Page 7 of Seventeen Years Ago

“Aiza, you are going out with the President. Is there any other occasion you can think of that will be as special as this?” she asked.

My wedding, but I don’t ever see that happening in my future.“There probably won’t be one. And you’re correct. I want to make sure I don’t embarrass her,” I stated.

She said, “You have never been, and never will be, an embarrassment. Not to her, and not to anyone,” she said sincerely.

My eyes watered. “Thank you, Grandma.” I wish I could feel the same way about myself, but I didn’t. That night with the American was etched in my mind. How she could look at me like I’m still her little angel was beyond me.

She got up and said, “Now come along. If I’m going to get this done for you in time, we better get started.”

Grandma didn’t need my help. If anything, I was only going to be in her way and slow her down, but she knew that I was on the verge of crying, and this was her way of providing a distraction. Even if I didn’t enjoy sewing, I was grateful for the time we were spending together.

CHAPTER5

Steven

I had no idea what I expected to see when we landed in Tabiq a couple of hours ago, but it was nothing like what I remembered. Although I wasn’t looking around all that much back then because my father was lecturing me about what it took to be a man, and a man that he could be proud of. It had all sickened me so much that I am surprised I even recalled the country, never mind what it looked like.

What struck me now was that as we made our way to New Hope resort, I saw many families out walking along the streets. They looked...more relaxed, and even happy. Had things here changed so much that they were no longer living in the fear of what we foreigners were here for?

God, I hope so.

“You are very quiet,” Caydan said as we arrived at New Hope.

“I was just taking in all the sites. This resort is new.”Wasn’t here when I was.Caydan had mentioned the Henderson family building one, but I never pictured a five-starresort. I had no idea why. Hendersons only did things one way. Big.Just like me.

“As I had told you before, my siblings have been working on some...improvements. This resort is the first thing they built. If you’d like a tour of the island, I can have one arranged for us tomorrow,” he replied.

It didn’t matter what the island looked like if I wasn’t going to be going into business here. “I’ll let you know tomorrow. What I really want to do is to hear more about why I’m here.” I already knew what his response was going to be. “I know. President O’Connor will fill me in,” I stated.

“There’s plenty of things to do at the resort while waiting,” Allyson said. “The beaches are spectacular and the food at the resort is amazing.”

“When exactly is that meeting?” I asked.

“First thing Monday morning,” Caydan stated.

“Then why are we here now? We could’ve flown out tomorrow,” I stated. I didn’t want to waste any more time here than necessary.

“I have a meeting with Brice tonight. Do you know him?” Cayden inquired.

Shaking my head I said, “Never met any of the Henderson family in person.”Never wanted to.

“Why don’t we all have dinner together after the meeting?” Allyson suggested.

“I think I’ll eat in my room,” I replied.

“Absolutely not! We invited you here and we are not allowing you to spend this week in your room all by yourself,” Allyson said firmly.

Caydan laughed. “I suggest you don’t argue. It won’t go well if you do, and you won’t win. I’ve tried.”

“I am not that bad,” she said.

“No. You’re an angel, but when you have your mind set on something, nothing changes it,” Caydan replied.

She huffed. “Look who’s talking.”

When I first met Allyson, I wasn’t sure how she and Caydan fit together, but now I saw it. Their banter revealed it.

She turned her attention back to me and asked, “Dinner tonight?”

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