Page 35 of Finding My Bodyguard

“There’s my new niece! How are you, beautiful?” Aunt Vanessa screamed as she came walking toward me, arms wide.

“I’m great. Thank you for letting me work here today. I don’t know what I would do all day without London here.” I was so nervous, so I kept running my hands down my apron.

“Nonsense; there’s plenty to do on the island.” She waved me off. “Lyza give you the rundown of your day?” I nodded. “Good. It’s Friday, so things are going to get pretty busy. Just relax and remember Rome wasn’t built in a day.” She patted me on the shoulder before she headed back into the kitchen. I appreciated Aunt Vanessa for this experience. I wasn’t getting paid much for today, but it wasn’t about the earnings. It was about the experience.

“Let’s go get the menus ready.” Alyssa led me over to the front door.

“Have you worked here all your life?” I asked Alyza.

“Yeah, pretty much. This isn’t my only job, though.”

“Really? What else do you do you?”

“I’m a museum curator. I curate artifacts for several museums in the US. When it’s the off-season for me I work here. This place always seems to bring me peace. What about you?”

“I’ve never had a job. Women aren’t allowed to work in my family.”

Alyza’s eyes bulged, and her mouth flew open.

“In this day and age! That’s crazy!”

“It’s a family tradition.” I shrugged my shoulders as I folded the menus.

“It’s stupid. Women should be able to do as they please just like men do.”

“Well, I’m doing as I please now.”

“I heard that. How does your new husband feel about that?”

I wanted to fill her in on the naked woman that was in his room, but I decided against it.

“Our situation is complicated.”

“Doesn’t look like it. Regardless of the circumstances that brought y’all here, Royale has never proposed or married anyone before. I can’t say he’s in love, but I can say you mean a lot to him.”

“You think so?”

“He left you at his safe house alone.” She unlocked the door. “I know so. Come on; it’s time to greet customers. I see a few walking up. “

I followed behind her and took my place at the entrance. This was my first day of work.

“Welcome to Vanessa’s. How many?” I greeted the first set of customers as I showed them to their seats.

“Finally.” I exhaled as I stumbled into the villa. My feet were feeling a pain I’d never known before. Alyza said it was from wearing sandals to wait tables. I made a mental note to wear tennis shoes tomorrow. Besides the throbbing feet, my first day of work had gone smoothly. I’d made a few minor mistakes, but it wasn’t enough for Aunt Vanessa to fire me. As time went on, I knew I would gain more confidence in my abilities.

Working provided a thrill that I’d never experienced. It had ignited something inside of me and I’d spent most of the day trying to think about what I might enjoy doing for a living. I’d never had the option before and now the options were endless.

I kicked off one sandal at a time before walking into the kitchen. The moment I flicked on the lights I knew something felt different. The inviting scent of fresh flowers filled my nose, and I spotted a beautiful bouquet of red roses and a gift box lying on the counter. Shock filled me as I moved closer. A slight smile appeared on my face while I read the card on the roses.

Chocolate,

You’re a working woman now.

Congratulations on your first day of work.

- London

A smile as big as the Grand Canyon displayed on my face at his thoughtfulness. How he’d left this surprise to celebrate my first day of work from out of town was insane. I looked around briefly hoping he’d appear out of nowhere so I could thank him, but that was a long shot. London had surgery until later this evening. I picked up the gift box and removed the lid. A book on healing from family trauma stared back at me. My heart skipped a beat as I combed my fingers through the pages. I’d asked him to heal me, and this was his response. Some women would be offended, but I was in awe of his effort. As I strummed through the book, a brown note fell out and into the palm of my hand. My eyes scanned the message.

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