CHAPTER 6 Dinner date?

           One morning, Eliza went ahead of Meera as the latter was not feeling well. She just said it is her monthlies so though a bit apprehensive, Eliza took the bus to work. She has a transportation allowance but she did not really mind taking the bus, besides it afforded her a view of the city while travelling. She could also use the extra money to send back home. She promised herself that she would go walking during her off days should her employer not require her that is. She was already oriented by Ami so to speak. She was wearing her second pair of heels this time black to go with her black ensemble. Yesterday was a skirt, today trousers. Although there was no specific dress code so long as it is professional, the employees enjoy the freedom to choose what they wear, besides it is a fashion industry. More often than not, some employees are asked to wear some of the clothes they will be selling in stores. It is their marketing strategy. If people give positive comments on what they were wearing, the clothes will be sold in stores, if the designs garner negative reactions, they are ditched or upcycled. As Eliza entered Mariam’s office, she was surprised that her employer was already there. The monarch Al Fahezi gave her a sheepish smile like she was caught doing something naughty.

          "Good morning, Eliza, I trust you had a lovely rest last night. I apologize for not being here as my daughter's nursery needed additional teachers and these past few months was busy for her so she needed extra hands." Mariam shared.

           "No worries, Ma'am, Mr. Theo and your other employees were kind enough to show me the ropes." Although she felt disappointed that her son hasn’t been popping in lately. Deny it all she wants but she actually enjoys exchanging barbs with him no matter how much he annoys her. She actually misses him this morning, would you imagine that? It has only been a few months but she already felt empty when he isn’t around. Oblivious to Eliza's thoughts, Mariam commented, " I am just glad that for once Matan agreed to do the training on your first day. Most of the time, he grumbles or declines. Maybe it is you my dear who convinced him to do it." Her employer smiled which caused an alarm in Eliza. Oh no, what is her employer thinking. To cover up her thoughts, Eliza answered

          "Maybe he just got bored. He doesn't seem to like me so it is unlikely that he took on the job because of me."

          "Why do you say he dislikes you? Did he do something unpardonable before? Tell me so I can ask my husband to give him some needed trashing," Mariam asked.

           "Oh no ma'am, it is nothing. Maybe I just got the wrong impression. Please forget I said that. Furthermore, I do not think we would be crossing paths often as I've heard he's quite busy." Eliza defended.

           "He is indeed busy between managing his own bar to doing some music stuff or whatever he is supposed to be doing. I do not know; he seemed a bit changed after Ali got married. You've met my Ali, haven't you?" Mariam asked.

            "Yes ma'am, Ami introduced him to me at the cruise ship and then at the wedding. What do you mean he changed?" Eliza asked puzzled.

            "Have you ever noticed his looks? He doesn't look anything like us at all. Ali got some of his features from his dad and some from me and so does my first and youngest children. My Matan, I wish he is mine..." She suddenly sniffed and Eliza was alarmed to see tears glistening in Mariam’s eyes. Although Eliza was confused with what the former said, her concern overshadowed her questions.

            "Ma'am, are you okay? Should I get you some water?" As Eliza got up from her seat to fetch some water, Mariam stopped her.

            "No, habibti, I am fine. Please forgive me if I won't tell you more, I am not ready to give him up yet. I know he is a full-grown man now but he has been one of our babies for a long time now. He is such a sweet, loving boy that I couldn't be parted from him. If he marries that is fine but if someone takes him from us, I will die." Mariam suddenly sat down and broke into sobs, prompting Eliza to go to her and gather her in her arms. In no time at all they were both crying, Mariam for remembering that sooner rather than later when everything is revealed, she might lose her son. Eliza because she knew how it felt to lose a child. It was in that position that Theo found them when he entered the office of his boss. Panicked as he was, he calmly called for someone to bring water for both ladies. The ladies feeling there was another person in the room reluctantly let go of each other. They both stared at each other then burst into laughter. Theo was confused and that elicited another laughter from the ladies.

            "You must think us insane Theo but please forgive our mood, let us just say, there was a shared bond so we both ended up crying." Mariam reassured the poor manager who was at a loss as to what to say. Eliza for her part grabbed for some ice from the ice bucket and discreetly applied them to her eyes to reduce the swelling caused by her crying. Mariam appeared to be none the worse for wear, how could that be while here she was, all eyes swollen. It just isn't fair, she thought. When Theo offered her a glass of water, she gratefully accepted it and drank the cold water thirstily. She noticed her employer drinking hers as well. When Theo ascertained that everything was fine, he excused himself and went out of the office but after a few seconds, came back to talk to Eliza. 

             "Eliza, I am sorry, I do not know what happened to the both of you but I came back to ask you for a dinner with me, tonight if that is okay?" Theo asked.

              Not wanting to disappoint him as he has been kind to her despite her awareness of his attraction to her; and this was the second time he asked so Eliza accepted. Theo's eyes lighted up and would have kissed her had Mariam not noticed him speaking to Eliza. 

             "Theo, did you forget something?" she enquired.

              "I only asked her something Ma'am," he replied. When their employer's eyes were averted, he placed a kiss on the back of Eliza's hand then left. Eliza wasn't amused though and waited for Theo to be out of the room before she went to the toilet and washed her hands. Men! She thought. She couldn't back out of the dinner date though because that is what it is going to be. Why else would he invite her to a rotating restaurant near her accommodation, that means formal wear. She groaned as the only formal wear she brought was a backless black silk dress. She has no time to buy a different one. 

             She was picked up by Theo at exactly 7 pm that evening and his eyes went round with appreciation as he took in the whole package. He thought he hit the jackpot. While he was rejoicing, Eliza was feeling the opposite. For some reason, the person she has in mind as a date was a European-looking male with deep set gray eyes who happened to be staring at her when they entered the restaurant. Those gray eyes are looking stormy right now as he took in the pair who just entered the restaurant. Eliza's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when her eyes collided with his. Did she just conjure him up. Why is he causing unwanted sensations in her? Isn't she finished with rakish men? But why does he look so handsome? It just isn't fair. If only she can crush these unwanted feelings, she should be angry with him for all his insensitive remarks and insults. To add insult to injury, ladies couldn't hide their appreciation of him which irked her some more. So, what if he gets all their notices, he can also bed them all if he wants. Wait, where did that thought come from. No, she doesn't want him bedding them, only her. What?! Foolish Eliza, her brain screamed. Two mistakes are enough, hasn't she learned that yet?