Page 20 of Seventeen Years Ago

“Thanks for the offer, but I think if I start screaming, I might not ever stop,” she said.

“How screaming at a place where no one can hear?”

Aiza asked, “Where is that?”

“Amongst the clouds while….Skydiving.”

She laughed. “I won’t be screaming because I will have passed out long before I jumped out of the plane.”

“Then how about just having a quiet dinner with me tonight?” I asked.

“What are you saying?” she questioned.

“I’m saying that I’d like to see you again. And if you’re free tonight, I’d like to have dinner with you.” That was clear.

“Mr...”

“Steven,” I corrected.

“Steven, I’m not sure it would be a good idea. I mean, you’re here on business and I’m not sure if President O’Connor would approve,” she said.

“Would you like me to call and ask her permission first?” I asked.

Aiza shook her head. “I would rather she not know anything about this.”

I thought she was about to decline my offer when she said, “Maybe you could come to my house tomorrow night for dinner instead.”

That was totally unexpected. I nodded. “I’d like that. Some traditional Tabiqian cooking.”

“I know you do not have a vehicle here, so I can pick you up after I get off work,” she stated.

I gave her my number and said, “Call me when you’re on your way and I’ll be outside.”

This was a bad idea. If Caydan found out, he’d lecture me. Bennett Stone would be pissed that I’m ignoring his rules. And Aiza would hate me if she ever figured out who I was.None of this means I am not going, won’t miss it for anything.

CHAPTER10

Aiza

“You look anxious to get out of here today. If there is someplace you need to be, you can always let me know you want to leave early.” Reesa said as she stood at my desk.

I knew she would notice how distracted I was this afternoon. She had asked me for the same information twice and I had brought her something else... each time. It was not like me and she knew it.

“I am sorry. There is no excuse,” I said.

“Steven Morse is a pretty good one,” she smirked.

“Mr. Morse? Why would I be thinking about him?”Besides the fact that I invited him to my home for dinner and I’m regretting doing so.

“No reason. How was your day off yesterday?” she asked.

“Okay, who called you?” I questioned, not wanting to play this game. Reesa already knew. Why pretend otherwise?

“Bennett might have mentioned it when he picked me up from the hospital yesterday. He said that you had lunch with Steven.”

“Yes, we had lunch. But we did not discuss anything confidential,” I stated firmly. “I would never divulge things which are not his business.”

“I didn’t think you would. I’m sure you two have more interesting things to talk about. Are you going to see him again?” she asked.

---