[Jude] I don't want to. There's no hope.
-Get-- -[horse whinnies]
What are you doing? Get back on there!
Mama, I feel like I'm wasting my time.
Really?
Get back on there. Come on.
I said I'm not going to. It's done.
[Farida] Jude, don't give up.
Next time, you will win.
Mama… [sighs]
…you must conquer your fear
before it conq… Oh!
-[yelps] -[laughs]
I was like… [laughs]
Look at you.
Mashallah, now you're laughing? Huh?
Come on. Show me what you've got. Come on. Come on.
[horses whinnying]
Sh.
Stay calm.
Good girl.
Yes, right. Yes.
Yeah, baby! Yeah!
Come on. Go! Go! Go!
-Fine. -Come on.
Yes!
Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!
You see? I told you!
I told you!
[laughs]
[clapping]
[Laith] First pigeons,
then horses.
Is there any beast you can't tame?
Yeah.
Teenage girls and one of them in particular.
-[Laith] I see. -[Farida] That's Jude.
You know, you shouldn't be here, huh?
So you'll tell on me?
-Yes, I'm a big member in this club. -Really?
We don't want the club's standards to slip.
[Farida chuckles]
Isn't that right?
Indeed.
Yes.
[chuckles]
By the way, speaking of that, I don't know if you've heard or not, but
Alpha's back on its feet after it went down in the Cairo summit.
So, in the end, we benefited.
But sadly,
it's a shame that you and Saud backed out.
I wanted to work with you.
Who said that Saud and I backed out?
I don't want to cross the line,
but I'd say, talk to Saud.
Sometimes things work out with a little bit of give and take.
-[horse whinnies] -[Laith] Oh!
[Farida] Whoa!
Bravo!
Bravo, Juju! Bravo! Yes!
Yes!
[theme music playing]
[Ahmad clears throat]
Munira, tell me.
You like the new bedsheets I got for your room?
If your aim was to kick me out of the house, then bravo to you.
You've succeeded.
Let me ask you, Dad.
Have you heard anything from Qassar?
-No. -[Munira] Good.
'Cause I have an update.
And it could change things with Qassar.
Change things how?
I have a new suitor.
[curious music playing]
Someone who can lift our position even higher.
Who?
Rakan Saad.
Sabiha's son.
[Ahmad] I see.
The standard's now higher than Saud Salim's.
Good.
Very good.
But unfortunately, I'm hearing some talk
that he's a man with a delicate personality.
He wants to propose so soon?
I'm good at handling the IPO.
And if I stand beside Rakan, Alpha will rise to the top.
And his mom adores me.
[chuckles] Of course, my love.
But not as much as she adores her son.
So be careful if that's what you have on your mind, Munira.
And tell me something.
Would you really prefer someone weak like that man
over a man with a good reputation?
How lucky am I?
When I hear you talk like that, I feel that you love me so much.
You even let me choose who I want.
Why would you?
You want to fail us and embarrass your father like this?
Dad, don't you want Qassar to invest in your new business?
I'll make sure Rakan invests with you instead.
[mysterious music playing]
Just to see you happy and comfortable,
I accept.
But can you assure me that Rakan will indeed, uh, keep his word?
Soon.
Very soon I'll get you an answer.
Excuse me. I'm off to work.
My legs hurt.
That's Rose.
I feel we should say hi, right?
Mama, I'm all covered in muck, so…
Go. Go. You go say hi, okay?
Okay.
-Hi! -Hi!
-What's up? -[Jude] Good.
How are you?
[Rose] Great. How are you doing?
[Jude] Well, pretty good.
So… you have a new trainer?
-[Rose] Yeah! -[Jude] Really?
[Rose] What do you think?
Hopefully, I'll let him train you someday.
[Jude] Inshallah.
-[Rose] See you. Good luck! -[Jude] Thank you.
-[Rose] Okay, bye. Good luck. -[Jude] Bye.
Okay? And then she said she's hiring a trainer for her new young horse,
who she named Calista Fire.
[scoffs] Calista Fire?
What does that even mean?
I don't know, but it sounds pretty cool.
And one more thing.
Uh, Rose, uh, asked me if I'll be going to the wedding or not.
[chuckles] How Nice!
-Yeah, did she say when it is? -[tuts]
Um, soon, I guess.
Yeah. [sighs]
You need a dress. We'll have to go shopping.
Ah, or sorry,
you want to go with your new bestie, Rose.
Why don't you like Rose?
Uh, no, I like Rose. What do you mean…
You know,
she has nothing to do with me staying at Dad's house.
[sighs] No, of course not. That's all on your father.
Even though, I still don't know how he convinced you, but okay.
Never mind.
He didn't convince me. I just had no choice.
I'm worried about you. I love you a lot, you know.
I want to protect you.
After all, I don't know this Rose.
But you have to get used to it
because Rose will be part of the family.
[chuckles]
Family.
Yeah. Right. Right.
You're right. Yes.
[mysterious music playing]
FAILAKA REAL ESTATE
With the success we achieved on our last day in Cairo,
we have reached 33,171,200 dinars.
And thank God
that Munira was the voice of reason that day.
[Sabiha] God bless her.
And yet
the gap is still huge.
We still don't have an anchor investor.
I, uh,
I met Laith Nasir over the weekend by chance.
And he implied that Al Fajr Holding may be still interested,
despite what happened in Cairo.
You ran into Laith?
[chuckles] How convenient.
Y… yeah.
A brief encounter at the riding club with my daughter.
[Sabiha] Hmm.
Frankly, they're the best possible partner.
I agree that Laith is an ideal partner.
But I think it's time for us to talk with Saud.
Us and the best in the business.
[elevator dings]
Go on. Lead the way.
No way. You're the hero of the summit.
You got us Laith.
Go ahead, Manour. Come on.
You're in charge. Seize the day. Go on.
No one's in charge. We're both after the same partner
who left us midway.
Oh my God.
You went dancing in Cairo to spite me.
Listen, my situation with Saud is delicate.
I'd rather you talk to him.
[Farida] Huh?
Please, Munira. I beg you.
I can't take responsibility for anything, not even my daughter.
Did you forget?
You said I'm a bad mother back in Cairo.
It's all right. Apparently everyone has the same opinion.
[chuckling]
-[Saud] After what happened… -[Nabil] As I remember…
[Munira] By the way, I heard about what Omar did at the competition.
I really feel for you.
You flew all the way from Cairo just to see that?
That's fine. I'm used to it.
He's always liked to make drama.
Mmm, don't be upset, honey.
They say he got upstaged by the horse.
[chuckles]
[men chuckle]
[Nabil] Everyone can. Even he wants to.
Mmm.
I want to talk to you.
After you.
Go on.
Let's see what the magic bowl says.
The problem is it's not clear.
The bowl
says that you're in despair
and you're looking
for an anchor partner.
No.
-I'm not in despair. -You are. You are.
[sighs]
We'd like to…
We'd like a private audience with you.
Uh, excuse us.
[Saud] Speaking of audiences,
I was just talking to Nabil about that press conference.
Rakan went there looking very proper, his hair styled,
and suddenly he became drenched in sweat.
[laughing]
[Khaled] I can't believe it.
But the best part was when our very own Munira
contained the situation.
And now everyone only knows one thing.
Rakan doesn't have one mother. He has a second mother now.
[chuckles]
Are you quite done yet?
Or do you need another minute?
Nabil, let's have our talk later. Our little talk.
[Nabil] Mmm.
-So, you saw Abu Nasir? -Yeah, at the equestrian club.
You saw him? Or he saw you?
-He's not done yet. -[Farida] Mmm.
Saud, come on.
Laith told me there's still hope between you and us,
which means there's still some fire left.
So you'll fan the flames? [chuckles]
Anyway, Abu Nasir's a man of his word.
You've sparked our interest once again.
Why? What changed?
[chuckles] Nothing's changed.
Why are you so nervous?
Mmm.
I should have got more pistachios.
What changed is that it's a major project,
and you managed to get major international funding.
However, your CEO is kind of a joke.
But tell me.
How did you do it?
-I just took charge. -[Saud] Mm-hmm.
FAILAKA REAL ESTATE
[Saud] Well, congrats.
We'll work together again.
But wait.
On one condition.
What condition?
He's after Rakan.
He really is after him.
He said they're open to anchoring the IPO
if Rakan steps down as co-CEO.
Why does Saud care about Rakan?
TARABESQUE RECORDS
[Umish singing in Arabic]
[mysterious music playing]
Ah, there she is.
-Huh. Big stocking day? -Yes.
Uh, we've got a shipment.
Sorry I didn't come last week.
But, uh, I got worried.
You did not inform me.
Did you tell anybody?
Like my mom, Walid, or Hassan?
No.
Thank you.
I won't cause any trouble.
But, uh, can you tell me why you didn't come?
I skipped coming here, but I worked outside.
So?
Oh.
What's this? Mashallah!
Mashallah! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Okay then, take all the tapes you like.
Take whatever you want.
-It's all for you. -Okay.
-[Umish] Mmm. -I have my ways.
Mashallah! [chuckles]
[gentle jazz music playing]
Thanks for accepting my invitation.
I invited you first.
I would've preferred a more private place, but… it's okay.
I used to be worried about gossips,
but not anymore.
This is a business dinner.
I'm a 35-year-old single man.
And you're single woman and almost my age.
We have shared interests, the same indifference,
and we don't get attached to anyone.
A union between us would seem profitable, no?
[chuckles]
You're so romantic!
And you're so smart.
What will our partnership look like?
We'll be equal. Equal partners.
[chuckles]
Equal!
No such thing in marriage.
Most men like to control.
But I have no interest in controlling you.
And what are you interested in?
You can call me humble,
but tell me, why me?
I'm not sure if I'm interested in you. Maybe time will tell.
But what I'm sure of is that my mother and I are in for the profit.
Especially as my mother knows what people think of me.
She doesn't want it to affect
our first IPO.
She met you
and eureka!
Huh.
And there I was thinking she chose me because I'm good at my job.
But I was wrong.
No, listen. My mother would have never let you go near Alpha or near me
if you weren't good at your job.
But you're more than just that.
I'm a game for Alpha?
[scoffs]
Sorry, I can't marry the company.
Now you know where we stand.
What about your family?
About this partnership? Did you tell them?
Yes, I told them.
But it's my decision.
My choice and my conditions.
Rakan…
what will our life be like?
Two strangers under one roof?
We don't talk to each other.
And if we meet, we compliment each other.
Free.
We would be free.
I know that this marriage would benefit the company,
our careers, and our families.
What about us?
What we want?
What do you want?
A man who wants me.
Forever.
[Munira sighs]
[Jude] They're all from the shop.
Umish let me take them home so I know what we are selling.
Hmm. [chuckles]
I have a question.
Did you know about your dad's engagement?
So your dad didn't tell you about it or about Rose?
No.
But I should have seen it coming.
-I don't understand. -[Jude] Rose's mom knows Mama Jinan.
And Mama Jinan had Dad sign me up for riding lessons
so he'd get close to Rose.
But it's fine. At least I got my riding lessons.
Hmm.
I thought he got the horse for you.
Me too.
He doesn't need to give me a horse.
I'm his daughter. He doesn't have to impress me.
Yeah.
[Jude sighs]
[line ringing]
[Farida] Hello.
Good morning, beautiful.
Hmm. You slept well?
I'll go drop Jude at school before work. And you?
Hmm, hmm. Mishari just called. Change of plans.
He said Saud wants us to meet at Laith's farm.
His farm?
[Munira] Mmm. I can smell the animals already.
Anyway,
I don't want my new car to get dusty, so can you pick me up?
How?
I won't drive my car there either.
Farida!
Your car is already old.
Drop off Jude and swing by. [scoffs]
[Khawlah] Mmm?
How was dinner last night?
Hmm. Fine.
Uh, the Saads are into me
and into Dad's new business.
Really?
Soon, I'll have the two of them in the palm of my hand.
-You wait and see. -How long do I wait?
Ah, I forgot to tell you.
While you were in Cairo,
I gave Laila some ideas.
Laila, the decorator?
Yes, right.
Laila Botros.
Exactly, in the flesh.
We found that your room needs sprucing up so we make use of the extra space.
She designed me a great walk-in closet.
A closet?
Yeah, what's wrong? Not for now.
We will not do it until you're out of the house. I'll wait.
How generous of you to wait, Mother.
I told her after a month or so. Does that seem right?
[sighs]
[Farida] Huh, Cousin?
You know all the dirt on the disasters I've been dealing with.
Now tell me. It's your turn. Any change since Cairo?
Other than my dear mom
converting my bedroom into a walk-in closet for herself,
nothing changed.
No! The diva den's gone?
What a shame.
Gone.
But instead, a new suitor has entered the scene.
Right on!
You see? I told you'll find a solution.
Just like what you did at the press conference.
You always fight fire with fire, Munira.
At the conference, I did my job.
But we still haven't found an anchor investor.
Well, now it seems that Laith and Saud are in,
or we wouldn't be meeting again.
But something's missing.
We have to know what game they're playing.
-And how to play with them. -Play?
Mm-hmm.
One of us will have to take charge
because, as usual,
Sabiha and Amir will keep bickering like roosters
rather than finding a solution.
As for Rakan… [chuckles]
…he'll only care about remaining the co-CEO.
And now, Laith and Saud have the ball totally in their court.
And we're at a disadvantage.
They backed us into a corner.
Like I said, someone has to take charge.
So tell me, how's Jude?
Back home with me, of course.
Although, I, uh, sense she might want to be with
her friend/stepmom,
Rose.
Does Jude accept her?
You didn't tell me what Rose is like. What does she look like? Tell me more.
What can I say, Munier?
She's a blank slate.
That's what Omar liked about me.
Don't blame yourself. You were young and naive.
He took advantage you.
-He's not to be taken lightly. -Right.
The problem is it takes us ages to finally realize
that marriage is not love or emotions or passion…
or any kind of romance.
[Farida] Since when, Munier?
Since when don't you believe in love and jealousy and passion
and all the good things in life, huh?
People change, you know.
And great ones, like me, change too.
[scoffs] Yeah, sure.
[curious music playing]
[Laith] Welcome. Welcome.
-[Amira] Thank you. -[Laith] Hello. Come in. Hello.
Hello, my lady.
-[Sabiha] Hello. -Hello, Um Rakan.
-Welcome. -Thank you.
-Hello, Mr. Amir. -Thank you.
As-salamu alaikum.
Come in. Come in.
[birds chirping]
I thought the place would be fancier than this.
You know.
You get what I mean.
Laith is rich. Very rich.
I don't know. I…
I like it.
It has character, a kind of pattern or a narrative.
But, uh, it could use a softer touch from here or there.
I'm guessing, uh, his wife took the main house.
And he chose this one, the bachelor's house.
Bachelor?
[Munira] Hmm.
After the divorce,
he chose to live here.
Laith's divorced.
Laith separated.
But in a dignified way.
Or so I've heard from gossip.
[inaudible]
Oh, Manour, that's my pigeon! [chuckles]
How do you know it's your pigeon?
Maternal instinct.
Hello, girl. How are you? Feeling better?
[Laith] I told you I'd treat her.
Mashallah, she's healthy again.
Healed… and ready to fly.
-Really? -[Laith] Yes.
-When? -I should've done it already.
But I just can't.
I fell for her.
[chuckles]
Laith and I
thought about it,
and we're ready to be the anchor investor.
But a few things need to change.
-Can you give us a number? -It's not about numbers.
It has to do with the co-CEO.
[chuckles]
Listen, maybe Rakan doesn't have CEO experience,
but he doesn't have to run the company by himself.
But we've seen it.
We saw in Cairo how one misstep could have severe consequences.
We can't ask Laith to invest his millions in a firm run by an incapable--
No. I'm quite aware of Rakan's reputation.
My husband has given him this reputation.
And I have to put a stop to it.
But my son stays.
I see that we've reached a dead end.
Saud, Saud… [clears throat]
We'll give you the shares at a 3% discount.
Hmm! [chuckles]
4%?
[Saud chuckles]
How about we check out the horses here?
[sighs]
And also walk this meal off.
[Saud chuckles]
-Farida. -Hmm?
-I think that your daughter… Jude, right? -Mmm.
I'm sure she'll love the thoroughbred Arabian horses we have.
Why don't you bring her for a visit?
Yeah, sure. Thank you.
I'm busy with the falcons these days.
And no one around here takes care of the horses.
If you and Jude visit, it would be a great help.
Abu Nasir,
the food was very delicious.
But sadly, we have to leave before the sun goes down.
Really?
My dear Farida can't drive in the dark.
She once hit my car in a parking lot.
So if you could give us your number, we could speed this whole thing up.
5%. [clears throat]
[Farida chuckles]
-[Saud] I think we should have tea. -[Laith] Bring us some tea.
[Farida tuts]
I'm sorry.
I didn't see it coming.
I mean,
they're obviously stalling because they see that we're desperate, huh?
The first rule of negotiation, don't let the opponent set the price.
Listen, I don't care about rules.
There's many different ways we can close the deal.
Well, let's find a new way quickly
because, apparently, the longer we stay here,
the more leverage we lose.
I have… an old rule.
Divide and conquer.
It's clear to me the main player is Saud.
So I'll talk to him in private.
I want you to distract Laith with something shiny.
It can't be hard to find.
Remember,
don't talk numbers with him at all.
Numbers will be discussed with Saud.
Amir.
[Munira] Mmm.
Finally, the kids left,
and now the seniors can sit down and talk and make a plan.
Listen, I think Sabiha has a point.
Laith is intentionally taking us off topic
to buy them more time and put pressure on us.
Right. Sabiha's strategy is correct,
but her target is wrong.
She says that's Saud's decision, but no.
Laith is the one who decides.
And if Saud was in charge, then tell me, why would we be here?
You want the truth?
Saud is still attached to me.
And who can blame him? You drove him nuts.
[chuckles]
Unfortunately, Saud took my thing with Rakan personally.
I know Saud very well. So I'll talk to him.
As for you,
you will talk and negotiate with Laith.
Good. Let's say I'll negotiate with Laith.
How? He knows we are desperate.
[curious music playing]
Farida,
you can do it.
You will go to Laith and play the damsel in distress
who's waiting for Prince Charming.
Puppy-dog eyes.
-Yes! -[chuckles]
If anything, you were born to play this role.
Oh! Help me!
[chuckles]
Now it's your turn to steer Laith to you.
[Laith] Come on.
Good idea.
We escaped that headache.
[chuckles]
I…
I love getting out in the open air.
The farm is so beautiful.
Well,
I believe that we took enough time to think.
I'm sure now, Saud,
you have decided on your final number.
I already said that the problem isn't about the numbers.
But if my role as co-CEO…
is the problem,
then cut to the chase. Tell me everything.
Man to man.
[Saud] Mmm.
First of all,
Nabil
will be the broker for the IPO.
I trust him.
And I don't trust anybody else.
Second,
two seats
on the board of directors.
[Sabiha] Nabil, I can manage.
But… the other matter…
Why do you want two seats on the board?
One seat is enough. Why two, Saud?
One for Laith
and one for me.
-[scoffs] -[Amir] Hmm.
[tense music playing]
So I can watch you two. [chuckles]
Huh? It's about me?
A birdie told me that there's a relationship
between you and the co-CEO.
I feel bad for you.
Ah.
That's why you jumped to Rakan's defense in Cairo.
It makes sense now.
-I really feel bad for you. -True or not?
No, no, listen.
My private life is off limits.
Except when it affects your professional duties as co-CEO.
I want to know who's in charge? Sabiha?
Or is Rakan in charge?
Or wait, is Munira in charge?
Mind your tongue, Saud.
You have gone way too far.
I'm the only one who knows
that all these terms of yours are not real.
You're just stalling
because there's no way your boss, Laith,
would give you the authority to make the decision.
You're just a tamed horse at his stable.
-I'm a tamed horse? -Mm-hmm.
I'm a lion!
Abu Nasir chose me because I have a lion's heart. [scoffs]
I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth like…
like some others.
[Sabiha and Rakan laugh]
Poor thing.
Your dad lost his money at Souq Al Manakh.
Then I earned it back a hundred times over.
And I helped increase
the Bank of Tomorrow's capital
before they betrayed me.
[Munira] Hmm. You didn't do it all by yourself.
You had a team.
And your performance became excellent when I joined the team. Me.
And now I'm with Rakan.
[Amir] No, no, no, stop it, guys.
No, no, no, no. [sighs]
This way,
we won't reach a solution.
[sighs]
Two seats.
Two seats on the board of directors.
Two seats.
[Amir clear throat]
[scoffs]
You know that in falcons,
females are larger, stronger, and even loftier than males?
-Really? -[Laith] Yes.
Birds of prey are exceptional creatures.
In most species, you'll find that males are larger than females,
Mmm.
[Laith] Except falcons.
For them, it is the opposite.
Females
are always stronger than males.
Really?
Mm-hmm.
So why won't
the male share with her the nest?
-Is he intimidated by her? -Maybe.
Or maybe because he knows she needs her own space.
Is that what you did with your wife?
Mmm.
We are
separated.
You heard about it?
Mmm.
[Laith] I wanted a partner.
But, uh,
no such luck.
And you?
How was it with your ex-husband?
Hmm.
He always wanted me to stay three steps behind him,
so I walked away.
But our power struggle,
it's not over yet, sadly.
[Laith chuckles]
Who knows?
Maybe… he's a tiercel
eating carrion.
-Totally! -[both chuckle]
Right. [chuckles]
You… your eyes are big.
Like a falcon.
[gasps]
[chuckles]
Huh.
[chuckles]
I assume that, uh, our friends,
Sabiha and Amir,
have a number in mind.
Can you share this information with me?
Yeah.
Look, you should've taken the 5% offered by Rakan.
He said it is their last offer.
So you… did not come here
to enjoy the fresh air with me after all?
[chuckles]
Unfortunately, not.
Uh…
Take the 5% offer,
or we'll go to the stock exchange to enjoy with someone else.
6%!
-6%! -[Farida chuckles]
Whoo!
Go, Farida! [chuckles]
Farida, how many times did you bat your eyelids to get the 6%?
Stop! You know, I swear by Allah,
for a bit, huh… for a bit, he almost said 5%.
-[Munira gasps] -I'd be on top of the car for that!
[both laugh]
But look, 6% is good. We've come a long way, thank God.
-Oh! -Thank God.
And we haven't lost a thing.
What? One seat on the board, fine.
I knew that Saud was full of hot air.
Let me treat you to dinner.
I'll pick up Jude from the riding class.
Who's in charge?
We're in charge, baby!
Let's go!
[disco music playing on radio]
-Whoo! -Whoo!
[Farida] Ha!
[horses neighing]
No congrats?
Congratulations.
I wish you happiness.
It will be better than my first marriage, for sure.
I'm trying hard to remain calm, Omar.
And you don't want to be respectful.
And why weren't you respectful when you were standing with that man?
What the hell are you saying? What do you mean?
You were throwing yourself on that man, and you don't think I'd know about it?
Ah, so you're spying on me?
No, no. Why would I spy on you?
It was in the open. Everyone saw you.
And? So what?
You're obliged to respect me till your last breath.
Enough! Stop!
Your game's become very old.
Never. This is, uh… no a game.
No, no, no, no. It is a game. A game to control me as usual.
See, you're exposed.
You only took Jude to force me to come early
and see you proposing to Rose.
You used our daughter to humiliate me?
You're rude, petty,
and low.
Is this what you learned at work?
Do you talk like that in front of my daughter?
I swear to Allah, if you don't behave, you'll never see Jude again!
Do you understand?
[Adeeb] What?
-You think you're a man? -[Omar sighs]
A man respects women.
[Omar] Mmm.
A man throws his daughter to the wolves to prey on her body, right?
I didn't throw her to the wolves, like you say.
I raised her well.
My daughter is better than 60 of your kind,
who are worthless.
You're only worthless if you can't support your family.
I, for example…
I would never, uh, let my daughter work because I can't provide for her.
-You disgusting… -Dad!
[tense music playing]
You know what?
You're right.
All the men I've worked with were nasty.
They disrespect, intimidate, and tried to destroy me.
I was shocked, insulted, afraid.
But then I realized that all the nastiness I've seen from them
is nothing…
nothing compared to what I had with you, Omar.
That's what you gave me, Omar.
I have to thank you for that.
Really, thank you!
[Adeeb] Come on, dear.
[tense music intensifies]
[theme music playing]