Business Dealings

Elizabeth knelt on the plush Persian rug, wearing a burqa. It was funny, almost. There was a time when she would have viewed a hijab as horribly constrictive and conservative. And now, here, in this moment, the hijab was a comparatively liberal outfit. What she was in now yielded not an inch of flesh for another man to admire or lust after. She was only for Yusuuf's eyes.

Yusuuf was having hot tea with a visitor. The visitor was acutely aware of the woman's presence, but didn't even acknowledge her openly.

"You know, Yusuuf, I'm glad we could come to an accord on this," the Arabic visitor said. "Though I will be honest, we could use you out here. You have a keen business mind, and we have substantial operations in Africa. You could split your time between here and there."

"You do me a great honor with your kind words, my old friend," Yusuuf replied in fluent Arabic. "It is tempting, although there are still things I must do in America for my countrymen. But when that is done, perhaps we discuss a stronger partnership with the Al-Assaf family."

"I understand," the visitor said. "Who is your woman? I knew you to be unmarried."

"My wife," Yusuuf said. "She is a white American." The visitors eyes widened, and a sly smile played at his lips.

"You are quite the cunning one indeed, Yusuuf. May Allah favor you and your wife."