The Sheikh Bear Read Free Page B

shrill on the other side of the speaker, listing off a long list of orders Elle had barely managed to catch before hanging up and leaving the half-awake brunette spinning to get ready.
    When she arrived, she had to jog back and forth between offices to deliver documents, pass out spreadsheets, and ensure members met memos before she was scrambling back towards the kitchenette where the Sheikh’s coffee was being made.
    By the time Elle made it next to the biggest espresso machine she had ever seen, she felt completely worn out.
    “You’re the new girl, aren’t you?”
    Elle straightened from her position next to the immense coffee maker, sleep drawing lines of inattention through her vision as she focused on the person speaking to her.
    When she finally turned around, she saw a woman—who looked like she should still be in high school—leaning against the doorframe.
    The posture reminded Elle far too quickly of a certain dark-skinned man and felt her stomach sour at the thought. She didn’t know Malik enough, but of what she did know, she wasn’t fond of it.
    Shoving the bitterness in her stomach aside, Elle faced the woman directly.
    “Uh, yes. I’m Elle. Elle Roberts.”
    “Charmed.” The woman—girl?—said.
    She was beautiful; with dark mocha colored skin and huge hazel eyes, her petite figure was wrapped in what looked like a Sari (a garb from India that Elle had been forced to recognize since the document debacle of her first day) but split away to show a pair of pale cream pants.
    Her dark hair curled around her heart shaped face in ringlets and if it wasn’t for the pointed look aimed at Elle, she would be a little endeared toward the girl.
    “How’ve you been faring?”
    Her accent was practically the same as Malik’s, sounding like a mix between British and Arabic, and for a moment Elle wondered if this girl was his sister.
    “I’ve been alright,” Elle replied modestly and with a smile.
    “Still getting used to this place. It’s amazing.”
    “Hm, unsurprising. You don’t look like much,” the girl said and Elle started to feel a little annoyed. Why did everyone treat her like this?
    “But, I suppose you’ll do.”
    “Sorry, but, who are you?”
    Elle asked, nearly biting down her tongue when she caught the hint of attitude escape through her teeth. The girl didn’t seem to notice.
    “Priya Abdul al Hamik,” She replied flippantly.
    “I’m your employer’s second cousin and advisor. I heard about you, can’t say I’m impressed.”
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Elle said, reeling but nonetheless holding back from embarrassing herself further.
    “I’m sure it is,” Priya replied.
    “Anyway. Because Avani is indisposed for the next eternity, I’ve been assigned to supervise and train you. The last thing we need is you offending the Sheikh.”
    “I appreciate it,” Elle said.
    “I’ve memorized a good portion of the rules but I do have questions about some of them.”
    Priya rolled her eyes, “You and every other gori . Come. There is much to be done and you’re late.”
    Elle nearly scrambled after the short Hindu woman, grabbing the coffee and the documents she was given earlier that morning.
    When they reached the business suite, Priya had launched into a series of commands that had Elle feeling like she was in boot camp. She needed to straighten up, freshen up, send out new spreadsheets and call for a special broth that the Sheikh would need to begin his day.
    The glass doors that lead to the Sheikh’s office were closed and covered by a purple curtain on the other side. It was the first time Elle had seen this and felt a twinge of worry when she wondered if the Sheikh had finally decided to appear.
    An hour later, Priya was looking over the Schedule in a tablet, her dainty fingers skimming over the glass screen swiftly.
    “Hm.” Priya finally let out, and Elle prepared herself for the next series of commands.
    Instead, Priya was placing the tablet down