The man calls me a workaholic.
My stomach grumbles. I pick up the salad and take a mouthful. I bite back a moan, my body screaming in delight, at finally receiving sustenance. The chicken is warm and lightly spiced, the salad fresh and crisp with a variety of different greens and vegetables. If this is a taste of the food to come, I may find my appetite returns.
I sit back, salad in hand, and eat it while watching the seaplanes land and take off. I finish the plate of food in record time, the dizziness from before slowly dissipating as my blood sugars rise. I open my laptop, turning my attention to the screen, reading the latest updates from Michael, and a number of reports from some of the other managers.
I’m lost in work when Em finally reappears.
“Ms Frazer, the seaplane is ready. We’ll be heading down to the boarding gate in five minutes,” she says.
“Thank you, Em. And thank you for the salad, it was delicious.”
Her face lights up at the use of her name.
“Take the time to memorise names, Kat. Use them whenever possible, goes a long way in building relationships with your staff.”
Dad’s voice, once again, echoes through my mind, as it has been doing a lot recently.
I close down my laptop and return it to its sleeve.
I stand up as Jaxson appears silently by my side.
“Thank you for the food,” I say.
His gaze meets mine before softening.
“You’re welcome.”
I nod before turning my attention to Em, who has returned.
“If you’d like to follow me.”
We make our way down to the boarding gate, where she bids us farewell and a happy break.
The seaplane is busy. Jax offers for me to board first. I get on board and take one of the single seats, trying to ignore the roar of the engines.
Jaxson drops into the seat behind me, but I keep my eyes forward.
The pilot comes over the tannoy as we take off, the plane bouncing and accelerating before soaring up and over the water.
It’s forty minutes to the island.
A new acquisition to the FHG’s portfolio. There’ve been a few issues, which is why I’m here. A working holiday. The report says they need a large influx of cash. It’s my responsibility to decide if that’s true.
The past ten weeks have been a rollercoaster, and I feel like I’m holding on by my fingertips. I needed an escape, time to decompress. My attention has been wandering, and my judgement is definitely impaired. My agreeing to work with Jaxson is evidence of that. My icy, calm demeanour is cracking.
This was my chance to reset, and my bloody brother has seen to it that I now have to deal with Jaxson.
I stare out of the window at the crystal waters and islands below.
Jaxson Lockwood is not going to derail my plans.
This trip will be on my terms. I will work with him for the good of the project. His input on the plane was impressive for someone who’s just come on board. But other than that, I’m demanding my own space.
We finally come into land.The seaplane bounces over the waves as it pulls into the island’s jetty. A team of representatives from the hotel are waiting to greet us individually.
Nice touch.
“Ms Frazer, Mr Lockwood. My name is Bethany. If you have any questions or need anything, I’ll be your representative during your stay with us.”
