Page 90 of What Happens in Dubai

‘Indie, Skylar and Laureen have shared our post and tagged us in their stories!’ she began. ‘They are amazing! All about the importance of self-identity and positive body image. Guys, we’ve gained four thousand followers in two hours, and we are fully booked for the next three weeks. I have four hundred DMs to respond to. What the actual fuck is going on?’

Once again, my jaw hit the floor.

‘Something big, Ash, that’s for sure!’ Tom said.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Individualise was thriving. Two weeks had passed since launching my new concept, and our schedules were full. Tom and I worked tirelessly on the injectables while Ashley was fully committed to promoting and cataloguing our days. We stayed open till late at night and cut down our breaks to fit in as many clients as possible, somehow managing to keep it all together, feeding off the thrill and buzz of it all.

Customers were turning up in person to make appointments because the phone line was constantly busy. People were only too happy to be featured on our selfie wall and were tagging the clinic in gushing, excited posts following their treatments. Bloggers and local magazines published our story and Laura Maginess from the Glasglow Girls Club even popped round to interview us for her channel. It felt like a dream, except it was entirely beyond my own mind’s magnitude. Ashley seemed to flourish in the chaos and I could see how much it had taken her mind off Dave. Occasionally I’d hear her sniffle and tear up at night, but it was becoming less and less as she had a bigger purpose at work. I never imagined how many people would support our new branding, but as the piles of cash flew through the door, a sun-kissed Raj lay blissfully unaware of his clinic’s success across the ocean in Dubai.

That Tuesday morning, the team gathered round the sofa with Andy for the customary sales meeting. He was dressed in a tight crisp white shirt with jeans and a statement Hermes belt. His warm smile shone when he began the session as we waited eagerly on the figures.

Finally, he glanced at his laptop and shrugged. ‘I don’t know why we’re having this meeting, to be honest. You guys are killing it.’

I glanced at Ashley and Tom, who were beaming.

‘How much have we taken in?’ I asked

Andy scrolled through his MacBook. ‘You’ve brought in more this month than you have the past three months combined.’ He swung his head in disbelief.

‘Long may it continue,’ I replied nervously, hoping the novelty of it all wouldn’t wear off.

‘Have you guys got many appointments booked in advance?’ Andy asked.

Ashley squeaked. ‘Aye, full for the next three months. After that, there’s a waiting list, plus a million DMs I’ve to sort through.’

‘I don’t think you’ll need to worry anytime soon then, Zara!’ Andy responded, winking in my direction.

I felt my shoulders being rubbed from behind as Tom moved closer to reassure me. My body stiffened, slightly uncomfortable as Andy glimpsed at the public display of affection. After a few silent, awkward seconds, I wriggled out of Tom’s hold.

‘So, Raj must’ve been buzzing when you told him, eh?’ Andy asked.

Ashley giggled loudly. ‘You would think, eh.’

Andy raised his eyebrow at me.

‘I’ve kind of not told him yet.’ I sighed and covered my face. ‘Yep, basically, he has no idea.’

‘What?’ Andy’s voice was high-pitched with shock. ‘Why would you still not tell him? It’s all good news!’

I agreed, feeling nervous at even the thought of coming clean. I had been so bold about my way of managing his shop. I thought about how mad Raj was when Tom betrayed him with the clinic before, and deep down, I wondered if I was just as bad. I knew I had to tell him but I was putting it off each day, trying to justify my rationale in my head.

‘He didn’t like the facial mapping idea. I pitched it to him while we were in Dubai, and hereallydidn’t like it. Then he’s away for a few weeks and here’s me changing his entire clinic around the idea.’

‘Aye, and it’s paid off big time!’

‘I know, but—’

‘Listen, Raj is a businessman. He’ll be over the moon about what you’ve done here. I know I am, and let’s face it, he might want to come back from Dubai early because of it. Besides, you two are mates. Is it not a bit snide keeping it from him? What’s the point in him being away? This place is top-notch and soaring. Raj is away from his family and business unnecessarily really. He doesn’t need the extra promotion in Dubai when this place is doing so well, does he?’

I nodded guiltily.

‘Why don’t we FaceTime him just now? Together?’ Andy suggested.

‘Or I could call him with you, Zara. We can always play it down, make a few jokes and tell him how brilliantly you’ve done,’ Tom suggested.

I agreed with both of them. Raj did need to know and I appreciated Tom’s offer, but I didn’t want Raj to think badly of the decision. Maybe if Tom was involved, he’d think there was something shady going on.

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