| "A Complicated Dinner" | ||
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June 13, 2008 Jordan's Place Laurence Harbor 1220 hours "Hey Vanessa, It's Jordan. Sorry I haven't phoned earlier, but the bookstore took me away on a business trip. You know how that goes. Anyhow, give me a call when you get a chance, my number is�" she had to think for a minute what her landline was as she never used it. She still couldn't quite believe she was phoning Vanessa. She should really tell Gray and Rebecca, but what would they do to Vanessa? No, she couldn't take that chance; Vanessa needed to stay safe�safe from them. She was unaware that she wasn't really thinking about the SIA, but Section One. She hung up and glanced out the window at the sunshine. It looked so nice and she felt so wretched, but was glad to have finally been able to leave the Safehouse. She hoped she would not have to go back soon. She then picked up her catalogue again, flipping through the pages of books. She loved deciding what new books to order for the store and it offered a good distraction from the event she did not want to think about. Bella's picture was on her fridge, where she put it upon arriving home a few hours ago. It was extremely out of place amid the bare counters. She was here so little that her place, that SIA had furnished and decorated for her, that it had lost what it had in the beginning. Moments later her landline rang. The ring sounded so unfamiliar, but she picked it up, "Hello?" "Jordan! It's me Vanessa." "Hey, how are ya?" "Great, I was just outside, but couldn't get to the phone quick enough." "Oh no worries." "So about that dinner, when did you want to do it?" "I was thinking Sunday evening," she replied, hoping Vanessa would agree. She needed some space. Her mind just wasn't in the right to be going and talking to Vanessa just yet. "Ya, Sunday would be great, around 6?" "Ya, that's good. Did you want me to pick you up?" she asked, hoping Vanessa would say yes. She didn't want Vanessa knowing where she lived, not yet. "That would be great actually, my car is in the shop." "Okay, what's your addy then?" she replied and reached for the pen and pad of paper that was on the milky glassed coffee table. She scribbled down the address and checked it to make sure she wrote it correctly. "Great, I'll be there around 6 then," she said. "Perfect, I can't wait!" Vanessa replied happily before saying bye and hanging up. The sunshine looked to enticing to stay away, so she picked up the catalogue and her cell phone and headed out to her balcony. She sprawled out in the wincher chair and opened the catalogue again. Her cell phone ringing in her ear seemed suddenly loud and she reached over to it swiftly to stop the noise, "Mmm�yes?" she said into it, opening her eyes, finally aware she had fallen asleep. Her head was pounding slightly from being in the sun's direct rays. "Jordan, it's Saf. Just to give you heads up on a task we are on the slate for. Hope you didn't have plans for the weekend." She got up and when into the shade of her living room, replying, "What is it?" She briefly wondered why Saf was phoning her, but forgot that thought as Saf continued. "All I know is that it involves doing an audit, not more than that. Rebecca wants to see us 10.00 hours Sunday." As she listened to Saf, she knew she would have to phone Vanessa back to reschedule, but that was to be expected, especially with what she did. "That's okay," she told Saf. "I had dinner plans, but I can rearrange it." "Good, I'll see you at SH1 then. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, bye." Saf replied and hung up. Jordan closed her cell and reached for her landline, pressing the redial button. It rang only once before it was answered. "Hello?" said a male voice. "May I please speak to Vanessa?" "Sure, one sec." While she waited, she wondered who the male voice was. "Hello?" answered Vanessa. "Hey Vanessa, it's Jordan." "Oh, hi�" "Can we change dinner to possibly tonight or tomorrow night? I had to move my staff meeting to Sunday evening." "Ya sure, that's no problem. Tomorrow night would be better." "That's great, same time?" "You bet, I'll see you then." "Perfect, bye for now." June 14, 2008 Uncle Mike's Ale House Hazlet, New Jersey 18.20 hours She sat down in a chair opposite Vanessa, and grabbed the menu tightly, hoping Vanessa wouldn't notice her shaking hands. She knew what she was doing was wrong and she glanced warily around her, looking for eyes, but she found none. "I've been here lots of times," Vanessa said. "Their roasted vegetables are the best. You want to get that to start?" "Sure that sounds good, it comes with zucchini right?" she replied, trying to sound interested when she really wasn't. Too many worries bogged down her mind. "You look a little worn out Jordan, that conference must've kept you busy." She smiled at Vanessa and nodded, "Yes, it was. There was a day when I didn't sleep for almost 24 hours because I was so caught up with what was going on." If only she really knew what had happened the past 24 hours. Vanessa laughed, "You were always like that though. I remember how you used to get so excited about everything and not sleep because of it. You really haven't changed much you know?" She laughed in return, "Perhaps not, but hang around me long enough and I'm sure you'll discover things you don't like." Why did she say that?? She couldn't believe she just did. She might as well be wearing a blinking neon sign saying fraud. "Oh Jordan, you're too hard on yourself. You need a drink and some relaxing time," Vanessa replied as she closed the plastic menu and placed it on the table. "Maybe, what are you having?" she asking, changing subjects. "Well, I'm either going to have the fish special or the pasta. You?" "I'm not sure yet," she replied, staring down at the menu. Something light would probably be best, since she really only had brownies to eat so far. They fell into silence for a few moments before the waiter arrived to take their orders. Still undecided, Jordan just told the waiter to bring her his favorite dish. He looked a little puzzled, but scribbled something down anyhow. Their food arrived steaming hot shortly after they ordered. The place really wasn't too busy, which was strange considering it was a Friday night. But then, how could she really know what busy was, especially since she'd never been to this place before. "Oh, you still like dancing?" Vanessa asked. "Ya, totally, why?" she replied. "Well, there is this really great bar in New York, a bunch of us from work go there all the time." "Oh ya? What kind of music do they play?" she replied, but not really caring. If Vanessa thought she was going to go out with her and get totally smashed, she'd have another thing coming. "A mix of everything, it's a pretty wild bar. Sometimes people even drink out of cowboy boots." She shivered, "Cowboy boots, that's really weird, what's this place called?" "The Baha Bar." She started at Vanessa, "What?" She hadn't just heard what she thought she heard. "The Baha Bar, heard of it?" "No, I don't think so," she replied. This was too much; she had to tell Gray now. Vanessa knowing of the bar was too much of a coincidence. Or was it? Vanessa seemed innocent enough and was as shocked as she was when they met each other in the bookstore. "Jordan, what's wrong, you're white as a sheet." "I'm feeling a bit faint, I think this curry sauce on the pasta isn't sitting too well in my stomach," she answered swiftly, putting her hand over her stomach. "Here, have some water," Vanessa replied, handing her a glass of water. Her eyes were full of concern as she watched Jordan gulp down the water. Jordan swallowed the water and calmly put the glass back on the table. She felt far from calm, but she pushed those thoughts away for the moment. She needed to find out what exactly Vanessa was up to. "The bar sounds very interesting, I've never heard about it before. How'd you find out about it?" Vanessa pushed away her empty plate and sat back in her chair before answering, "Just through some friends at work. It's actually right around the block from where the office is." "Oh okay, must be nice to be so close then," she replied, silently telling her mind to calm down. It was just a coincidence, nothing more. Dammit�she didn't want to be here anymore. She shouldn't have come. She looked around the restaurant again, looking for any watching eyes, but yet again, she didn't see any. "Yes, it totally is. It's a nice place to go unwind after a stressful day at work." She listened silently and waited for Vanessa to stop talking before the put her hand on her stomach again and groaned. "Jordan, are you sure you're okay?" "I'm sure." "No, I don't think you are. Come on, let's get you home." Vanessa replied, signaling for the waiter. Once he came, she asked for the check. Once the check was paid, Vanessa helped her up and they walked to the car. "Give me your keys, you are in no condition to drive." "I tell ya I'm fine," she replied. "I can drive." "No," Vanessa said firmly, but when Jordan didn't move, she relented, "Fine, but if you pass out and we crash�" "We won't crash," she replied. They both climbed into the car and Jordan dropped Vanessa off at her place before heading home herself. She was glad she fooled Vanessa into thinking she was sick. Before Vanessa had gotten out of the car, Jordan promised to go directly to bed when she got home. Her cell phone sat besides her and she contemplated phoning Gray. She didn't really want to because she knew he would be at her for not telling him right away. She should've just denied knowing Vanessa when she showed up in the bookstore. It would've been so much less complicated. Return |
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