“Good morning, Miss Wellington,” offered Lily, my waitress of the past few days. I’d seen her coming across the sand to my lounge chair. “Would you like me to recommend something for lunch today?”
I’d only been there a few days, but the staff had already seemed to pick up on my patterns. I nodded. “Just don’t make it seafood again today.”
Lily chuckled. “How about Mexican? Maybe Thai? Italian food?”
They all sounded wonderful to me right now because I was starving. I had passed on breakfast but the current grumbling of my stomach told me that hadn’t been a wise choice. “Why don’t you surprise me?”
Lily wore an expression of shock and dismay. “You really want me to pick for you?” I nodded, and she added, “I’d rather not. Not after the last person who asked me to do so. Let’s just say he was far from happy with the choice.”
I raised an eyebrow and asked, “What did you bring him?” I couldn’t think of any foods that I don’t like, but maybe the man was picky.
“My favorite. Liver and onions.”
Point taken. “Can you find me a Cobb salad?”
Lily smiled. “You’ll be much happier with that, I think.”
There’s no question about that.
As Lily trotted off with my order, I slipped my headphones back on and turned my attention to the waves crashing onto the beach. I might not make it off-property to explore Tabiq, but I had to admit the ocean view and amenities here were top-notch. It just would’ve been better if I had come with a friend. Most people here were already coupled up. The whole resort was a hidden getaway for lovers. My job as an attorney keeps me so busy I don’t have time to prioritize romance. And after spending all day in court defending my client, there’s just no energy left for dating. I can barely remember how long it’s been since I’ve been with a man. God, that’s sad to admit. I’m young and have needs. God, I have needs.
Off to the right I could see a man caressing a woman’s back as he kissed her neck. I turned to my left and there was another couple in an intimate embrace. And here I was, sitting on the beach with a hot and spicy romance novel to keep me company.
I grabbed my cell phone and turned the volume up, hoping the sound of some rock ‘n roll blasting my ears would help drown out the sexual frustration building within me.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and I practically jumped out of my skin. I pulled my headphones off and spun around to find Lily standing there with my complimentary Bloody Mary in her hand. Or at least it was in her hand. She was equally startled. The contents of the glass headed in my direction, and unfortunately down the front of my white bikini top.
Well, that’s one way to chill my frustration.
Lily gasped. “Oh my God! I’m so sorry. I’ll pay for the cleaning. I didn’t mean to.”
I could tell from the way she looked around that she was afraid someone might have seen. I have no idea why she was so afraid. It was a simple accident. The management of New Hope Resort can’t be so strict that she’d be afraid of making a small mistake like this. But her demeanor said otherwise.
“Lily, don’t worry about it. It wasn’t your fault. It was mine. I knocked the glass when I turned around,” I said, knowing that wasn’t the truth. But I wanted to ease her mind. I would feel horrible if she got in trouble because of something so minute.
“No. It was my fault.”
I could see out of the corner of my eye that there was someone, maybe a custodian or housekeeper, I wasn’t sure-but they seemed to be watching Lily. And it seemed to be making her even more uneasy. I tried again and said, “I’m a total klutz. This happens to me all the time.” Once again, another lie. “At least it was something cold this time. Usually I knock soup out of someone’s hand.”
The person who had been watching Lily disappeared. She seemed to have noticed it, too. She let out a sigh of relief and responded, “I guess it could have been worse.”
I tried to lighten the mood and added, “Yes, it could have been my lunch.” I laughed and eventually Lily seemed to relax.
“Did you want me to bring your Cobb salad out now?”
I shook my head. “I think I’ll have it in my room. A shower is in order,” I said, hating the sticky feeling that still lingered on my chest.
Lily said, “I’ll have Rae bring it up to you.”
That sounded good. It would give me time not to just shower, but to see if Rae was as jittery as Lily was. I collected my beach things and trudged back towards the hotel.
This is what I’ve come halfway across the world to deal with, other people’s issues? I laughed at myself. That’s what I’d been was trying to get away from in taking this trip. But the truth is, everyone has issues–it’s just that some issues are greater than others. Right now, I needed to find out if Lily was actually having any or if it was just my imagination.
I had told her I was going to my room to take a shower, which I desperately needed. But first I would make a stop at the lobby. If I could find a manager or even one of the owners, I could gain some insight as to what might be going on. Likely they’d tell me it was none of my business, which is fair. I was a foreigner here, unfamiliar with the cultural norms. It’s hard sometimes imagining ways of living that are not as free my life in the United States.
I struggled with the door to enter the building, as I had my beach blanket, my bag, my book, and also half a Bloody Mary all in my hands. Desperately, I raised my foot and pressed on the handle to open the door.
“It’s probably easier just to ask for help,” a deep, husky voice said from behind me.
I shouldn’t have for help if a staff member sees me struggling. Come on, man. “I wouldn’t want to put you out,” I said sarcastically, as I walked through the door and let it slam behind me. Something inside me said it was probably the same guy who was watching Lily. His voice was strong and powerful, and was filled with authority.
But I don’t answer to you. I don’t answer to anyone.
I didn’t even bother turning around. All I did was make me want to speak to the owners even more. Instead of stopping at the lobby as I had planned, I headed straight to my room and threw down my belongings. I showered quickly and put on a casual sundress and a pair of sandals. If I wanted the owners to take me seriously, it was probably better to do it when I wasn’t in a bikini.
Freshly recharged, I walked down to the welcome desk. “Is the manager available?” I asked.
The woman behind the counter smiled brightly and said, “Good afternoon, Miss Wellington. He is actually in a meeting right now, but I could definitely let him know you’d like to speak to him once he’s free. Unless it’s something urgent, and I will most definitely get him a message promptly.”
It really wasn’t urgent. It just was a feeling I had. What was I supposed to tell the manager? I think one of your employees might feel threatened by another one of your employees, but I have no proof? That didn’t make any sense. Most likely the only thing I would accomplish was getting Lily in trouble. And if she was afraid of that man who was watching her, it might be more trouble than I could handle. I’m great in a court of law. I’m just not physically capable of defending another human being. And my gut tells me she needs protecting.