Page 53 of Rio
“What’s that?”she asks, as I set the folder on the table.
“He asked me to meet off the record.Said I could take a look at this.”
“He gave you some information?Is that wise?”She raises an eyebrow.“You remember whose side you’re on, don’t you?”
“I do.It’s environmental data, done by a third-party.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”And that’s my warning bell.My thinking brain isn’t fully engaged, because if it was, knowing what I’m here for, what we’re about to do, and what the Knights are, I wouldn’t have taken those documents from Rio.“I want to see what angle they’re coming from,” I tell Alma, but I feel like I’ve already let her down.
Chapter 15
RIO
It’s so hot in here, I feel like I’m melting with every passing second.
I run my finger around the collar of my shirt.I wasn’t going to wear a business suit today.I didn’t relish the idea of melting in this heat, but dressing the part might help gain respect.
Plastic chairs scrape along the floor and loud murmurs fill the air.Ceiling fans spin above our heads.The community hall is packed, rife with the smell of body odour from the stifling heat.It’s starting to feel claustrophobic.
After talking to the local government officials and ministry reps, discussing the public fallout over the resort, I was advised that it would be better to call a meeting, to talk to the people, in order to avoid protests and media spotlight.Now we’re here, sitting in chairs facing the crowd.
A massive image of the eco resort hangs behind us, showing it in its fine glory; solar panels, palm trees, blue sea.It’s an image.Not an actual photo, and I’m worried that people might ask why we have this instead of an actual photo of the place.
I’ve just seen Raquel in the audience, with her boss.They’re in the first row, and to my right.They’re sitting close enough that I can see the dewy sheen on Raquel’s face.She must have gone back to her hotel and gotten changed, just like I did, because she was in a casual dress earlier today.Now she’s dressed smartly.Lawyered up, wearing a business suit and killer shoes with pencil points for heels.I like her like this, but I liked her more in her white sundress, and barefoot.
Focus.
I look away, feel my shirt sticking to my skin.A trickle of sweat meanders down my back.I glance at Raquel again.She’s on her phone.Her skin is glowing, and she swipes a hand across her neck.I’m sure she’s overheating too.Lucky for me, I get to watch her as she takes off her blazer.And now my mind freezes, seeing her in a beige-colored satin blouse.It’s an elegant blouse, with a V-neck that dips down at her cleavage.An image of her in her bra and panties from last night flashes across my eyes.Raquel about to dive into the lagoon and leave a trail of neon blue behind her.We almost kissed.Our bodies touched, giving me a taste of what it could be like to hold her, to be close to her.
I snap back to reality.Fuck.I’m going to have a hard time getting through this evening.Sitting between Tomas and Orlando, I force myself to focus.I’m only here as a liaison for Knight Enterprises and I’m interested to see what the locals have to say.I’m going to keep quiet and let Orlando talk.He can take the heat for Delport, even though he was only recently hired, late in the project, a fact that I find odd, and a little suspicious.No one can give me a reason why the other guy left.Not even Tomas.
The reports and data I’ve been looking at tell me everything’s above board, but as I look around me and see the packed hall, I wonder if there’s more here than I’m being led to believe.Needing to get information from Delport, I’ve been in meetings most of the time, but I really do need to get out and see the damage for myself—the mangroves they claim are untouched, the coral reefs they swear are thriving, the drinking water they say is clean.I’m not taking their word for it.I need to see it with my own eyes.
My old man sent me here to hush everything up.I see that clearer than ever now, and I need to be absolutely certain that this construction site is fully compliant with every environmental law and regulation.No loopholes.No shortcuts.
There’s something that’s been needling me.Raquel is smart, and passionate.She doesn’t care about money.She’s here for a reason.Delport say everything is fine at their end, but the NGO are saying otherwise.Both of us can’t be right.
My shirt sticks to my skin and I feel another trickle of sweat meandering down my back.Tomas points out the journalists here, sitting in the second row along with local leaders and a bunch of people from Delport Realty.
“See there?”Tomas talks in a hushed tone, his gaze directed at a group towards the back.“They’re the fishermen, concerned about reef destruction, and behind them are the farmers.They’re worried about water contamination and land loss.”
“But the reports all say—”
“Listen to the people,” Tomas urges.“Listen totheirstories.”
He says it with such finality.I realize that it’s not only what Tomas says that I need to heed, but what he doesn’t say.I know things aren’t going to go well when Orlando pushes me to get up first and make an introduction.
Chapter 16
RAQUEL
I want to see how the charming Knight heir performs when he hasn’t bought the audience.
In the sweltering heat of the community town hall, Rio sits at the front, facing the crowd, along with some people I recognize from the construction site.They huddle together, and it seems like they’re trying to decide who gets up first.
Then, Rio gets up.He looks reluctant, but in a split second, his demeanor changes, and he’s polished and confident.
