"If you don't call, I'm coming over," she said resolutely. I nodded. She let me go. I knocked loudly on Joseph's door. He barked for me to come inside.
"Mr. Kalo, I-"
"Back already?" he asked, cutting me off.
"Yes, sir. I know its short notice, but I have to ask for the rest of the day off," I said hurriedly.
"Today isn't your day off," he said.
"I know, but it’s an emergency. I have to... I can't.... I would never ask for this unless I had to," I said desperately.
"What's the matter with you? Are you sick?" he asked.
"I'm just not feeling very good after that hike," I said. I was barely hanging on, I didn't want to cry in front of my boss, but I was getting very close to doing just that.
"I can't let you go today," he said.
A sob fought its way out of my mouth before I could stop it. I clamped my hand over my mouth to stop myself, but I was too late. I was already gone. I bent in half, sobbing. I felt like my whole world had just shattered, and everything I had built for myself in Lanai was going to be ruined.
"Oh my God," I heard Joseph say over my sobs. I heard him move and felt his hands on my back. "Just leave. Take the rest of the day off and come back tomorrow," he said awkwardly. I tried to speak to thank him, but I couldn't. He patted my back woodenly, gently ushering me outside.
I went back to the changing room and washed my face. God. How embarrassing. I quickly left, not bothering to change out of my hiking gear. I just needed a minute. I’d be fine after a couple hours alone.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Nate
It was about lunch time when I got back to the resort. Noon: the time I'd usually be getting up. This was nice. You actually got a lot done when you woke up earlier in the day. Who knew?
I wanted to see Abby. Her boss and I had an understanding. I'd just ask him to let me steal her away on a tour of the island or something. He'd let her if it was me. I wanted to start now. We'd go out to eat or something. Or even stay in my suite together and order food up. Go to the beach, stay at her house. Anything. I just wanted it to be with her.
I got to the main building, making a beeline for the desk before I stopped short. The person there wasn't a gorgeous, petite blonde. It wasn't Makani, either. I slowed down walking over to her.
"Good afternoon, sir; how are you today?" she asked me, smiling.
"Great. Thanks. Where is Abby? She's usually at this desk. I need to talk to her."
"Abby isn't working today. I'm sure I'll be able to assist you with your inquiry."
"Why not? Where is she?"
"I'm afraid I can't answer that for you. She took the rest of the day off. What did you want to ask her? I'm sure I can help you," she said.
"Where is the manager? I need to talk to him," I said. I watched her face as she seemed to sit there and contemplate whether she was going to do what I had just asked her to do.
"One moment, please," she said. She picked her phone up and dialed a number.
"Are you calling him?" I asked. She nodded, answering the phone. "Tell him Nate Stone wants to talk to him," I said.
"One moment, sir. I'll be right with you," she said to me placing her hand on the mouthpiece.
"Let me talk to him," I said again, louder. I was getting irritated. She listened to her boss on the phone for a few seconds before she looked at me.
"Mr. Kalo has asked to speak to you," she said quietly, handing me the receiver. Didn't I fucking tell her? I put the phone to my ear.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Stone. How are you?”