Forced To Love
Episode 1
Finally it’s the summer time!
This is the favourite season for Reema, not because of the heat nor the beach, but because she fly to see her parents.
Reem is a 26 year old girl, she’s one of four siblings, two sisters and one brother.
They are arab immigrants in the USA.
She was accepted into Cambridge university in the UK so she flew there when she graduated from high-school.
She’s been living there for ten years now with her roommate and best friend Lucy.
Lucy
WAKE UP YOU ******** !
Reema
What? Late for what?
Lucy
Late for the meeting with the investors you dumb shit!
Reema
HOLY SHIT! Why the hell you didn’t wake me up earlier?
She get up from bed in hurry, put her casual clothes, her sneakers..
Reema
The papers Lucy the papers!!
Lucy
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? YOU ARE PUTTING MAKEUP NOW?
Reema
Told you I’m done!! Let’s go!
Reema
You think they were impressed?
Lucy
The app is bomb so I think yes!
Lucy
Reema! You look stressed!
Lucy
Look, I am a business geek and I know the app you created is bomb! If I had money I would invest in it without thinking and I’m not saying this because I’m your bestie, but as a professional.
Reema
Thank you Lucy! I appreciate it.
Lucy
Okay, now I’m heading back to work, otherwise they would kick me out.
As she went, Reema get to her car and drove.. she wasn’t going home, nor to a specific place.
She was thinking of her life, she spent her family’s money to study abroad, to remain without work.
She had her degree five years ago, since then sh created numerous applets and apps… but none of them had worked for her.
At the time she’s working at a flower shop or taking small gigs in freelance…
Mom
When you get home I wanna talk to you.
Mom
Look honey there’s an important thing I want to tell you but don’t rebuff.
Mom
Your aunt fatma showed your picture to her neighbour’s son and they want to see you.
Reema
Nonsense, I’ve talked to you about this matter numerous times. I’M NOT GETTING MARRIED! NOT NOW!
Mom
Honey.. give him a chance, he is a handsome guy with the same degree as you. And he…
Reema
I have to go I’ll get late for work.
Mom
You never do as I say!!
Reema
All they thinking about is me getting married!
Reema
As I had already failed my life and have no other option but to get married!!
Reema
What do you think mimi?
Reema
Yeah I know they want my happiness… but you know I always dreamed of founding the live of my life.
Reema
Nonsense!! I refuse to believe that is only in books. I always believed in it and I’ll always do!
Malak
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMAAAAA
Reema
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
Malak
I don’t know!!! Was I missing?
Malak
That’s not why I’m texting you!! Your ex is back!!
Reema
What? You mean David?
Malak
I saw his car out of the window!!
Malak
He looks charming as always.
Malak, my bestie, back then, I was dating their neighbour’s son David.
He was my first love, but he broke my heart. He left me for his new victoria’s secret model.
Malak
Yess I don’t see anyone with him!
Reema
Well!! That’s none of my business.
Malak
Yeah well, That’s not actually why I was calling you.. you want to go grab something?
Reema
I have work in about 30min. Let’s hangout after it.
Reema
Why suddenly my estomac hurts?
Malak
You are thinking about it?
Malak
Oh.. I should kept it to myself.
Reema
I’m just a bit tired.. my mom called me this afternoon .
Reema
She wanted me to FaceTime a guy.
Malak
Hahahahahhahaha oh no!!
Malak
Your mom is trying for so long!
Malak
I wish I had a mother like that either wise I wouldn’t stay single that long!!
Malak
She only wants your happiness!
Malak
Maybe you should try to keep up with her.
Malak
FaceTiming a dude won’t kill you, plus you’ve been single forever!
Reema
Did you call Lucy to join?
Malak
I did, she told me she was meeting with her boyfriend.
Reema
Let’s grab another drink!
Reema
What’s wrong? What the frown for?
Lucy
Well, I didn’t want to disturb you but I’m pregnant.
Reema
Why you didn’t told me until now?
Lucy
Yesterday, I wanted to tell him first but clearly he didn’t enjoy the news.
She hugged her while Lucy is crying on her arms.
Reema
What do you want to do now?
Lucy
I will probably call my mom!
Reema
Yeah.. that’s a good idea.. well I am here for you. If you end the call with your mom I am in my bedroom.
It’s the first time seeing Lucy crying like that.
I always thought they were in love!! That they were getting married! But now he’s scared because of the baby!!
Reema
You are so calm!! Your aunt is crying and all what you can think of is your small belly!!
Reema
What a cute selfish traitor!
Reema
Wait, did you hear something?
Episode 2
Reema
What do you do here?
Reema
You gotta be kidding me!
David
I realised I did a big mistake leaving you.
Reema
You should go David.
That night she didn’t sleep well, she was crying all the night remembering how she was heart broken when he left her, remembering the good moments, she remembered everything. At that time she thought he is her soulmate and she finally make her own fairytale story. Little did she knew!
Jacob
Good morning. Is this Reema Khaled?
Jacob
This is jacob from investors company you applied to two days ago!
Jacob
One of the investors was stunned by your work and he demand for an interview with you.
Jacob
Would you be free this afternoon 3pm?
Jacob
At Wilson Hotel in the cafeteria there.
Reema
Okay thank you thank you sir!
Reema
Oh! Are you okay now?
Reema
Euh.. uhm.. I have an interview with an investor.
Reema
I will be an aunt hahahaha I’m so happy this is literally the best day of my life!!
Reema
I hope it’s a girl!! And we live here three of us!!
Reema
Three girls in the same roof that would be so much fun!!
Reema
I love you too Lucy!
Waiter
Miss, you have a reservation?
Reema
I think yes.. I’m Reema Khaled.
Adam
Hello miss Lucy, I am Adam Saber. I am the investor!
She looks at his handsome face and body!! Most of the investors she had contact with them they were old. This one is young and good looking too!
Reema
Nice to meet you sir.
Reema
I don’t, I’ll just have a coffee.
Adam
A coffee please and one iced scotch.
Adam
So miss you brought the presentation?
He took a quick look at the papers.
Adam
I saw already your project!! But this make him more interesting!
Adam
Well, I am the head of an IT Company, we hire smart innovators and I am offering you to work for us and sell us the app.
Reema
That’s not my plan. I’m here to find an investor for my app and I’m not planning to work for anyone.
Adam
Mm then what pourcentage you have to offer?
Reema
500.000 dollars for 20%
Adam
You know that’s quite a lot!
Reema
And you know that my app will bring much more!
Adam
I would keep the amount but for 40%.
Adam
Only because of your beauty, I’ll take 30% otherwise good luck finding another investor.
She blushed a little.. stayed quiet for seconds
Adam
That’s a pleasure working with you miss Khaled.
Reema
The pleasure is mine.
She was too mesmerised by his charm to think about the great deal she just had.
But when she realised it…
A couple of tears came from her eyes.
Reema
Hello Malak? Do you want to grab a drink or something?
Malak
Oh I’m sorry babe!! I am on a date with this tinder guy!
Lucy
I’m good did everything went good?
Reema
Yes I’ll tell you what happened once I got home.
Lucy
I am at my mother’s place.
Reema
Oh you’ll stay there the night?
Reema
Okay greet her for me.
She shut her phone down while walking the streets.
She wanted someone to share her happiness.
She pick her phone again and called her mom.
Mom
Hello darling how are you?
Reema
I am actually so good!
Reema
I just had an offer!!
Mom
So you are working now?
Mom
Ooooh I’m so happy for you darling.
Mom
Did you thought about the guy..
Mom
Reema give it a chance!! What do you have to lose?
Mom
Should I send you his number?
Reema
But don’t expect anything from me!
Mom
No I won’t, you just have to try!
Reema
Oh he’s in the UK too?
Mom
Yes and in the same city as you.
Reema
What should I tell him?
Mom
Well just introduce yourself for him to know you.
Reema
Hello, I am Reema daughter of Karem, my mom sent me this number, you are?
14 century guy
You even didn’t ask for my name woaw!
14 century guy
Can I ask you something?
14 century guy
What you saved my number for?
Reema
You don’t wanna know.
14 century guy
Hahahahahhahaha.
14 century guy
So you too refuse this arrangement.
14 century guy
I feel kind of relieved.
Reema
So you too, at the end you are not too 14 century.
14 century guy
Not really, my mother complains all the time that I’m old and if I don’t get married soon I’ll die alone.
Reema
Omg how old are you? Don’t tell me you are 50 or something?
14 century guy
Hahaha you are close, 54y.o .
14 century guy
Kidding haha!
14 century guy
I am 31 years old.
Reema
Still young! I have 26 years old and I’m dealing with the same things.
Reema
Indeed… my mom told me you live here.
14 century guy
Yes.. I do, I should have chosen a farthest place.
Reema
Why is that? Phones are doing all the work here!! Unfortunately!
14 century guy
So are we getting married now?
Reema
And having ten babies.
14 century guy
Why having ten babies when you can have twenty?
Reema
Oh yes!! Ten boys and ten girls!
Reema
And what should we name them?
14 century guy
Grab a pen and a paper, better be a dozen.
Reema
Hahahah!! You are not that bad!
Reema
I was imagining someone..
14 century guy
Someone with a 14 century mindset?
14 century guy
I maybe I’m.
14 century guy
Reema, let’s have a FaceTime.
Episode 3
She had a look in the mirror..
She brushed her hair a little with her fingers.
Adam
Haha hello miss Khaled.
Adam
Not until I saw your picture once you texted me. It’s a surprise for me too.
Reema
How my mom knows you?
Adam
Well, I think that your aunt and my mother are neighbours..
Reema
So at the end they lied, you never saw my picture.
Adam
Honestly… I refused to.
Reema
So we have the same idea about the situation at the end, But…
Adam
About work? I am professional miss Khaled so don’t worry work will remain work.
Reema
I’m kind-of relieved now.
Adam
So, I’m still a 14 century guy?
Reema
Haha I don’t think so..
Adam
Well, I’m not disappointed.
She blushed a little and smirked..
Adam
But what we’re gonna do in this matter?
Adam
A game of pretending.
Adam
Pretending that we’re actually dating and liking each other in order for our mothers to stop play with our lives.
Adam
Well.. you have better idea?
Reema
I thought guys had privileges in our Arabic families.
Reema
At least my brother had, he’s 28 years old and no one get involved in his live life.
Adam
I had too this privilege, not anymore.
Adam
I had a British girlfriend.
Adam
I was about to ask her for marriage but my family refused.
Reema
I will think of that game and I’ll answer you.
Adam
Alright, I’m waiting.
Reema
Why I’m kinda disappointed?
Reema
It’s not like I like him or something…
Reema
Stooop!! I don’t mimi!! I don’t..
Reema
I’m curious how Lucy is doing!!
Reema
You also missed her.. didn’t you?
Reema
I’m calling to check on you.. are you okay?
Lucy
Reema… actually, I’m too tired to speak I’ll call you tomorrow if it’s okay with you.
Reema
Goodbye I love you!!
Reema
Oh mimi your auntie still mad… I hope she’s okay.
Reema
Oh my phone is buzzing.
Rania
We’re have you been as***le?
Her younger sister Rania.
Reema
Just working honey..
Reema
I have good news and bad news.
Rania
Let’s start with the good news..
Reema
I have an investor !!
Rania
FINALLY YOU GONNA BE RICH
Rania
AND I’LL BRAGG ABOUT YOU
Rania
AND YOU’L BUY ME TICKETS TO BILLIE EILISH’s CONCERTS!!!
Reema
The guy… the investor…
Rania
What do you mean? Is he the son of our aunt fatma’s neighbour?
Rania
Did he knew you? I mean before your meeting?
Reema
He told me he didn’t knew until he saw my picture on profile.
Rania
Goooood… I mean is he cute?
Reema
I don’t have any pictures..
Rania
Just screenshot his profile picture.
Rania
It’s hot here isn’t it?
Rania
I mean… why even you complaining?
Reema
He already has a girlfriend.
Reema
I knooow the girlfriend isn’t arabe so his mother wants him to marry someone from the same ethnicity or religion.
Reema
He wants us to pretend as we’re dating.
Reema
I didn’t gave him my response yet.
Rania
Mmmmm… I mean you don’t have anything to loose.
Reema
If things get bad… I might loose him as an investor.
Rania
Look at the bright side honey.
Rania
You might get your feet wet.. but at least on the coolest hottest river.
Reema
Here we go.. she begins with her dollishits.
Reema
How things are going as a senior year at high school?
Rania
I mean very boring!!
Rania
I didn’t get a high school boyfriend.
Reema
Neither did I, just focus on your studies.
Reema
I have to go to sleep.
She laid back to her bed.
And all she could think of is his face.
She tried to ship her thoughts into another way… but as soon as she did his smile or a word he said pops on her mind.
She couldn’t figure out what wrong with her.
She stayed up that night.
Adam
Good morning miss Khaled.
Reema
Oh sir.. good morning.
Adam
I’ve been standing here for while now.. can you open the door?
She looks at herself in the mirror
She brushes her hair with her fingers real quick.
Reema
Oh yeah yeah of course.. come in.
Reema
Yeah… me and my roommate are always for the coziness.
Adam
Haha I see.. is she or he here?
Reema
She… and no, she’s staying at her mother’s house for now.
Reema
Uuhh.. I’m not really use to have guests here… do you wanna something to drink or..?
Adam
I’m here just to hear your response.
Adam
My mother called me this morning, and I didn’t answer her.
Adam
I wanted to know your opinion first.
Adam
You don’t have any response yet I guess.
Adam
Look miss Khaled, I don’t have much time to spend. I’ll take it as a no.
Reema
Okay… I mean I agree.
He grins and he approached her until they were one foot apart.
He kissed her on her front.
And grabs a paper from his bag.
Reema
U must’ve been kidding me!
He leaves it on the table.
Adam
Read it, If you suggest any arrangements we’ll talk about it this evening.
Adam
Be prepared, I’ll pick you up but 7pm.
Adam
It’s a dinner date, we’ll have pictures and send them to our families.
Reema
Oh I see, you already planned for it all.
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