by Nikki Wild
“Hey Fong what the fuck is going on with Ohana? Why isn’t he here yet?”
“Patience Tanner. Miss Yoshi is on the phone with him as we speak.”
Nikko Yoshi was perched in one of the chairs of the large seating area at the front of the ship engaged in what appeared to be a phone call with Jon Ohana. Shane took a seat on the adjacent sofa and attempted to hijack the conversation.
“Tell Mr. Ohana we’re going to have to do this another time. It’s simply too late now. I have to get back to Maui right away.”
Nikko looked over at Shane. “Are you sure Mr. Tanner? Mr. Ohana is ready now. He said there’s no dock big enough for us, but we can anchor right here and he’ll take his speedboat over to us immediately. What do you say? He sounds anxious to talk business…..shall I tell him to head over?”
Shane was completely torn and it didn’t help that his head was swimming. He was taken aback by the fact that he felt so intoxicated from such an insignificant amount of sake. He wondered how much alcohol could possibly be in a tiny carafe of rice wine.
“Okay. Tell him I can only meet for an hour and then I have to get back to…… …..California…. No no. Wait what am I saying? Maui. I need to get back to Maui. I’m sorry, that sake seems to have hit me harder than I expected.”
Fong smiled. “Very good then. I’ll go tell the captain to drop anchor here. Shall we celebrate with one more drink?” he asked, pressing another shot of sake into Shane’s hand.
“No more for me!” Shane shouted as he tried to sit up straight in the soft sofa cushions, struggling to keep his wits about him. The tiny glass tipped and poured straight down onto his pants, leaving his leg wet and cold. What the fuck is the matter with me? He could feel his hands strangely starting to go numb as he dropped the glass to the floor.
Nikko Yoshi took a long satisfied sip of her Martini and moved over to the couch next to Shane.
“It looks like you’ve made a mess, Mr. Tanner. Would you like me to help you clean it up?”
She inhaled deeply as she seductively crossed her long bare legs and lay a hand on his thigh, running her fingers up past the spill and working to remove his belt.
“….I don’t need your help Ms Yoshi... Where did Fong go?” Shane replied, noticing that the two of them were suddenly alone. Beads of sweat were forming on Shane’s forehead.
Satisfied with pulling his belt open, Nikko leaned herself back and slowly undid the pearl buttons of her lace top before shimmying out of it, revealing her spectacular bare breasts.
“Mr. Fong will be back shortly, Mr. Tanner,” she replied as she knelt on the couch facing him, caressing her own nipples.
“What are you doing? What’s happening?” Shane started to slump down into the sofa pillows. Then the horizon began to dip and his surroundings started to blur.
“Close your eyes Mr. Tanner. Just relax and let me take care of you.”
Shane could feel his body weaken and his eyelids get heavy. He was incapable of speaking or standing up. The room was spinning.
Suddenly everything went dark.
Thirty
The fundraiser for the Hawaiian Conservation Alliance was in full swing on the rooftop of the Tanner Kaanapali Kai. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves under the starry Maui night sky. A jazz trio was playing and premium liquor was flowing. By all accounts it was looking like another big money-maker for the environmental cause, but Dani was down in the dumps.
“Cheer up Danielle, I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” Paolo assured her. “What time did you say he called you?”
“That was around five. It’s after eight-thirty now. You’d think he would’ve called again by now. It’s not like him to be inconsiderate.”
Margie felt compelled to set Dani straight. “Shane is a very serious and successful business man. He’s a perfectionist and I know how he operates. If he told you he was going to be a little late, you’d best believe him. He wants this deal to go through and I doubt if he’s willing to let it slip through his fingers for the sake of a charity event. It’s nothing personal, and I am positive he will make it up to you.”
“I know Margie. My mind is telling me all of that but I can’t help feeling like something might be wrong.”
“I’m sure everything is fine. Have I told you how positively radiant you look tonight? And that dress you picked out for her is perfect Paolo.”
“Thank you Margie. I think I really outdid myself this time, if I do say so myself. You’re an absolute vision Danielle.”
“Thanks guys. I’m sorry for complaining. I just wanted tonight to be perfect.”
“Dani he’s gonna be over the moon when you tell him, whether you tell him tonight or tomorrow morning, right Margie?” Paolo kissed Dani sweetly on the cheek.
Margie agreed wholeheartedly. “Oh yes. He’ll go nuts for sure.”
“Wait a minute you guys. I haven’t talked to either of you about this yet…”
Margie started giggling. “I guess we let the cat out of the bag Paolo. We’re sorry to spoil you’re surprise sweetie but……. we know you’re pregnant.”
“You do? But how did you know?”
Paolo and Margie couldn’t stop laughing. “Lets just say your bulbous belly and breasts were a dead give away,” teased Margie.
“Not to mention your fatigue, bizarre cravings, and emotional outbursts,” added Paolo. “Anyway, we love you and we couldn’t be happier for the two of you. When’s the little bundle of joy due?”
“Next May. I’m just dying to tell Shane.”
While they were sharing a group hug Paolo noticed a nearby elderly woman who appeared to be eavesdropping on their conversation. “Did you see that nosey old biddy? The one scurrying away? I think she might have overheard us. Is that a problem Dani? Because I can chase her down and work her over for you if you want me to.”
“That won’t be necessary Paolo. I’m sure word will get out sooner than later, knowing how fast news travels around here. I wouldn’t be surprised to see my “baby bump” on the front page of the Maui Sentinel.”
As the evening wore on, an increasing number of guests began to inquire about Shane’s whereabouts. Danielle kept a stiff upper lip, dutifully defending his absence and making apologies for him, as he had requested. But with the passing of each hour, and no still phone call from Shane, Dani became increasingly worried. She didn’t know what do besides maintain a cheerful demeanor and a fake smile for all the people around her.
Toward the end of the night Allyssa Caswell sidled up to Dani at the chocolate fountain near the dessert table.
“Danielle, I have to say I’m very hurt. I thought we were close friends?”
Naturally Dani was confused. “What are you talking about? Of course we are.”
“Well then why can’t you be honest with me? It’s plain to see you’re worried about Shane, and I can see why you might want to hide your true emotions from your guests, but it’s me….Allyssa…..you don’t have to pretend with me.”
Dani’s eyes filled with tears as her emotions rose to the surface. She grabbed her friend’s hand and pulled her over to a quiet corner on the rooftop. The same corner where Shane had kissed her months ago before being interrupted by Margie.
“Oh Allyssa I’m sorry. You’re right. I am worried. I’m worried sick. Shane was supposed to be a little late, but he’s not answering his phone and it’s not like him not to call me. I know he was out on a yacht... do you think I should call the Coast Guard or something? I don’t know what to do here except sit and wait…”
Allyssa tried her best to comfort her friend with a hug and some reassuring words.
“You know how guys are. They all lose track of time. I’m sure he’s fine and he’s just in the middle of Tanner business. If I didn’t answer my phone for a few hours would you be sending the national guard to my doorstep?”
“I can always count on you to make me feel better. I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you about this sooner…”
“Oh
really? So since you’re opening up, isn’t there something else you’d like to tell me, girlfriend?”
“What are you talking about now?”
“Come on Danielle. You’ve been drinking sparkling apple cider all night and you’re wearing a loose-fitting A-line dress. You told me awhile back that you guys were baby-making……so?”
“We’re expecting in May Allyssa.”
“Oh my god I’ll bet Shane is thrilled! Congratulations!”
Dani teared up again. “He doesn’t know yet. I was gonna tell him tonight at the party. That’s why I hadn’t told people about it yet.”
Allyssa hugged her worried friend again and they talked a little more before she bid Dani good-night.
“Call me tomorrow morning Dani okay? I’m sure everything will be fine. Thank Shane for me again for all the continued support and funding of my coral research. I love you guys.”
Dani promised she would and returned to the task of seeing the rest of her guests off. Margie suggested the pair spend the night together so they could keep each other company while they awaited word from Shane. Dani decided to take her up on her offer so Margie followed her home up to the hilltop residence.
Margie put on a pair of Danielle’s pajamas and set about making some cocoa and popcorn for the two of them in the sprawling gourmet kitchen. Dani sat curled up on the couch in her long nightgown, wrapped in a cashmere throw, staring out of the giant wall of windows and biting her nails. Margie tried to take Danielle’s mind off the situation at hand by distracting her and keeping her spirits up.
“Holy cow this kitchen is practically as big as your old house Dani. Why does anyone need all this room to cook? Hey why don’t you turn on the TV? There’s usually some good old black and white movie on at this time of night.”
Dani grabbed the remote and started clicking around through the channels in search of something mind-numbing. Fortunately the banal array of nightly programs assured her plenty of choices. Margie set the tray of snacks on the coffee table in front of them and situated herself next to Dani so she could put her arm around her.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure Shane’s fine Danielle. We’ll probably all be laughing about this tomorrow morning over breakfast.”
Thirty-One
The glaring rays of the Hawaiian sunrise woke Dani early the next morning. She was still on the couch but she soon noticed Margie wasn’t. The evening had come and gone without a word from Shane. She swiped her phone in desperation, hoping there was a message on it that she’d missed. Then she dashed to their bedroom in the hopes he had quietly sneaked past her and crashed out on the bed. Dani called out to Margie and checked the other bedrooms but there was no answer. Suddenly she heard the front door slam and her heart leapt as she ran to see if it was Shane. But it wasn’t. It was only Margie and she was standing in the foyer staring down in stunned silence at the opened newspaper in her hands.
“I don’t believe it,” she exclaimed, looking like she’d just seen a ghost. “I just don’t believe it. There must be some mistake.”
“What is it Margie? What don’t you believe? You’re scaring me. Did something happen to Shane? Oh my god I knew something terrible happened.”
Margie ran to her side. “No honey. God no. It’s not that at all.”
Dani yanked the paper from Margie’s hands. “Well what is it then?”
She flipped through the newspaper in utter disbelief and shock. The entire society section was filled with vulgar photos of Shane and an unknown woman in a compromising position. There was no hiding the obvious sexual nature of the pictures. Dani started to visibly shake aand her knees began to buckle, so Margie quickly ushered her to the nearest chair.
“Oh my god Margie how could he?” she wailed. “How could he do this to me?” Dani looked down at her swollen belly and caressed it with her hand. “…To us?”
Through her tears she read the giant caption above the photos and the humiliating details of the accompanying article:
BILLIONAIRE BETRAYAL!
Billionaire hotel magnate Shane Tanner caught with his pants down at sea……..mega-yacht orgy……island’s biggest sex scandal……jilted pregnant fiancée at charity event……a blow for Tanner International development…..
The embarrassing mortifying story just went on and on. Danielle was suddenly back up on her feet now railing and ranting around the living room.
“So it looks like he did it again to me Margie, just like he did the first time; No explanation, no warning, no nothing. I can’t believe I fell for that fucking asshole’s lies twice. I must be the biggest sucker on the island! I thought he loved me and wanted to marry me and settle down. I must have been delusional. Shane Tanner hasn’t changed at all; he’s still just a fucking self-centered womanizing playboy and I’m just the girl he used to play nice with the locals for his stupid property power-grab.”
Margie tried to offer a voice of reason.
“Look Danielle, I’m just as shocked as you are. None of this makes sense. There has to be some logical explanation for it. If these photos are real then Shane Tanner had everyone fooled, not just you.”
Dani charged into the bedroom, threw open her closet doors and grabbed two suitcases. Then she started wildly tossing miscellaneous possessions and random articles of clothing into them. After several minutes of rummaging through her wardrobe and opening and slamming dresser drawers she announced to Margie that she was moving back into her old house as soon as possible.
“I can’t stand the sight of this fucking house and I won’t stay in it another minute. Do you think you’ll stay or go back to California with Shane?”
“Whoa slow down a minute Danielle. Nobody’s going back to California just yet. I haven’t even heard from Shane and I’m concerned about his absence. You can move back home if you want, but I still need to get to the bottom of this. I’m going to see if I can get some answers. I’ll be in touch.”
Margie gave her a quick hug and headed out of the house…..still wearing Dani’s pajamas.
Danielle threw on some clothes and grabbed her suitcases off the bed. Then she loaded both bags into the Aston Martin and closed the trunk, when it suddenly hit her; that wasn’t her car. It belonged to the most despicable, deceitful fuck-face she had ever known. She opened the trunk back up and switched the bags over to her red Prius. Then she tossed the keys in the trunk of the Aston Martin and slammed the lid down as hard as she could.
On the drive back to her old neighborhood Dani’s phone started blowing up with phone calls, texts and messages of every type, mostly from Paolo, Allyssa and Auntie May. No doubt they’d all seen the news of Shane’s sexual escapade. She picked it up off the console and turned it to vibrate before dropping it into purse but her bag didn’t stop shaking and buzzing. At the next stoplight Danielle pulled the phone back out to completely shut it off when she noticed the name flashing on the screen: Shane Tanner.
Dani skidded to the shoulder of the coastal frontage road and stopped her car. Without a second thought, she got out and threw her phone as far as she could into the ocean.
Good riddance.
Thirty-Two
It was no use. Shane didn’t even bother to leave a message in his last call to Danielle. He knew she wasn’t interested in what he had to say. He didn’t blame her either. He’d totally missed the charity event.
He had woken up on the dock of the Lahaina Marina with a throbbing headache. The last thing he remembered about the meeting on Fong’s yacht was Nikko Yoshi talking on the phone to Jon Ohana, but he had no memory of meeting the guy at all. The evening was almost a complete blank and Fong’s ship was nowhere in sight. But Shane was sure of one thing; he had totally missed the charity function and Danielle was going to be rightfully angry. His phone was filled with missed calls from every damn person on his contact list.
It was hard to remember exactly where he had left his car. Fortunately the marina parking lot was half empty at that early hour of the morning so he was able to spot i
t pretty easily. It also helped that it was the only Aston Martin in the lot. He was glad there wasn’t a soul present to see him stumbling aimlessly around the wharf area in his rumpled tuxedo. On the drive back to his house he stayed under the speed limit in the right-hand slow lane. Time seemed to be moving slower than normal, and he definitely hadn’t drank enough to black out on the yacht.
He was so anxious to see Danielle and make things right with her, he parked his car in the driveway and hurried into the house. Going from room to room, he called her name to no avail. From the clothes strewn about their bedroom and Dani’s Prius missing from the garage, Shane could only conclude one thing: She had left. But it just didn’t make sense. She wasn’t that unreasonable. Sure, standing her up and not calling was bad, but he expected a chance to explain himself. She was an intelligent, fair-minded woman. She’d understand. He had a feeling she was probably at her own house commiserating with Margie, so he decided he’d try getting a hold of Dani through his secretary, but at this point her voicemail was full.
He walked back out to the living room and sat down on the sofa. That’s when he saw it.
The newspaper on the coffee table was opened to the society section. He picked it up and rubbed his eyes repeatedly as if somehow his vision was to blame for the nearly pornographic photos of him and Nikko Yoshi. What the fuck? Shane’s head was swimming trying to comprehend how and when the pictures were taken. And by who?
His eyes darted to the nightmarish headline, BILLIONAIRE BETRAYAL!, and then finally to the story below it. Nausea and anger rose from the pit of his stomach as he read the revolting details. When he was finished, he set the paper back down while he sat there seething with each sickening word repeating over and over in his mind…..orgy…sex scandal… jilted pregnant fiancée. The whole thing was mortifying beyond belief, but at least he knew exactly why Danielle wasn’t here.
