Clarissa raised her glass dutifully towards her dads’, forcing the smile to remain on her lips. She took a sip of the bubbling, cold liquid, and had to swallow hard to get it past the enormous lump in her throat.
Three weeks ago tonight, Raymond St Claire walked out of her condominium, and out of her life. Ever since then she has tried repeatedly to talk to him. After the first time when she responded that she was still leaving, he threw the phone down in her ear and refused to take any of her calls ever since.
Her whole family buzzed around her, pulling her close for hugs and toasted her new future. Everyone wished her well, oblivious to her inner struggle to balance the hurt and the excitement about the new direction her life was about to take.
Clarissa smiled and laughed along with all of them and wondered how her mother managed to get all the cousins, nephew, nieces, aunts, and uncles together all at once. She quietly withdrew from the singing, laughing crazy people her family has become and walked towards the secluded balcony on one side of the restaurant.
Standing against the railing, sipping the champagne, silent tears ran over her cheeks.
Why, oh why won’t Ray listen to me? If I could just talk to him once more …”
With a start, she felt a soft hand on her shoulder and before she could wipe the tears from her cheeks, her mother faced her. Gently she wiped the tears from Clarissa’s cheeks before cupping her face between her gentle hands.
“My dear, dear girl. I cannot tell you how it pains me to see you suffering so much!”
Clarissa looked at her in shock. She thought she hid her pain from them, specifically so they need not worry about her.
“Oh Darling, of course I knew! I’m a mother after all, and a mother always knows when her one and only baby is suffering. Come here, you silly girl!”
She pulled Clarissa against her and immediately the tears started to fall. Try as she might, she could not stop the tears. Eventually she gave up and clutched her mother while sobs shook her body.
Sitting on a bench in the restaurant garden a while later, their hands clasped together, the tears spend; Clarissa knew she couldn’t hide the truth from her mother any longer.
After she finished her mother was quiet for a long time. She stroked absently back and forth over the back of Clarissa’s hand as she looked in the eyes of her daughter, the twin image of her own and sighed.
“Darling, it’s no use reprimanding you now. From your pain and hurt, it is clear that you regret what happened, especially the fact that you didn’t tell him at the time. Have you spoken to him again?”
“Oh Mom, he refuses to speak to me. He wouldn’t even take any of my calls. I am going to leave here tomorrow without seeing or even talking to him again. Mom, I don’t know how I am going to survive without him in my life! The past three weeks have been the worst in my life and I hoped …”
In agitation, she jumped up and stood wringing her hands. Her mother watched her with worry in her heart. She has never seen Clarissa like this. She had always been the strong one, the one who could withstand critique, hard work and even dealt with the continuous rejections from the Princeton group over the years. She knew how much she loved Raymond but her dream of being a Hotel Manager for the Princeton Intercontinental Hotel Group had been with her for so long, it was all consuming. It was what drove her. It was the only thing that she measured her success against.
“What if I am doing the wrong thing Mom? What if I am throwing away my only chance at real happiness, what if this job doesn’t work out?”
“Don’t even think like that! Of course, you’ll make a success of the job. Come on Clarissa, you have always believed in yourself, why would you start doubting yourself now? If Raymond really loved you, he wouldn’t just ha…”
“No Mom,” resignation made her voice quiver, “Don’t put the blame on Ray. I know, even though I have tried the same tactic to absolve myself, it is too much to expect from anyone to wait for three years and hardly see each other during that time. I knew that, but I still accepted the job even before talking to him about it. In his eyes, his opinion did not matter to me, that the job means more to me than he does. But it doesn’t … it doesn’t … The job might be over in three years, but my love for him … never.”
“What!” The abrupt tone was so short; she nearly did not recognize Raymond’s voice when he answered the phone. She gripped the receiver so hard her knuckles turned white.
“Hello!” The annoyance was palpable in his voice.
“Ray … it’s me.” Expecting him to slam the phone down in her ear once again, she was surprised to hear silence answering her tentative greeting. “Ray…”
“What do you want?”
She swallowed the tears back. “I’m leaving tomorrow and thought we could at least say goodbye. I miss you, so much Ray!” His continued silence caused the tears to start flowing again.
“Will you come over, please?”
“Maybe you didn’t quite understand what I said before. However, since then I have come to realize just how clever you were to rope me in two years ago. You have used me good and well … I hope it will keep your bed warm at night.”
With that, and the distinct click of the connection being cut, she felt the final shattering of her heart shudder through her whole being. She kept wondering about the meaning of his callous comment, “You have used me good and well…” What did he mean by that?
In her heart, she admitted that all of a sudden the lure of the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Sea was not as strong, as it was three weeks ago.
After hours of crying and lying in her bed gazing at the glittering lights of the city below her, she closed her heart; locked all her love and feelings away with an imaginary key.
With resignation, she accepted late in the night that she was the one who made the choice; that she was the keeper of her own heart and future; with that acceptance, her usually bright green eyes became smoky, lifeless, and empty.
Chapter Two
Woken by chirping birds and the soft surf breaking, Clarissa rolled out of the bed, walked to the window, and pulled the curtains open. The bright rays of the sun played merrily over her face and body and made her appear like a sun goddess of old. Her long chestnut colored hair with the natural gold streaks shone like a bronzed halo around her face.
She stretched her arms high above her head and arched her body to get rid of the tight knots in her back. She turned and her eye caught her reflection in the mirror and she stopped to stare at herself. She never even realized how much weight she lost over the past six years. She used to be a little on the plump side, actually more curvy than plump, but now she was thin, yet still curvaceous. She turned sideways and noticed the gentle curve of her hips below her now tiny waist, her breasts jutting proudly above her waist, an abundant handful.
Turning away with a snort, she headed for the bathroom. She pulled the oversized t-shirt she always slept in over her head and threw it in the washing bin. She stepped into the shower and opened the water to cascade over her in lukewarm drops, thinking of the picture of herself she just witnessed in the mirror.
She knew that she was pretty, even been told by many that she was beautiful, but she never really took it to heart. She sighed, shook her head, and reached for the shampoo to wash her long, thick hair.
Clarissa was indeed beautiful, especially now with her features more prominent and pronounced after her weight loss, she was striking. Large almond shaped eyes, framed by impossibly long and thick natural eyelashes, naturally curved eyebrows, small perfectly formed nose, luscious soft coral lips with high cheekbones she was difficult not to notice.
Her hair thick and shiny had grown so long that it now nearly hugged her waist at the back. Her figure developed over the past six years into what was near perfect, long lean legs, narrow hips, and tiny waist with full breasts tempted people to stare when she passed them by. Since arriving on the Island, she stayed fit and enjoyed jogging most mornings before work, which made achiev
ing and maintaining her firm and shapely body easy.
However, Clarissa hardly ever paid attention to the effect her looks had on the opposite gender. This made her even more of a challenge to them and she therefore always tried to avoid being in situations too often, where she was the center of attention.
She “dressed down” as her secretary, Bette, chastised her on nearly a daily basis. According to her, it was very unhealthy not to have a man in your life, more so in your bed. In addition, Clarissa has shown absolutely no interest in any beau all the time she has been on the island.
Bette could not fathom why any woman at thirty years of age – Clarissa turned thirty at the beginning of the year - wanted to spend her time alone. She was forever setting up dinner dates for her boss but was disappointed every time as no romance ever developed.
With raised eyebrows, Clarissa leaned against the doorframe of Bette’s office. Her usually friendly, stable secretary seemed very flustered and upset. Maybe upset was not accurate, angry was a better description of the emotion depicted on her flushed face. Finishing her conversation over the phone with a curt, “Of course, Sir,” she slammed the receiver down on its cradle with a bang. She continued an angry relay while gesturing and waving her hands.
“What the devil does he think we’ll do to the dear old man? If I could get my…”
“Harrumph.” Clarissa cleared her throat to interrupt the angry one-sided conversation and Bette looked up with a start.
“Oh Clarissa, I didn’t see you standing there! How are you this morning?” Her smile this morning definitely did not do her pretty face justice. Her lips were pinched and appeared more a pained grin than a smile.
“Morning Bette, I am indubitably better than you this morning. What or rather who has you up in arms so early in the morning?” Pushing away from the doorframe, she walked towards Bette’s desk and took the cup of coffee she just poured for her from the peculator behind her desk.
Waving wildly with her hands in front of her she sat back in her chair. Her eyes flared and she smirked indignantly, “Our dear and beloved MD, Mr. Hammond. If he wasn’t so far away, I would have…”
“Bette! What did he want?” Clarissa felt a knot of anticipation tightening in her stomach. David Hammond has been the MD of the Princeton Hotel Group for fifteen years and a very demanding employer. Not always well liked, he was however respected by all, but sometimes slightly arrogant and that was one thing that always got Bette’s hair rising. Worried that Bette said something in anger she waited for her to answer.
“Don’t worry, Boss. I curbed my tongue and nearly bit it off in the process, but he gets me so mad at times. However the dear Mrs. Hammond lasted by his side for twenty five years I would never know!”
“It’s not for us to talk or speculate about that, Bette. Tell me what happened.” Sipping her strong coffee, she sat down on the edge of the desk.
“The BIG boss and his long lost nephew are coming for a visit, and he wants everything to be spick and span for him. Imagine, as if it’s not always spick and span!” She snorted in indignation. “Anyway, he wants you to contact him as soon as you come in.”
“I wonder if it is perhaps their anniversary. I believe they have been married for nearly thirty eight years and it is his sixty fifth birthday on the same day apparently.”
“That is quite possible. It seems he always chooses the Cayman Island to come and celebrate a special occasion. They celebrated his and his wife’s sixtieth birthdays here. One thing is for sure, Mr. St Claire knows how to treat and spoil his wife! And it is so sweet that even though they are in their sixties, they still act as if they just got married.”
Clarissa smiled in agreement. Miguel and Retha were like lovebirds when together, hugging, and kissing and always smiling at each other. That was what real love should be like for everyone. Open and free for all to see. A love that could withstand everything and theirs had to withstand a lot over the years. As a high-powered hotel tycoon, he was always in the news and the tabloids were always linking him to some gossip about affairs and young lovers.
Retha however was confident in their love and relationship, which formed the backbone of their marriage. Never once did she believe stories or doubted the strength of their marriage. Never having had any children of their own, they only had each other and Miguel clearly worshipped his beautiful wife. She frowned, trying to think of any other stories about the rest of his family, but realized he always managed to keep them out of the tabloids. Quite remarkable that he managed to do that with the paparazzi forever hounding him. On the other hand, she deliberately avoided tabloids over the past six years, not wanting to come across news on Raymond that might upset her.
At first when she met Miguel St Claire, she was taken aback by his surname being the same as Raymond’s, but did not worry about it too much as St Claire was a common enough name. He also bore no physical resemblance to Raymond, being blond with brown eyes and a more rounded face. He never mentioned him in any way. She became quite close with them over the past five years, had Raymond been family, he would have said something. More so, Raymond would have been with the Princeton Group, not worked his hands to the bone to build his own empire.
She walked into her office and smiled in appreciation at the lovely lilies standing in a vase in the small conference area. Bette always ensured they only brought her fresh lilies, as she loved them so much. Stargazer and Casablanca lilies were her favorites, but she was not particular.
Just as she sat down behind her desk, the buzz on her phone sounded and Bette announced that David Hammond was on the line. Smiling at Bette’s efficiency, she picked up the receiver and greeted David cordially.
“Clarissa, good morning. It is good to hear your voice. We have not spoken to each other since the last Management conference in May. How have you been?”
“Wonderful. It has been hectic, especially with all the system changes we had to implement. But at least we didn’t have any problems.”
They spend the next twenty minutes discussing the new systems, other general management issues, and the guest intake. He expressed their appreciation for all the hard work and how impressed they were that she managed to keep increasing the profits, even over the recession period the world were in.
“You have really made a positive impact since your appointment nearly six years ago. I must admit that I had certain reservations in the beginning, but you managed to put them all to rest.”
Clarissa bit her lip. Why the philosophy all of a sudden? “Do I detect another but there somewhere, David?”
“No, no of course not. I just never really had the opportunity to mention all of this to you. Just so that you know, you have no need to be concerned about the renewal of your contract, or even transferal, to another hotel of your choice.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. Although I am quite happy here and wouldn’t want to leave just yet.”
He laughed. “Hmm, the sun, surf, and beautiful Caribbean Sea got to you, I see!” She laughed with him and relaxed for the first time since the beginning of the conversation.
“Miguel is planning a visit in two months’ time. As you might know, it is his sixty fifth birthday as well as their wedding anniversary. His nephew will also be joining them and of course some friends closer to the actual date of his birthday. In total, they will need approximately ten rooms and their usual presidential seaside cottage for themselves, the nephew, and his son. Would that be a problem on such short notice?”
Clarissa glanced at the calendar, although she already dreaded that there might be a problem. Two months from now would put them smack in the middle of the Pirates week and they were always fully booked a year in advance.
“It might be. You know it is pirate’s week from mid October, and if my memory serves me correct, Miguel’s birthday is on the first of November?”
“Yes, that is correct, however it will only be the St Claire’s and their nephew that will arrive at that time, the rest of the guests only a day
or two prior to the event. Please check and let me know before the end of the day if there would be any problems. It might even mean that we might have to look at accommodating booked guests in other hotels. This is one occasion I am afraid you are going to have to disappoint some people. If it is necessary to move people to other hotels, we might have to offer them one night free on their next trip.”
“I would hate to have to disappoint regular guests, and that time of the year too, most of our guests are regulars who come here specifically for the festivities. The presidential seaside double story cottage was booked just last week, but if we gave them some sort of discount on the executive cottage, I’m sure that can be sorted out. If the rest of their guests are only arriving towards the end of October, we might be able to accommodate most of them. Some of the pirates’ week guests start leaving after certain events.”
“See what is available and then we’ll agree on actions to be taken to accommodate booked guests if necessary.” They finished the conversation and Clarissa buzzed Bette to call the reservations manager to her office.
“You look beautiful!” Trace looked her up and down and devoured her with his eyes. She stepped back, his closeness and hungry gaze made her feel uncomfortable and she immediately regretted accepting his invitation to dinner.
Trace was a very nice man with a good sense of humor and very attractive. He was a veritable sun god, with his sun blond hair, baby blue eyes and gorgeous surfer body. Unfortunately, also very vain and believed that all females found him irresistible. Maybe the fact that she was not interested was what kept him trying.
“Thank you. Shall we go?” Clarissa immediately stepped outside and closed the door behind her, preempting any suggestion from him to have a drink before they left. Tonight she felt like relaxing and did not want to fight his advances on her the whole time. Being amongst people at least ensured his best behavior.
At the restaurant in the main street of town, she relaxed as she leaned back in the chair and smiled at Trace.
Cayman Desires Page 2
