God bless you. Welcome, Qassar.
Now you know the place. Come any time.
Thank you for coming…
Mama Habiba gave me this necklace. Now it's yours.
Now I'm ready.
Hurry up. We're late.
A man is coming to see you.
Munira, meet my friend, Qassar.
You're 33 years old.
But the family will always carry a burden.
This is the one I like.
But I want to change it a bit.
And I want it to have character.
And put this color in it.
Wow! You've chosen beautiful colors!
Do you know who else did? Hind Rostom.
All the pics are in this book.
I'll give it to you, but please don't tear it or lose it.
Here you go.
Heard you have company.
This is Laila Botros, the interior designer.
She'll help redecorate my room.
Interior designer?
I'll change the paint and furniture.
Honestly, I need something new.
Did you forget we just helped you buy a car?
Your bedroom was renovated just a few years ago.
Five years ago.
You did it, not us.
You changed everything without asking me what I wanted.
And you put up that awful painting.
This one.
Toss it out first thing.
I don't even like horses, yet I have to see them every day.
And imagine what they smell like.
Ahmad?
-What? -Come, Ahmad.
-What? -Come see your daughter.
She wants to redo her bedroom and has hired a contractor.
Contractor?
She's not a contractor, Dad. Laila is an interior designer.
I told you about her recently.
We're not in a construction site. You've set up a workshop in here.
Why all the hassle?
I already started.
And honestly, I can't leave it like that.
Don't worry, Dad. I will pay for all of it.
Trust me, this will make me happier.
This is my home, where I should have a say.
This is my house.
I don't understand why you're turning everything upside down.
Qassar wants to get married quickly.
HIND ROSTOM CHALET HER SECRET HIDEOUT
I wish I was like Hind Rostom.
It's only for a few hours a week, Juju.
And you never know, maybe you'll enjoy working.
I'm being forced into child labor, and why?
Because my legal guardian decided to waste money on a fancy car.
I told you this car is an investment, so I can drive it to work.
And Tarabesque is the most important investment of all.
Our investments shape our future.
I'm invested in horseback riding. The championship is around the corner.
So you'll nail the job, the competition, and your grades.
Never underestimate yourself or your abilities.
OPENING SOON TARABESQUE RECORDS
Oh, Jude!
-This place is in bad shape. -Enough!
And she's so excited about working with you.
I'm glad. There's a lot to do before the grand opening.
Yes, we have a lot to do before the grand opening.
No, dear. There's a shipment.
We're sticking together.
Okay, then. I'll drop her off after school.
It's my pleasure.
What's wrong?
Did you choke on your dinner with Sabiha last night?
With the valuation set, we're now searching for an anchor investor.
I want us to find an anchor investor
before our debut at the Investors' Summit in Cairo next week.
I agree.
That's why we started the meetings right away.
Munira, the details?
Mishari set up meetings with two investment firms for you
and with a mutual fund this week.
Perfect. But we need to do something.
We need to meet with Najm Capital this afternoon.
They'll do well in Cairo.
I hear you know one of their managers.
Yes, Imad Dawas.
He's a good friend of my brother's and a manager there.
Let Munira attend the meeting since she knows him personally.
What about the order of business that's not on the agenda?
The market dynamics could drag down the IPO.
That's why I put a team in trading to increase the real estate value,
while searching for an anchor investor.
Raising real estate prices can build investor trust in Alpha,
but how will you raise the price of an entire sector?
By driving up the price of our main competitor, Balad Group.
Farida has updates regarding the trading desk.
Yeah.
I'm leaving the IPO team to focus on trading,
which is what I do best.
Of course, I will support the IPO whenever possible.
I'm surprised, Farida. Are you sure this is what you want?
I'm afraid it is.
I tried to talk her out of it, but it's her choice.
I have to respect that.
Okay.
So now how about we…
Go ahead.
Yeah.
There are sections we haven't discussed. Let's go through them.
What was that?
Of course you'd chase me down.
You're quitting the IPO?
I quit. It's over.
Why? What for?
I did it. It's done. I don't owe you an explanation.
But you could've told me first.
Yes. Because it's all about you and only you.
It's done, Munira.
What's wrong with you?
We're partners on this project, and we'll continue working together.
Really?
Oh, I thought that…
I work for you, around you, and against you, most of the time,
but do we work together?
Only when you needed 1,000 dinars.
A baby. You're such a baby! Always the victim!
Farida, I'm dealing with a lot at home, and I can't take more problems.
I haven't told you.
I haven't told you that
my parents…
"My parents bought me a new car, but it's not the color I wanted"?
Enough!
Enough. I'm sick of this.
I can't listen to your nonsense anymore.
I have real problems at home. Serious problems.
It seems like problems follow you everywhere.
Even at work.
ALPHA - FAILAKA - REVENUE
Look who's here! The woman who came back to her post.
The woman who makes kids work.
The woman who…
The woman who's back to working with idiots.
You still have a lot going on.
Like Tarabesque. Something to live for.
How great is Tarabesque.
Where do we start this morning?
Didn't you get rid of it?
It got into the building a few days ago and stayed.
Oh dear! My desk is its nest!
Opportunity makes the thief.
Guys.
Can we talk about Balad Group?
Sure.
Amir came this morning.
He said we must raise their stock by any means.
And since you just came back,
and you're an active member in the group, we need your help, Queen of Mathematics.
Will you help us? I'm betting on you.
No wonder it hasn't left.
It's injured.
Where is it?
Mother's instinct.
Do you have a minute?
I do.
I was just thinking about our pitch to Najm Capital.
Don't think too hard.
We're not pitching to them.
You're just a connection because you're acquainted with Imad.
My mother and I will do the talking.
Of course.
But don't you want to tell me what to wear?
Good.
I'm glad you're here.
I was going to call both of you, but here you are together already.
We were discussing how we'll approach Najm Capital.
You mean which one of us will approach them.
Be good to her.
Because Farida stepped down, you'll be working together closely.
I'm sure you'll make a great team.
-Hasan? -What?
Balad Group stocks are at the bottom. No one wants to buy them.
I know.
Let's be smart about it so we can raise the stock.
What about a wash trade?
What's a wash trade?
Put your patient away so we can talk business.
Let's see what's going on.
Go ahead. Explain.
I'll explain simply.
When Farida goes to buy a stock from the traded stocks, she buys four.
Traders see the transaction and think, "Farida loves biscuits."
But this is different. You buy one biscuit from the broker.
Then two,
then three,
then four.
What does the broker do next? He'll buy them all back.
Then what will you do? You'll buy them again.
And you'll repeat that a few times until the stock goes…
up.
Then everyone will think that the real estate sector is in high demand.
You devils!
Do you have any better ideas?
Mr. Saud!
Hello! How are you doing?
Welcome back!
Thanks. How are you doing? Missed you all.
Haven't seen you in the hospital.
Hello, guys. God bless you.
Thank you, guys. Sorry, I didn't see you.
Hello.
Abu Sadiq, how have you been? How's everyone?
Keep in mind that anchoring this IPO will make you
a cornerstone of a development that will resonate across the Gulf.
It's not just an honor, but it's our duty as Kuwaitis
to build our future and link it to the past at the same time.
We hope that Najm Capital
becomes an integral part of this project.
Great!
Sounds like a noble and lucrative venture.
27%.
If you read the data on page…
-Eleven. -Page eleven.
You finally spoke!
When we were kids, you never shut up.
God bless you. It's been a pleasure. Goodbye.
We do well together, don't we?
Don't say "we."
I'm the one who's been doing well.
Period.
-Nice work, Imad. -Thank you.
-You've been doing great. Nice work. -Thank you.
And since you're an old family friend, I wanted to ask you…
Tell me, what do you think?
You want the truth? Alpha is impressive.
And Failaka certainly stands out.
And what do you think of…
Rakan?
Rakan is crazy. I mean, he's different.
Yes. Different.
But he's clever. I wouldn't underestimate him.
As a family friend, I won't leave you hanging.
I appreciate that. I owe you one.
I'll tell Jassim you said hi.
No need. I'm meeting him at his place after work.
-You're coming to our place? -No, I'm going to his apartment. In Deira.
Yes. His apartment in Deira.
-Deira. -Yes.
-See you later. -See you. His apartment in Deira.
Ah, Jassim!
Our girls are here.
You look like you've had a long day. You seem tired.
My feet hurt, and my nose is dusty.
Has that ever happened to you, Baba Adib?
My dear girl, I've had newspaper ink under my nails for 30 years.
Believe me, I've tried. But to no avail.
Dad, Juju helped Umish inventory the entire shop today.
She outworked us all.
There was a little girl Who dreams of a big fortune…
Thank you so much for today, Juju.
You may not see it now, but you're helping us succeed.
If the shop thrives, so do we.
When you get rich, don't forget to take us on vacation.
Enough about the vacation already, Mom! I get it.
No, I'm just saying.
You've spent all your savings on that shop.
All right, enough!
-Does it look good on my neck? -Does that mean you'll take it?
But it looks vulgar.
Answer me.
Your father is meeting Qassar again.
I think he'll propose this time.
Go find another woman!
Shouldn't I be there?
Really? You want to be?
Tell Dad I want to be there.
To talk about what I want.
Hello, my dear kid.
-Hi, Mom. -Hi, honey.
Mom, please. I'm starving.
Of course, my dear. Your dinner is ready.
-Want anything else? -Thank you.
Good night.
-Good night. -Good night.
Did you meet Imad Dawas?
Yes, I saw him today. He's happily married, so hands off.
-Did he say he'd invest with us? -Oh, right! He said he wouldn't.
What?
He says Alpha's stocks are too high, and Kuwait's real estate is very low.
And Najm Capital won't anchor due to the high risk.
So you haven't told me, how is it going with the old groom?
See…
I realized I forgot my magazine.
Brother, why didn't you have dinner at your apartment?
Hard luck! Mom and Dad already know.
I wish I could've changed Imad's decision. Sorry.
I couldn't change his mind.
It's not your fault.
You did well.
What you did is enough.
Rakan and I both agree on this.
Let's focus on what's next.
We have to improve our image by raising Balad's stock.
-What's the status on this? -This is a question for Farida.
Let me check with her.
Seems like this is not pigeons' food. You've wasted your money.
Well, I'm not a pigeon expert. You bring her food, then.
I don't know. We shouldn't feed her like this.
Little pieces.
Little pieces?
You're really great with lost causes.
Instead of wasting your time on a dying bird,
maybe finish the Balad Group task.
-It wasn't me. -We needed their stocks to rise.
And you, Farida.
Didn't you say you'd support Alpha from your pit?
I wish you'd act like a good partner
and keep your promise for once.
Guys.
That's it. We're left with the wash trade option.
We already said that yesterday. Go on, then. Go see Nabil.
-Nabil? -Yes. Nabil.
We have one broker with questionable ethics
who can facilitate this trade.
Go to him.
Yes, I know, but come on, guys.
Wouldn't he be more flexible if one of you talked to him?
-He would, but we have to leave early. -Both of you?
We need to rehearse for Tarabesque's grand opening.
Check the other file.
Farida Ma'mun.
It's been a while.
How's the Alpha IPO going?
It's going great.
But I've returned to trading full-time.
So you…
You think you're one of us?
I thought you might be able to help us with a unique trade.
A trade that could boost the stock of a real estate company, such as…
Balad Group?
-You mean a wash trade? -Yes.
Wow. She really is one of us.
To do this right,
we need a third party.
Okay.
Who do you recommend?
I'm happy to see you, Saud.
Farida!
I'm happy to see you too.
Glad to see our bank hasn't fallen apart without me.
You want the truth?
It's not the same without you.
But that doesn't surprise me.
We want to do high-volume trading for Balad Group.
So I was checking if you…
If you have the capacity for it.
Are you up to it or not?
Don't tell me you're talking about a wash trade.
Farida?
This is not very ethical of you.
Lecturing me about ethics?
I'm no professor.
I'm just a portfolio manager trying to rebuild his career
from scratch.
But let me get this.
You want to buy
large volumes of Balad Group stock.
Why would Bank of Tomorrow do that?
Maybe to inflate the real estate market? To attract investors to the IPO.
This is a good play.
But unfortunately,
I'm not interested in helping the team that abandoned me
and sent me to the hospital.
You're not the only one left hanging.
Sabiha threw me from the balcony to the pit,
and Amir didn't bat an eye, nor did my self-centered cousin.
I'm looking for a partner.
Because we're similar.
-I want to start over. -I'm sorry for what happened to you.
And I'm sorry I can't help you, because it would mean helping them.
I can't do it. Can't bring myself to do it.
Oh, hard nights
How I was hurt
Mishari said you wanted to see me.
Sorry for eating…
But I…
I get hungry when things don't go well.
And how can I help?
Well, if you've got any ideas,
or if you know someone new on the trading floor who can help us.
Or someone old who could help.
Saud Salim?
Correct.
Listen.
I know that right now, he's working with Laith Nasir.
He's an investor with deep pockets, and he can help us.
But you know I could never approach Saud,
especially after what I've done to him, the day when I…
When you fired him.
Exactly.
How's the relationship between you two?
Are you two still friendly?
I'm friendly with everyone.
Aren't I?
FAILAKA REAL ESTATE
BOURSA CAFETERIA
Looking for someone special?
Not just special.
How are you handling being back?
Better than before.
Thank God you came back.
-We're all glad that you're back with us. -Really?
Why didn't you visit me at the hospital?
I didn't want to break your heart twice.
Now that you're back, let's keep it professional.
Sure.
Like boxers,
waiting to knock each other out.
If needed.
But some situations may be mutually beneficial.
And I'd like to share those with you.
How generous of you. God bless you.
You know we won the bid for Alpha's IPO?
Oh! That's great.
You worked hard on that bid. Congratulations.
Thank you.
But surely you've heard we need an anchor investor.
And?
Laith Nasir can be that investor.
Abu Nasir.
Of course he can.
And I'm running the ship.
And I'm no longer doing favors for Bank of Tomorrow.
Or for you.
I told Farida when she asked for help with Alpha.
Farida is a successful businesswoman, and she's good. She's better than you.
Really?
Then why am I up there on the executive floor?
While you
and Farida are both down here?
Some people keep you up,
and others drag you down.
If you want to ruin your career,
go ahead.
150 stocks.
The stock is going up. 13,200.
It's going higher.
Balad Group. I want Balad Group stock.
How much?
Who wants more?
13,200.
At 13,200.
-I'm in. -At 13,200.
I'm in on the wash trade.
At 13,200!
200,000 shares left.
Listen, Farida. Do you know who I work for?
Laith Nasir.
Listen, dear. In this industry, you have to know one thing.
You have to focus on the power players. You really don't know him?
I really don't.
He's a decent person.
And now,
I can rebuild myself with someone like him.
Because he won't stab me in the back like Amir did.
Or watch me die on the floor and look the other way, like Munira did.
Surely you know that helping me with Balad Group means helping the bank.
I'm helping you because this will upset Munira.
And I want to make my boss happy.
Do you think that if someone is bad, I'll be bad too?
Try this.
Bon appétit.
-See? -What happened after that?
I don't want to…
They made us go back.
I don't want to tell the story.
It fell down.
How wonderful!
Like-minded people ruin their careers together.
-Are you friends now? -Yeah. We're plotting against you.
Better men than you have failed.
Welcome, guys. Come on in, boys and girls.
10% off. Welcome!
Come on in. Welcome.
Thank you. It's been a pleasure.
Come next week. There will be a new collection.
So tiring. He has nothing and finally gave me ten dinars.
Sweet!
Now we have 70 dinars!
This little girl deserves a gold star.
If you work a few hours more, we can double your mom's 1,000 dinars.
-A thousand dinars? -Yes.
And if I worked more?
What about school?
-I'll take some tapes with me. -Good.
And I can sell them my own way.
I like the idea.
If you sell the whole bag, I'll give you a 5% commission.
7%.
10%.
Umish!
And after a year, will I starve to death?
Steal? Beg? What should I do?
I could have handled it if I were younger, but my age doesn't allow it…
When did you come back?
I hear the grand opening was a success.
Yes, we've sold a lot. That's good for you, right?
Good for us, dear.
Which is why…
I got you this.
Those are from me, to get you started.
And this too.
-How much does it hold? -Don't know.
Tell me after you fill it.
…the homeowners would never have abandoned me at my age.
You need more? More?
Munira, come have breakfast.
You missed dinner last night.
I had dinner at the office.
I'll take this.
I heard you want to be here when Qassar arrives.
But let me talk to him first.
I'll be there.
Yes!
The stocks went up this morning.
-Why is this clown celebrating? -Excellent.
He knows the trade's been rigged.
High five!
I knew Balad Group stock would go up today.
-What a great comeback! -I don't waste time!
Great! This is only the beginning.
True.
Welcome. God bless you.
Welcome.
I wanted to surprise you. Didn't know you're celebrating.
-Welcome. -Hello.
-Glad to have you here. -Do you do this every time the bell rings?
-Hello, Abu Nasir. -Hi.
You won, I won, and Fajr Holding Company won.
-Congratulations! -Thanks to you.
-Let me show you around. Come on. -Let's go.
Is this our booth?
This is our booth, so…
-You see? -What?
-Our overlords seem pleased. -Indeed.
Abu Nasir, let me introduce you to our soldiers.
-This is my old tribe. -I see.
Hasan and Walid are traders.
-Nice to meet you. -The pleasure is ours.
-Nice to meet you. -Welcome, sir.
And Farida, their clerk.
They're the top team at the exchange, second to us.
-Come on! -Come on!
Tell me.
Congratulations on Balad Group. Quite the win for your first week.
Is it your first time at the exchange, or…
or do you usually have other businesses here?
What do we have here?
You raise pigeons while making millions?
I found it injured, and it couldn't fly. It won't eat or drink.
I can't help this little guy.
This is a girl.
I…
I raise birds, and I know a lot about them.
Would you let me take her home with me?
I'll fix her up.
You asked me if it's my first time here at the exchange.
-Yes, right. -Sit down.
I used to come here, but not as a stakeholder.
But now I need to understand my partners better.
Bank of Tomorrow? What's new in Bank of Tomorrow?
Our focus right now is on the Alpha IPO.
-Right. I heard they were going public. -Yes.
That's a tough sell right now, given the real estate sector.
The real estate sector is bouncing back, especially with Balad Group.
And Alpha has landed a prestigious new contract.
-You mean Failaka? -Yes.
I have a friend buzzing about it.
Saud?
-Yes, sir. -Are they still looking for an investor?
Finding an anchor investor is our top priority.
We have several options,
but we haven't found…
You know quite a bit. God bless you.
Are you really just a junior clerk?
I do the clerical duties as a favor to the traders.
-Yes. -But I was chosen for the IPO team.
Anyway,
if you're interested, I can set up a meeting.
I'm very interested.
-Okay. -It was a pleasure.
DILIGENCE SURPASSES TALENT
What is this? What's in your bag?
Mais, are there any bands you like?
What do you mean? Hairbands?
Or like Whitesnake,
Bon Jovi, Poison, and Def Leppard?
-Who wants Miami? -Me!
-Give me! -Jude!
Jude! Me!
Nothing's worse than someone taking credit for your work.
How awful.
I'm sure your words influenced Saud to join the Balad Group trade.
But what happened is that
Farida is benefitting from it.
Not the first time.
If they're coming on board as our anchor,
I'd love to learn more about Laith and Saud.
I'm not familiar with how they work.
Care to bring me up to speed over dinner tonight?
We work together, so let's get more acquainted,
especially before going to Cairo.
-Tonight? -Sorry, I'm not hungry.
Then have a salad.
I'll do that at home.
My mom said I've skipped dinner many times,
so I promised her to have dinner at home tonight.
Next time, then.
It will work.
Farida.
A moment, please.
We just got a call from Saud. He confirmed Laith's interest in Alpha.
And according to Saud, you convinced him.
Although,
he didn't tell us how.
Laith and Saud want to meet at the Investors' Summit in Cairo.
Not only did you raise the entire real estate sector
on the trading floor,
you also may have hooked us up with an anchor investor
for our IPO.
Honestly,
quite an achievement.
But before the team leaves for Cairo,
I think it's necessary
that Farida brings back her energy to our IPO meetings.
That would be wise.
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT