Read Online Where the Lotus Flowers Grow by Mk Schiller - Free Book Online Page A

about what we do. We’re two people having a conversation. If you don’t want to be here, then you’re free to go.”
    “I want to be here.”
    I exhaled in relief. “Good, but you have to promise me you’ll check all those doubts and fears at the door. Can you do it?”
    “I’ll try, sir.”
    “Works for me.” I fetched a bottle of water for her
    “Thank you.”
    I slumped into the other seat. “You know what’s not good, though?”
    “What?”
    “Surprise parties. I’ll tell Prabhat to cancel. Don’t worry, I won’t tell him how I found out.”
    “He’ll be upset.”
    I wanted to tell her I didn’t give a fuck about Prabhat being upset, but my stomach grumbled. “Let’s eat.”
    She took two plates from the tray. I opened the dome and ladled out lamb stew. We tore pieces of buttered naan and scooped it. “Are you afraid of Prabhat, Mary?”
    “Yes.”
    “Has he treated you unfairly?”
    “No. He is my boss. Everyone is afraid of him to some degree.”
    “You shouldn’t be afraid of him.”
    “Please don’t cancel it. They are allowing us to work extra time. It may not mean much to you, but there are a lot of people counting on those wages.”
    “Who says that doesn’t mean anything to me?” I sighed, wanting to get off this stupid topic. Our time was limited, and the last thing I wanted was a debate. “Okay, Mary. I’ll attend and act surprised.”
    She relaxed a bit. “Thank you.”
    I downed a bottle of Kingfisher. I preferred Guinness, but it wasn’t bad. She explained how the lamb was seasoned with fresh spices and cooked over a low flame, simmering for hours. She moaned after her first bite, closing her eyes, her mouth chewing slowly. It was fucking delicious…and the lamb was good, too.
    My hand twitched as the light caught her hair. I wanted to touch it, but I also wished to draw those strands. I imagined what it might look like loose, flowing against her back, tangled between my fingers.
    “Why doesn’t anyone here know you speak English?”
    She stared out the window. I tapped the pencil against the blank paper. Blank paper and a fine lead point…so many possibilities. I never took notes with a pencil. In fact, I hadn’t even realized there were a few in my briefcase until I pulled out the legal pad. It was a subconscious choice on my part, but what my brain couldn’t comprehend, my hands did.
    “It didn’t seem important. No one ever asked me.”
    I wanted to bring up the fact that Prabhat had asked her point blank the other day, but I thought it better to muzzle my curiosity on that issue. This was my time with her, and I really didn’t want to spend it talking about Prabhat.
    “Are you taking notes about this?”
    “Just jotting down a few things I need to remember. You could do better with your life.”
    “Better how?”
    “Make more money. Work an office job. Something less…manual.”
    “That’s important to you, isn’t it? Money.”
    “It’s important to everyone.”
    “Not true. I’m happy with this work. It’s hard work at times, but I need it. It helps me focus.”
    “Focus on what?”
    She sighed, fidgeting impatiently. Stay still, Mary , I silently commanded.
    “Do you have any real questions?”
    “Was he your boyfriend?”
    “Who?”
    “The man I saw with you at the fountain the first morning I arrived, and then later at the pool.”
    “Did you hear us?”
    “Answer my question first.”
    “We were a fling. He wanted more.” A realization flickered over her features. “Wait…you saw me at the fountain? That’s why you called me Lotus Girl? And you sacked him because of me?”
    “Yes. Yes. And hell yes. He was harassing you. Everyone should feel safe where they work.”
    “Don’t do me any more favors. I can take care of myself. If I need help, Mr. Montgomery, I am fully aware of the proper channels as outlined in the Wilshire Hotel Corporate Handbook.”
    “I would have done it if I’d witnessed any employee being mistreated