Chapter Seven
-"Steve goes downstairs to talk to the manager and ask about renting their ballroom. They said sure they have several different sizes and different designs. He said I needed something that would accommodate about 100 people. There needs to be a dance floor, a band and DJ, and a lot of plumeria flowers. What kind of food? We both like seafood and sushi, but I want something a little fancy, so if you get me a mixture and what you recommend if you like. We can most definitely take care of it, commander. I need it to be special but not over the top. I got you, commander, and it will be. Now what date do you want it on? How about next Sat? He was sure everything would be over by then. Would you like us to send the invitation? We offer that service. How about if you do the invitations and send it to me. This is a surprise, so please don't let anyone outside of your employees know except anyone you will need to pull this off. I can handle it. Here is my cell and text or call with any questions. Sir, I forgot what kind of surprise party is it.
-"He turned around and said I am going to propose to the love of my life. Got it, and congrats. Steve was on cloud nine. He calls Kono. Kono, I need your help again. Sure boss. I am going to propose to Catherine on Sat, but it is going to be a surprise. I was wondering if you could get her to attend an event with you at the ballroom in Hilton. Make up some story. Congrats boss, and sure, I can do it and make her believe it. Keep this on the down low; I am not sending out the invite until the last minute, so no one will ruin or try to spoil it. I trust Chin, so I will tell him. Perfect, and I can't wait. Steve called Chin, and he was also thrilled for Steve because he knew Steve only loved Catherine, and she was perfect for him. Now he needs to figure out how to get Mary and her parents here if he can; otherwise, he could see if they could Zoom and livestream. Maybe Gracie or Jerry could help with what is needed. He was so happy and next Sat he would asked the love of his life to marry him. He wishes Freddy and his Dad could be there. Freddy loved Catherine, and the last thing he told him was to try not to mess it up, and it was the real deal. He is sorry he didn't listen, but now he was ready to make amends for his stupid lapse in judgment.
-"Joe was calling. Hey son, good news. The director will meet with us on next Thursday. Steve was panic because they would have to go to Washington, but he could still get back in time for a party on Sat. It would be cutting it close. Then Joe said she was coming to Hawaii to their office for a meeting, so we don't even have to fly there. Steve couldn't believe it, this was even better. Let meet at our place on Sat to go over everything and how we will present it. Sounds good. Thank you Joe. you welcome, son. By the way next Sat I am going to ask Catherine to marry me. I am planning a surprise engagement party. It's about damn time, son, and I am so happy for you two. You know I am never wrong, and I told you from day one that she was the one. You are just so stubborn and hardhead to listen. Bye Joe, see you Sat.
-"Steve was over the moon. He went home to shower and change his clothes. He heard a knock on the door. It was Lynn. Lynn, what are you doing here? I came to check on you. Look, I told you we are over, and do not call or text me again. I am with Catherine. The other night you were with me and happy about it. I didn't know you were going to be there, and I was smiling at the camera, not you. Please go find someone else because it's not going to be me. She asked if she could come in, and he said no and closed the door.
-"She was pissed and called Melissa. Can you believe he slam the door in my face? I told you not to go over there and piss him off that he wouldn't like that and think you are stalking him. You probably messed up any good grace you had. Melissa, you are not helping, and you are supposed to be on my side. I am on your side, but with Steve, we need to tread lightly. Danny said he doesn't like to be pushed or feel trapped in anything. He has to be in control and does it on his own. I am sorry, Melissa, and you are right. I just sent him a quick text and apologized, so he might get fooled that I got it. Yeah, that might work. She sends Steve a quick text, but she doesn't know he has blocked her. She didn't notice her message didn't say delivered like it had in the past. Steve was through trying to be nice because he did feel some guilt for leading her on. He doesn't care anymore. He blocks her from his cell and email. I told the guard not to let her come in if she showed up. She had never been there before, but he didn't trust her now. He also told the main operator no call, and he blocked her number from his direct number office phone. He had Jerry help him do that. There is no way for her to contact him directly anymore. He was just thinking a week from now, the CIA would be behind them, and on Sat he would ask Catherine to marry him.
-"Melissa told Danny what happened. He said we told her not to push Steve. I think she gets it now. Okay, I continue to work on Steve. By Daniel. Danny calls Steve to check on him and to try to smooth things over about Lynn. Melissa called me about what Lynn did, and she felt horrible about it. She just cares about you so much and wants to make sure you are okay. Danny, do not talk to me about Lynn ever again. I am with Catherine and want nothing to do with Lynn. Give it a rest. Okay, buddy, but remember she was there for you when Catherine was away. Steve hung up; he was sick of Danny's constantly budding in. He was wondering if he should even invite him to the engagement party. Danny was his brother and best friend, regardless of how he was acting now. He wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him, and he knew he just wanted to see Steve happy. He was at Steve's side helping him when Catherine left the second time, and he knew he would come around once he learned the truth. He hopes he doesn't have to shoot him before he shares the truth. He chuckles at that.
-"The hotel called and said everything was all set for next Sat. You guys are quick. We aim to please, sir. I will send the invitation over to you by tomorrow. Great, and thanks again. Hey, can I get you to send three dozen of roses up to room 404? With a note saying to my beautiful Lieutenant, who always makes my day better. Love you, Steve. You got it, sir.
-"Catherine was getting ready to head out to the pool, to unwind and get some sun. She heard a knock and thought it might be Steve. Instead, it was a delivery guy with three dozen roses. For you, ma'am. Let me get you a tip, no need it been taken care of. Catherine couldn't believe she got flowers from Steve; he had never done this before and three dozen. He really was making good on his promise. She couldn't help smiling. she took a selfie with them and sent it to him. Thank you Commander, you are the best, and I love you.
-" He called her, where did those flowers come with a stern voice. You didn't send them; I just assumed they were from you. Let me read the card. Cath, I am teasing they are from me. Okay, mister, you are asking for it. Sorry, I am glad you like them. What are you doing? Head to the pool for sun and try to relax a little. I got a surprise for you. Oh yeah, what Joe called and our meeting with the director is next Thursday. That's awesome, Steve! So, do I need to go ahead and book our tickets? No, because she will be in Oahu for a meeting with the local CIA office. That is great. So you, me, Joe, Jerry and Kono. Yes, I told Kono I would meet at our place on Sat to go over everything to make sure we have everything to convince the Director. Can it finally be over Steve? I don't want to leave but stay here with you. I think it will Cath. I am going to call my Dad and let him know. He might want to be at the meeting; he is well-known, has a lot of pull, and is respected. It couldn't hurt. Let me know. I see you later. Love you, love you two. If her Dad comes for the meeting, he could be here for the engagement party on Sat.
-" Now he needs to call Mary; he needs time to get his thoughts before calling her because she asks a lot of questions and will have a hard time keeping it a secret. She might tell Danny too earlier, and he will tell everyone. Steve finished up everything he had to do at the house. He took some of his meds now and the ones he will need to take when he is at Catherine before going to bed. He wanted her to come home now, but he knew the situation with Lynn would be best if she stayed at the hotel. Once he ask her to marry her, he prays it would be an end to her craziness and Danny and Lou.
-"He got a card to Catherine's room, so he let himself in. Hey you, she was sitting on the sofa reading. She did that when she needed to escape and relax. He planted a kiss on her and sat down beside her. Did you talk to your Dad? Yeah, he said he was coming and he might help with his influence since he knew a lot of people in high places also. He said Mom wanted to come and visit with me. I said that would be great; I hope you don't mind. No, I think it would be perfect.
-" Lieutenant, I think you are overdressed as he hovers over her. Oh really, well so are you, Commander. Let's take care of our problem now. He lifts her up and throws he on the bed and rips her clothes off and then his. After making love, he held Catherine, and I don't think I can thank you enough for everything you did for me and for loving me unconditionally when I didn't give you a lot to hold on to. But I did, and I am glad you did. I think you are doing great by showing me, but it is not enough for now. So get to work, Commander. Yes, ma'am. They both fell asleep with happy smiles, praying they would be together forever after Thursday.
-" Lynn came over to Danny & Melissa for dinner. They talk about having the waiters tell Catherine about finding the ring after getting out of his bed and how he swears he was over her. Danny thought that was good. Then he really betrays Steve and tells her about the time they went fishing, and Steve says she is not his girlfriend. That he didn't acknowledge it after all the years they had been together. It had to be a reason beside him being afraid. Wow, he told you that! Yeah, he said they just had a thing, and she never knew. She thought he never did because they didn't put labels on anything. Lynn was thoughtful; this could put her over the edge if she knew he was going around telling people in the beginning that she was not his girlfriend. I have a question: how can I pass this info on to her? If she likes any woman, she is going to be pissed that she was with him and he was telling people behind his back she wasn't her girlfriend. I don't know about people, but he told me, and I told Lou. He knows I probably told Melissa, so he will think it came from you. Maybe we can work it that way because he knows you tell each other everything. Let's do social media gain and say what you would do if you think your boyfriend is saying behind your back, telling his friends you are not his girlfriend. I don't know if that will work because we did that before, and they might put two and two together. What do we do?
-" Lynn said she doesn't know, I know she is staying at the Hilton. Maybe I could use the waitress again; I am not sure she do it again because she felt bad for Catherine last time. What do we do? We need to make sure she knows, and I no Catherine will be so hurt that Steve ever said this to me. She might go ahead and leave. They decide they need to give it some more thought before going ahead with their plan. It had to be convincing and inattention.
-"Steve got up the next morning and said he was going to stop in the office, and Catherine wanted to do some shopping. They kiss each other goodbye. Catherine ran into the waitress she was talking to the other day. She could tell she was feeling happy. Good morning, you seen a lot happier today. I am and heading out to do some shopping. There is a shop I know that always has a lot of good stuff and has great sales. What is the name of it? I check it out. I have been away for a while, so this will help. The waitress really didn't have any bad motive in mind when she told Catherine. She did like that shop very much. Catherine heads out and decides to check it out.
-"Lynn called the waitress to see if there was anything new to report, and she really didn't because she was no longer spying on Catherine; something told her it wasn't right. Lynn could tell she knew something; if you don't tell me, I am going to tell your boss you've been taking bribes and spying on your guests. She said fine, but this is it, and I will no longer help you. She going shopping and said she would check out this place I told you about at the mall. What was the name of the place? She told Lynn and said don't call me again? She now realizes Lynn is a bad person, but she couldn't lose her job.
-" Lynn called Melissa. We need to get to the mall now because Catherine is on her way, and this is perfect. We make sure we are near her dressing room and pretend we don't know she is there. We have no way of knowing she is in the dressing room next door. They shop at the mall all the time. Yeah, we can make this work. I pick you up in 15. We wait and watch for her to go into the dressing room, and then we get the one next to her or as close as we can. We make sure she hears us.
-" Catherine was feeling so happy; things were coming together for her and Steve. She saw the shop, the one that that waitress mentioned, and she decided to check it out. She thought she was seeing some great outfits, and the price was reasonable. She tried a couple of outfits because she had lost some weight. She doesn't see Lyn and Melissa watching from a corner because they are behind a bunch of displays with clothes. They were able to see what dressing room she was in, and once she closed the door. They went back, and luck would have it, the one next door was open. They pretend at first, Lyn, that looks great on you. Melissa said I told you I shop here all the time and the prices are great. I love their clothes.
-" Catherine can't believe they are here. She wants to get out of there before they see her because she doesn't want any confrontation. She heard Melissa say, I couldn't believe it when Daniel told me that when she first came back to the island permanently, while they were fishing, he said she was not his girlfriend. What I thought they were together back then? He did too because she was always with him, helping him with his Mother. Daniel said all they had was a thing. Yeah, he must not really cared about her like he said because who denies that she is your girlfriend? Danny said something about not putting a label on their relationship. Yeah, Daniel said he thinks maybe he got used to her being around and needing her help. I guess he is not all that into her.
-"Catherine was hurt, but she wouldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing she was there. She quickly changed back into her clothes and ran to her car. I can't believe he said that to Danny. I know we didn't use labels, but to say that Danny and he were probably making fun of her behind her back. He probably told Melissa, and she was sure he probably told Lou, but she was not sure of anyone else. Catherine had to sit and think and not act rashly. She decided to call Steve and give him a chance to explain.
-" Hi Cath, can you meet me in my room? Sure, is anything wrong? I just want to talk to you about something. Okay, I will be there shortly. Steve enters and sees Cath on the sofa, looking all sad. What wrong? I was in this store trying on some outfits when Lynn and Melissa came in later and were in the dressing room next door. I know they had no way of knowing I was there, and it was a coincidence. Steve was not so sure. I heard Melissa telling her that Danny had told her that time you went fishing and was boat jack, you told him I wasn't your girlfriend and that we just had a thing. You just got used to me being around and I was helping to find your Mom. Did you say that to Danny?
A/N: Will Catherine forgive Steve for saying she was not his girlfriend!