Page 18 of Seventeen Years Ago

“My parents were the best. They were loving and kind and...protective.”

I could see her eyes glistening. She was on the verge of tears. “People like that are never forgotten.”

“And always missed,” she sniffed.

There was a knock on the door and the deep conversation ceased. Part of me was relieved as talking about my father wasn’t something I liked to do. But I wanted to learn more about her.

Aiza appeared to become uncomfortable the moment I opened the door and informed the waitress to put the tray on the balcony table. Then I noticed the waitress watching Aiza. This was not good for her reputation.

Quickly I said to Aiza, “I’m glad President O’Connor asked that you wait for me to review the files. It will save me the trouble of finding a way to return them to her. Sorry for any inconvenience it is causing you. And I really wasn’t looking forward to eating alone while I read through all the notes.”

It was the best excuse I could come up with on short notice. Normally I didn’t care what people were thinking.

Aiza shot me a puzzled look, then must have picked up on what I was trying to do. “She was adamant I sit here until you are finished.”

“Good. Now let’s eat while I read,” I lied and picked up the file as we went out onto the balcony. I made sure the waitress caught sight of the file before we sat down.

Once alone Aiza asked, “Why did you do that? Lie?”

“I prefer people not assuming what is going on. I thought it was easier to remove any speculation,” I replied.

“I don’t know if I should be impressed or scared with how easy that seemed for you,” she stated.

“Unfortunately, it comes with the job,” I admitted.

“What exactly do you do for work?”

“I own luxury hotels,” I said.

“Is that why you’re here? Are you looking to purchase New Hope, or maybe build another hotel here?” she asked. “Because I don’t think we need a second one. At least not of this caliber.”

“No. Not planning on doing either.”

She avoided my eyes as she asked, “Why are you here, Mr. Morse?”

“We’re having lunch together. Maybe you can call me Steven.”

Aiza looked up at me and said, “Okay. Steven. You don’t seem to be here for the sun.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

“You’ve been here four days and I don’t see a tan. That tells me you haven’t been spending your time at the beach.”

Impressive.

“I see why you’re the secretary to the president. Nothing gets by you,” I grinned.

“And yet you still haven’t answered my question,” she reminded me.

“I’m here on business with Mr. Pintino.” That was the truth. Although Aiza worked for Reesa, I wasn’t sure how privy she was to the manufacturing project Reesa was working on.

“I thought he also was in the hotel business,” she stated.

“Hotel and casino,” I replied.

Aiza gasped. “Please don’t tell me that you are building a casino here. Tabiq doesnotneed such a thing. We work too hard for our money already just to gamble it away. And we also do not need a bunch of foreigners coming here and drinking, gambling, and....taking advantage of our people.”

“Easy, Aiza. I never said we were building a casino,” I corrected.

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