"I haven't done this before…"
Geb stared intently at her, reading her thoughts. She was nervous, a little scared. The rude boss, the spoiled girl known across Egypt, melted away in his eyes. Now he saw only a vulnerable mortal sitting before him on the table, as he stood between her legs.
Her words made him feel weak. Of course, he knew she was innocent, her chastity intact. But now he realized he had moved too fast. Stepping away, he averted his gaze so she wouldn't feel more shy. He wanted to apologize—until her phone rang.
Helping her down from the table, he watched as she walked toward the phone beside the stove.
"Hello?" she answered, picking up an unknown number.
"Hi Nessy, it's Morsi Mubarak," came the voice.
Anger and frustration surged through Nessy at the mention of his name. She still hadn't decided how to deal with his request.
"Hi Morsi, isn't it a bit early to call?" she asked nonchalantly.
"Nessy, I call when I choose, and your only responsibility is to pick up. Don't tell me it's too hard to comply," Morsi shot back, shutting her down.
"Why are you calling?" she pressed, brushing off his tone and ready for whatever he might say.
"I want to see you today at the office, later this afternoon," he said with the authority of a man who owned her.
Disgust and irritation flooded Nessy. She glanced at Geb, seated comfortably beside the table, his eyes on her as if he understood everything and awaited her response. Maybe she was imagining things—her phone wasn't on speaker, and he couldn't have known unless she spoke aloud, which she hadn't.
"I'm sorry, Morsi, but you can't see me today. Or anytime soon," she said firmly, fixing her eyes on Geb to gauge his reaction. She wanted to know if their connection meant anything—that he made her heart flutter and stirred feelings she'd never known. She hoped he felt the same.
Geb didn't flinch. His look challenged her: *show me your true reaction.* Nessy felt disappointed and angry at herself for these thoughts. She averted her gaze, focusing on the egg filling she had been preparing before the call.
"And why not?" Morsi snapped, anger sharpening his voice.
"I have photoshoots for my new product launch on Monday—today is the only day I can do them," she said, staring at the filling, hoping he'd accept the excuse and leave her alone.
"Fine. I'll meet you at the studio then. We'll talk there. Bye." He ended the call abruptly, denying her chance to object.
"No! That won't—" Nessy tried, but the line was dead. She dropped the phone, crying out in frustration, "You monster! Leave me alone!"
Tears welled in her eyes as strong arms encircled her from behind. A voice whispered into her hair, "It's okay. I'll handle it."
She knew who it was. Pulling away, she slapped his chest, anger etched on her face.
"You! Leave me alone! I thought we had something. But you just sat there while another man tries to ruin my life. Don't you feel anything for me? I thought you cared—that's why you saved me yesterday, watched over me all night, slept on my couch. I thought you liked me. But I was wrong. You're just like everyone else—a spoiled brat, a rich girl good for nothing!" she yelled, slapping her chest repeatedly.
"I hate yo—" she began but was silenced by his lips on hers.
Her eyes closed involuntarily as intense pleasure washed over her. He sucked her lips, devouring her mouth with his tongue. The kiss lasted seconds before they broke apart, gasping for breath.
"I love you… with all my will," he whispered.
---
*Morsi's Mansion*
*(Last Night)*
Two figures cloaked in black robes embraced tightly in the mansion's hall. Their faces were hidden beneath hoods.
As they parted, they swiftly began undoing their robes.
"Ah, ah, ah," Nut breathed as she pulled off the heavy garment, finally able to breathe freely. She had worn it only because Aposis commanded it—never explaining why. The robes enhanced his teleportation will, making them powerful enough to breach the granite barrier of time.
Catching her breath, she glanced around. Though night had fallen, the place shimmered with the glow of night skies. It did not feel dark. The scene resembled a fairy tale—too magical and captivating, even more so than her sky abode in Egypt.
*Wait! Where am I?* she thought, turning sharply to Aposis. "Where is this?"
Aposis strode past her and settled onto a throne-like chair. "This, my dear goddess, is Egypt," he said, relaxing.
'Egypt?' Nut shook her head in disbelief. *How can this be Egypt? We just left Egypt. Is this some trick to vent his anger at Ra? No, I won't let that happen,* she thought, fear creeping in.
"Relax, Nut. Rest now, and we'll talk tomorrow," Aposis offered, sensing her racing heart.
His senses were sharp—able to hear, see, and feel beyond mortals and immortals alike. Like reading minds, though he could not truly do that, he used his keen awareness to near the same effect.
"I need answers now!" Nut snapped, growing upset. "Where are we? Where is my Geb? You promised to take me to him, but I don't see him. Where is this place, for crying out loud?" she demanded.
Aposis rose, his expression darkening. "Listen, goddess. I brought you to Egypt in the future. This is the 21st century, and this is where your precious Geb is."
"What? Egypt in the future? And Geb is here? Is this your abode? What does it look like?" she asked, astonished.
"I hate to break it to you, goddess, but neither you nor the other gods exist anymore," Aposis said gravely.
"What?" Nut gasped. "What do you mean?"
"The mortals forsook all the ancient gods of Egypt. They failed you. They turned their backs on the old gods and now serve unknown beings—and things they created themselves," Aposis said, a hint of joy creeping into his voice. He was pleased that the gods of Egypt were abandoned. Demon gods like him needed no mortal worship to survive. 'Oh, poor gods,' he thought with a sly smile.
"We were abandoned?" Nut cried. "Noooo!"
…