"Morsi?!" Nessy gasped, a sudden wave of fear crashing over her.
"It's okay, baby. I'm here. I won't let anyone hurt you," Geb whispered soothingly, sensing her terror. He drew her into a warm embrace and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Nessy felt herself relax, calm returning to her spirit. Together, they freshened up and dressed in formal attire for their official duties. Geb emerged from the restroom first, followed closely by Nessy. Anyone witnessing them exit—the way Nessy clung to Geb's hand, the possessive hold he kept on her—would assume they had just indulged in the deepest pleasures of the night.
Geb held her tightly as they walked toward her office. At the door, he stopped and locked eyes with her. "Do you trust me?"
He couldn't explain the strange feelings swirling inside him, but he knew something was off. Something was about to happen today, something he dreaded Nessy experiencing. The question slipped out, born of instinct.
"Yes, I do. I trust you very much, Geb," Nessy answered, lost in the hypnotic depths of his hazel eyes.
Geb felt a flicker of calm and relief. He opened the door and stepped inside, Nessy firmly in his grip. His gaze swept the room and landed on Morsi—seated on the couch opposite them. But Morsi was not alone; a woman sat beside him. The woman turned and looked directly at Geb, locking eyes with him.
"Nut?!" Geb breathed.
---
*Earlier*
*(Entrance of Saadid Company)*
"We're here," Morsi (Aposis) said, eyes fixed on the grand building with satisfaction.
Nut looked around. The building outshone every other they'd passed on the way here. 'SAADID COMPANY' was etched in bold letters on its walls. The entrance alone was breathtaking.
"Aposis, are you sure Geb is here?" Nut asked skeptically. She couldn't imagine her Geb involved with such a place.
Morsi's glare hardened. "Are you doubting me, or suggesting I'm a fool who can't sense him? Are you calling me a liar?" His fury burned in his eyes.
Nut quickly regained composure. "I'm sorry, Aposis. I believe you completely," she said meekly.
"Don't call me that," he snapped.
"What do you mean?" Nut asked, puzzled.
"I'm in disguise, Nut. Don't call me by my real name. Call me Morsi—Morsi Mubarak!" he thundered.
"Okay, Morsi," Nut replied, voice trembling slightly.
A flicker of anger stirred within her. Did he forget she was a goddess? She often wondered why he spoke down to her. But who was she to complain? Without him, she might have wished for death—imprisoned in her sky abode, her mortal body taken away. She couldn't bear that fate. She owed him respect for saving her.
"Let's go," Morsi said, striding toward the entrance, with Nut following. He spoke briefly to the receptionist, who made a call and then invited them in. Nut kept her cool, though puzzled.
They stepped into the elevator. Aposis/Morsi pressed buttons, and Nut felt herself rising. She was unsteady—used only to flying—and this mechanical ascent made her dizzy. Aposis remained calm, arms in pockets, eyes straight ahead, indifferent to her unease. This wasn't part of the awareness he'd granted her.
The elevator stopped with a beep, doors sliding open. Aposis exited briskly; Nut hurried after him.
He spoke with the woman at the desk, who nodded and made another call. The recipient did not answer. Nut admired the strange device, marveling at how it transmitted messages across distances. But she dared not ask—she didn't want to incur Aposis's wrath.
The woman tried again, still no answer. Then she stood, opening the door beside her desk. "Sir, ma'am, please wait. I will inform my boss you are here," she said politely.
Aposis settled onto a nearby couch, with Nut beside him, wondering why the woman left without explanation.
Minutes later, the woman returned, smiling brightly. "You may enter now, Sir Morsi."
Aposis rose and led the way; Nut followed closely, careful not to offend.
They entered a magnificent office far grander than any they'd passed. The room was vast, filled with strange objects Nut couldn't name. Yet despite its grandeur, it lacked something—a person.
Her eyes darted anxiously, searching for the office's owner—Geb. But he was nowhere to be seen.
Turning to Aposis, she shot him a hard glare.
"Why the look?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"I thought we came to see Geb. Where is he? Who are we waiting for?" she demanded, desperate for answers.
"Relax, Nut. We'll see your Geb soon. Stop bothering me and have a seat," Aposis replied, settling comfortably.
Though dissatisfied, Nut chose patience. She sat, continuing to admire the room—until footsteps approached.
Her eyes met his.
Her Geb.
He looked every bit as handsome as she remembered, if not more. She stared deeply into his eyes until she heard him call out.
"Nut?!"
---
*Now*
Geb could hardly believe his eyes. Was this a hallucination? Was it really Nut, standing there with Morsi? How had she found him? And why was she with Morsi Mubarak of all people?
Lost in thought, he barely registered as she rose and enveloped him in a tight hug.
"Geb, oh Geb, I've missed you so much! My Geb, I couldn't hold myself together since you left," Nut sobbed, tears welling. She clung to him fiercely but was surprised he didn't respond.
"Geb, what's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?" Her face creased with worry. "Geb, what is it?"
She stepped on tiptoes and kissed him, but he pushed her away, anger and disgust flashing across his face.
"What's wrong with you, Nut? Where did you come from? How did you find me? How did you come here from ancient Egypt?" Geb demanded, confusion swirling.
He glanced at Nessy, already tearing up. He understood her pain but knew none of this was her fault.
"Aren't you happy to see me? I came all this way from our time, and this is how you respond?" Nut pleaded, nearly in tears.
Nessy felt lost. Who was this woman? What was her connection to Geb? Jealousy stabbed her heart as she kissed Geb. Why did she feel such intense jealousy toward a woman she barely knew? Tears threatened to spill, but she refused to let anyone see her cry—especially Morsi, who lounged on the office couch, relaxed and enjoying the spectacle as if paid to do so.
Ignoring Morsi's unsettling calm, Nessy's pain overwhelmed her. She retreated to the restroom and locked the door behind her, not wanting anyone to follow.
…