Page 1 of Doctor Mile High
1
DOVE
The world doesn’t stop spinning, evenwhen you’re on vacation.
I’ve been on an all-inclusive trip to Costa Rica for seven nights and eight days. Somehow, Landon Vainton, my boss and the CEO of the Vain Medical Company, hasn’t gotten the memo that I am unavailable.
I haven’t taken one personal day in the entire four years I’ve been working as his assistant, but I had to get away from him. He was stressing me out to the point where I was rethinking what I wanted out of life.
Do I want to be his assistant forever?
Why am I killing myself over a dead-end job?
Do I want more out of life?
Do I need more out of life?
Do I want him to be my boss until the day I die?
When the answer was to the last question was a hard no, I put in for vacation time to escape. I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with my life while sitting on the beach, toes in the water and a drink in my hand. Do I know what I want to do? No. I’m still lost on that, but I’m only twenty-five years old. I’m young. I can do anything.
I could stay in Costa Rica and be happy.
Now, there’s an idea I could get behind, but I would never want to leave my family. I have a good relationship with my parents, brother, and my best friend Hanson. I’d miss them too much.
“Miss?”
I blink away from my trance to see the bartender staring at me, wiping down the counter as he waits for an answer.
“I’m so sorry. I was completely zoned out. What did you say?” My phone chimes again for the hundredth time and I let out a long, annoyed sigh when I see Landon’s name flash across the screen. I turn my phone off, toss the damn thing in my purse, and smile at the bartender so he can have my attention.
“Your drink. Would you like another?”
The breeze carries over the sea salt, relaxing me as I take a deep breath in. The sun is beginning to set, painting the sky in oranges and yellows. The horizon gets lost on the border of the ocean, sinking lower into the endless depths of the dark blue water.
I wrap my lips around the straw and finish the last of the strawberry daiquiri. “Yes, please. This is my last night here and I want to make the best of it.”
A smile spreads wide across his face. “Coming right up. Are you going to enjoy the live music? It starts soon and will be the perfect way to end your vacation. With a few more drinks, of course.” He winks, pouring the ingredients together to create the tastiest drink I have ever had.
“Oh, definitely. That sounds perfect. I don’t want to go back up to the room. I want to stay out here until the very last second.” I stare into the sunset, wishing this could be my everyday life.
Why does peace only come on vacation? Why can’t life be this stress free?
Working for the Vain Medical Corporation was a dream when I applied right out of college. I couldn’t believe I got the job as Landon Vainton’s personal assistant.
Four years later, I hate going to work. I hate Landon. I hate everything he stands for and the way he cuts corners just to make a dollar. This job is slowly sucking the life out of me. I’m realizing that Landon has no ethics, no morals, and the only person he cares about is himself. I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I hand in my notice, but anything is better than staying on for another second as his assistant.
Iguanas bask in the last of the remaining sunlight while hanging out on rocks near the shore. Earlier, colorful birds sang from the lush green tree line, singing me to sleep while I lay on the beach, listening to their songs as waves crashed onto the shore.
“Here you are. A fresh daiquiri. And I might have added an extra shot of rum. On the house since it is your last night.”
I snicker, plucking the freshly cut strawberry from the rim of the glass and taking a bite. “Thank you so much. I appreciate it.”
“Music should start soon. Just enjoy. Try to come back and see us again soon.” He turns around, walking toward the end of the bar to help another customer.
“Maybe I’ll move here one day,” I mumble to myself before taking a sip of my daiquiri.
I stand, strolling through the sand to get to the gorgeous dreamlike canopy the resort has set up. Twinkling lights hang strategically, reminding me of the stars in the sky here at night. Torches are lit every few feet for added light. A band is setting up in the corner near the dance floor and additional seating is being added, preparing for the fun night of music and dancing.
