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“I have a better idea. If it’s someone you’d rather never see again, I would suggest leaving the tracker and sending him on a wild-goose chase. We’ll turn off the phone for now. The next time you travel north, take the phone. Trick your stalker into thinking you’re traveling away from him.”
“Ah, not a bad idea. Rafael, your thoughts?”
“I like it,” he answered. “We’ll make him go from town to town. Eventually, we can send the phone to the Bahamas on Steve’s plane.”
She chuckled, and Carl burst out laughing. “That should teach him a lesson. Here’s your new phone,” Carl added. “I just entered the company’s phone numbers and those of our staff members. Meanwhile, I’m keeping your old phone to study it some more.”
“Thank you, Carl. See you later.”
Rafael accompanied her to her car. “I’ll follow you home.”
She seemed to have regained her composure, but she’d been strongly shaken by their discovery, and he preferred to make sure she arrived safely.
They met again in the garage and rode up in the elevator together. He tilted his head. “I have an urgent question.”
“Yes?” Immediately on alert, she frowned.
“We didn’t have lunch, and I’m starved. Can I count on a dinner invitation?”
“Ah.” She nodded with a smile. “Anytime, Rafael, if only to thank you for the glowing evaluation. Although I was about to punch you at the time.”
“I know you were.” He laughed, cupped her cheeks, and kissed her soundly on the lips. “See you soon.” He exited at his floor.
***
Delighted to be back in her safe haven, Arianna hung up her pants and blouse and changed into her black shorts and green and yellow printed shirt. For a moment, she assessed her almost bare closet. Now that she lived in a decent and safe condo, she couldn’t continue to alternate her two pairs of shorts and few blouses, and she certainly needed more outfits to wear in front of her neighbors. With her generous salary, she might even afford to shop in department stores instead of hunting in the thrift shops for cheap bargains.
She brushed her hair, letting it flow down her back, and refreshed her make-up with the tiny eye liner. Ready to face her new friend and guest, she hurried to the kitchen to warm the pan of zucchini with ground meat and béchamel cream, prepare a salad, and cook the rice.
An hour later, a strong knock heralded Rafael’s arrival. In shorts and a tank top revealing a few dark curls on his tanned throat and chest, his hair still wet from a recent shower, he reminded her of a pirate.
She opened the door with, “Right on time. Dinner is ready.”
He handed her a narrow vase with two roses. “To congratulate you on your successful first day at work.”
“Roses for me?” Her breath caught in her chest. No one had ever given her roses or any other gift for that matter. “Thank you so much. I love them.” She kissed his cheek and put the vase on the counter.
“How did you find the staff?”
“They welcomed me so warmly. Nice people.”
Without wasting time, he served himself salad, and filled a plate with zucchini and rice. She followed suit and settled across from him.
“Delicious,” he grumbled. “I swear I’ve never eaten such good food,” he said between bites. “I never realized zucchini could have a fragrance.”
“It’s due to the dill and coriander I added. I’m glad you like it.” Watching his sincere appreciation underlined with contentment, she grinned. “It’s a pleasure to cook when people enjoy your creativity.”
“Tell me, Arianna,” he said after a refill. “Who is the guy stalking you?”
She lost her smile. “I don’t want to talk about him, not now when we’re having such a good time.”
“I made myself a promise this morning when we returned from our first mission.”
She lifted her eyes curiously, “What promise?”
“That I won’t let anyone hurt, upset, or even annoy my new flight nurse.”
“Ah.” She snorted. “Are good flight nurses that hard to find?”
