The Sheikh Bear Read Free

there and helped me, I wouldn’t have my neck on the chopping block.” Elle snapped back, already tired of this man’s hovering.
    “Be careful, habibi .”
    He clicked his tongue at her, “You don’t want to get thrown out because of your attitude, do you?”
    Elle sighed before stamping down her frustration and getting back to work.
    Eventually, the end of the workday came and Elle still hadn’t met the Sheikh.
    Now that she was marching up, she made a turn before nearly running into Alliana. The woman was dressed in magnificent colors of gold and emerald and Elle barely had enough time to gawk at her wardrobe before her guide was glaring her at.
    “You’re late.” Alliana stated.
    Elle blinked in surprise before glancing down at her wristwatch—a gift from her uncle—and the time was a few minutes before she was due to be at her desk.
    “I thought my schedule is from nine to five?”
    Alliana let out a low noise of disgust.
    “And what you think the Sheikh is going to get his own morning coffee, or make sure his dry cleaning is on time? No. That’s your job and you’re late.”
    Elle fought the urge to let out a wail before she was suddenly being whisked away by the blonde woman.
    “Since apparently you’re still new and Avani is unable to train you, I suppose I have to show you how it’s done before you ruin everything.”
    The following few hours were spent with Elle being drilled on coffee temperatures, times and directions for the dry cleaning, restaurants the Sheikh preferred to eat from and what meals to avoid.
    She was then informed on the Schedule—an immense spreadsheet that was comprised online and on her computer. Using her phone, Elle would receive notifications for each upcoming event, and make sure the Sheikh was informed of every change, be it infinitely tiny or otherwise.
    Her office phone led to several places and she was drilled on which speed dials led her where. Alliana had even slapped her wrist when Elle had nearly dialed a wrong number. It was mortifying.
    However, Malik was nowhere to be seen and so that was some relief. She didn’t know how she would react to having that man laughing at her for being scolded like a child.
    Finally, Alliana brought Elle a large binder before nearly slamming it on the desk. Elle jumped at the sound, before turning a meek glance to the severe looking woman.
    “These, Elle, are the Rules. You memorize them, you breathe them, you become them. You do not break the rules, you do not bend the rules. You make sure all of these are followed to the very letter or you will be packing up your things and being sent out of here faster than you can even care to say your own name. Make sure you’ve got everything down, because if I hear just one complaint from the Sheikh, I will not be happy.”
    Elle nodded quickly, swallowing thickly as she looked down at the binder.
    Gingerly, she opened the cover before looking down at the page. She nearly blanched when her eyes fell over one of the rules.
    “Alliana, what does it mean that I must attend to the Sheikh’s every needs?”
    The woman let out a noise that sounded like an incredulous laugh.
    “I’m sure I don’t need to explain it, Elle. You’re a smart woman, you can figure it out. Now, will that be all your questions or do I need to spell everything out for you? I have important matters to attend to.”
    Elle shook her head quietly before turning the page. Allianna gave her a short nod.
    “Good. Don’t screw up.”
    And with that, she sauntered off not unlike how she did the other day.
    Alone, Elle peered over the rules and pondered over them. Some of these were absolutely ridiculous. Never speak to the Sheikh directly unless spoken to. Never look at the Sheikh unless permitted.
    It was as if she was working for an alien rather than a human being. Still, he came from a far off place and one that Elle had never really heard of aside from her world’s geography class back in high school.
    “Having