just told me that you are old and successful enough to get married, and he is right. What are you waiting for? you have achieved a lot in your career and travelled the world, isn't it the time to give your heart some time too" Baba said “And who is Mr. Perfect who convinces Gedo (Grandpa in Egyptian Arabic) that he deserves me as you know… Gedo always says no to anyone who wants to marry me saying that he isn’t good enough for me regardless of whoever he is, at least I have the right to know his name, right” I said trying to negotiate into this topic to get myself out of this mess. “I don’t know if there is someone or it is just an idea because he is worried about you. You don't have to make a decision quickly just start thinking about it. You know your grandpa is old-fashioned and he worries that we leave you alone and this business is huge, it will be hard for you to manage it alone. In the end, he is right about you needing someone to help you... “Baba said “Baby but I don't need anyone to help me I can take care of myself... I can manage my life and I am not alone, I have you, mom, grandpa, and my friends… REAllY I can survive alone” I said “One day me, your mom and Gedo will pass away, your friends will have their lives and problems, you won’t have the time to hang out regularly like now and the work will be a heavy load on you, and we have enemies you can’t face them alone,” Baba said I know he is useless but he better makes himself some benefits and help me now “I have a partner in this business right!! Maybe he isn’t a good brother or even a cousin but he can be a partner at least!!” I said. Baba looked shocked for a moment, his expressions don’t make me feel any better ” He will take half the load from me I am sure we can manage this and I will wait for the one who makes me feel safe and happy away from business” I added “All I know now is that we have to go to Baba and there we will talk through this. And be sure you aren’t forced to marry anyone, but I am sure you will choose the right thing” Baba said “Ok Baby I will go see Gedo with you, but on one condition, if there is someone I suppose to see, then I am the only one who has a word in this topic and this means no means no without discussions,” I said “Oook, but promise me whatever Baba says to you don't get pissed on him just reply calmly and go to your room and then you can say whatever you want to me and your mom,” Baba asked me “Deal,” I said then head to my room to take a shower and arrange my bags again After lunch, we all head to grandpa’s home. My parents went with the driver and I drove my car as I will need it later. At the main mansion where Fouad El-Nary live since he gave up on everyday work follow up. “Hi, my favorite Gedo missed you a lot” I ran to my grandfather and hugged him; despite the weird reason that brings us here I really missed him. He laughed and hugged me back “Hi my little girl, always a sweet talker” “Okay, now… what is the urgent and important thing that makes Fouad Beh El-Nary himself order my presence.” (Beh and is a foreign surname used in Egypt for very important people informally as a habit). Till now I am cheerful as usual and ready to talk in peace. “Take a break first, we are together all the weekend,” Gedo said “First I can’t take a break knowing that there is something I don’t know and you know that…” I said "Yes, but curiosity killed the cat” Gedo laughed “Second I don’t have all the weekend because I have to travel,” I said pretending to be serious. “Ok Maya, you know you are my heiress and you will be responsible for all this one day,” Gedo said “After a long life for all of you, and don’t worry, I am capable of doing this,” I said “Let me continue my dear,” Gedo said “Sorry Gedo,” I Said ”you are not my only heir; you have a cousin,” Gedo said I laughed at it. The only thing that makes me remember him today is to assure my father I am not alone but deep inside me I know I am alone, Last time I saw him I was 13 and he was 16 and we did not connect at all he was obsessed about the idea of how we don't have the same type of freedom and that I should have the ability to date and how there are no parties to attend around. I saw him as a superficial person. “Yes, I remember… his name is Samy, right?” I said, “what does he want now?” “He doesn’t want anything and this is the problem… I really don’t know him and I am afraid that he won't want to come back so I decided that you both should get married to each other’s to be a strong and fearful team managing our group and against our enemies” Gedo said I couldn't believe my ears. No, this can't be happening. My mind is spinning, and I flt a surge of panic rising. I need to get out of here, think clearly, and figure out how to respond “Fine it is surprising and I want to rest before the flight,” I said and headed to my room and noted to myself that I will sleep and leave first thing in the morning and will talk to them this next week after I come back. I tried to sleep again and again but failed I can’t marry someone for business, hell I can’t marry someone who despises my lifestyle and habits. We are cousins and born to be siblings but for some unknown reason we were raised in completely different cultures. I need a break I jumped out of my bed and start calling my Friends voice chat Over the phone: Maya: Hey girls need you Now Urgent Sally: Yes Dina: yes Maya: My grandpa decided I should marry Sally: Oooh YEEEH Congratulations and who is the lucky man? Maya: hey I am not happy and he is my cousin Dina: your what you have a cousin!!! Sally: you never told me you have one Maya: Is this the problem now? I never talk about him because he is a pain in the a*s and we haven’t seen each other for the last twelve years. Sally: he could be good, people change in twelve years, you know… Maya: no he didn’t Dina: how are you so sure? Maya: If he changed he would come to visit before Sally: calm down you can find your way out of this and we will be with you as always. Maya: I wanted to go to Sharm this weekend to relax but now I need both of you there Dina: you wanted to betray us and go alone, but we will be on the way tomorrow morning Sally: what about the other girls Maya: no I am not in the mood to the full gathering, and get ready I will pick you up after two hours, I am at grandpa home and this will give you time to prepare your things Sally: you crazy its midnight, you can’t drive alone on this road Maya: nothing will happen you get ready, bye I hang up the call, changed, and went on a relaxing holiday before I travel for work, then come back to this s**t.