Accidentally Engaged(79)

This was a bad idea. What was Reena expecting to learn by coming here? She didn’t know where to begin.

Saira apparently had no difficulty speaking, and slapped her hands on the table. “Nadim said the Shahs are lying, and that he’s not engaged. That true?”

“That is also what he told me, but I have no proof,” Dad said.

Saira shook her head. “And you fired him anyway? That’s harsh, Dad. You’re supposed to be this compassionate and supportive boss, but when push comes to shove, you won’t trust your own employee.”

Dad didn’t say anything. Reena decided to try Saira’s blunt strategy on for size. “Did you already know about Nadim’s involvement with the Shahs when you made this deal with his dad?”

“Of course not! I wouldn’t sully my reputation by bringing on the man who destroyed Salim’s hotel project.”

“So, you only learned about his involvement with the Shahs through Salim’s Facebook post.”

“How did you know that post? It is a private group on the Facebook.”

Lol, Dad thinking anything on “the Facebook” was private. She made a mental note to teach him the ins and outs of social media after all this was done.

Dad shifted in his seat, crossing one leg over the other. Reena looked at her father. Really looked at him. She’d never been particularly close to the man, and she’d never felt the daddy worship that some daughters felt for their father. Actually, just the opposite. She’d thought of him as shrewd, rigid, and unfailing. Were those dark circles under his eyes merely a sign of his advancing age, or a sign of stress?

“Dad, why do I feel like you’re hiding something?” Reena asked.

“Because I am.” Dad sighed. “You care about him, don’t you?”

“Yeah. A lot.” She wouldn’t cry again.

Dad watched her for a few more seconds before slumping forward in his seat. “I am truly sorry, Reena. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t made a terrible mistake.”

“What mistake? Hiring Nadim?” Saira asked.

“No. Before that. But…I can’t tell you. I cannot risk your mother discovering.”

Reena threw her arms up in frustration. “Don’t tell your mother! Don’t tell your father! Don’t you people get tired of all these secrets?”

Reena knew the answer to that. No. No one in this family grew tired of secrets. Secrets were the glue that held them together.

Except, not anymore. Reena was done with them. She took a deep breath. “How about I be honest first? I’ve been out of work for weeks because I was laid off again. I’ve been interviewing for several new finance positions, but it’s not going well. I didn’t tell you because I don’t want your help to find a job. And even though I told Nadim I wouldn’t marry him, we’ve been dating pretty seriously for a few weeks. Of course, that’s been over since you told me he’s engaged. Those are my secrets, now it’s your turn. Be honest for a change.”

“No,” Saira interrupted. “It’s my turn. Joran and I used to invite other people into our relationship from time to time. Sometimes men, sometimes women, and Mum found out because one of her…er, friends knew one of the men.”

Reena’s head snapped around to meet Saira’s face. What? She understood the symbolism of coming clean with deep dark secrets to urge Dad to be honest, but admitting to one’s father that they’d enjoyed the occasional ménage à trois seemed like taking it a little far. Plus…really? Saira had a threesome with a friend of one of Mum’s poker buddies?

What the hell was her family getting up to while she was busy baking bread?

“Your turn, Dad,” Saira said. “Tell us what you’re hiding.”

“I wish you had told me about your job, Reena. I would have helped you.” Good. He wasn’t going to mention Saira’s crowded bedroom. “I can ask around to my contacts. It’s high time you had a management role, anyway. I’ll put the word out—”

“No, Dad. I told you, I don’t want your help. I want your honesty.”

Dad sighed, standing. “I’m going to lock the door so we’re not disturbed.” He walked to the front of the empty unit.

Reena took the opportunity to ask Saira what planet she resided on. “I can’t believe you told Dad you had threesomes,” she whispered.

Saira grinned. “Oh, I’m pretty sure he knows. Just like he knows Ashraf and I smoke weed in the garage for anxiety. He’s pretending he doesn’t hear me.”

Reena had been pretty sure before, but this confirmed it: her family was totally bonkers.

Dad returned and sat heavily on his chair.

“So…” Reena said.

“I made a bad business decision and lost money. A lot of money.” He took a breath. “I hired an architect for some late modifications. He cheated me and stole from us.”

Reena blinked. This? This was Dad’s big secret? This wasn’t a secret at all. “I know that. Mum told us.”

Reena had never seen her Dad’s eyes so wide. “What?! Your mother doesn’t know this!”

Saira snorted. “Of course she does. You didn’t know she knew?”

“How in heavens does your mother know about my loss?”