"My family did. Since I was already over in the States, I attended the opening. My family, along with several others in the area, loaned out some of our most precious historical artwork. It is definitely an area of art that does not get much attention, and we were pleased to help teach so many about our art history." Mo stood. "Why don't we go into the sitting room and relax?"
Kenna stood and followed him from the informal dining room, down the hall, and into his private sitting room. The room wasn't as large as the formal sitting room at the front of the house, but the room housed the biggest flat-screen Kenna had ever seen. It was outfitted with the most comfortable furniture, too. She kicked off her heels as she curled up on one end of a couch and sank into the cushions. Mo took a seat at the other end of the couch and turned toward her. She noticed he didn't take off his shoes.
"You mentioned that you and Danielle attended the exhibit. Was Danielle a friend of yours?"
"Yes. She was… is, my best friend. She was my paralegal and took her day job almost as seriously as she took her job outside of work. After we worked together for about three months, Danielle came to me and told me she needed a raise. I asked her what for, and she responded by telling me she was taking a second job on my behalf. Confused, I asked her what she was talking about. She told me that I needed someone to show me how to have a good time."
Mo laughed. "Did she show you how to have a good time?"
"Yes," Kenna smiled, "she did. She talked me into using my connections to get past the waiting lines at the hottest clubs. We would spend the night dancing away. It was the first time I did anything like that. During school, I was too busy studying. We would have a blast. My sides would hurt the next day from laughing as much as we did. We'd also go to museum exhibits, plays, yoga, defense classes, movies, art showings, and so much more together. She has a way of making any occasion fun. She's beautiful, smart, and fun. She's just a good person, too."
"She sounds amazing. I would love to meet her someday." His voice had a sad tone. "Being in my position, it is hard to meet someone like that. I would love to have someone make me go out and try new things. I have a tendency to stick to what I know."
"Well then, let's start now. I see you have a basketball goal over there." Kenna pointed to the mini-goal hanging on the closet door. A small basketball lay on a desk nearby. "I challenge you to a game of basketball."
"Okay. What does the winner get?" Mo looked over at the goal. "I know. Winner gets one favor from the loser to be named at a future time."
Kenna narrowed her eyes. "That's kinda broad, isn't it? What kind of favor?"
"I may need some legal assistance or someone to attend a political gala with, as friends, of course. If you win, you may want to borrow my jet, or you may want my cook to make a special dessert for you. Something along those lines."
"Okay, deal." Kenna held her hand out and Mo shook it. They stood up, took off their suit coats, and placed them on the couch. As Mo tossed the basketball to her, she got serious. "Each basket is one point. First to reach ten wins."
Kenna was up nine to eight after a tough battle. Her silk shirt was sticking to her and her hair was a mess. Mo didn't look any better. His shirt was untucked, and he'd ditched his slick shoes to play in his socks. His normally gelled-back, longer hair was shoved behind his ear, and a trickle of sweat ran down his angular face.
She really wanted to win. She was having a hard time deciding what she wanted. She knew whatever it was, he'd give it to her anyway if she asked. But this was definitely more fun. She worked her way closer to the basket with Mo hand-checking her. She faked to her right, and when Mo took a step that way, she turned to her left and shot. There was a satisfying swish as the ball went through the net.
"I hope we haven't interrupted such a childish game."
Kenna and Mo spun around to come face-to-face with an imposing threesome, all dressed in traditional Middle Eastern clothes. The man who spoke stood out front, his outfit made of the most magnificent silk Kenna had ever seen. He was shorter than Mo, probably only five feet eight. His face was cold, his eyes narrow, and his lips pinched. Behind him stood the most regal woman Kenna had ever been in the presence of. She was dressed in beautiful, rose-colored silk trimmed with gold ribbon. She, too, was middle-aged. After one look at her kind face, Kenna knew she was Mo's mother. Behind her was a young woman who looked like a model, regal in her bearing, but not as confident as Mo's mother. Kenna guessed that she was another bachelorette.
Ahmed's head popped around the corner, and his eyes went wide as he took in Kenna and Mo's disheveled appearance. Mo turned away from the group and took a deep breath. He tucked in his shirt, slipped on his shoes, and donned his coat before turning around. Kenna had to stifle a gasp as she saw Mo's eyes go blank and his lips pinched the same way as his father's. She looked at his mother and caught the look of sadness cross her eyes before she could hide it.