In the quiet solitude of Mr. Charles's apartment, a lingering sense of loss and longing filled the empty space left by Mara's departure. Mr. Charles busied himself with cleaning the kitchen, trying to push away the unsettling feelings that threatened to overwhelm him. "Just keep it simple," he told himself, focusing on the familiar task to avoid confronting the doubts and questions that swirled in his mind.
Meanwhile, in Mara's apartment, the TV played in the background, a futile attempt to drown out the storm of emotions swirling within. On the screen, Jafar's smug smile taunted Mara, each word a knife that cut into her heart. In a fit of frustration, she changed the channel, trying to escape from the specter of Jafar's presence. But no matter what she watched, the image of him lingered, a haunting reminder of what she had lost.
The TV blared on, a news segment about the Ina Future Foundation flickering across the screen. For a moment, Mara was transfixed, her curiosity piqued by the organization's mission. Then, overcome by a restless energy, she turned off the TV and rose from her seat, a sudden impulse to take action sweeping through her. She strode to her bedroom, opening her laptop with a sense of purpose.
On the other side of the city, Jafar and Vincent navigated the urban landscape, the car weaving through the bustling streets. The screech of brakes and the blare of horns filled the air as their car came to a stop at a red light. A call from Mr. Lawal and a reminder to contact Jamie jolted Jafar from a fleeting moment of rest. He felt the anxiety rising within him, his heart beating faster with each passing moment.
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The meeting took a dramatic turn when Eliot's temper flared and a file went crashing to the floor. Just as the tension reached its peak, a knock sounded at the door, interrupting the tense silence. Jafar strode into the room, a smug smile on his face, immediately changing the dynamics in the room. Eliot glared at him, a knot of anxiety forming in his stomach. He had to regain control of the situation, but Jafar was like a force of nature, unpredictable and uncontrollable.
"Get out," Eliot ordered the secretary, his tone brooking no argument. The secretary scrambled to his feet and hurried from the room, closing the door behind him. With the room now empty but for the two brothers, Eliot fixed his gaze on Jafar. "My little brother, huh?" he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "What brings you here?" His tone was cold and challenging.
Jafar spread his hands wide, a placating gesture. "Hey, now, don't get your knickers in a twist!" he said, his tone is light but defensive. "I just wanted to come by and say hello, and maybe chat about business. You know, nothing serious. I mean, after all, we're family, right?" He gave a chuckle that sounded forced and insincere.
But Eliot wasn't laughing. He was studying Jafar closely, his eyes narrowed. "You know what they say about mixing family and business," he said. "It never ends well." Eliot laughed, but there was an edge to his voice. "Come on, Jafar. You know I see through your tricks. But I'll play along, since you've come all this way. Besides, it'll be nice to celebrate Dad's birthday together. It's been too long since we've all been together." He clapped Jafar on the shoulder, but his eyes were still wary.
Jafar's voice was tight with emotion, his frustration evident. "Dad makes me feel like I can never do anything right," he said. "He's always pushing me to be better, to do more. It's exhausting." He ran a hand through his hair, his expression showing the strain he was under.
"Jafar, you're my favorite brother," Eliot said, his voice full of warmth and sincerity. He placed a hand on Jafar's shoulder, his gaze earnest. "Out of all my siblings, you're the one I feel closest to. I know we don't always see eye to eye, but that doesn't change how I feel."
Jafar's expression softened, his eyes shining with emotion. "Thanks," he said, his voice catching slightly. "I appreciate that, more than you know." For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension
Eliot reached over and placed a hand on Jafar's knee, a reassuring gesture. "We don't have to talk about anything heavy," he said, his tone reassuring. "We can just sit here and be in the moment." Jafar took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "That sounds nice," he said, his shoulders relaxing.
The two brothers sat in comfortable silence, the only sound the slow ticking of a nearby clock.
"I want to show you something," Eliot said, his voice taking on an excited tone. He reached for a file on the table and placed it between them, opening it up with a flourish. "This is the design for our new flagship apartment, Ganji." He ran his hands over the blueprints, tracing the outline of the building with his fingers. "It's going to be the most luxurious apartment complex in the city. Every detail will be perfect, down to the smallest doorknob."
Eliot's excitement was palpable, his eyes sparkling with pride.
Jafar looked at Eliot, a confused expression on his face. "You want me to sell the apartments?" he asked, his tone a mix of disbelief and confusion. "I don't get it."
"Oh!" Jafar"It's an advertising contract! Eliot corrected.
"But I don't do any advertising for Ganji," Jafar said, his voice hesitant. He placed the file back on the table and looked at Eliot, his brow furrowed in confusion. "So I'm a bit confused as to why you're showing me this contract."
"Does it make sense that the top companies in California can't use the top model in the state?" Eliot asked, his tone earnest. "You shoot about twenty ads a year, so why not one for us? You'd be perfect for the job!"
"I'm being respectful," Jafar interrupted, "but I need to be honest. I'm the only member of our family who doesn't draw a salary from our company. I don't want to risk my reputation.
Hahahahahah, This doesn't count as being unfilial Eliot corrected, So, just as Eliot was trying to explain the situation, there was a knock on the door, three quick, sharp raps. The interruption was sudden and unexpected, and both men turned to look at the door.....
"It's Tiffany?" Eliot repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. The secretary nodded once more. "Yes, sir," he said. "We've confirmed her identity. It's definitely her."
"Her English name is Mara," the secretary continued, his voice low and urgent. "She was with the Ina Group for many years, but she retired about ten years ago. She's been off the radar ever since." He held out the file, which Eliot took and began to leaf through. His expression was grave, and his brow was furrowed in concentration. The room was filled with heavy silence.
"Do a background check on her, immediately," Eliot said, his tone brooking no argument. He gestured for the secretary to leave the room, and the man scurried out, closing the door behind him. Eliot sat back in his chair, a look of deep concentration on his face. He knew that he had to act quickly, but he didn't know where to start. This was an unprecedented situation, and he had to make the right decision. But what was the right decision?
The Ina Group," Jafar repeated, his voice a low murmur.
The Ina Group was a powerful and influential organization, with a long and complicated history. Eliot knew he was dealing with something much bigger than he had anticipated. He took a deep breath and tried to clear his mind, focusing on the task at hand. He had to stay calm and make the right decision.