***
Blake was just sitting at her office desk working when a loud knock on the door disturbed her thoughts. She looked up from her laptop and called out, “Come in!”
The door swung open and in walked Bassem or Basil. Blake was not sure which one of the brothers it was. She rose to her feet and stared at the tall, muscular, handsome man as he walked towards her. She studied him for clues as to his identity.
“Basil,” she said at last. He flashed a toothy grin.
“How could you tell?” he asked her.
“Your side parting is on the right side.”
Basil laughed. “I’ll make sure to part from the left side next time,” he said. He leaned over the desk and pressed his lips against Blake’s right cheek. She raised her eyebrows in response. She wasn’t expecting him to kiss her nor was she used to him. It felt like it was Bassem kissing her and it made her feel nervous.
“Have a seat,” she said to him. Basil lowered himself into the black tufted chair and made himself comfortable. He put a plastic bag on the table and started fishing out the contents. Blake stared at him wondering what he had.
“I brought lunch,” he said to her.
“Lunch?”
Basil opened the containers and gave Blake a fork. “Pita bread, lamb, hummus and ice cream,” he said.
“Sounds good.” Blake took the fork from him, then took a small piece of the lamb and put it in her mouth. She savored the taste as she chewed. “Tastes good.”
“Arabic food tastes good.” Basil started eating also.
“So, what brings you to my office?”
“I came to apologize for impersonating my brother.”
“Do you trick people often?”
“I am a twin.” Basil shrugged his shoulders. “Of course, I would use that to have some fun.”
Blake shook her head. “You don’t know how awkward it was to face your brother after meeting you. I just couldn’t understand why he was acting as though nothing happened. I was starting to get offended,” she said. Basil burst into laughter.
“That’s so funny,” he said.
“It wasn’t funny for me,” Blake said, but then she laughed a little. Now that the misunderstanding had been resolved, she found the whole situation a little amusing.
“How is it working with my brother?”
“It’s fine.”
Basil raised his eyebrows. “I don’t believe you,” he said.
“Why not?”
“He’s a perfectionist, a strict, short-tempered perfectionist. I can’t imagine that it’s easy working with him.”
Blake smiled. “I like working with people that know what they want,” she said.
“I see.”
“How did you even know where I work?” Blake asked. She had never told him where she worked.
“My brother told me.” Basil leaned back in his chair. “I don’t see a ring on your finger.”
“I’m only twenty-six; there is no rush to get married.”
“Boyfriend?”
“No.”
Basil finished his lamb and then moved on to the ice cream. “Why architecture?” he asked.
“Huh?”
“Why did you become an architect?”
“I always had an interest in buildings and I’ve always been good at drawing and designing things.”
“That simple?”
“Yes.” Blake laughed. “There’s no specific reason as to why I chose this career. I guess I just knew from an early age that this is what I wanted, and I’ve never thought about anything else,” she added.
“And you’re enjoying your job?”
“Yes, I love it.” Blake opened the small container with her ice cream that Basil had bought for her. She smiled when she saw so many sweet toppings on her ice cream.
“I knew you’d like it,” Basil said to her. Blake laughed.
“Thank you.”
Blake and Basil talked more about her job and about her life. He was very friendly and easy to talk to. Blake was glad that Basil had come to visit her because she had enjoyed a free meal and good company.