Page 1 of What Happens in Paradise

1

JASMINE

I hated firing people.

It went against my nature to make others happy.

But as I stood at the door of the hotel’s laundry room, I knew that unfortunately, I wouldn’t have a choice.

As I watched Miguel, the very married head of housekeeping, shagging Carolina, the new chambermaid, on the washing machine, my jaw dropped.

Although his back was facing me, I recognised his shiny bald head glistening under the bright light that illuminated the immaculately painted white room, which had multiple washing machines neatly lined up against the wall.

Whilst his navy trousers and boxer shorts were wrapped around his ankles, exposing his large, hairy arse, Carolina’s blouse was unbuttoned and her eyes were squeezed shut.

The scent of fresh detergent flooded my nostrils. A laundry room was supposed to be clean and sanitary; I really hoped they planned to thoroughly disinfect every surface afterwards.

As the washing machine vibrated furiously, Carolina bounced up and down, moaning with pleasure, whilst Miguel continued thrusting into her.

I quickly turned my back and groaned internally.

Why oh why did I have to spill my bottle of juice all over my office floor and decide to get a towel to clean it up?

This wasn’t the first time I’d caught someoneinthe act. One of the main goals of my job as a ‘Love Alchemist’ at the Love Hotel was to bring couples together, quite literally. So walking in on awkward situations had become an occupational hazard.

But catching two co-workers going at it on a washing machine was a new one for me.

My stomach tightened. My new boss, Hazel had made it very clear that any co-workers found to be engaging in ‘extra-curricular activities’ were to be dismissed. Jobs at the Love Hotel were like gold dust. There was no way they’d find anywhere else to work that was as good as this and I hated to be the one to send them straight to the unemployment line.

Sweat pooled on my forehead. I reached into my electric navy-blue pencil skirt for a tissue then blotted it over my brown skin, whilst I worked out my next move.

I could stand outside and wait until they’d finished. Considering they were both about to be sacked, the least I could do was let them enjoy an orgasm before their lives went to shit.

For a second, I even contemplated creeping outside and pretending I hadn’t seen them. But then I remembered that gut-wrenching feeling of betrayal I’d felt three years ago and I knew I couldn’t just turn a blind eye.

Plus, if Hazel found out I knew about this illicit afternoon-delight session and hadn’t said anything, she’d be furious. I’d worked too hard to get to where I was and I wasn’t going to allow anything to jeopardise my career.

Nope. I had to put a stop to it. Right now.

After turning back to face them, I cleared my throat loudly, but the loud whirring from the washing machine drowned it out. No wonder they hadn’t heard me come in.

Just as I was considering covering my eyes and walking over to switch the machine off myself, Carolina’s eyes flicked open, then widened as she caught sight of me.

‘Fuck!’ she screamed.

‘Sí,’ Miguel said smugly in his Spanish accent as he continued pumping into her. ‘I give it to you good!’

‘No!’ She pushed him back, her eyes now the size of saucers. ‘Someone’s here!’

Miguel froze, then spun his head around. When he saw me, horror washed over his face.

‘Señora Jasmine!’ He yanked up his trousers. ‘It is not what you think!’

A sharp pain ripped through my heart and those painful memories came flooding back.

I quickly pushed them away. This wasn’t about me. This was about my career. If I wanted to get that promotion, I had to act like a boss. I couldn’t let my emotions get involved.

My phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket then looked down at the screen. It was Hazel.

---