He called her next day during her lunch break.
"My flight is delayed so I'm still stuck at the airport," he said.
"That's too bad," she said while chewing on the last bite of bread from her meal.
"Any chance you can come hang out with me?" He asked.
"I wish. I don't think it's too wise of me to ask for more time off after last week," she answered.
"I know. Can't blame a guy for trying, right?" He said and laughed.
She pushed the plate away and took a sip of the water in front of her.
"So how long are you stuck here?" She asked.
"Not too long. They say we will take off in an hour," he answered.
"That's soon enough for you to get there before it gets too late," she said.
"Yeah. Oh... I was thinking. Next week from Monday till Wednesday we will be in my home town. I'd like to fly you out here," he said.
"I wish I could give you an answer right now but I gotta think about it. I don't know if I can get time off or come up with an excuse," she said.
"We got time to work something out. And if you can't, it's totally okay. I mean, you'll break my heart but I'll survive," he said and chuckled a bit.
"Break your heart? Being a dramaqueen now, are we?" She asked and chuckled back.
"Being stuck at an airport does that to you. Anyway, as I said, it's my home town so you can stay with me in my house," he said.
She held her breath and didn't answer.
"Or I'll get you a hotel room if you're more comfortable with that," he said, hoping she wouldn't take him up on that offer.
"I don't know, Roman," she said.
"Who is it?" She heard Bray's voice through the phone.
"It's Yasmin," Roman answered.
She heard some commotion.
"Hey, give that back," Roman hissed.
"Little one!" Bray's voice was right in her ear.
"Hey Bray, stuck at the airport together with Roman, eh?" She asked.
"Yeah, and all he does is talk about you," Bray answered and laughed.
"Shut up!" Roman hissed somewhere near by the phone.
"Do me a favour and say yes to seeing him again before he drives me crazy. I have to be around him every day. Besides, I miss you too," Bray said.
"I'll try. I can't make any promises. Alright?" She said.
"Alright, little one. You're getting the big dog again before he chews off my head," Bray said and handed the phone back to Roman.
"Sorry about that," he said once he was back on the phone with her.
"It's okay. I like Bray. He's a funny man," she said.
"I won't tell him that and give his confidence that boost. I'll never hear the end of it if I do," he said.
She laughed a little.
"Anyway, I gotta go. They're finally letting us board the plane. Stay safe, okay?" He said.
"You too," she said and hung up.
Later that day Rudy called her into his office.
"Please sit down," he said.
She felt nervous as she sat down. He never called her in for a conversation.
"Have I done something wrong?" She asked.
"What? No no, nothing at all. You have nothing to worry about," he said as he handed her a piece of paper.
She read it. It was a letter saying that the people working there had to go away on a teambuilding trip.
"What's this?" She asked.
"That is your cover," he said.
"My cover for what?" She asked, feeling confused.
"Roman called me. He told me he's like to fly you out Monday till Wednesday next week and that you needed to get time off work and a cover at home. He asked for my help. This is me helping," he answered.
"Oh my god!" She blurted out.
"Please tell me you're happy," he said.
"I am. Thank you," she said and smiled.
She got up and walked to the door. Before opening it she turned towards him.
"If you don't mind me asking, why are you helping me?" She asked.
"Oh Yasmin, you're such a sweet woman and you don't even see your own worth. I'm doing it because you deserve it. And because Roman promised me an exclusive interview next time he's back in this town," he said and laughed.
"Thank you so much," she said.
She opened the door and walked out.
Later when she came home she handed Carlos the letter.
"I'm supposed to go away next week for some teambuilding with work," she said.
He read the letter.
"Why? You've never done that before," he said.
"I don't know. The boss just said we needed to do it. It's mandatory. I'll lose my job if I don't go," she said.
She was surprised how easy it was for her to lie to him.
"Guess I can't stop you then," he said and walked out of the room.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm going out!" He yelled.
She heard him slam the door. She took out her phone and called Roman.
"Guess what," she said.
"What?" He asked.
"I'm coming to see you next week," she answered.
"That's so good to hear. I can't wait to see you again," he said.
"Thank you for calling Rudy and getting him to help," she said.
"No problem. Now, I hate asking this but I need to know. You want me to book you a hotel room or you wanna stay at my place?" He asked.
She thought about it for a few seconds. She knew what she was supposed to answer but she just couldn't do it.
"Your place," she said.
He let out a sound and she could just imagine him smiling on the other end of the line.
"Don't worry, I have a guest room for you," he said.
"Perfect," she said.
