Read A Family Affair for Free Online

like a schoolgirl caught doing something she wasn’t supposed to be doing. She forced a smile she didn’t quite feel, and said, “I guess I am just not used to so much attention. I’m sorry if I misspoke.”
    “It is of no importance. Do not fret.”
    The heat on her face made her uncomfortable. Easy to say not to fret. She was fretting. Big-time.
    A small lady, whom Soraya introduced as Nada, motioned to Trish to follow her. Gawking again—she simply couldn’t help it—Trish followed the little lady through the suite of rooms. Silks and brocades, the furniture trimmed in gold, patches of ankle-deep carpeting, overhead fans, though the suite was cool. There was obviously air-conditioning coming from somewhere, because she could feel cool air swirling around her ankles. Everything was so magnificent, it took her breath away. She whirled and twirled as she tried to take it all in. She could fit her entire town house into the sitting room. She got dizzy trying to count the number of chairs and what appeared to be love seats.
    Was she supposed to entertain people here? She was about to blurt out the question, but instead bit down on her lip and followed Nada to her bedroom. She gasped aloud as she stared at the biggest bed she’d ever seen in her life. She almost asked where they got the sheets and coverlet but thought better of it. A dozen people could sleep in the bed, which had a small ladder one used to get into it. Maybe it wasn’t a ladder but a set of steps. God, what if I fall out? Wisely, she didn’t voice that thought, either.
    More chairs, more settees, priceless art on the walls. At least she assumed it was priceless art. Certainly not pictures bought at Target, like the ones in her town house back in Vegas. It was almost impossible to comprehend. Such wealth. Such decadence. If this was a guest suite, she could not help but wonder what Malik’s and Soraya’s suites looked like. She couldn’t begin to imagine.
    She was shown the bathroom and, once again, gasped aloud. It appeared to be gold from top to bottom, with gorgeous tile and ceramic work throughout. Like the sitting room, her whole town house could be fitted into the magnificent bathroom. There was a settee covered in scarlet silk, two chairs covered in gold silk. The walls were glass and mirrors, so that she could see her reflection a dozen different ways. The vanity was long and wide and held pots, jars, and ornate containers of God only knew what. A blow-dryer and a curling iron were set into niches in the wall, the plugs unseen. Luscious, healthy-looking green plants were nestled next to what she thought was the biggest bathtub in the world. She gave up trying to count the jets that she could see. Marble steps, padded with what looked like gold rubber strips, had to be climbed to a place where another set of steps descended into the tub. Again, she almost blurted out a question, how much water did it take to fill the tub? Dubai was the desert. Where did the water come from?
    Damn. What is wrong with me? Why was she being so critical? She needed to kick back and just enjoy her vacation instead of picking it apart. If she kept this up, her hosts would send her packing before she could catch her breath. Trish turned to face the two women.
    “It’s all so beautiful. I’ve never seen anything so gorgeous, so splendid. It takes my breath away.”
    “Wonderful. Malik will be so pleased that you like everything. He worries when we have guests. He wants to be a good host, as do I. I will leave you now. One of the servants will come for you for dinner, which is served at eight o’clock. Tonight dinner is not formal. Malik knows you will be tired, so he suggested casual clothing. Wear anything you feel comfortable in. There are many books and magazines in your sitting room. Nada will show you how our television works. There is also a stereo system, with all your American music. Malik is addicted to it, so he has all the latest tunes. If you care to