“You’re meant to be meeting Caspian about the fund proposal.”
Shit. He’d wanted to go over it after Mr Kingsley’s interference. He wanted me on it, no matter what Mr Kingsley had said. I was happy to oblige.
“Just tell him I’ve been caught up with another project.”
She let out a breath. “Fine.”
“Nyx,” I called as she reached the door. “Can you get me a black tea with three sugars and an espresso, please?”
She nodded and stepped out of the office. Seconds later, Soran stepped in with a smile.
“Sebastian, you’ve been a hard man to get hold of this week,” he said, shaking my hand, then sat down in the chair opposite me.
I sat back down, leaning back, and pressed my lips together. He sat straight, his ankle resting just above his knee. I should have known I couldn’t avoid him until Newroz was over.
“I’ve had a lot going on here.”
“Ah, yes.” He looked around the room. “How is business?”
Soran with his typical small talk before he got into what he wanted. He wasn’t shy about getting straight to the point, but there was always that little bit prior to it.
“It’s good at the moment.”
“Make sure you keep on top of it.”
Like I wasn’t trying.
The Organisation was starting to fully take over my life. It wasn’t like I could split myself into three to be everywhere at once. I’d started to neglect this place, but worst of all, it still came before Aria. She’d somehow ended up at the bottom of the list, and I was trying my hardest right now to put her back at the top.
Aria walked in with the drinks and placed them down for us.
“You must be Aria,” Soran said as he stood, extending his hand.
“I am.” She smiled and shook it.
“Sebastian and I have been friends for many years. Practically family. He’s told me a lot about you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Where was he going with this?
“Oh.” A hint of surprise ran through her voice, and I knew it was because she didn’t have a clue who he was.
“I’m not sure if Sebastian has mentioned it, but we have a tradition every year.”
My shoulders slumped, and I rubbed my fingers over my forehead. That was where he was going with it. He knew I was avoiding him. He knew I wasn’t going to bring Aria to Newroz.
“That sounds … interesting.” Aria looked over at me, and I smiled the best I could.
“Yes, I am very proud of my Kurdish heritage, and every year we celebrate our New Year on 21st March. It’s called Newroz—it commemorates the arrival of Spring and new beginnings. It reminds people that no matter how difficult life may seem at times, there will always be hope to guide us through. It’s deeply rooted in us.”
I quickly rose from my chair, making my way around to Aria, and placed my hand on the small of her back.
“It was meant to be a surprise. Soran has arranged for us to have dinner tonight at his restaurant to meet his wife, and tomorrow we’re going to attend Newroz.”
“Oh, Sebastian, I’m so sorry I ruined your surprise.” He looked at me, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
He knew I was lying, and the only reason I cut in was that I was worried he was going to say something else.
Soran cupped one of Aria’s hands with his. “Can you forgive me, Aria? If Sebastian had told me, I wouldn’t have let on.”
