Free Welcome to Dubai (The Traveler) by Omar Tyree

would also need to discuss the recent setback with his investing partner from Russia, who had flown in on an unexpected visit. So Abdul called him over to meet in private that night instead of during the busier daytime hours.
    A buzz from his office phone signaled the arrival of his evening appointment.
    “Abdul,” he answered.
    “Yes, Mr. Daniel is here.”
    “Send him up.”
    As soon as Abdul hung up the line, he called out, “Al-lahhh!” with open palms from his desk. He had been a young shining star of city development. But now he needed strength and guidance in his time of despair. So he prayed to remain calm and in control of his emotions.
    When the security detail knocked on his office door, Abdul pushed a buzzer to allow them in. Daniel Hovska was a short, thick-built man of thinning blond hair and crystal-blue eyes who was fast approaching fifty. He was an ambitious Russian who had partnered with Abdul on his latest property to share some of the risks and definitely some of the windfall. But over the past few months, the new construction work had not gone well.
    Daniel waited until he sat alone with Abdul before speaking. And once the security had left them, he asked his Muslim partner, “Abdul, what is going on here?”
    Although Abdul was a considerably younger businessman with less experience, Daniel had allowed him to take the lead on their deal in the United Arab Emirates. He had no choice in the matter—it was either Abdul’s way or no way. The Emirates government had been strategically strict on any and all foreign investments. They did not want their tourism playground in Dubai to get away from them with outsider control. But lately, Daniel had been very concerned about his lack of say-so, enough to pop up at short notice to assess the recent troubling developments at the newest construction site.
    Abdul maintained his poise across the desk, while Daniel sat in the office chair in front of him, filled with apprehension.
    “There is nothing to be concerned about. Our construction will still be completed ahead of schedule,” Abdul assured his partner with confidence.
    “Well, if this faster pace is not safe for workers, then maybe we don’t need to rush ahead of time. I would much rather we keep a normal schedule with men who we know and trust, than have so many new men that we don’t. That is why we are having so many new problems,” Daniel commented.
    Obviously, he had done his research, and his assessment was in agreement with Hakim and Khalid, who both worked the construction site daily.
    Nevertheless, Abdul repeated nonchalantly, “Accidents will happen.”
    “Well then, maybe we should find more ways for them
not
to happen,” Daniel suggested boldly.
    Abdul considered his agitation and remained calm. He realized that if he did not push to complete his various construction properties ahead of schedule, he would become worried himself about how the volatile economy might affect the business climate and their ability
to
finish. Completed buildings were much easier supported by incoming revenue. But while the buildings were still in development, Abdul projected that they would run out of capital beforehand, and he had far too much pride to ask his uncle for another bailout of a business loan, nor was he willing to offer up a larger stake of the ownership with Daniel. But now his Russian business investor was becoming more distressed about their partnership.
    “So, you are not concerned with how a slower pace may affect the original schedule of business, even if we were to fall behind?” Abdul asked.
    Daniel thought before he spoke. He then answered the question philosophically. “Sometimes, the slower building is built to last much longer. And although I, like anyone else, would desire to be finished on time or even early like you, if it is not to be, and it must take a while longer to complete, then so be it.”
    Once Abdul was fully aware of Daniel’s disposition on completion, he