Chapter 9

Orion

"You look like you had a long day. Is everything alright?" I asked Raya as she got in my SUV.

"My day was good. It's this mysterious meeting that has me concerned. I have never been one who likes surprises. Are you ready to tell me what's going on? Why does Reesa want to see us both in her office?" she asked.

"I'm not one for surprises either. So, I understand how you feel. But I can tell you now. Just know that what I am about to say must be kept private until after a formal announcement has been made," I said.

"You don't have to worry about me gossiping. I don't talk to anyone here. Well, besides you, Alex and Ziva. And I am not about to tell them anything confidential," she stated firmly.

"I believe you. And when I tell you this, you will understand why it has been kept quiet."

"You definitely have piqued my curiosity," she said.

"Reesa has requested the media in her office today. She will be announcing that there is now a Vice President of Tabiq." I could tell she wasn't expecting that type of news.

"That is not small news. I mean, a Vice President is second in charge. If anything happened to Reesa, they would take over running the county. I see why she has kept this so quiet." I could see she was in deep thought before she continued asking, "Why is she having me there? I don't understand what I have to do with such an important announcement."

Here it goes.

This was the first time I was going to share this information with anyone. Not my brother, or my best friend Kody. I chose it to be Raya. Why? I wasn't sure, but it felt right.

"Because...it's me."

"You? You're...you're going to be the...the Vice President?" she asked, stunned.

"I am. That is the only reason why I stepped down as the school administrator. I loved that job. The students were my life. But when Reesa approached me in regards to this, I couldn't say no," I said.

"Of course not. It's an honor. Also, a huge responsibility. But I don't think she could've picked a better person for the job," she said. "I mean every day at work all I hear is people talking about you. What you have done for the school. For the students. And how you have dedicated yourself to making a difference in the lives of the next generation. If you can do that with a school, I can only imagine what you can do as the Vice President."

"I have a few ideas, but just like I told you, it takes time to develop them and implement new things in a new role. Today all I am focused on is how the country is going to respond to her announcement," I said.

She reached over and covered my hand with hers. It was just as unexpected as Reesa's offer, but this had an entirely different effect. It was...tender and comforting. And I found myself turning my hand over, to entwine my fingers with hers. I thought she'd pull away, but she didn't. Instead, she gripped me tightly.

"Orion, you can't be worried that they will disapprove of her choice, are you? I mean, you are very respected by the community. Why wouldn't they want you?" she asked.

"Because I see the future differently than some." That was the simple truth. I refused to let our past hinder our future.

"If you ask me, that's a good thing. I mean, Reesa didn't bend, instead she stood her ground on her principles. Look where we are now. So much better than before," she said. "I can't wait to see what improvements you bring in."

"I'd like it if we had our own university here instead of sending our youth to other countries. It's not the international experience that I don't like. It's the knowledge that the majority of those who study abroad won't return to apply all their newly acquired talents here. God knows we need them in order to continue to grow our businesses and become more economically independent."

I felt her fingers loosen and softly she said, "You mean like me."

Fuck!

I apparently hadn't been thinking when I said that. "I wasn't talking about you. Your situation is different."

"In what way?" she asked.

"You're here now, aren't you?" I reminded her, trying to do damage control. But I knew she hadn't applied for the job. Reesa had sought her out. Not sure how that even happened, but I was glad it did. I couldn't lie even to myself. Raya had been gone for eleven years before returning to Tabiq. The question I had was how long she was going to stay. Was this position just a steppingstone to something bigger back in the US? Was she going to be just another statistic like so many others?

"I won't lie to you, Orion. I am here and plan on staying for some time. But how long exactly will depend on Joey. If he doesn't adjust or make friends here, then I will have no choice but to return to the States," she said.

Joey. Always about Joey.

Since he was so damn important to her, why the hell was she holding my hand right now? Hell, I'm holding her hand. She's just not letting go. One of us had to do it. I wanted to say fuck it and fight for her. I didn't know Joey. He might be a complete asshole. Might not deserve her. But I had to treat their relationship as I would want mine to be treated if she were with me.

Slipping my finger from hers, I gripped the steering wheel with both hands, and asked, "Tell me about Joey. What's he like?"

Instantly, she smiled and settled back in her seat. "He's just the best. I really think, or hope you'll like him. Not that he's perfect, but he's so smart and funny."

"I can tell you really...love him," I grumbled out the words.

"Shouldn't I? I guess there are people who don't, but I'm not one of them. He's my world, but I think I already told you that. Even coming here now, I took into consideration how it was going to affect him. I am hoping I made the right decision."

Leaving him in the US sounds like a better one to me.

My thoughts were selfish and as the Vice President, I needed to think about Tabiq and not my own wants or desires. We needed Raya to stay. And my accepting Joey was going to help make that happen.

"I am sure you did. Maybe I can help. What does he like to do for work?" I asked.

"Work? I'm lucky if he makes the bed and does the dishes," she sighed. "But I'm not looking to have him work while he's here. I'll just be happy if he makes friends and has people to go out with. I will be working a lot, and I don't want him stuck home waiting for me."

I was blown away. Raya didn't strike me as a woman who'd want a man that just sat at home while she worked. Maybe I was reading her wrong. One way to find out. "Then let me find him a job. I'm sure he will feel better if he's providing for you."

"I might not be aware of all the changes in Tabiq, but I am pretty sure there are some kind of labor laws," she stated.

"We have no problem with allowing a foreigner to work here," I explained.

"Even one who is ten? Because as Vice President, I think you might want to change that," she stated firmly.

Ten?

"Who is ten?" I asked.

"Joey. My son," she said.

"Your son? Joey is your son?" I said, stunned, practically slamming on the brakes as I pulled off the road to get clarification.

"Yes, he's, my son. Who did you think he was?" she asked.

Putting my SUV in park, I chuckled. "You don't want to know." I was embarrassed to admit it.

"Yes, I do," she said.

"I thought he was your...boyfriend," I said, trying to prepare myself for her reaction.

Now she laughed. "Oh, that is funny. No. You were dead wrong. Joey is my son. Nine, I mean, ten years old. Just had his birthday before I came here. And as I said, he's, my world."

And I'm an ass for not asking more questions earlier.

I was doing the math, and damn, she was a young mother. Also, very common here, but I had hoped I wasn't wrong. I didn't want her to be another statistic of Tabiq's past. How can I ask something like that without sounding...like a fucking asshole?

There would be another time for us to have that type of discussion. Now wasn't it.

"I guess you're right about the job. We do work young, but not that young. How about we work on making friends? I don't mind showing him around and doing things with him. Does he like to fish?" I asked.

"I never took him."

She looked at me with such sweetness in her eyes, that I just wanted to kiss her. And since she didn't have a boyfriend, that wasn't an issue any longer.

"When he gets here, I'll bring him. And you if you'd like to come," I said, hoping she would.

"Fishing has never been my thing. Not putting anything on the hook, and not taking anything off." She reached for my hand again, and added, "Orion, you have no idea how much I appreciate your offer. I know you really would do this for me, for my son. But you won't have any time for such things. Not anymore. You have more important things to think about than us."

I would debate that.

Not sure why or how, but she had become very important to me. If I even hinted at that, I knew she'd pull away. I didn't want that to happen. I wasn't willing to lose what we did have. Whatever that was.

"Raya, I can't promise a lot of things, but I told you before, that you can call on me anytime. I meant it then, and I do now. I want to be there for you. For Joey. If you'll let me, that is," I said, stroking her hand with my thumb.

She smiled. "I believe you really mean that."

"I do," I said. Her eyes watered, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. I brushed it away and asked, "What's the matter?"

"It's okay. We can talk another time. Reesa is waiting for you," she said, choking back the tears.

"Raya, she can wait. She can't have it without me. Now, tell me what's wrong? Why are you upset?" I prodded.

"I have my friend Kathy who has been so supportive of me. But that is all. And now, here you are, offering to be here for me even when you have so much on your own plate. I...I don't know what to say," she sniffed.

I pulled her close to me and looked down into her eyes. "Just say yes. You'll call me."

She nodded. "I'll call you. And Orion, promise me something."

"Anything, Raya."

"Call me too. Let me be there for you like you are for me," she said.

I knew she needed me to lean on her. She wasn't going to settle for a one-way relationship, and I didn't want too either.

"I promise."

Our faces were just inches apart. My eyes dropped to her lips, as she bit her bottom lip.

"Orion. Would you mind if I gave you a... congratulations kiss?" she asked.

My body tensed with need and anticipation. She didn't wait for a response. And when our lips connected, I felt a rush of heat run through my veins. This wasn't a congratulatory kiss. Not even close. I felt her need, and when her tongue traced my lips, I opened giving her what she wanted.

She melted into my arms, and I wished we weren't in the SUV with a console and armrest between us.

The sound of my cell phone rang through the radio. Damn it. I wish I had disconnected Bluetooth.

My arms loosened around her, and she slowly slipped back into her seat. "Guess you better get that."

The caller ID just said ‘Bro'. I answered and his voice boomed through the vehicle.

"Where the hell are you? I thought you said you'd pick me up on the way?" Mayson said.

"Sorry. We are running a little late. We're on our way now," I said.

"We? Who's with you?" Before I could reply, he blurted out, "Tell me it's that smo..."

"Ms. Davison is here with me," I cut him off. The last thing I needed was for him to insult Raya. She might be gorgeous, but she was a professional who wanted to be respected.

"Oh, she can hear me. Got it. I hadn't realized that she was going to be at this meeting as well," Mayson said. "Guess you can tell us both what is going on when you pick me up."

I turned and looked at Raya who was looking at me, surprised. Ya. I told you first. "We should be there in about five minutes. Be outside because I don't want to keep the president waiting."

Ending the call, I put the car in drive and pulled back onto the road.

"Orion, why did you tell me first?" she asked.

I reached for her hand and said, "Because I wanted to."

She smiled. "I'm honored."

"Just please, don't let Mayson know. He'll pout the entire way if he finds out," I chuckled. "And also, ignore him. He's a good guy but doesn't always think before he speaks."

"Have you forgotten what I do for a living? I'm used to such behavior," she snickered.

Raya picked up on what I was saying. Mayson was just a big kid.

A few minutes later, Mayson was getting into the back seat. "Okay. Spill it. What's the big news?"

I informed him of my new role, and he was as shocked as Raya.

"You're joking, right?" Mayson asked. "You're going to be the Vice President of Tabiq? You? My brother?"

I was glad I decided to pick him up and have this conversation in person instead of on the phone. He needed to understand how serious this was. Reesa was counting on me and now I was counting on him.

"I wouldn't joke about something like that. And as I mentioned, you are not allowed to say a word to anyone until after President O'Connor makes her announcement. Don't even pull your phone out of your pocket. No social media. No texting. Nothing. If this gets out, I will know it was you," I warned.

"Why me? Why not Ms. Davison?" he asked.

I glared at him through the rearview mirror. That seemed to be enough to shut down any further questions from him. Now all we needed to do was head to Reesa's office and let her give her speech. I was sure it wouldn't be long before all of Tabiq was talking about it. And unfortunately, it wasn't all going to be good.

I just hope they don't pull Raya into any of it. She has enough going on.

I was sure that after that kiss in the car, she also had a lot of thinking to do because I know I do.

However, thinking isn't what's on my mind. I need to finish what we started in the car.