“Perfect. I’ll book the next flight leaving LAX and text you the details. We’ll have a car ready to pick you up at the airport when you arrive. Oh, and I’m sending over a pantry list of food items. Check the boxes you’d like, add anything we might have missed, and we’ll have the kitchen fully stocked by the time you arrive. You’ll be cooking for the both of you. However, he’ll take his meals alone.”
Alone? “Is this business or pleasure?”
“Can’t say,” Cyree said. “Could be either. Everyone’s idea of vacationing is different.”
“That’s true.” Camila pushed her other questions aside. “Just wondering. The job sounds perfect.”
“Sweet!” Cyree said. “Get ready to come on out.”
A burst of excitement shot through her, pulse rushing like the distant tide as she set her phone back onto the table. She could hardly wait to get back to work in the kitchen. Preparing her own creations. It’s what she loved most.
“What did I miss?” Gypsy asked, steadying her steaming mug. A fresh tea tag dangled from one side.
Camila caught a hint of the minty scent and smiled. “I just accepted a job offer. Turns out that super rich guy I was going to work for has a brother who’s taking his place at the resort.”
“The billionaire? Bam!” Gypsy thrust a palm toward her, and Camila reached up to give her a high five. “That’s what I’m talking about!” She started bringing her mug to her lips, but stopped suddenly and lowered it once more. “Are you sure you’re not going to be working for Mr. Yolk-on-his-diamond-crusted-cufflinks?He’sgot wealthy brothers.”
Camila rolled her eyes. “I’m sure. The resort is clear on the other side of the country. East coast.”
“Wow! The job goes until the end of the month. You get twenty-eight days with a billionaire. That’s…pretty cool.”
Camila shrugged, recalling the trip Gypsy had ahead of her. “Andyou’llbe spending twenty-one days doing yoga in the Bahamas.”
Gypsy let out a long, wistful sigh. “Yes, I will. Hey, you said this villa is in some sort of resort. Which one is it?”
Camila considered all the hype surrounding the world famous resort. A place big names from all over the world spent time in the sun and sand. She gave her a wide grin, allowing herself to enjoy the idea of it herself. “Ever heard of the Royal Palm?”
Chapter 4
Tall, leafy trees lined the private, winding drive leading to the properties at the Royal Palm. Just moments ago, Camila had enjoyed the sights of the afternoon sun glistening off the ocean tide. Bright umbrellas shaded welcoming chairs along the beach, and Camila couldn’t help but imagine reclining on one with a good book.
Yet here in the wooded parts of the property, there was no sign of the beach. Each massive mansion was hidden by hills, valleys, hedges, and trees. A blanket of English ivy covered the ground and even climbed up several tree trunks too. Camila had never witnessed so much green all in one place.
“This is beautiful,” she said in a whisper.
Kyler, a driver for the resort, blew out a whistle. “You can say that again. It’s not often I drive into these parts. The guests usually bring in their own drivers. Wonder who you’re going to be cooking for,” he added.
Camila grinned. During the short drive, the two had developed a kinship of sorts. Both working in the service industry as they did. Often working for the wealthy.
“Me too,” she said. “Someone who wants his privacy, that’s all I can say. That contract I signed was—”
“Crazy?” He tipped his head. “They’re freaking paranoid if you ask me. All of them. Not like we’re hiding royalty here or something.”
Camila lifted a brow. “But maybe we are…”
“Guess you’re right. Not that you’ll be able to tell me if you are.” Kyler pulled into a narrow drive and stopped beneath a canopy of leafy branches.
Camila ducked to peer into the clearing through the window. There, she finally caught a glimpse of the mansion. Rustic rock accented the massive stucco structure. Ornate fountains and ironwork enhanced a theme that had her picturing Spanish vineyards and glasses of wine. “Wow,” she breathed.
“They don’t call it the Tuscany Villa for nothing,” Kyler said.
The ground cover on the outskirts of the mansion was different than what she’d spotted along the way, the ivy being replaced by a blended use of tile, rock, and clay colored gravel. Potted plants and marble statues added to the appeal. She half expected a team of viola players to greet her as she stepped out of the town car.
“This is honestly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen,” she said. Sure, Shimwah’s mansion was impressive. Very. And so were the others she’d served in. But so many of them lacked character. More cold and sterile. New looking, not eclectic.
“Yeah,” Kyler said as he climbed out of the car. “And this is just the back of the house.” He opened Camila’s door and offered his hand. “My mom wouldloveto stay at this place.”
She took his hand after gathering a few of her things, then walked to the back of the town car for her luggage. “Cyree told me to go ahead and enter through the upper deck in back. Guess it leads right to the kitchen.”
