First Interaction

In Cognate Bank the following week, Hanita Kill prepared all the documents that were needed for her trip. They had created a group and had set a meeting time for lunch hour that day. The team had collectively selected the required documents and everyone was on their feet getting ready to up and leave. They were set to leave Georgia on Wednesday and that was in two days.

However, the excitement that Hanita had been feeling to leave was not there anymore. In fact, left to her, she would have loved to postpone the trip or get off the team altogether -- because of her mother. Hanita's mind wasn't at rest and there was no calm within her. She was worried to the bone and didn't know what to do about the situation -- that alone, made her feel irritated.

Two days ago, which was a Saturday, Deveron had taken Daliana to the hospital and Hanita had tagged along. She needed to know what must have caused that strange pain in her mother's neck -- that wasn't a good place to have an ache, thought Hanita. The doctors had run some tests but had told them to return on Monday for the results. However, the doctor sent them on their way with some painkillers to ease the pain until they returned for diagnosis.

That day, she had been asked to wait outside, in the hallway while her father and mother spoke with the doctor. Hanita had paced like a mad dog waiting to know what was going on. Even when Daliana and Deveron came out, they refused to speak about what the doctor said, and that drove Hanita crazy. She loved her parents to death and couldn't bear the thought of anything wrong with them or happening to them. Hanita didn't know what she'd do if something went wrong with any of her parent's health. But, she spoke to herself as her mother tried to calm her down and reassured her that all was well. Still, Hanita knew, she knew deep down that something was wrong.

A little knock from behind her office door brought her out of her reverie as she looked up at the transparent door. Her brows creased, wondering what the man standing behind her door was doing there. He had never come to her corner before and Hanita couldn't help but wonder if it was because they'd teamed them up. She kept staring at the door and didn't say a word -- just looking and thinking.

"Hello, Hanita," Talik said as he confidently walked through the door after opening it gently.

Hanita nodded slightly with a little frown still plastered on her face. She had always made sure that she steered clear of this one as she didn't want to be numbered among the ladies that swooned all over him. She was definitely in no competition for his attention.

"Good day," Hanita said curtly.

"May I come in?"

She scoffed. "You're already in," said Hanita. "That question would have been appropriate if you'd asked it while you were still behind the door."

Talik looked behind him at the door and nodded a little. She was right, he thought. He was a little bit nervous and he secretly hoped that it wasn't that obvious to Hanita. Talik cleared his throat and turned around to look at her, trying desperately to gather himself. He could feel his palm getting sweaty and almost cussed at himself.

"What can I do for you?" Hanita asked, returning her attention to the papers that were on her desk and arranging them into two piles.

"I was wondering..." Talik began but trailed off. He'd been thinking about this offer all through the weekend and almost prayed that she would accept his offer. This was the first time they were having an actual conversation as it had been greetings in passing all the while they worked in Cognate. Talik took the North Carolina trip and the teaming up as a sign that it was time to get to know Hanita -- which was something that he'd been procrastinating on since he'd noticed her. Talik wasn't even sure that she'd noticed him and that made him feel unsure about himself -- but it wasn't going to stop him from trying.

"Yes?" Hanita asked impatiently.

"I was wondering if you'd like to travel with me to North Carolina," Talik said finally with both his brows raised, anticipating her response and trying to read every expression that'd pass through Hanita's gorgeous face. He could not help but notice how much more beautiful she was up close than when she was seen from afar. She had such intelligent and keen eyes that seemed like she wanted to know everything. Her hair was so much that there were baby hairs almost reaching her brows. This was what lots of women purchased expensive wigs for, Talik thought to himself right there and then. He was lost in her beauty and couldn't help but stare even when he knew that was quite rude to do.

To say Hanita Hill was confused would be an understatement. She couldn't tell where his question was coming from and why she would be offered that -- she of all people.

"I don't understand you, Mister," Hanita said as she stood upright and folded her arms in front of her chest.

"Talik..."

"What?" Hanita asked. 'Could this man not confuse me the more?' she thought.

"I'm Talik Blake... call me Talik, Hanita... not Mister," he said with a little smirk that looked like he was pleading at the same time on his face.

"Hmmm," Hanita hummed as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "You already know my name so..."

"Yes, I do..."Talik said. "And it's a lovely one."

She didn't respond to that and gave him a side look. "Do not try to flirt with me, Talik Blake," she warned while she pointed her little finger at him through her crossed arms.

"Would you travel with me then?" he asked again taking a step closer, closing the large gap between them.