Eve, and her Adam

Chapter 8 (Part 2)

February 17, 2020, Monday

Reiji's office were various shades of brown. From the ornate desk, to the leather chairs, walls, curtains, and borders of the built in bookshelves. Liz glanced at the bookshelves and saw books of varying sizes and dinner plates displayed upright as decoration.

"Please take a seat Elizabeth," Reiji said motioning to the high back leather chairs parallel to the fireplace. She saw a side table next to one of the chairs with folders and binders stacked on it. She assumed that was his seat. The leather squeaked a little as she sat down and placed her phone on the armrest.

Reiji removed his suit coat then disappeared into another doorway. Liz took this opportunity to look around the room with her eyes. She stared at one of the porcelain blue and white plates. It had a coiled Chinese dragon in the center surrounded by blue clouds. I'll have to ask him if it's real 18th Century Chinese plate or a copy.

Reiji came out a couple minutes later with a tray holding a tea set. He placed it on the center table between the two of them. It was a basic white set with a silver rim around the teapot, two cups and saucers. His movements were fluid and precise as he poured the tea. He handed her a saucer and cup and placed his own on his side table. She nervously held the little saucer on her thighs.

"You're probably wondering what these papers are," he started. "It's all the information I've acquired about you, and we're going to go over it." Here we go, my life's story then. He took a folder from on top of the pile and glanced at the papers. That familiar pounding crept into her chest. "Elizabeth Marie Peretti. Born on March 1st, 1990 at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland at 3:03 PM. Your mother was Lauren Engel Peretti, born May 18th, 1961, and died on October 26th, 2018. Your father was Paul Marcus Peretti. Born on July 9th, 1958, and died on May 31st, 2019. Is this correct?"

"Yes." Shit, this is gonna suck. She lifted the cup to her lips and blew on it before taking a tiny sip.

"What did your father do for a living?"

"He was an IT supervisor for a company that did the computer programming in the Capital. Basically, he set up and fixed their computers."

"And your mother?"

"Massage therapist."

"You took gymnastics from age 5 to 9, then ballet from 11-13. Do you recall why to left these activities?"

"I left gymnastics because of my appendicitis, and ballet due to back and knee problems."

"I see. Then in high school you took Broadway dance classes?"

"Yes, they were just summer programs in New York."

"Did you want to become a professional dancer?"

"No, it was just for fun."

He flipped through another folder. "You graduated high school in 2008 with all honors, then attended Penn State University. You have a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. Why did you choose that subject?"

"Because the history of art is my passion. I enjoy talking about and analyzing art from different periods. I -"

"What career did you expect from this major?" he said cutting her off.

Liz was taken aback. "Uh, I could teach, be a tour guide, write books, articles, or curate galleries."

"I did read your thesis. Interesting topic. We can discuss that at another time." Wait? How did he read my thesis? Did he hack my laptop or is he bluffing? "Now, onto other matters." Reiji took a drink of his tea and so did Liz. "In college, you attended the Todi, Italy: Italian Language, Art History, and Culture Program. Tell me about that."