A few minutes later a tap on my shoulder got my attention. I turned around to face Ziva.
“I’m really sorry about that,” she said. “Mr. Florraz can be quite rude at times. I would like to tell you that it gets better, but I’m sure you’ve heard by now he’s not a fan of Americans.”
“I have.”
“You must be very good at your job for him to have hired you. Normally he won’t even speak to anyone not from Tabiq. Which really isn’t good for someone running for President,” Ziva said. “I get it. I’m Tabiqian too. But things are different now. And we need to change our way of thinking.”
I didn’t want to let on that I knew what she was talking about. “I really don’t know anything about Tabiq.”
Ziva nodded. “That’s right. You’ve only been here a few days. Why don’t you and I have lunch tomorrow and I can tell you all the wonderful things about what is going on in Tabiq nowadays?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Jasper watching us while someone was chatting away at him. You really are a master manipulator, aren’t you? Ziva and I had played right into his hands. I was impressed and, to be honest, a little unsettled by that revelation.
Smiling at Ziva I said, “Lunch sounds great, but I really should check with Mr. Florraz first to see if he will need me for anything.”
“Even in Tabiq, you’re allowed a lunch break. I’ll wait for you in the lobby tomorrow at noon. If you’re free, I’d love it if you could join me,” Ziva said, sounded sincere.
“Tell her okay,” Burke instructed.
“I’d like that, thank you….” I pretended I didn’t know her name.
“Ziva.” She extended her hand, “Ziva Henderson. My husband is one of the owners of New Hope.”
And on my No Contact list.
“Very nice to meet you. I’m Alysa LaHouse. I’d better get back to work before Mr. Florraz changes his mind and fires me,” I lied.
She smirked. “You’d be lucky if he did. I’ll see you tomorrow, Alysa.” As she walked away, Florraz and I made eye contact. I gave him a nod and for a quick moment, I thought I saw his lips curl in a smile. Was he happy to have gotten what he wanted, or was he shocked I pulled it off?
I’m a little of both.