that. I trust Rafael’s judgment, including in manners of the people he hires. We’re in Hawaii. I’m sure the last thing you want to talk about is business.”
Harold had a big grin on his face that made me laugh. I chuckled not just because of the way he looked at me but from the relief I felt from not having to be on. I was so wound-up and trying my best not to make a bad example of myself that I couldn’t relax. Harold seemed to be doing everything he could to make me feel comfortable.
Before we could engage in a more friendly conversation, a man stood on the center of the dance floor with a micro phone. He grabbed everyone’s attention and the chattering died down.
“ Good evening and aloha, everyone,” he announced. “Welcome to Maui. We hope that you will all enjoy your stay here at this hotel as well as the sights and sounds of the city. Tonight marks the beginning of the International Business Conference. We have people from all over the world here. On behalf of the hotel staff, I’d like to welcome you to our fine city. We’re excited to accommodate all of the businesses and companies being represented here. Dinner will be served momentarily. We hope that you enjoy your night and the rest of your stay.”
The crowd applauded the man as the modest festivities of the evening resumed.
“I’ve only been here for a few hours and I’m already thinking of staying here permanently,” Wesley said to me.
“ You might be enjoying your stay here but I doubt the residents would appreciate your continued presence,” Travis said to him.
I giggled at the two of them. I almost wanted to echo Wesley ’s sentiments. We were being catered to completely. I had experienced being with Rafael and enjoying the amenities his affluence provided. But to be in a hotel with a beautiful beach just a few meters away was different. It really did feel like I was in some kind of paradise.
Waiters surrounded every table and placed dishes in front of everybody. While I ate, Harold regaled all of us with stories about past business conferences. He didn ’t bore us with details and numbers. Instead, he decided to tell us about the most scandalous things that occurred. I didn’t have any doubts that the people were involved with some unsavory things. But Harold didn’t spare any details and I wondered if he was stepping on any toes in doing so.
“ I’m sorry I’m late.”
I looked at the woman who came out of nowhere and rushed up to our table. She was a blonde woman, her long hair tied in a tight ponytail behind her head. Her lips were a deep purple shade and were a nice contrast to her slightly tanned skin. She had these slanted eyes that were shaped like almonds and highlighted by her mascara. She was wearing an emerald green dress that looked like it was choking the life out of her body. At least, that’s the way it seemed. Either her seamstress crafted her the perfect outfit or every curve in her body managed to fit in the material perfectly.
When she arrived at the table, Rafael got up from his seat and greeted her.
“I was wondering where you were,” he said as they kissed one another on the cheek. “Dinner wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“ Oh, now you don’t have to lie to me, Rafael,” she said to him. “I thought my brother told you that kissing either one of our asses wasn’t necessary.”
“ I know. But you still enjoy it.”
“ Ah, that I do.”
The two of them giggled with one another. Rafael pulled her seat out for her before taking his place next to her. I looked at the two of them curiously.
Who is she? Why are they being so friendly?
Rafael turned away from me and looked at me from across the table. The smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with a look of surprise.
“ Oh, I almost forgot,” he said. “I want you to meet the other intern I hired. Cheryl, this is Alice Pratt. Alice, this is Cheryl Santana. She’s Harry’s sister.”
“ Hi,” she waved at me.
I
Harold had a big grin on his face that made me laugh. I chuckled not just because of the way he looked at me but from the relief I felt from not having to be on. I was so wound-up and trying my best not to make a bad example of myself that I couldn’t relax. Harold seemed to be doing everything he could to make me feel comfortable.
Before we could engage in a more friendly conversation, a man stood on the center of the dance floor with a micro phone. He grabbed everyone’s attention and the chattering died down.
“ Good evening and aloha, everyone,” he announced. “Welcome to Maui. We hope that you will all enjoy your stay here at this hotel as well as the sights and sounds of the city. Tonight marks the beginning of the International Business Conference. We have people from all over the world here. On behalf of the hotel staff, I’d like to welcome you to our fine city. We’re excited to accommodate all of the businesses and companies being represented here. Dinner will be served momentarily. We hope that you enjoy your night and the rest of your stay.”
The crowd applauded the man as the modest festivities of the evening resumed.
“I’ve only been here for a few hours and I’m already thinking of staying here permanently,” Wesley said to me.
“ You might be enjoying your stay here but I doubt the residents would appreciate your continued presence,” Travis said to him.
I giggled at the two of them. I almost wanted to echo Wesley ’s sentiments. We were being catered to completely. I had experienced being with Rafael and enjoying the amenities his affluence provided. But to be in a hotel with a beautiful beach just a few meters away was different. It really did feel like I was in some kind of paradise.
Waiters surrounded every table and placed dishes in front of everybody. While I ate, Harold regaled all of us with stories about past business conferences. He didn ’t bore us with details and numbers. Instead, he decided to tell us about the most scandalous things that occurred. I didn’t have any doubts that the people were involved with some unsavory things. But Harold didn’t spare any details and I wondered if he was stepping on any toes in doing so.
“ I’m sorry I’m late.”
I looked at the woman who came out of nowhere and rushed up to our table. She was a blonde woman, her long hair tied in a tight ponytail behind her head. Her lips were a deep purple shade and were a nice contrast to her slightly tanned skin. She had these slanted eyes that were shaped like almonds and highlighted by her mascara. She was wearing an emerald green dress that looked like it was choking the life out of her body. At least, that’s the way it seemed. Either her seamstress crafted her the perfect outfit or every curve in her body managed to fit in the material perfectly.
When she arrived at the table, Rafael got up from his seat and greeted her.
“I was wondering where you were,” he said as they kissed one another on the cheek. “Dinner wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“ Oh, now you don’t have to lie to me, Rafael,” she said to him. “I thought my brother told you that kissing either one of our asses wasn’t necessary.”
“ I know. But you still enjoy it.”
“ Ah, that I do.”
The two of them giggled with one another. Rafael pulled her seat out for her before taking his place next to her. I looked at the two of them curiously.
Who is she? Why are they being so friendly?
Rafael turned away from me and looked at me from across the table. The smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with a look of surprise.
“ Oh, I almost forgot,” he said. “I want you to meet the other intern I hired. Cheryl, this is Alice Pratt. Alice, this is Cheryl Santana. She’s Harry’s sister.”
“ Hi,” she waved at me.
I
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