Page 39 of The Wrong Fiancée

I was getting fired. I knew it. I knew it. Had I done something to piss off Dean? Was that why he was complaining to Dante about me?

"Mr. Giordano, you wanted to see me?" My heart beat like a drum.

He smiled tightly and held out a hand, gesturing me to walk into the ballroom. It was empty, and Dante motioned for me to take a seat at a table. I did and kept my shaking hands on my lap.

I had enough money saved up to pay for a month at Ka Pono. I could find another job in a month, right? I was getting the cottage cheap because I worked at Hale Moana Resort, so I'd lose that. Where would I stay? I could stay a couple of days with Leilani and Nalu, but their place was small, and Nalu's mother,who wasn't well, lived with them. I'd have to find a place—any place.

"I've been made aware that you've been having a lot of…skirmishes with the Thatcher party," Dante spoke softly.

The hell with it. I was just going to give it to him straight. "Mrs. Thatcher is displeased with my presence wherever they areandin general."

He nodded sternly.

Damn it! The Thatchers were important guests while I was merely the staff, easily expendable. People like me got fired every day. At least I'd keep my tiki lounge job, and I knew they'd hire me most evenings. I just needed to find something for the day. With two jobs or maybe three, I could figure everything out.

"Why do you think that is?" he asked.

I felt like crying—I really did. I was so tired, and this seemed so unfair. I always did my job well. I cleaned well. I stepped in when I was needed. I never complained about working long hours.

What had Dean said to Dante?Fire her because she's upsetting my in-laws?I thought after he came to Ka Pono with me, we'd come to an understanding. But I knew that there would come a time when Felicity would complain so much that Dean would have to cut me loose, not that I was attached to him in any way.

"I don't know, Mr. Giordano. Maybe you should ask Mrs. Thatcher."

Dante's eyes went cold. "You know, at our resort, the customer is always right."

"Yes, sir."

I had exactly eight hundred and thirty-six dollars and fifty-five cents in my savings account. That could help me find a place to rent, maybe just a room in one of the cheap motels. Bed bugs were better than no bed.

"How long has this been going on?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

Nalu's friend had a motel; maybe they'd give me the friends and family deal. Yeah. I could go there. Shit, I hadn't fixed up mybicycle. Well, I'd have to do that right away. I hoped they'd let me stay tonight in my cottage, and I could pack up and leave tomorrow. I should've changed jobs when I knew they'd be here in the summer. That would have been the sensible thing to do.

"Your vendetta with the Thatchers."

"I don't have a vendetta, sir. Mr. Thatcher is my father's half-brother. My father is no longer alive."

Dante leaned back. "So, this is a family matter that's following you to work?"

I could borrow Leilani's car to move my things. I didn't have much. What I had could fit in a suitcase and a box. I felt tears sting the back of my eyes. I wouldn't give this rich asshole the satisfaction of seeing me cry.Ever.

"I'm afraid so, Mr. Giordano."

He looked somber. "We can't have such behavior at a resort of our caliber. Do you understand?"

Oh, I certainly do!

"Yes, sir." I cast my eyes down, my shoulders slumped. I was so exhausted. I just wanted to lie down and sleep for several days. Wouldn't that be a luxury?

"I have seen your file and there have been several complaints from the Thatchers over the years."

"Yes, sir."

"Why do you put up with it?" he asked, and my eyes snapped up to his.

I felt anger rise inside me. Well, he was going to fire me, so maybe I should just go out in flames and the hell with it. He could be the someone I told 'I quit'to

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