Chapter Two
1448 Words
I check if everything's in order in my handbag. Keys, some makeup, bank card…
"So you're actually going to THE Auberge du Soleil?"
"For the 6th time, Jamie, yes." I sigh exasperatedly.
Every year or so, the CEO hosts a retreat for the staff working at headquarters. I've only been here roughly a year, so this'll be my first retreat. Hope it'll go well.
"No need for the 'tude, darling." He pauses to put on some mascara. "I'm just a tad bit surprised, is all. And kinda jealous too. If I went there, I'd find me a hot rich woman to make me her boy toy~"
I roll my eyes. "Don't you already have a sugar mommy?"
"Yeah, but I give all the sugar."
I laugh at his words, going over to the mirror to check my outfit. Loose white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, blue jeans and converse sneakers. Pretty okay I guess.
"You're not actually wearing THAT, are you?"
I turn back to see Jamie giving me the side-eye. I pout. "What's so wrong?"
"Oh, honey." He gets up and starts circling me. "You've got to do better than that. You're going to a luxury resort, not a skate park. What if there are rich men there?"
"What would that change?"
He flicks my forehead. Before I can scream at him, he pulls up a pretty blue summer dress with purple flower designs. Even without putting it on, I know it's pretty.
"Put this on instead." He hands me the dress. I take it.
The fabric is light and airy between my fingers. After I put it on, I check myself. It hugs my slender form waist up, but flows waist down to a mid-thigh length. It's off-shoulder and shows a generous amount of my freckled shoulders; it makes me second guess myself. But it's so pretty… Curse Jamie's good sense of style.
"And this to go with." I feel him click a shell pendant necklace around my neck. It suits me so well.
I playfully punch him in the arm. "Hate you."
"You're welcome." He does jazz hands at me as I hurry to grab my handbags. Got to get there early.
"Don't worry, sweetie. I already called an Uber."
I look at him styling his blonde wig in horror. "On whose dime?"
"Yours, obvie."
I groan, about to throw a shampoo bottle at him, but he cuts me off. "Go girl, the Uber's here." He ushers me out. "Go, go, go."
Grumbling, I take my bags and leave the house. Not before he flicks his foundation bottle at my butt.
"w***e!"
"But you still love me!"
Like I have a choice.
Entering the Uber, the car sets off to HQ. They have shuttles prepared to take us to Napa. Thankfully so too; taking an Uber there would have taken like half of my current savings, and since my…salary's dropped…I need all the money I can get.
The Uber drops me off at my stop, and I pay him. But he makes sure to whistle at me before he leaves. Fucker.
I spot Sophie and Jake almost immediately, and we gravitate towards each other. We group hug and after pleasantries and compliments, we board one of the buses.
"If it isn't my small town assistant. We aren't going to a club, you know?"
Or at least we were about to. I sigh through my nose, but still put on my best business smile when I face him.
"Good morning, Mr. Clarke. Is there something I can help you with?"
Please say no, please say no…
"Hmm…since you're offering." He motions to his suitcase. "Get my bags."
Excuse me?!
I blink at him a couple of times, not sure if I heard him right.
He only raises a blonde brow. "Did I stutter? Or can't town girls understand proper English?"
"Excuse you?!" I put a hand on Sophie's shoulder, stopping her.
"It's fine, Soph, you and Jake should just go inside. I'll catch up."
"But Ana—"
I give her a reassuring smile. She sighs and glares at Preston, the blonde devil, before going into the shuttle. Jake raises a brow.
"You sure you don't need any help?" He sounds sincere, and it makes me happy to know I have a few good people left in my life.
"Don't worry, just get in."
When he does, I start rolling Preston's suitcase to the cargo van.
"Wouldn't want the wheels to get scratched," Preston sings as he hops into the shuttle.
I grit my teeth, but still comply, carrying the HEAVY-ASS suitcase and placing it in the van. But like little devils, all my superiors leave their bags out and get into the shuttle, telling me to 'help them out too'. I hear them laugh as they board the main shuttle.
I fight the urge to just leave the luggage out to get left behind, but the thought of getting plain fired makes me rethink those choices. One by one, I put the bags and luggage into the shuttle.
And by the time I'm done, I see the main shuttle already driving away. Panic shoots through me.
Turning to the van driver with wide eyes, "How am I supposed to get there?" I exclaim.
The old driver smiles, showing rows of yellowed teeth. He pats the passenger seat invitingly. I look at him, then the seat, then him again. Swallowing my shame, I board the cargo van, crossing my arms over my chest as I silently stew.
This is going to be a looooong ride.
***
And it is. It takes roughly 80 minutes to get there. 80 minutes of awkward silence next to a driver that needs to learn how to keep his hands to himself. And when I finally arrive, PRESTON is right there waiting. So as I walk over to him, I have to roll his suitcase while also carrying my bag.
"Took you long enough. And what did I tell you about rolling it?"
"Sir, I can't exactly carry my bag and your suitca—"
"Your bag has a handle, right? Cross it over your shoulder and carry the suitcase." He rolls his blue eyes. "Do I have to teach you every single thing?"
You've never taught me s**t!
I strain a smile on my face. "Alright, sir."
"Good, follow me."
I lift the bags and shuffle behind him to keep up with his long strides. After dropping off his suitcase, he gives me only 3 minutes to find my room, drop my bags off and meet him at the terrace—wherever THAT is.
After spending all my time running errands and following that cocky dipshit around, I finally see a ray of hope present itself in the form of the vineyard tour. I'm not sure what a vineyard is, but all we do is walk around some hedges tasting all different sorts of wines. Some strong ones too. So while everyone's distracted, I look around just in case I'll spot Tyler. But he isn't here. So I leave the group in search of him.
Tyler means so much to me. I'm not sure what people told him, but I can't have him thinking I'm some shitty person. We need to talk.
And with the buzz of alcohol in me, there couldn't be a better time.
Since this resort is like a maze, I decide to call him instead. It rings, but he doesn't pick up. I keep calling though.
By some stroke of luck, I spot one of Tyler's friends. A group of them actually, and they all look intoxicated; I can smell the alcohol from here. But I shouldn't be too surprised considering this is a wine resort.
"Hey, Jax, have you seen Tyler anywhere?"
"Oh if it isn't little miss traitorrrr." He drawls. "Sell your body too?"
I kick his ankle, making him curse in pain. "Shut up. Just answer the question."
"b***h…" he mutters under his breath, before pouring himself a glass of more wine. "Last I saw him he was going to his…room or something… 312 I think?"
"Thanks." I grab his cup before he can drink it. "I'll be taking this."
"Hey—!"
I'm already gone before he can run his mouth.
His room is actually 214. How do I know that? We're on the same floor, so I caught a glimpse of him when I was dropping off my bag. But he just ignored me! Like, I know he's upset, but cutting me off like this?! We have to—
"Mhmm~ I'm sure you never kissed that skank like this~"
"Let's not talk about her. It'll kill the mood~"
That voice…
- Writer
