We're here to take your measurements. As soon as we have those, we can start putting together a wardrobe for you.”
“Some of our clients require specialty sizing, but I think that what we have will fit you perfectly,” chirped Masha.
Emily felt as if she had slipped into some kind of strange wonderland when both women pulled out tape measures. As they advanced towards her, however, she came alive, scrambling back and putting the couch between them.
“No,” she said, feeling as if all of the indignities that she had suffered were coming to a head. “No. I'm not doing anything you say unless you tell me what it's for. What the hell is happening right now?”
Both women looked at her curiously, their heads tilted at such an identical angle that Emily thought that they must have been sisters.
“We're here to measure you for your wardrobe,” Bina said carefully, as if she were talking to a child. “The sheikh has flown us in for the purpose. If you are interested in working with someone more prestigious…”
“We assure you they don't exist,” Masha finished crisply. “We will provide you with the tunics and trousers, of course, but we will also outfit you with leisure wear, couture dresses, and of course the foundation garments and shoes…”
Emily shook her head. “No, I mean, why are you doing this?”
“Because we were asked to do so by the sheikh,” Bina exclaimed.
Masha gave her a sharp look. “He asked us to outfit you for every occasion we can think of. He came to us because we are the best. Do you doubt this?”
Emily felt as if she were drowning under some kind of tide. At this point, under the gaze of two women who seemed to know so well what was going on, she gave up.
“All right,” she said helplessly, and with bright smiles, they helped her to the center of the room.
As they worked, they chatted with each other and with her, complimenting her hair, her body, telling her that their creations would be amazing on her.
It occurred to Emily belatedly that this must be some kind of apology and farewell gift from Adnan. He was rich after all. Perhaps he wanted to give her a wardrobe before she left Nahr. The thought of never seeing him again made her heart squeeze, but she forced herself to ignore it. She was through shedding tears for him. If he wanted to give her a luxury wardrobe that she would sell as soon as she made it back to the United States, so be it.
When Bina and Masha finished taking her measurements, but they had another surprise for her. At a word from them, one of Adnan's bodyguards came in, pulling a rack of clothing behind him.
“These are samples, but I think they will fit you quite well,” explained Masha.
Despite the anger and sorrow that had been simmering in her, Emily was still impressed with the clothes they brought in. If she had ever doubted that Adnan was truly the sheikh of Nahr, the richness on display here dispelled those doubts. The clothes that the two women tossed around so casually were made of pure silk. The traditional garments were studded along the sleeves and the necklines with what looked like real gems.
Emily had never in her life been able to even touch garments like that before, and now she was being encouraged to try them on. At first, she did it simply because Bina and Masha were so insistent, but when she pulled on the first gown, she gasped.
Emily had always known that she was pretty enough, more likely to be called cute than beautiful. Now, she realized that had something to do with the clothes that she wore. She was cute when she was running around town in jeans and a T-shirt. When she was dressed in a sweeping traditional tunic embroidered with silk and set with sapphires, or a long sleeveless gown that clung to her like a second skin, she barely recognized herself.
“You two do amazing work,” she said, and the two women beamed.
“It is more that you are a lovely jewel that has always needed a fine setting,” declared Bina.
“Some of our clients require specialty sizing, but I think that what we have will fit you perfectly,” chirped Masha.
Emily felt as if she had slipped into some kind of strange wonderland when both women pulled out tape measures. As they advanced towards her, however, she came alive, scrambling back and putting the couch between them.
“No,” she said, feeling as if all of the indignities that she had suffered were coming to a head. “No. I'm not doing anything you say unless you tell me what it's for. What the hell is happening right now?”
Both women looked at her curiously, their heads tilted at such an identical angle that Emily thought that they must have been sisters.
“We're here to measure you for your wardrobe,” Bina said carefully, as if she were talking to a child. “The sheikh has flown us in for the purpose. If you are interested in working with someone more prestigious…”
“We assure you they don't exist,” Masha finished crisply. “We will provide you with the tunics and trousers, of course, but we will also outfit you with leisure wear, couture dresses, and of course the foundation garments and shoes…”
Emily shook her head. “No, I mean, why are you doing this?”
“Because we were asked to do so by the sheikh,” Bina exclaimed.
Masha gave her a sharp look. “He asked us to outfit you for every occasion we can think of. He came to us because we are the best. Do you doubt this?”
Emily felt as if she were drowning under some kind of tide. At this point, under the gaze of two women who seemed to know so well what was going on, she gave up.
“All right,” she said helplessly, and with bright smiles, they helped her to the center of the room.
As they worked, they chatted with each other and with her, complimenting her hair, her body, telling her that their creations would be amazing on her.
It occurred to Emily belatedly that this must be some kind of apology and farewell gift from Adnan. He was rich after all. Perhaps he wanted to give her a wardrobe before she left Nahr. The thought of never seeing him again made her heart squeeze, but she forced herself to ignore it. She was through shedding tears for him. If he wanted to give her a luxury wardrobe that she would sell as soon as she made it back to the United States, so be it.
When Bina and Masha finished taking her measurements, but they had another surprise for her. At a word from them, one of Adnan's bodyguards came in, pulling a rack of clothing behind him.
“These are samples, but I think they will fit you quite well,” explained Masha.
Despite the anger and sorrow that had been simmering in her, Emily was still impressed with the clothes they brought in. If she had ever doubted that Adnan was truly the sheikh of Nahr, the richness on display here dispelled those doubts. The clothes that the two women tossed around so casually were made of pure silk. The traditional garments were studded along the sleeves and the necklines with what looked like real gems.
Emily had never in her life been able to even touch garments like that before, and now she was being encouraged to try them on. At first, she did it simply because Bina and Masha were so insistent, but when she pulled on the first gown, she gasped.
Emily had always known that she was pretty enough, more likely to be called cute than beautiful. Now, she realized that had something to do with the clothes that she wore. She was cute when she was running around town in jeans and a T-shirt. When she was dressed in a sweeping traditional tunic embroidered with silk and set with sapphires, or a long sleeveless gown that clung to her like a second skin, she barely recognized herself.
“You two do amazing work,” she said, and the two women beamed.
“It is more that you are a lovely jewel that has always needed a fine setting,” declared Bina.
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