Classes will begin on Wednesday at nine a.m. Monday and Tuesday was packed with mandatory events for Year one students. The girls spent Tuesday evening shopping for a dress for Aimee to wear to a Semi-formal dinner being held for Year One Business Management students. The dinner had several guest speakers scheduled and was being held at a hotel owned by a Business Management Alumni. Aiden offered to be Aimee’s escort since they both had to attend the event. So Lexi was going to make sure they both looked great.
Aimee was wide awake at 5:30 a.m. two hours before he alarm was set to go off. She thought about taking her shower but was afraid she would wake Piper. So instead she brushed her teeth and put her air in a messy bun. She had been wanting to watch the sunrise over the ocean and their back patio was the perfect spot.
The kitchen light was on when she made her way downstairs. She could smell the aroma of fresh brewed coffee. Aiden was standing next to the pot.
Aimee leaned on the counter. “Hey.”
Aiden turned. “Oh hey, guess you caught me.” He grinned.
“That smells great.”
“It’s a special blend if you want I can pour you a cup. I was planning to sit on the patio and drank mine.”
Aimee stretched her arms. “I was going to have a cup of coffee on the patio too, so I will meet you out there. I use the creamer in the fridge.”
The air coming off the beach was so warm. Aimee took a seat in the chair on the end. It was a perfect view of the ocean.
“So Aimee what’s got you up so early this morning?” He handed Aimee her coffee.
“I have been up since five a.m. I was just lying in the bed tossing and turning so I decided I would come down before I woke Piper. Plus I love sunrises.”
“Are you anxious about classes starting today?”
“Not really. I think I am finally adjusting to the time change.”
“That’s great.”
Aimee took a sip of the coffee. “This is the best coffee I have ever had.”
“My mom has a friend who owns a coffee shop. She keeps me in stock.”
Aimee was amazed. “Your mom, the Queen has a friend who owns a coffee shop.”
“We are not snobs Aimee.”
“I am so sorry I didn’t mean to say that your family was snobs.”
Aiden laughed. “Relax Aimee. My mom and Phoebe are childhood friends.”
“I could never imagine my dad or Deandre having friends like that.”
“Like what?”
“Ordinary friends. Deandre likes for everyone to think that she is not a snob but the truth is if she can gain nothing from a friendship with you she does not speak to you?”
“And your dad?”
“Does whatever Deandre says. She is so different from my mom. Mom would literally give people the clothes off her back, or better yet buy them new clothes. A lot of the charities she and Gran sponsored had no clue what they actually gave. They didn’t do it for recognition or to gain popularity they did it because they cared. I can’t believe my dad married Deandre …”
“It sounds as though your mom and Gran were great.”
“My Gran always told me that we should never take our blessings for granted. I can hear her now saying: Aimee honey God has blessed us with so much more than we deserve, we need to shower others with blessings.”
“I like that. It is a good philosophy to live by.”
Aimee choked. “It’s not philosophy it is living by Gods word.”
The sunrise was coming over the horizon turning the grey night sky into vibrant burst of colors. The crimson red lined the length of the ocean in an ombre effect as the diffident shades of orange traveled up into the sky. In the center was a joyous yellow sun ball.
“In the words of my mom it’s a new day with a fresh start. Time for us to get out there and find out who we are.” Aimee grinned.
Aiden stretched. “That really suites us right now. My mom says that this is the year we will find ourselves.”
Aimee lifted her coffee. “To finding me.”
Aiden laughed as he clanged her coffee cup. “To finding me.”
At nine a.m. Aimee and Aiden sat in their Accounting for Business class. Professor Clayborn handed out the class his course outline. This was the one class Aimee dreaded she hated Accounting. There was eighty people in her lecture class that lasted one hour every Monday and Wednesday. The rest of the week was lab days and they had to choice two to attend each class had a minimal of twenty. Aimee and Aiden decided on Tuesday and Fridays.
The entire morning was the same thing finding their classes and then their seats. Going over the class syllabus and signing up for labs. They had a break from one until two then back to class till four.
At lunch they meet Piper, Lexi, Colin and James in the Student Union. Colin hassled Aimee and Aiden about their career choices suggesting they switch to production. Aimee informed him would be in need of a Business Manager and someone to market his films. Piper joked that he would need her and James for his advertising team and Lexi was going to be the Public Relations person for all of them and take care of all Press Releases. They laughed about how easy it seemed in theory just get our degrees and watch out world here comes flat 707.
The next topic was Colin trying to pry childhood stories about Aimee from James. He told a few but left out the embarrassing ones. No doubt in fear of Aimee retaliating and telling some stories to Piper on him. James offered to walk Piper to her next class. Lexi watched the two leave. “Well Aimee it looks like before too long you and I are going to be the only singles in our flat.”
Colin stood. “Excuse me there is no girl hanging on my arm.”
Lexi stood. “Yet. Soon enough it will be a different one every week.”
The one hour break flew by not unlike the next two hours.
♥ ♥
Friday evening came quickly. Classes ended at four p.m. Aimee had to rush home to take a shower and get her hair and make-up done before six. Luckily Lexi, Piper and Sophia offered to help her. Lexi did hair while Piper did make-up and Sophia did nails. Thanks to the group effort Aimee was ready by 5:45.
She could not believe her eyes when she looked at herself in the full length mirror. Lexi had fixed her hair in a princess braid up do. Her lavender low/high cocktail dress looked beautiful on her. The front ending just above her knees while the back was long and flowing. It had a sweet heart neckline with the front detailed with sparkling silver beads. She placed on the jewelry she had bought at the dress shop and completed her look with a pair of silver heels and matching silver handbag.
Aimee turned to her friends. “Thanks so much I could have never pulled this together on my own.”
Lexi hugged her. “That’s what friends are for. Now let’s go take some photos I am sure your dad will want to see how beautiful you are.”
Aiden was waiting patiently in the foyer when the girls came down. Of course Aimee was last Lexi wanted her to make a dramatic entrance.
Aiden was sure his heart stopped beating the second he saw her. She was a true vision of natural beauty. She walked down the steps with such grace and elegance. He knew he would have trouble trying not to stare at her tonight. He felt a nudge in his side from Colin as he coughed. “Ava.”
“Sorry dude but I am not blind.” He looked over at Colin.
“Didn’t your mother always tell us that when we meet the girl that God has planned for us we would only have eyes for her? And to pull our eyes away from her beauty would seem impossible.”
“Yeah she did and I have never seen Ava look as beautiful as Aimee.”
Colin shook his head. “Man did you just hear what you said?”
“Yeah and if you repeat it your dead.”
“No problem because I agree.”
Aimee saw Aiden and Colin in the foyer talking. Aiden was wearing a grey tux with a lavender tie and a vest with splashes of grey and lavender. Lexi had done a great job at making sure they matched. His hair was fixed in his usual style but he was clean shaved which Aimee found just as attractive as his five o’clock shadow. “Wow he looks hot.” She turned her head she had just said that out loud.
“What you say?” Piper grinned.
“Nothing.” Aimee was reprimanding herself. What was she doing he is taken?
Piper laughed. “Yeah that’s what I thought. And yes he is.”
Aimee walked over to the guys as Colin gave a low whistle. “Hot, hot.”
She laughed. “Thanks.”
They took a few pictures as Colin joked at how this was closely resembling a date. Even though Lexi scolded him. Aimee had to agree in a way it kind of felt like a date.
As they waked out the door Colin joined them. “Now, you two kids don’t stay out too late.” He laughed and shut the door.
The dinner was held at the exclusive LJE Hotel and Convention Center. The hotel looked like something out of a Hollywood movie. It was a hotel for the elite. A huge crystal chandler was hanging from the vaulted ceiling in the hotel lobby. The staircase was wide with red velvet carpet and the rails were made from brass. A concierge was waiting to assist them to Sheridan Hall.
Sheridan Hall was decorated with round tables covered in the Ancaster University colors of black and twilight blue. Each table was set up to set four people. The centerpieces on each table had white and twilight blue flowers. Lights where strung around the room to complete the decor. A huge podium set on the stage which was decorated in the school colors.
Aimee and Aiden where seated in the front tables. She took her seat by Aiden and started admiring the place settings. “I can’t believe the Business School can afford to put something like this on.”
Aiden grinned. “Mr. Edwards owns the hotel and he’s an Ancaster UNI Alumni. He is paying for the entire dinner.”
“OH.”
“His son is a second year Business and Hotel Management student.”
“So how did we score front role tables?”
“Did you forget who your escort is?”
“OH yeah. How did they know we were coming together?”
“One of the coordinators called wanting to know if Ava would be joining me. I told her no. I then told her I would be accompanying Miss Aimee Pittman to the dinner.”
“Ok.” She looked around nervously.
“Aimee you need to relax. These people smell fear.”
“I know.” She seen a flash of a camera. “Aiden someone just took our picture what if it gets posted and Ava sees it.”
He looked around for the source of the camera. “I told her we would be attending the dinner together.”
The photographer went in the opposite direction just as the first speaker made his way to the podium.
The first speaker was Mr. Edwards. He welcomed everyone to the LJE Hotel then spoke of how to prepare yourself for the business world. His speech was elegant and he held a great deal of confidence as he did a power point on his keys to being a successful business person.
He was followed by his son Liam he gave his speech with just as much elegance and confidence as his dad. He told of his experience growing up as the son and grandson of two of Neahovia’s most successful business men and a few things he learned during his first year of school and his summer internships.
When he completed his speech the coordinator informed them to enjoy the appetizers and drinks that would shortly be served. She then encouraged everyone take a few minutes to mingle with the students close to them.
Aimee looked at Aiden. “I have two questions. “A). Are they going to pray? B). Why are we the only two at our table?”
He laughed. “A). probably not and.” He lifted the other name cards “B). L.J. Edwards and his sister Sheridan Edwards.”
Aimee opened her mouth to ask another question but Mr. Edwards appeared.
“Aiden, my boy how are you?” The elder gentlemen spoke with an accent so thick it seemed fake.
“Mr. Edwards, I’m doing great. Your presentation was wonderful.”
“Thank you.” He turned toward Aimee. “And who is this vision of beauty.” Aimee blushed.
“This is Aimee Pittman. She has chosen to come all the way from United States of America to study Business in our wonderful country.”
“Miss Pittman, I hope you enjoy your stay in Neahovia. How long will you be studying with us, a year?”
“I will be attending all three years here sir.”
“Oh I see and then after your studies here will you return to United States.”
“I haven’t decided just yet which country I will live.”
He looked Aimee up and down as if he was checking her out. “If I may say dear. Do you think a woman of your stature is made for the harsh world of business?”
Aimee sat straighter. “I am not sure as to what you mean by a woman of my stature. But I can assure you that I am probably more capable of holding my own in the harsh world of Business. As you put it. In fact I would say that I am more capable than most of the men in this room.”
“You think so. Well dear Business tends to be a man’s world. I hate when women don’t realize they should aim for the lower levels of business and not the levels that requires them to be responsible for how the Business succeeds.”
Aimee’s face felt hot. “I chose to disagree. I am not sure which century you think we live in. Women have more than proved themselves as capable business people. While I can’t speak for all woman I have known what I have wanted to do for years.”
“Honey that doesn’t change the fact that women are beneath men.”
“Sir, I happen to study my Bible a lot and God, the creator of men and women. Well He created Eve in his own image just as he created Adam in his own image.”
“Ah yes, but Eve now she allowed herself to be corrupted by the serpent.”
“Yes she did. But she also managed to convince Adam to join her.”
Mr. Edwards reached out and shook her hand. “Miss Pittman you are definitely confident in yourself and your abilities.”
Aimee shook his hand. “Thank you sir. I learned a few years ago that it is up to me and God on where I go in life both business and personal. I can’t rely on others to do for me what I should do on my own.”
“So are you saying you do not trust others?”
“Not exactly. I have just learned to make sure I am well aware of my surroundings. I will trust someone until they prove themselves to be untrustworthy.”
“You seem to be a very strong willed young lady ready to take on the world. What do you think Aiden do you trust her to be in business with you?”
Aiden was sitting back enjoying the show. Mr. Edwards’s arrogance always got to him. It was nice to see Aimee stand her ground with him. “Mr. Edwards I trust Aimee more than I do some people I have known my entire life.”
“So you would feel she would be a good business partner.”
“I believe Aimee would be a great partner she has all the qualities I look for in a person.”
Mr. Edwards stood to leave. “Well Aiden I think you would be wise to choice Miss Pittman as a partner. She is beautiful, has spunk and a great instinct. I am sure once she lets her guard down she is quite fun to be around as well.”
Aimee grinned. “Thank you sir.”
“Your most welcome my dear. Aiden I must say I am surprised that Ava allowed you to escort such a beautiful intelligent lady to dinner.”
Aiden merely nodded.
Aimee watched Mr. Edwards walk away. “What was that all about?”
“I’m not sure.” Aiden felt just as confused as Aimee.
“I don’t understand why he said all those things about women being in the business world.” Aimee was tapping her nails on the table.
“I am not clear on that either. I am certain his daughter Sheridan runs this hotel.”
“Sheridan runs Sheridan Hall. She coordinates all the events here.” An unfamiliar voice joined their conversation.
Aimee looked to the right of Aiden and saw the source of the voice. He was a tall masculine blonde.
“Aimee this is Liam J. Edwards II.” Aiden motioned to the blonde male.
“Please just call me LJ.” He took Aimee’s hand and placed a kiss on the top of it.
“LJ this is Aimee Pittman.”
“Nice to meet you Aimee.” He took the chair to Aimee’s left. “You sure left an impression with my father.”
“I did.”
“Yes I just over heard him speaking with Professor Martin in regards to your self-confidence and how you didn’t back down from your views.”
“So, was he impressed or upset?”
“Impressed. My father believes if you do not stand strong in your own believes and for who you are. You will never make it in this world. Business or otherwise.”
“Well that is one thing we can agree on.”
LJ watched Aimee for a few seconds before hitting Aiden on the arm. “Colin left out how HOT your American roommate is.”
Aimee grinned while Aiden tried to act as if he had not heard him.
“How in this world did you get Ava to agree to you escorting your American girl out on a date?”
“It is not a date LJ and she is not my girl. We are two friends who have the same major and classes so we will be doing a lot of things together.”
“I bet Ava doesn’t know how hot this American girl is.”
“Hello. LJ is it, I hope you do realize I am sitting right next to you.”
Aiden chuckled as LJ apologized to Aimee. The girl could hold her own that was for sure.
The waiter served some appetizers while Aimee and Aiden discussed their classes with LJ. He gave them some pointers on what the professors where looking for in their assignments.
Aimee took a cracker with a red spread of something on it from the platter. She took a small bite to see if she liked it. The very instance it hit her taste buds she felt nauseous. She took her napkin from the table and as graceful as one can, she spit the spread in her napkin. Aiden and LJ where both holding in their laughter.
“What was that?” Aimee grimaced at the thought of the awful tasting spread in her mouth.
Aiden took the cracker and examined it before handing it to LJ. He looked at it for a second. “Its pickled beets and goat cheese.”
“Well it is nasty who in their right mind would eat that.” Aimee was drinking some water.
“Yeah it is.” Aiden began laughing. “Do you realize you just spit it back into your napkin?”
She looked down at the napkin. “I didn’t even think about what I was doing all I knew was that I was not swallowing that stuff.”
LJ was holding his side from laughing so hard. “To heck with etiquette eh Aimee.”
Aimee grinned. “At least I didn’t spit it in a glass of water. Now that would have been tacky.”
LJ looked over at Aiden. “She is beautiful, intelligent and has a sense of humor. Man this American Girl has it all.
“Ok you have seriously got to stop calling me this American girl.”
“Well isn’t that what you are?”
“Yes I am American. It is the Country I was born and raised in. I love America it is a great Nation. But to constantly be called the American girl is beginning to annoy me. You are using it as an adjective to describe me. Do you refer to all the girls from Neahovia as the Neahovian girls?”
Aimee barely let him get his no in before she started again. “Then why do you call me this American girl. I am sure I am not the only American girl here. Or the only girl from another Country. You can’t go around calling us by our Countries. There is so much more to me than being from America and when you call me that three or four times in less than thirty minutes it upsets me.”
Aimee stopped talking just as a waiter placed a drinks at the table. Aimee took hers but Aiden grabbed it just before she took a sip. “Don’t drink that. I will go find us some non-alcoholic drinks.”
LJ waited for Aiden to leave. “So would you rather I call you the tall hot blonde girl.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Aimee glared at him.
“No.”
“That is kind of my point though people use of words like tall hot blonde girl or the girl with the glasses. Those are all physical traits. Why it is no on calls you the girl full of life or the girl with spirit. We need to find out more about the person we are going to speak of before we speak so we use the correct adjectives.”
“So I should say you are the tall intelligent hot blonde who knows how to speak her mind.”
Aimee laughed. “See that just sounds better.”
LJ shook his head. “I am not in trouble for calling you hot.”
“Hey everyone likes to hear that they look good too. Is that what you have learned about me?”
“Definitely. So how would you describe me?”
“Arrogant and pig headed.” Aimee laughed.
“Ouch that hurt.”
“I was kidding and you know that. I would say you are a tall blonde dude who cares about his body. He is very confident and speaks elegantly.”
“So if I had to use one word to describe Aimee Pittman what would it be?”
“I am a Christian.”
“That’s it out of all your choices you choice you’re a Christian?”
“I think that sums it up. What else is there?”
“Intelligent, caring, funny, confident….”
“Those are all superficial things without Christ I am nothing.”
“You really believe that.”
“I couldn’t call myself a Christian if I didn’t believe it.”
“I have to admit Aimee I don’t get all this Christian stuff.”
“Have you read the Bible?”
“No.”
“Do you attend church?”
“No.”
“Then there is your problem. How can you understand something if you don’t study it.”
“Ok I will give you that but even…”
“LJ do you understand the business world?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you understand business?”
“Because I have grown up in the business world.”
“So your dad taught you things about business as you grew up?”
“Yeah he and my grandfather.”
“Plus you are studying business in college. You are learning from other business people via internships and other events such as the one we are at tonight?”
“Yes.”
“So if you had never had any of these experiences it would be safe to say you don’t understand business?”
“Yes.”
“So, if you don’t go to church. Never read let alone study the Bible. How can you expect to understand it? You can’t understand something if you don’t try to learn about it. And I am not saying you will understand everything you read. But the main thing to understand and believe in is the birth, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
“So you are saying read to understand.”
“Yes and no. Would you invest in a business if you did not research the business and believe and trust the people you are going in business with? Or would you invest in something you do not have faith in?”
“Never.”
“You have to believe what you read and have faith in the Lord. If you do not believe in the words you read in the Bible and have faith in God then that could be why you don’t understand Christianity.
“But I understand all the business terminology.
“It’s not meant for us to understand everything LJ. I would say that even in business something is going to happen that you just don’t understand.”
“And you’re ok with not understanding everything?”
“I trust that God knows what is best for me. I trust that he sent his son to die on the cross and then brought him back three days later. I trust Him to reveal things to me when I need to know them.”
♥ ♥
She sat at the table behind Aimee listening to her conversations. She has grown into a strong independent woman. The lady loved how Aimee took up for herself with Mr. Edwards and his son. The appetizer mishap was funny. Prince Aiden has been a darling even taking the alcoholic beverage to exchange for non-alcoholic. Mr. X that’s what she will call him is snooping around for any other uninvited guests to the dinner.
Aimee was talking about her Christianity now. Lady Y that’s what she decided to call herself started taking notes LJ Edwards was getting close to Aimee. She didn’t like that at all perhaps Mr. X can diffuse that situation. She still needed an ally. A Mr. or Mrs. Z but so far Aimee has stayed close to Prince Aiden. She hasn’t mingle much at all.
♥ ♥
Aiden returned with two drinks for him and Aimee. He reached Aimee’s her drink and sat just as the waiter brought out the main course. Aimee looked at her bowl of soup. She was reluctant to try anything else tonight. Aiden took a spoonful and tasted his soup.”
“It’s good Aimee. It is Cheesy Potato soup. There is no goat cheese or beets in it. I promise.” He slyly grinned.
Aimee was looking at him with a questionable look on her face. “Aimee taste mine.”
Aiden dipped his spoon in the hot bowel of soup and careful brought the spoon to Aimee’s mouth holding one hand under so he could catch any spills. Aimee reached close to him as he put the spoon in her mouth. To her surprise the soup was good.
The soup was the only good food of the night the chicken was way too spicy and the vegetables seemed bland. When Sheridan joined the table LJ told her the food was not her best. Sheridan said they had hired a new chef and she has argued with him all night.
They listened to two more speakers before being encouraged to mingle. Sheridan said the Dessert was being delayed and that is why they had to mingle until the problem was resolved.
LJ escorted his sister to the kitchen to handle the chef. Aimee noticed his dad followed them in as well. Aimee and Aiden found a small group of students from there class in the back so they went to talk to them. It wasn’t long before someone asked her why she had chosen to come to Neahovia when there are lots of good Universities in the States.
Aimee keep her answer short. She told them she had done a mission trip in Neahovia and felt lead to come back here to study. She didn’t want to elaborate on her mom and grandmother so she said she also had ancestors from Neahovia and she wanted to learn more about her ancestors and the country they lived in.
Thirty minutes later a simple strawberry dessert was served. It was very good. They listened to a closing speech given by the Dean of Business School. They stopped and talked to a few more students on their way out. Aimee had decided the easiest way to make new friends outside of her flat was to focus on trying to get to know them in their smaller lab classes.
Aimee was sitting quietly in the car when Aiden finally made it out of the parking garage. “LJ talk you to death.”
“No, I am just thinking.”
“About what?”
“A couple of things. First did you notice how everyone ask you about what Ava was going to think of you bringing me to the dinner?”
“Aimee don’t worry about that.”
“It’s kind of hard not to. Do you think she will be mad?”
“Honestly yeah.”
“Aiden I am sorry I never thought about how this would look to her. I should have just took a taxi or something.”