Read Liberation for Free Online Page B

Marci.”

Chapter Seven
     
    December 2014
    Over the next two months, Fahad and Nuri managed to find ways to spend time with Marci.  She began to suspect that they were in league with her personal assistant, a woman assigned to her full time upon high school graduation. 
    Finally, she had to know.  When the woman with delicate features and ash-blonde hair entered her office to get signatures, she asked, “Danielle, are you feeding my schedule to the Ghonims?”
    “Absolutely.”  The lack of hesitation and bluntness of the answer shocked her.  “You’re so much more relaxed after taking a bit of time to enjoy a meal with them.  You smile more.  You’re young, Marci.  It’s good for you to smile and laugh with people your age.”
    “I spend time with you and Adam every day.”
    “Pet, we’re almost double your age, as is most of the board.  Outside of the support staff, I think the youngest person you’ve seen around here in months is Mr. Winters.”
    Walking to the window that looked out over Manhattan, she thought about the quick trips for coffee, the lunches at nearby restaurants, and the dinner she’d had to rush through before an urgent flight to San Francisco.  Though she had limited time, the cousins didn’t pressure her for more or make her feel bad about her responsibilities. 
    They were the first men in her personal life that didn’t act entitled in regards to the hours she had available and she appreciated their ease with her. 
    She hadn’t enjoyed herself so much in years. 
    Glancing over her shoulder at Danielle, she smiled.  “Thank you.  Please continue to let them know when I’m available.”
    “That’s the spirit.”  With a wink, she left Marci alone. 
    An hour later, she was deep in the financial summary for one of their subsidiaries when a splitting headache slammed into the back of her head.  Making her way to the couch, she lowered herself to it. 
    There was a soft tap on her door but she felt nauseous and didn’t answer.  The now-familiar scent of them reached her before a sound.  She kept her eyes closed and focused on her breathing.  With her elbows on her knees, she tried to ignore the way the room spun. 
    “What is it, Marci?” Fahad asked softly as he sat beside her.  Nuri knelt on one knee between her feet.
    “H-headache.  It came out of nowhere.” 
    Warm hands settled along her neck and applied steadily increasing pressure to an ache she hadn’t noticed just above her shoulder blades.  The pins that held her hair in a snug chignon were removed and fingers worked along her scalp, massaging deeply from her temples to the base of her skull.
    “When is the last time you scheduled a massage?” 
    “I’ve only gone with Victoria.  She used to insist but they didn’t seem to help or relax me in the slightest.”
    “Considering the company while you received it, this does not surprise me.”  Nuri removed his cell phone from an inner pocket of his jacket and spoke to someone on the other end in his native tongue.  Disconnecting, he returned his attention to her.  “Keep your eyes closed and focus on each muscle in your body.  Allow them to loosen and relax one at a time.  Start in your feet, relaxing each toe…” 
    For several minutes, he talked her through focused meditation and applied gentle pressure to her temples.  Fahad maintained his attention at her neck.  Soon, the worst of the pain eased away. 
    Opening her eyes, she inhaled deeply and gave them a small smile.  “Thank you.”
    “You are welcome, Marci.”
    She leaned back on the couch and Nuri moved to sit on her other side.  She dozed off and when she opened her eyes, a young woman was setting up a portable massage table. 
    Turning to the three of them, she gave a small bow.  “Hello, Miss Canfield.  My name is Sally.  Please allow me to assist you.”  Holding out her hands, she helped Marci to her feet.  She led her to the full bathroom in her office and handed