Paradise Found

19

ELOISE

“Iam so looking forward to spending the day at the spa. I need some pampering … these long days are killing me.” Lauren groans as we get ready to head out on our day off.

It’s been an adjustment working on the island. The long days, the wild nights with staff, and the drama that causes, it’s like being back in high school some days. The money is great, and living in Paradise is an experience, but I’ve been working such long hours since arriving here that I haven’t been able to concentrate on my baking. There’s a part of me that regrets my decision to come here because my mind is on other things, and all I want to do is go back and start work on my business. Even after getting my money stolen, the rush of people coming and lining up for my goodies was the best feeling in the world. Yes, I have kept up with my social media, but there are so many people wanting to purchase my goodies from me back in London that if I had stayed, my business would be growing quickly and quite probably booming right now. I’d even settle on a market stall over a bricks-and-mortar shop after getting a taste for it before we left.

Thankfully, the chefs here let me come and play in the kitchens during quiet times, but it’s not enough, and my hands itch with the need to bake and create. I promised Lauren I would stay here for six months when we arrived, and I realized as beautiful as this place is, it’s isolating and intense. I also wasn’t expecting to miss baking as much as I have.

The six months are almost up, and we need to have a conversation about whether she’s going to stay behind or if she’s going to step off the island with me. Lauren’s having the best time here, and I feel bad for not enjoying it as much as she has been. I put a smile on my face for my girl because, after the support she has given me all these years, the least I can do is be there for her. Especially as I was the one who suggested we move halfway across the world in the first place.

Lauren and I set off from our villa we share with Sierra and Megan, who are two of the loveliest girls, and we are so grateful we were paired with them because there has been some nightmarish staff on the island. I don’t think I would have lasted the full six months if we had to share a room with some of these other girls—they are competitive, and some are totally insane. If I’d been allotted rooms with them, I would probably have been escorted off the island in handcuffs months ago.

“I need hot rocks and maybe a deep cleansing sauna, my muscles are tight,” Lauren states as we set off toward the spa area for our appointment.

After getting settled, I close my eyes, letting the professionals look after me for once, especially without the happy ending, unless it’s one of the guys who has magic fingers, then I might be persuaded to finish with a bang.

We walk along the back of the staff area before heading back onto the main pathways of the resort. Lauren and I have our black bracelets on to make sure people know that we are staff and not here to play. I breathe in a deep breath of the fresh rainforest air, and my muscles begin to relax, and my mind clears.

“Is that Sierra on the ground?” I look over at Lauren, whose eyes widen as she takes in our roommate on the ground clutching her ankle.

“Sierra,” I call out.

She looks up, and relief washes over her face as tears stream down her cheeks.

Lauren and I take off in a run to reach her.

“What happened?” Lauren asks, looking over at Sierra, whose face is twisted in pain.

“Stupidly, my foot got caught in a hole, and I ended up on my ass. I think I’ve broken it.” She looks up at the two of us.

“Shit! Can you move? Maybe we can get you to the medic?” I ask.

She shakes her head as she grits her teeth through the pain. “I tried and almost died from the pain, and I have a guest waiting for me.” She bursts out crying, more from the pain than the fact she is letting a guest down.

“Have you called anyone to come help you?” I ask.

When we’re working, we have a small device that we can use to contact our boss or any services we need.

“My fat ass smashed it when I fell. It doesn’t work. I’ve tried,” she answers, bursting into tears.

“It’s going to be okay. Don’t worry. We’re going to get you help. I’ll take your client,” I tell her.

Sierra shakes her head as more tears stream down her cheeks. “I can’t let you do that. You’ve been looking forward to this time off for weeks.”

“It’s fine. Would you rather owe me a favor or Kelsey?” I question.

Sierra’s eyes flare with fear, and she shakes her head quickly. No one ever wants to owe Kelsey a favor because she’ll make your life a living hell. She thinks she’s the queen bee of the staff on the island when really she’s nothing more than a mean girl with an over-inflated ego.

“Right, well, hand me your bangles and give me your top,” I tell Sierra.

We swap bracelets, and I pull on her staff polo. I’m not in work-issued shorts, but at least they look like they match the uniform. I only have my flip-flops on and no makeup, so I hope they like the natural look as this is what they are going to get.

“He’s booked in a happy ending massage. I was on my way before I did this,” Sierra states through gritted teeth.

That’s easy.What’s an hour out of my day to help a friend. “I can do that. We can sort out the rest of his stay once you’ve been looked after,” I tell her.

“I owe you big time, Elle,” Sierra says, looking up at me through her tear-soaked lashes.