MIAMI TRAVELS
Good, you got the message.
I can't drop off Jude as planned.
Help us choose, will you?
Choose? Choose what?
Horse-riding trip.
This is the final trip for horse riding.
Show me.
Mmm.
Wahiba Sands.
Its sand dunes and valleys are amazing.
For serious horse riders only.
They say it's Heaven on earth.
Huh, Um Jude?
If you were taking her,
what would you choose?
Jude gets to decide.
Sure, it's Jude's choice, not yours.
Be a good mom for once and guide her.
So nice.
I know you're excited about the trip,
but, uh, don't get your hopes up, huh?
You mean he won't let me go?
You know what?
Forget what I said.
You'll go. You'll do great, and you'll celebrate your win there.
Mmm, you will.
This is our last day rehearsing.
They'll be asking difficult questions in Cairo.
Now, we can turn to the Q&A.
Tell us, please,
how you'll manage all this growth while your husband,
the architect of your success, is not around.
Good question.
All big companies change over time…
Evolve.
The word that we chose is evolve.
All big companies
evolve over time.
I've been fortunate that my husband let me evolve with our firm.
And I'm even more fortunate that I get to evolve his legacy
with our son.
Speaking of your son,
can he please explain to us more about the Giza project,
which was the biggest loss for Alpha?
And he was at the source of its failure.
"The hotel-casino in Giza was disappointing,
and we feel very distressed about it
because some investors didn't recoup shares till now."
Some? Or all?
"We learned key lessons from the Giza project,
which we will put to use when developing Failaka…"
Blah, blah blah, blah, blah.
Good. Can you explain to us, uh,
if you start to run such a big public company like Alpha,
where will you find the time to match your socks with your pocket squares?
Are you kidding?
No one at the summit will ask about my socks.
Honestly, they do catch the eye.
Hassan, Walid, stick to photography, please.
I think we've rehearsed quite enough already.
I agree. Let us take a quick ten-minute break.
Oh, I can't tell you how happy I'm feeling.
This is absolutely the most fun I've had since I started this job.
Better than work with Saud?
But you have a point.
We made Rakan and Sabiha sweat for a change.
I am going to have to keep him in line in Cairo.
-You know, Farida… -Hmm?
If you were coming to Cairo with us,
I would take you dancing in Zamalek.
Dancing, huh? Right.
Remember when we went dancing when I visited you in college.
You got jealous that some boys were talking to me, and you left.
-Me? -Yes, you!
We were kids.
But now, we're adults.
The rehearsal was excellent.
Especially Sabiha and Rakan.
And now,
who's ready for Cairo?
The Investors' Summit will be held there for four days.
It's either make it or break it.
You're right to be excited because we're all going.
He forgot you're not going.
But it's not a vacation. No.
The goal of going to Cairo is to get 70% of our capital.
Laith Nasir and Saud Salim, our potential lead investor.
I told Mishari to flag it as our top-priority meeting.
Of course,
And a special thanks to Farida for connecting us with Laith and Saud.
As a reward for drawing in Laith,
you'll come with us to Cairo.
But Mishari mentioned some budget concerns.
Why would we expand the costs?
Munira, thanks for your concerns,
but Saud insisted on Farida coming.
It would be a mistake not to take her, right?
I know that it's a last-minute invitation,
but all eyes are on you.
I'd love to join, of course,
but my daughter, Jude, has a riding event.
Could I miss the last day and fly back home early?
It's okay. No problem. Mishari will arrange everything.
See you all tomorrow.
Be bright and full of energy.
And don't be late.
Hmm.
I'm so glad you came round on Alpha.
We'll have a good partnership.
Indeed.
Like last time, huh?
It seems like, uh, with old age, you grew soft, right?
Me? Grew soft?
Then how come you're suddenly now helping Alpha
after vowing not to help the Bank of Tomorrow?
The pitch made by Farida was good.
Better than mine?
Sometimes, it's not what's being said, but who is saying it.
Ah, so do I gather that you told that to Amir?
Maybe.
I said… it's vital to have Farida in Cairo.
But why do you ask?
Surprise.
What's that?
This is for me?
Yes.
No!
Oh my God!
Juju!
It's gorgeous!
But it must be expensive.
Mama, I have a job. I can afford it.
Cha-ching!
Now, you'll attend the championship in grand style.
About the championship…
I must go to Cairo tomorrow morning for work.
Tomorrow?
So you're not going to be there to see me?
Of course, I'll be there.
I promise, promise, promise that I'm going to be there.
I told my boss to fly me back on Thursday.
But I'll be gone for two days.
You think you'll be okay?
I'll be fine. I'm not a kid.
Good. But maybe I won't be okay. Did you think of that?
You went shopping with Mama Nojood?
Not with Mama Nojood. I went with Rose.
Bless him. The man is a beacon of integrity.
Uh, he's willing to make generous concessions.
He even said you may continue to do the work that you love.
And he has no problem with that.
And above all that, in the future,
if you wish to start your own company, he will not stop you.
In fact, he said he's even willing to fund it for you.
What about the inheritance?
I mean, uh, Qassar is an old man, and he already has daughters.
I will be happy if he agrees to sign on one condition.
I won't give him an heir.
I can't…
I can't discuss, uh, uh, such subjects with another man.
You can discuss it with him when you marry him.
I like to be clear about my terms.
And, Dad, I don't think, uh,
you would want to start a flawed business deal with a new partner.
Uh, Munira, honey, you're 33.
I'm afraid soon you won't be able to conceive at all.
I'm not going to leave this to chance.
Either you talk to him or I will.
If you insist on being so ungrateful, then I'll talk to him.
Mom,
why didn't you take Jude shopping for the hat?
I would have taken her,
but she insisted on going with Rose, so I let her.
-Why? What happened? -What happened?
Mom, can you please look after her while I'm gone?
She can't spend all her time with a girl I know nothing about.
If you want to make demands, okay, stay home and raise her they way you like.
-Mom… -What?
I'm not going to take responsibility for her
while you're out there touring the pyramids. Hmm.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean it.
I need you.
I'm just stressed because I'm traveling and leaving Jude behind.
Can you keep an eye on her, please?
Hmm. Well, if you're that stressed, then I'll take care of her.
You haven't told me. What sightseeing have you planned?
So tell me.
It's a work trip. I'm staying at the hotel.
A work trip.
I think it's a good project, and we will invest in it.
In a nutshell, it's a dream project.
A fantasy coming to life.
And how do we know that Failaka won't turn out like Giza?
We're disappointed by what happened in the Giza project.
Some investors didn't take back their shares.
Hmm. Some?
It was a tough lesson.
We really learned a lot from it.
I don't think it will happen again in this project.
It was… a truly tough lesson.
What's that?
Who are you?
I'm a princess, and I can make you a princess.
-Oh. -Okay, look.
I'm in, but just wait until I get the check from them,
and then you can turn me into a princess.
Abracadabra.
Oh.
Ugh.
Come here, honey. Where's your mom? Little princess.
You're so cute.
It's fine.
Let's continue.
It's fine.
I feel like that little girl cast a spell on me.
How about we tell everyone
that we'll join the project?
It seems we'll celebrate tonight.
Stay sunny.
We got the deal.
Congratulations.
Finally, we found the anchor investor.
Did you notice that one else is sharing a room?
Yeah, like Amir said,
we're cousins. Our moms are sisters, sweetie.
No, sweetie, it's because you're a last-minute addition,
so I will have to suffer.
All right, but guess what.
I deserve to be here.
Munier!
Let's go dancing.
The glitter in your hair with the glitter on my dress.
How nice!
There's no time for that.
Come on. I still have energy. Like the good old days.
Not tonight, 'cause our first pitch is at 9:00 in the morning.
I say, uh, we go on the last night, if all is well.
Oh, really?
You know I won't be here on the last night.
Jude's championship.
Sorry, I forgot.
But I didn't forget that you've prioritized your dull personal life
over your career, which will be short-lived.
You know what?
I hope you never know what it's like to be a single working mom.
And I hope that you never prioritize dancing over making money.
How?!
Dancing was your idea.
Answer me.
You're going to need a hair salon to get all that glitter out.
And where will I find a hair salon open before 9:00 a.m.?
Well, Salon Farida. Need any help?
There's nothing I want less.
You see? We should've gone out and burned off the energy.
The glitter in my hair makes me itchy. I can't sleep.
Oh. Shame on the fairy dust.
It had an adverse effect on you.
That girl reminded me of leaving Jude behind.
Believe me, Munira,
for 13 years I've never spent a night away from my daughter.
Can you not mention Jude in front of me?
I feel like you do it to remind me of what I don't have.
I do what?!
Since when do you want kids? You don't want them.
How do you know that?
No, no, no, no.
What's wrong with you?
I'm used to you being mean but not you being gloomy.
What is it?
My time at home has run out.
My mom and dad found a suitor for me.
And so what?
They love you and want you to have a life.
Trust me, it's not about love.
You know, I've…
I've never really lived this experience.
I only knew Omar, and we got married. Tragic.
And you gave up everything
for his sake, even London.
Anyway, you always find a way out.
You'll be fine.
Not this time.
There's no way out.
This trip is actually my last chance to be on my own…
until you came and ruined it for me.
Who's the suitor?
-Doesn't matter. -It makes a difference. Who?
Not to me, it doesn't.
Anyway, it's a fail deal.
Munira, don't accept this.
It's not up to me.
You know,
it's my fault. Yeah.
I had another option.
You mean Saud?
How was the riding class?
My coach added another jump to my competition routine.
You surely impressed her. I only made one jump in my first event
because I didn't train as much.
Yeah, but Rose feels it's too much for me.
And who's Rose? Is she your coach?
Um, okay, Mom. Um, Mama Nojood will talk to you.
Farida, Omar wants you to call him.
-Give him a call. -Omar?
-What is it now? -No idea.
I'm just delivering a message.
Okay.
Fine, Mom. I'll try.
-Goodbye, Mom. -Bye-bye.
Good morning.
Did you sleep well?
Even though Farida was snoring all night, I managed to sleep well.
And now I feel rested.
I need my energy.
You'll knock them dead.
See, I signed.
Although, I have concerns about the Giza Project.
You have concerns about Rakan.
His dad didn't have faith in him. Why should I?
Hmm.
I heard that you're spreading rumors.
But why?
Why invest? Why sign?
I'm investing in the short-term opportunity of the IPO,
not in Alpha for the long-term.
Mm-hmm.
Tell me, what's Amir's target?
He wants 30 million in pitch money. But how?!
Thirty?
Are you nervous?
Have you ever seen me nervous?
Hesitant.
Come here.
Come. I won't bite.
Come.
The fairy spell.
Um…
I must go now.
Uh, we're all off in ten minutes.
Good luck, partner.
The most important thing today is to get the 30 million.
Keep in mind that if we can't get them,
we'll be in a tough situation, and the project might fail.
Where is Farida?
-Hello? -Hi, Omar.
Mom said you want to talk to me.
-Your mother's tired. -What is it?
Yes, your mom, who this week is parenting Jude.
A week? It's two nights.
You underestimate the issue.
Jude needs a mother who takes good care of her,
not one who puts work before her.
Did you really call me to pick a fight? Tired of fighting with yourself?
Omar, I'm busy today.
-Find someone else to pick on. -Wait. Wait.
Jude's event…
You're coming or not?
Oh…
I said yes! Yes, I made all the arrangements.
Jude knows, and I'll be there, so enough!
You have to be there.
Goodbye, Omar!
I apologize.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
I hope today ends well.
We are ready.
I am ready.
Then let's sell.
Hello.
SUDAN FINANCIAL COMPANY
MOROCCO - OMAN - SAUDI ARABIA
ARAB INVESTMENTS GROUP
LIBYA
EMIRATES
Tell me.
Nineteen million and nine hundred and eighty thousand out of 30.
Huh? How much?
ARAB INVESTORS SUMMIT 19,989,000
Farida, let's talk outside.
I'm concerned that we didn't reach our target.
This is why we have to keep the team together.
I know this isn't what we agreed to,
but I need you to stay till the last day.
Make it a priority, Farida.
What do you think of Rakan's answer regarding Giza?
I agree with you on the advice you gave him.
He really must stick to the script.
Correct.
Poor Rakan.
Unfair reputation.
His dad was hard on him.
And I should've interfered.
They say the worst bet for a woman
is playing many roles.
I mastered all the roles that I had to play.
I liked some better than others.
But you couldn't get everything, all that you wanted.
So what?
What matters is that I tried.
-I heard Rakan asked you to dinner. -Mmm.
But you weren't hungry,
even though I know that you always have a strong appetite.
Anyway, we're still waiting.
Thank you. I'm very flattered.
But professionally speaking,
that's a conflict of interest.
And I don't want feelings to impact the IPO.
No, no, no.
This has nothing to do with feelings.
-It's a business partnership. -Hmm.
Honestly, I'm watching you.
I feel like you and Rakan will hit it off.
Not to mention that Rakan, as you know, he doesn't think about these things.
My advice is
if you think of a future husband,
don't just think about him.
Think about all his family.
Our family sees a lot of potential in you.
And we'd even let you choose the role you like.
Honestly, this is… tempting.
But I have another offer.
Really?
Hmm.
Anyway, we love a friendly competition.
I really tried to get out of it.
I did. I swear,
but I can't make it to the event.
-But, Mom… -Juju, baby, I'm really sorry.
But you promised me like five times that you'd be there.
-You lied to me. -I didn't lie!
I didn't lie Jude! That's unfair!
I'm more upset about it than you are, okay?
Dad said your trip meant trouble.
It's not a trip! Your dad is…
Your dad has no idea about the nature of my work. Got it?
Fine. Well, I have to go.
Tomorrow, I have school and work
so, when I grow up, I can choose a career over my child!
Okay, Jude. Have a good night.
Farida?
Are you okay?
I can't mention Jude.
Did you forget?
-Thanks. -Pleasure.
CAIRO, FEBRUARY 9TH 1988
May I?
I'm revising for the press conference.
Surely you have comments.
Of course, I have.
But I can't fix all your mistakes.
I don't know what happened with Giza.
But I know
it wasn't your fault.
And how can you be so sure?
'Cause I might be the one who understands you the best.
I know what it's like to be forced to follow your dad's plan.
The Giza Project was my father's favorite project.
He was obsessed with pyramids.
"My son,
it's the only world wonder that's still standing."
"The Best tourist attraction."
"A hotel project in Giza cannot fall."
But he was wrong.
It wouldn't have failed
if Mom had interfered and managed the project as usual,
but she gave him all the power and made me work under him
thinking it would bring us closer together.
My father was greedy.
And he spent half his time gambling in Cairo,
and the other half asking for the impossible,
until we lost it all.
And to save his reputation, he stained yours.
I was his winning card.
He cashed me in like a poker chip when the time was right so he'd win.
It was only my mother who saved Alpha from ruin.
But my father stole all the credit.
This is the whole story.
You remind me of my mother.
Most women wouldn't appreciate hearing this.
Because they're not like my mother.
That's right.
Go on. Tell me.
-Give me your comments. -I, uh…
I'll be straight forward.
If you say any of that at the press conference,
they'll totally eat you alive.
But
we'll stick to the points we agreed on.
And
you must be confident in every word you say.
Got it. Mm-hmm.
I'll stick to the script.
As-salamu alaykum.
Wa-alaykumu salam.
Hello there. Welcome.
RAMSIS FOR GIFTS AND ANTIQUES
I thought it was you.
Are you shopping?
I'm looking for a gift to say,
"Sorry, forgive me, dear."
Like, serious stuff.
Who's the dear one who we owe an apology?
My child.
I've given such gifts before, many times.
Really?
I have two daughters.
-And two sons. -Oh.
They all live with their mother.
-They don't live with me. -Hmm.
So you can imagine.
But I'm warning you, the more they grow,
the more expensive the gifts become.
I was meant to attend her first riding event.
At the equestrian club this weekend?
Ah, one of my horses is there.
-But this event is amazing. -Yes, but… I won't make it so…
Hmm.
Didn't I tell you the cake was worth skipping work for?
Sure.
Mom's skipping my event for her dumb job,
so I'll skip my job.
How come you have a job, and I don't?
How? What do you do all day?
Lately, I've been looking for a husband.
I feel like I'll be a better wife than a student.
Yeah. Are you engaged?
No.
But soon.
-How do you know? -Because his gifts are getting expensive.
Congrats, Rose.
Who is he?
I won't say. You're going to jinx it.
I saw you eyeing my earrings.
When I was young,
my father, bless his soul,
would take me to the sea
to play with seashells.
I mean, that was our entertainment then.
But now…
-Farida Ma'mun? -Hmm?
There's a phone call at the front desk for you.
Thing's changed.
We're now investing
in big firms.
And Alpha
is one of the investments
that will make us cooperate together.
Mom?
What's wrong?
What?!
Is Jude okay? Mom?
Omar took Jude from the riding lesson.
Took her? What do you mean? Where?
No clue.
You're enjoying yourself in Cairo, and I have to carry the burden?
Come ask him yourself.
You were supposed to watch her.
So thank God we're in good shape.
We have no problems.
We have time to
answer two questions only.
-Go ahead. -About the Giza project…
We addressed the Giza project at length.
-You didn't tell me where my money went. -They took his money.
They've lost his money.
As I said before and I'll remind you again,
Project Giza was indeed a disappointing project
because some investors didn't recoup their shares.
So we're distressed about it.
I need a refund right now.
Excuse me, sir.
If you want to speak about this matter or any other matter,
you should really know all the details.
If you know all the details of this project, then you must know
that my father is the one who lost all the money, not me.
Uh, I'm here right now to correct my father's mistakes.
Why should we believe you?
Who'll vouch for you? Your mother?
-This is a huge… -It can't be happening.
I can't believe what we…
How did this happen?
I do.
Thanks, Manoura, you helped me keep my job.
My pleasure, Farouda. It's my duty.
But I can't take all the credit for myself.
And I won't say that what I did today by myself,
my little speech, is what saved the IPO.
What are you doing?
I must fly to Kuwait tonight.
I knew it.
I should have bet money on it.
It's my daughter, Munira.
Mmm.
Same excuse.
For the second time, the same excuse.
See? This is why I told you that you don't want children,
because you'd be a terrible mother.
Ooh, that's because you're such a great mother.
Stop!
You know what? I was going to say let's go dancing.
Why? So you'd abandon me again?
I didn't abandon you.
-So I'm the one who abandoned you? -Yes, you abandoned me.
When we went dancing in London,
at the tube station, I was the one who left you?
You did.
You left London and university.
I helped you get into uni. We had a flat.
Why did you go back to Kuwait?
Because you left me at the station alone.
Because you're a mean, selfish, demanding narcissist.
It's why you're single, huh?
Because you don't care about anyone but yourself.
Me, Farida?
I don't care about anyone?
You flew to Kuwait.
You met Omar and didn't speak to me for months.
Mom told me.
Uh-huh, and why did Farida do that?
Have you asked yourself why, Munira?
Easy, because you're weak,
you're silly, and can't keep up.
I had limitations, and you didn't.
My parents couldn't afford London.
Okay?
I had to leave.
You had no idea.
You…
Look at all that your parents gave you
and all that they have.
You have everything that you need. What did you do with it, huh?
What have you done more than me, huh? Nothing.
You're still a kid.
-Selfish. You want more, more, and more. -It's never enough!
I want more
and more and more
because I'm worth it.
And so are you.
You know what your problem is?
You do not claim your rights.
You take what's given to you,
what lets you get by.
I saw you do it before with Omar.
And now you're doing the same thing for the second time here.
You… you are dragging us both down.
And I…
I won't have it.
I want more.
You understand?
Uh…
Saud called.
He's waiting for us downstairs.
Okay.
♪ But my lover ♪
I'll keep it short
because I have big plans tonight that I must finish.
First, I want to thank Munira for her efforts.
Without her help…
things would've gone so wrong.
The performance of Rakan…
…makes me doubt
that he'll ever be able to manage a publicly-held firm.
So we've decided this.
I'm going to pull Abu Nasir's money out.
Abu Nasir agrees?
I decide.
This is my call.
We can make up the difference tomorrow from the global funds.
The Failaka's project is desirable.
We all know that.
Fine. Anyway,
I wanted to break the news in person,
out of courtesy.
Anyway…
…I must go.
Oh God, I'm really late.
Can't disrupt, uh,
tonight's plan.
Take care, all.
Are you still leaving after what you just heard?
I'm sorry, Amir. I have to go back.
For horses?
I'm so sorry, Farida. I should've been more careful.
I should've kept a close eye on her. I'm so sorry.
It's okay, Mom. It's not your fault.
That's just Omar.
♪ I wanna dance ♪
♪ All of the night ♪
♪ So I'm feeling right ♪
♪ I wanna dance ♪
♪ All day and night ♪
♪ So I'm feeling right ♪
♪ I wanna dance ♪
♪ All of the night ♪
♪ So I'm feeling right ♪
♪ I wanna dance ♪
♪ All day and night ♪
♪ So I'm feeling right ♪
Sorry.
-Hello, Dad. -Hello. Hello. Sit down.
Hello.
-Hi, Mom. -Hello.
So you came back.
Anyway, glad to see you, Um Jude.
Now, contestant Jude Omar
on her Arabian horse, Um Al Sahari.
Jude!
I'm here.
-Sit, sit, sit. -Jude must really focus now.
The contestant Rose lost no points.
Wow! Bravo! Bravo!
Will she be able to overcome Rose?
An excellent round by Jude,
but she's been penalized for her time.
Wow! Bravo! Bravo!
And Jude Omar finishes in the third place.
Yes! Jude!
Bravo! Bravo!
And in first place,
our deserved winner,
with an excellent performance,
Rose Yousef.
What's he doing?
Will you marry me?