Page 94 of What Happens in Paradise

Now I just had to hope that I liked what she said…

33

JASMINE

I stared at my phone screen.

For the last ten minutes, I’d been trying to work out how best to reply to Alejandro’s messages.

I read them again.

How are you?

I miss you. I really need to see you.

Meet Bob tomorrow at reception at 5.45 in the morning (I know it is early but I promise it will be worth it).

He will take you to meet me somewhere private where we will not be seen. You will be back in time to start work.

When I’d woken up and seen his messages, my heart had flipped. I’d missed him too.

I’d been playing the playlist he’d sent me non-stop. In the office, in my room… but always through my headphones. I didn’t want to risk him hearing it through the bedroom wall or in the unlikely event he came into the office.

But like I’d said when he’d messaged yesterday and the day before, seeing each other wasn’t a good idea.

I had to admit though, with every day that passed, my resolve weakened.

After seeing him every day last week and spending that magical weekend together, it was so hard to be apart. There were so many things I wanted to talk to him about.

I wanted to tell him how much I loved the artists that he’d introduced me to and tell him my favourite ¿Téo? songs.

I wanted to hear about how things were going with the chef. I’d been so busy that I either ordered food to eat in the office or the couple of times I’d eaten in the restaurant, I’d had to sit with Hortense and Alejandro was hidden away in the kitchen.

Sometimes, I’d heard him come in at night or leave in the morning. And when I heard the shower turn on through the bathroom wall, I wished I was there with him.

It was crazy to think that our rooms were right next door, but we’d managed to avoid seeing each other for almost three days. And I couldn’t lie. I was at breaking point.

My fingers hovered over the phone keys.

I knew what I should write. I should just copy and paste my previous messages and remind him that it wasn’t a good idea. Hazel already suspected something and Hortense seemed to be watching me like a hawk too. That was the sensible thing to do. So far, we’d gotten away with it, so we should quit whilst we were ahead.

But before I knew it, I’d typed out a reply that definitely wasn’t a good idea and pressed send.

Okay. See you tomorrow morning.

* * *

It was now Thursday morning and I was in the car with Bob, heading to the secret location to meet Alejandro.

My heart thundered in my chest. Partly with fear of getting caught, but mostly with excitement about seeing Alejandro again.

When I’d crept out of my room, I’d checked that the coast was clear and didn’t see anyone around. Reception was empty too.

I’d subtly asked Nadine last night what time she started this morning and she’d said she’d be here at eleven, which was fine.

Hortense seemed to come to the office after ten, so as long as I was at my desk by nine-ish, I’d be fine. That gave me a clear three hours to spend with Alejandro. Not that we’d need that long of course. I was only going there to tell him in person that Hazel was suspicious and we couldn’t continue, so depending on where this secret location was, I could be back in my room (alone) within the hour.

Yes. As soon as I’d explained the situation to Alejandro, I’d leave.

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