Tabitha

Chapter 5

Tabitha

Wednesday…

I had no intention of meeting Zakhar Mikhailov, especially now that I knew how influential and powerful he was. I didn't need someone like that in my life. There always seemed to be some paparazzi hidden somewhere taking his photos because there were even articles about him within the last few days. There was one about his visit to the hospital, as well as one about a woman walking out of the restaurant during a date.

As I left the hospital the following morning, my phone buzzed with messages. Linda's messages were her just being a mom and being worried sick about me. However, when I checked the unread messages, I was aghast to see one from the auditor about my company financial accounts.

You need to return to the US ASAP Miss Desher. You have a financial crisis on your hands.

I knew this had something to do with Gary and I was not prepared to deal with that right now. I would answer that text later when I have thought of a way out. Instead, I called Linda to speak to her about the man she set me up with.

"Yoh Sis, I was worried about you. How you feeling?"

"How I'm feeling? You better count yoh damn days!"

She had the audacity to utter a gasp as though she was surprised and followed with a ridiculous question. "What did I do now?"

"Do you know who Zakhar Mikhailov is … do you?"

"No, who is that?"

"My date from the agency."

Was she kidding me, because she sounded as though she didn't in fact know. "No, they didn't give me the info. They sent it to your email that I gave them I just gave them your info and left it at that."

"So, you telling me that you didn't even check his profile?"

She laughed. "Have you even checked that link I sent you?" she asked. "That link is just for you. It's supposed to have his basic information and his photo."

I expelled a defeated breath. "Well, that man is out of my league. There is no way I will meet him again."

"Again? You kidding me? You didn't even meet him yet."

I took on a defensive tone. "I met him in the hospital."

"No, he came to visit you in the hospital. I swear that dick of an ex of yours has sucked out all your freaking confidence. You better not come back without meeting him, and if I hear you talk shit about being out of any man's league, I will personally bury your ass when Auntie and I are done with you!"

"No need to get so aggressive. I'll meet him. Gosh."

"That's my girl. Now head back to your hotel and make yourself pretty for this Zakhar and later you'll tell me who he really is. Gotto run babes, love yah."

"Love you too."

That was my life. Linda bamboozling me into doing what she wants. I sometimes do it as well, but I hate it when she does it because she always gets her aunt involved, and that wasn't fair.

After getting to the hotel, I took another shower. Hospital showers didn't feel the same to me. I felt like I was washing away all the sicknesses and diseases that stuck to me in there. I moisturized my short kinks with my own products and did my skin care routine, again with my own new skin care line.

I donned apricot pants and a red off shoulder top, with red wedge heels and an apricot purse. I finished my ensemble with silver earrings, a silver necklace with a diamond heart pendant, and bracelet to match. If I were to meet a man of that stature, I'd damn well better look the part. This encounter wasn't going to last long anyway because I would sure let him know how incompatible we were.

By the time I walked into the restaurant my heart was in my mouth and my knees were jelly. I didn't know much about the man except what I read last night, but he wasn't someone to mess with and I wasn't looking for a dictator. While approaching the Matre D, I was accosted by a stoic young man with piercing eyes. I could tell he didn't like me from the scorn in his eyes and the displeasure that flattened his lips.

"Miss Desher, let me offer my sincere apologies for your accident, it was my fault."

I eyed him from head to toe, wondering where I met him before. I would have accepted his apology if he hadn't been so condescending and cold about it. The words were right but the attitude was all wrong. Giving energy for energy was my MO and I leaned back with my resting bitch face and a deadly stare.

"So, you're the nincompoop assistant who almost killed me?"

"I am truly…"

I held my hand up. "Save it for some sucker who will believe you didn't read my bio. It was clearly stated there what my allergies were." I stepped closer to him, my heels giving a half a head difference. "You think I'm a fool? There is no way Zakhar Mikhailov's assistant wouldn't be thorough."

He straightened and pushed his shoulders back as though in defense. "It was my error and I apologized. I hope you will accept it."

The body language was loud and clear. His whole demeanor spoke of his disdain toward me. It didn't bother me and frankly, I didn't care as I had no intention of seeing him or his boss after today. I stepped past him and headed over to where Zakhar stood by his table. Two men were standing close him who he then waved away. It was then I noticed that the place was empty of other patrons.

"You made it," Zakhar acknowledged.

"Did I have another choice? Plus, I wanted to hear this explanation of yours."

He guided me to a chair and settled me into my seat. His cologne, or body splash was very light but intoxicating, like an ocean breeze. He sported a short beard, so I knew it wasn't aftershave he was using, and the scent was emanating more from his chest and neck. I admit I sniffed him a little as he neared me, and he did not disappoint.

He sat himself opposite me and snapped his finger at the waiter who rushed over. "Are you ready to order, sir?"

"Bring the wine I chose earlier and yes, we will decide on our meal now."

The waiter placed a menu in front of both of us and nodded with a smile. I glanced a look over at the far corner where Zakhar's men were standing and saw that the assistant was looking on with much ferver in his eyes. What was with that guy . Although I wasn't bothered by it, his attitude confused me.

"Zakhar, why don't you invite your assistant to join us?" I knew this was perhaps calling trouble, but what the hell, it was my last time with these two and I wanted to have some fun.

He stared at me a moment before beckoning to his assistant who walked briskly over. "Yes Sir?"

"Nathan, Miss Desher has kindly offered a seat to you." The assistant looked as though he would decline but Zakhar's tone and eyes gave him pause. "Sit."

Since the table had been set for two, he pulled a chair from the next table and sat. He'd managed to soften his features somewhat, perhaps in fear of his boss. This amused me as a minute ago he was looking at me as though I was some sort of disease. I originally thought his attitude was because I was black, but it had to be more than that.

"Now tell me Mr. Mikhailov, what do you want with a black woman?" I asked looking directly into those piercing eyes.

"Black woman?" He held my gaze. "Is that how you describe yourself as a woman?"

I scoffed. "I am black."

"Yes you are, but you don't need to describe yourself that way to me. You are a beautiful woman, sexy, and alluring. That's what I see."

I didn't know if I should be offended that he was ignoring my skin color or pleased that he was ‘color blind'. He was looking at me directly, unlike many men I knew. No eyes on my ample breasts like Gary did the first time we met. This behavior of Zakhar pleased me quite a bit and sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I had to remind myself that this was not a date, that I had originally planned on telling him I was not the woman for him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it now.

The wine came and we ordered our meal, I chose beef biryani, and lukaymat for dessert, while he chose the chicken saloona. We ate in silence for a while and the meal was quite delicious. Nathan declined a meal and I suspected that he didn't often eat with the boss, but I wanted to see what his problem with me was. By the time we ended the meal, I'd lost interest in Nathan and focused my attention on Zakhar.

"How did you know about my husband?" I asked, in an attempt to get to the point of why I was there.

"Miss Desher, I assure you, I never complete a deal without knowing everything about the company I'm about to acquire."

I laughed because this was funny as hell. "A business deal, is that what this is?"

"Yes, I have a proposal for you. Nathan, will you excuse us a minute?"

"Wait, why does he have to go?"

"I ordered it, and this has nothing to do with his position."

Nathan quickly left the table but not before giving me a cutting glance. I wondered if Zakhar noticed it. It didn't appear so, and I wasn't going to say anything as this was the last time we would meet. Nathan returned a minute later to lay a briefcase on the table before returning to his position across the room. Zakhar opened the case, picked out a file and slid it across the table in my direction.

I looked at the maroon color folder. "What is this?"

"My proposal."

Was this man also interested in my skin and hair care products? With a knot in my forehead, I opened the file and scanned the first page. After a few sentences, my eyes flew to his and we stared at each other. I was dumbfounded at what I saw.

"Are you crazy?" my voice squeaked. "Marriage?"

"Continue reading, please. I assure you there is more," he quite calmly stated. "Just humor me."

Reluctantly I did as ask and read the whole thing. What stood out to me was the promise to eliminate both my financial and personal obstacles, while investing substantially in my new business as well as getting the old one back on track.

"What do you mean by eliminate?" I asked, my heart picking up speed.

For the first time he smiled. Really smiled and it was the most beautiful thing about him. It changed his entire appearance from the handsome but impassive person he was before. The man smiling before me was warm and caring. This surprised me.

"It's not what you think, although I can have that done as well. However, that man would be out of your life for good."

"How do you know so much about me?"

"I told you already, I will know everything about a business I am about to acquire."

"I'm not a business you can acquire. I am a woman," I stated emphatically. "Moreover, you might need someone else. I am late thirties and might not be able to bear your heir. I did try to get pregnant when I was married."

"Are you certain you ex wanted the same as you?"

I was sitting across from one of the most powerful men in Dubai and certainly the most powerful man I ever met and was still wondering who he was. I didn't know if it was just curiosity or genuine interest, but I needed to know him . However, not wanting to waste both of our time I lay my card on the table.

The thought that I was the problem when it came to getting pregnant at the time distraught me and sent me into a deep hole. It took my friend a lot of care for me to climb out of it. It took much more effort to come to terms with the fact that I'd be childless, and now this man was giving me hope. What if I wasn't the problem then? Gary was such a liar and cheat that I was ready to believe that he was the actual problem. When we'd gotten tested, I was told that I might not ever get pregnant. I just gave up at that point while Gary went on to greener pastures.

I started to reread the document because I needed to know exactly how much he knew and what he would do to protect me. I closed my eyes and shook my head. No Tabby, don't be tempted. This is too good to be true, moreover this is a man who will never love you. All he wants is an heir for his family and then he'll divorce you. You'll get ten million dollars, and he gets to keep the child.

Oh, the inner conflict and the temptation was real. It wasn't about the money, it was having the influence of being the wife of a man like this. I wasn't wealthy, but I was financially secure. It was the idea that I would be free from Gary as well as having my own child that tempted me the most. A child that wouldn't want for anything. A child with a man who could take him places and make him into something great.

"What's not written here is that I never force a woman to be with me. After the wedding I'll give you three months to change your mind."

Was this man real?

"You'll wait for three months for sex, and if I don't want to have sex with you, I can just walk away?"

"Yes, no strings," he leaned forward, his elbows on the table, and his chin resting on his fist in palm. "But you will want to be with me."

"You are so sure of yourself."

"What is there to be unsure of? Aren't you confident enough that I would desire you?"

"You are one cocky man," I smirked. "So, I just walk away without explanation if there's no desire. And you are willing to let me go even if you are the one falling for me?"

"I will let you go."

I should turn down this offer, but the shield I would have with this marriage especially in light of the situation with Gary was appealing. I closed the folder slowly and took a deep breath.

"I'll have to think this through. I never close a business deal without assessing all the pros and cons of a partnership."

"Touche," he nodded, pleased that I used a business term as well. "And that's one of the reasons I chose you."