CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Summer
Paisley has done suchan incredible job with the spa.Seeing it filled with guests has been completely different to the opening night.The atmosphere in here is on another level, and each guest is verbal with their approval.It feels nice working in an environment like this.Everyone left happy.There were no protests outside the building, no raging clients screaming at being lied to.There were no colleagues backstabbing each other.Well, unless you count Emma, the twenty-six-year-old who has rubbed me the wrong way since I started working here.
My first full day, she treated me like she owned the place and I had to follow her lead.I had already spoken to Paisley about my role, so it pissed me off when she told me I was doing something wrong and that she should just do it.I love people building each other up.I thrive in environments like that.So having her working so closely to me, knowing she would happily stab me in the back, bothers me more than I’ve let on.
This morning I walked in to hear her talking about the Hayes family and everything going on in the news.It was understandable people would want to talk about it, even ask questions, but her tone had been bitchy and unkind, especially about something she knew nothing about.I had been in two minds about whether or not to mention it to Paisley.I feel like she needs to know one of her staff members is gossiping about her and her family.
The only reason I haven’t is because the last thing I heard before I walked in had been her making a remark about me.She had told Alison, our masseuse, that it made sense to her now why I got the job that she was capable of doing.She really believed the Hayes family hired me as a way to say thank you to me for planting fake files on Katherine.It was so ridiculous, I almost laughed, but being pissed won out.I tried not to let it show, but it’s hard when she uses that patronising voice, telling me I’m doing something wrong.My job description is a multitude of things.I run the spa, from reception to staff rosters.I keep inventory up-to-date, plus the hours worked and the treatments given.All the while, I’m running Paisley’s schedule.She wants full run of the bed and breakfast, so I help with the same things over there, with the added special events she puts on.Even I have to admit, her schedule is crazy.With two full-time successful businesses, she also hosts events, schools, and sick patients.It’s crazy what she’s accomplished in such a short amount of time.
Malia pulls me from my thoughts as she chomps on another cucumber slice stolen from the cucumber water.
I slap her hand when she goes to pull out another.“Those are for guests.”
She arches her brow.“They drink the water.It’s not like they eat them.”
“Stop it,” I hiss, leaning back to see into the room where Emma waits on guests.Reception is mostly to sign them in and do all the admin work.Emma’s job is to greet guests and wait on them to make sure they have everything they need throughout the time they are here.And then she cleans up after every treatment or guest.
“Is the bitch still acting like you work for her?”Malia asks, swinging in the chair next to me.
“No.Yes.I don’t want to use my friendship with Paisley to get special treatment.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
I give her a pointed look.“Do you really think Paisley would be okay if Emma sat during work hours speaking to her friend?”
“No.Because Emma’s a lazy bitch and doesn’t like doing the job she’s doing,” Malia points out.“You’ve answered the phone six times since I’ve been here and haven’t stopped sending emails to clients, so I don’t think you should be worried about Paisley being okay about my being here.”
“Well I am.I like this job.”
“Bitch, don’t make me go back there when I’m on a break.Besides, I asked Paisley if I could sit with you.She was fine with it.”
I grin, hitting send on an email before giving her my full attention.“Are you worried about falling into bed with Liam again?”
“Yes.My vagina still hasn’t fucking recovered from the first time I got fucked by him.He knows how to use that monster of a dick of his.And I swear he keeps purposely taking his top off.”
I laugh, throwing a pencil at her.“Sounds rough,” I tease.“If it was that good, why not go back for seconds?”
She narrows her eyes, getting to her feet.“Lordy.Stop nagging at me.I’ll just go since that is clearly what you want.”
“Stop avoiding my question,” I tease.
“Bye,” she sings, leaving the spa.
I shake my head, my mouth splitting into a wide smile.Only Malia could find someone insanely attractive and shy away from them because of something stupid.
“Do you really think inviting your family to sit and speak to you whilst you’re working is a wise thing to do?I would hate for you to lose your job so soon.”
I cover up my surprise at Emma’s sudden arrival and paste on a fake smile.I really wanted to like this girl, but I just can’t.“Emma, I didn’t realise you had finished cleaning,” I greet.“It’s so kind of you to care about my job.There’s no need to worry though.Malia is helping Paisley out since Gracie left, and Paisley told her she’s happy with her coming over here to talk to me.”
“And using foul language when there are guests here?I cannot see Paisley being okay with that.”
