Draping her newly purchased head scarf around her heard and allowing it to fall gracefully across her neck and over the shoulders, she was pleased how feminine it looked. They were going to a public place for dinner and she didn't want to draw attention to her and Abdoul. Her blond hair would bring stares; a European woman and Arab man were unusual being together even if there was a large French influence in Marrakech.
"You are looking lovely tonight Anna." Abdoul was on time and very handsome. He was wearing dark gray slacks and a pale peach color shirt that complimented his flawless olive skin.
"And you also. Been looking forward to this evening with wonderful anticipation." Annie being a little nervy on her remark.
"Shall we. I've made dinner reservations at Theatre Royal restaurant, they have excellent food."
As they were in walking distance of her hotel they decided to walk. Abdoul gently holding Annie's arm just above the elbow, the same as Auggie did, however instead of her leading, she was being tenderly guided with a caring touch. The couple strolled together stopping briefly to browse a jewelry shop. Annie was admiring a pair of sterling silver earrings when Abdoul lean over her shoulder.
"They would go well with your scarf. Please allow me to buy them for you."
"Oh thank you but I couldn't."
"You are helping me with my art purchased just a little something to say I appreciate your assistance."
Not taking no for an answer, Abdoul watched with pleasure Annie put on her new earrings. They were beautiful Moroccan style drop earrings with delicate detail in silver and did look superb complimenting her hot pink scarf with silver thread trim embroidery. Such a lovely gift.
It was the opening night performance of Cirque du Soleil - Kooza and the restaurant was filled with theater goers; there was a circus like atmosphere by the way of music and banners of Cirque du Soleil performers. Being shown to a cozy out of the way table near the back, Annie was seated so she could see the main entrance to the dining hall but Abdoul couldn't.
"Since you are a guest in my country would you mind if I order for both of us." Abdoul with a warm and sincere smile.
"Yes, please." Annie was enjoying the gracious manner of Abdoul, he's considerate of her.
Abdoul ordering fine French wine, the meal of seared White Sturgeon with Caviar Beurre Blanc and Carrot and Celeriac Remoulade.
"Very French Abdoul. Makes me feel at home." Annie slipping her wine and giving a warm alluring smile and tender look.
"In honor of my guest. I want you to feel comfortable with me. You are a beautiful woman Anna Maria." Abdoul starting to feel his way with Annie and being a tidbit forward.
"Very comfortable Abdoul. You are gracious and a gentleman, I'm enjoying this evening."
"Tell me Anna, how long have you and Mario Donati been working together?"
"Not that long, a little over a year now. Why."
"I would like your opinion of him. I'm thinking about doing some business with him, you know purchase some art work."
"Well he is knowledgeable in the art world and I have found him to be an honest broker with his dealings." Annie was laying the ground work for Eyal's meeting the next day.
"Anything else, his likes or dislikes."
"I don't know him that well but." She paused a second, "Well let's say that his art broker business is his love and not his main line of work." There, she got the plug in for Eyal's second line of work.
"Oh, what makes you say that?"
"He is a wealthy person and not from dealing in art, one only makes a small commission on what he brokers. Once I also over hear a conversation he had about his warehouses. I'm almost sure he has another line of work."
"Interesting, an art dealer for the love of it." Abdoul thanking the waiter with a nod as dinner was being served.
"How did you meet Mario?"
"In Zurich, at an auction. He was representing a friend of mine in purchasing several pieces of art. Is that important?"
"No, just wanting to know something about who I may be doing business with, that's all."
"This meal is wonderful a true flair of home." Annie trying to change the subject, enough had been said about Eyal's cover.
As the waiter was leaving the table, Annie noticed Rita entering the front and looking around. Abdoul was busy with pouring more wine and Annie watched hoping Rita wouldn't see them. Just as quickly as Rita had appeared so did Eyal, taking Rita by the arm and turning her toward him. A few words were exchanged and Eyal wrapping his arm around her, kissing her on the neck, the guided her out of the restaurant. The aching knot tighten in her stomach, there was way too much familiarity between them, too much affection.
"Something wrong with your food?"
"Oh no, everything is fine. Just though I saw someone I knew but can't be here in Morocco. It's my first trip."
"Who did you think was there?"
"The woman you were with the other night but I must be mistaken."
Abdoul looking around at the door but seeing no one. "Could have been her."
"You seem to be a couple the other night or am I getting to personal." Annie wanting to know the extent of their relationship and just how close Rita had gotten to Abdoul.
"She may think we are but most differently not. Kaliyah Antar is an opportunist."
"An opportunist?"
"Enough talk about other people. Tonight belongs to us, let's enjoy it."
Annie knew she was not dealing with any run of the mill guy but Abdoul was quick minded and intelligent. Seeing Rita as an opportunist was a signal that he would be on guard around her. Could Annie keep her cover, penetrate his guarded protection and get closer to Abdoul. She presumed Rita was using sex as her leverage so Annie would have to play the opposite game, the refine lady from Paris.
The performance of Cirque du Soleil - Kooza was electrifying and beautiful. A wonderful evening without any more conversations about Eyal or Rita. As they walk back toward the hotel, Annie took his arm and lean a little closer to Abdoul.
"Lovely night and still young, how about taking a drive?"
"Wonderful idea Anna, I can show what Marrakech looks like at night. The city really comes to life after sunset." He leading the way to his Mercedes-Benz and holding the door open for her.
As he walked around the back of the car, Annie slipped the tracking device under the right seat and into a tight spot and activated it. This device has a 120 hour battery chip and hopefully that would be enough time to locate the training camp.
"I know a spot where we can view the lights of Marrakech and have a nightcap. It's a private club." Abdoul starting his car and glazing at Annie in an adoring way for suggesting a drive.
The exclusive club was on the top floor of a tall office building on the edge of the main city. Soft music was playing as they entered a lounge of excellence, beautifully decorated in the Moroccan style and very inviting. Sitting at a low table with over filled pillows, they took in the grandeur of the city. He orders a drink she was unfamiliar with, a chocolate mint tea with a light touch of vodka. It was a dream fill romantic night if only she was with the right man. As they were leaving, Eyal came into her mind and the vision of him and Rita. That unhappy feeling returned but she was good and covering it up, instead she turned her warm attentions to Abdoul.
Standing in the lobby of her hotel, she was thinking about asking him up to her room but he was the one to speak first.
"Anna this has been a wonderful evening and I would like to see you again. Look I have to be out-of-town for a few days but when I return, maybe we can have another date."
"Yes, I would like that but I will be leaving for Tangier the middle of next week. I still have more research to do there."
"Perfect, I have a yacht anchored there, perhaps a short cruise."
"Perhaps. Thank you." Annie slightly tilting her chin upward with a smile.
"Thank you." Abdoul gently lifting Annie's face to his with a kiss, a pleasant kiss but not the wanting kind. More like the first kiss Eyal had given her and left her wanted for more.
"I'll give you a call in a few days. Good night my dear Anna." Leaving her in amazement and how gentle he was and attentive. Touching her lips, she had to bring herself back to the fact he was a terrorist and her mission's target.
It was a little after midnight when Annie reached her room. Opening her laptop to check Abdoul's movements, he was not headed out of town but to an upper-class residential section. Pulling off her head scarf, grabbing the camera with a long-range lens and the laptop she going to follow Abdoul and get eyes on his home in town. That was surely where he would be headed.
Parking a ways down the street, she could see Abdoul standing near a light and he was talking with a woman. Looking through the camera, she saw it was Rita and oh how she wished she could hear the conversation.
"Wonder who is following whom." The low voice of Eyal asked as he open the door of Annie's car and slid into the seat beside her.