Page 2 of His to Love
“She has good days and bad ones.” Her eyes shimmered a bit as she looked up, trying not to let her emotions get the best of her. “She began feeling light-headed, and at times there was pain in her chest. Dad took her to the doctor and they found that her heart fluttered at times. They said she’s got an arrhythmia and that she has to be careful because it can cause blood clots. Times of stress are especially hard on her.”
“And you’re not worried that your moving away will upset her?” I thought it would most certainly upset her.
“I think it will make her feel better to know that I can take care of myself. I think that will bring her some comfort, Patton.”
“Maybe you’re right. But if she begins to get worse, then you’d need to go to her, right?” I was sure Alexa would leave the job behind if her mother needed her. “Not that I’d be against hiring you if that’s the case. I’m just asking as a friend.”
Nodding, she seemed to understand. “I would go to her. But I’m not sure if I would stay—not unless my presence made a difference in her condition. I’ve done everything they’ve asked of me. I’ve lived life on their terms. It’s time I got to live life onmyterms.”
It seemed she’d been thinking a lot about how to get out from under her parents’ wings. It made me wonder just when exactly she’d started taking a more active role in her decisions. “Alexa, did you want to go to school for massage therapy, or was that something your parents wanted?”
“I see why you’re asking me that question. You’re afraid this isn’t my passion, but theirs.” Taking a deep breath, she went on. “I was the one who looked into the idea. Of course, me being me, I went to my parents to see what they thought about it before I made up my mind. To be honest, my father didn’t approve of it at first. He thought I would end up working in some sleezy place where men would expect certain things from me.”
“We don’t allow that sort of thing here,” I let her know. “We have a strict code of conduct for our employees. In the contract, you’ll see that we have a clause forbidding any sexual relationships between employees and clients. It would be grounds for immediate dismissal if we catch a member of our staff in a compromising position with any client—and that’s within this resort and outside of it as well.”
Knowing I’d be offering her the position, I figured I might as well fill her in on our more of our expectations. “We don’t allow tips here either. You will be paid well. There’s no need for our customers to give you anything on their own. No tickets to sporting events or passes to nightclubs, nothing. We expect you to politely refuse their offers while not offending them in any way. Our guests will be made aware of our rules, so they shouldn’t offer you anything anyway.”
“I understand.” Her lips quirked to one side. “It sort of sounds like you’re telling me that Iwillbe working here.”
She’d had the job before I ever spoke a word to her. But I didn’t want her to know that. “I think this interview went very well. How do you feel about it?”
“I think it went well too. I know I can be an asset to Whispers Resort and Spa. You can always depend on me to be professional, both with our guests and the other staff members. I will read every rule you have and will follow them all.”
I knew she knew how to obey without questioning anything. She’d never done so much as talk back to her parents. She’d been the most obedient child I’d ever known. And sweet, too. Alexa was a little angel, just like her parents often called her. Her brother called herprincesa.
I stood and walked around my desk, holding out my hand to her. She took it and I shook it. “Welcome aboard, Alejandra Consuela Christina De La Cruz, it’s a pleasure to have you on our team.”
Her grin went from ear to ear, the happiness radiating on her face. “You will not be disappointed with my work, Mr. Nash.”
