Once we were at our destination, together we walked inside the sea-faced restaurant where the Arabs would meet us. The terrace was booked for the meeting. The first thing that greeted us as we entered the meeting area was the fresh ocean air, blowing my long brown locks along. It was decorated with small flowerpots with colorful flowers blooming under the sun. The sweet fragrance around the ambience and the view of the blue ocean instantly brightened my mood.

The Arabs were already there, discussing something in their own language around the big round table, four men and two women. The ladies weren’t Arabs for sure, seeing their knee-length sleeveless dresses. One was blonde while the other was a brunette. Liza and Matt were seated at a smaller table beside them.

Smiling, when I tried to approach them, a big hand held my elbow.

“You’ll stay with me. Come,” he ordered, though his tone was soft.

“And why would I listen to you?” I had to crane my neck to look up at him.

His shoulder lifted an inch. “Because I’m your boss.” The teasing in his fleeting glance didn’t go missed by me.

I huffed silently as the Arabs approached us, all smiling broad.

“As-salamu alaykum, Mr. Valencian. Pleasure meeting you,” the older one of them said, shaking his hand with Ace. Just like the other three men, he also flaunted their traditional long white tunic and a red and white checkered headdress on his head.

“Likewise, Mr. Hakimi. I’m glad you all specially came here for this meeting,” Ace replied.

Though a smile stretched across his lips, his eyes were blank. A hollowness that resided in those gray pools even when he was with his loved ones. Another thing that changed in all these years. I wonder what caused him to turn like this.

Well, except me. With me, he was someone else. He had emotions in his eyes. Emotions that scared me.

After Mr. Hakimi introduced his partners, he then introduced his assistant, who lived here in this country, Cindy. The girl in a red dress and eight-inch stilettos. Eyeing Ace up and down, she flashed him a red lipped smile, batting her fake eyelashes.

“I’ve heard so much about you, and finally I’m here, standing right in front of you, the infamous Mr. Valencian. It’s such a pleasure!” she cooed, shaking hands with him. I didn’t miss how her hand lingered in his. My stare hardened.

But it seemed he didn’t care at all. Retracting his hand, he dismissed her with a curt nod. Her smile threatened to fall.

“And who is this gorgeous young lady we have here?” Mr. Hakimi asked.

Turning to me, Ace pulled me close by my waist, surprising me. “Meet Emerald Hutton. A very close friend of mine.”