Page 22 of Escape To Paradise
Zofia and Paul led the guests to their rooms. Kathleen and I went directly to the kitchen to make lunch. We saved a lot of time when we did the prep work last night. In less than two hours, we had already finished the lunch menu. None of the guests were vegetarian, so it was easier to plan a menu around their preferences. For lunch, we prepared grilled mahi-mahi with refreshing pineapple and avocado salad, buttered coconut risotto, coconut rum cake for the adults’ desserts, and coconut sorbet for the teenagers. We also had alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. The staff arranged lunch on the top deck.
The guests started introducing themselves to each other over lunch, and there was light banter and interesting conversation. Kathleen and I stayed briefly on the deck, just in case they needed something. One guest, a teenage girl, asked if we had any other flavor of sorbet. I told her we had vanilla and chocolate ice cream. She asked for the chocolate. Kathleen went down to get the chocolate ice cream. Zofia helped serve the water and the alcoholic cocktails.
It felt good, as all the guests had emptied their plates with no leftovers. As we cleaned up, some of them stayed on the deck to play games while the others went inside to play in the game room.
We arrived at the island after a couple of hours. Upon docking, some guests disembarked and went to the island. We stayed and prepared some drinks and snacks on the upper deck for the ones that stayed.
Paul took some guests on a small boat to the island; the rest of them stayed closer to the yacht to swim and go snorkeling. Julian opted to go paddle boarding on the shore and paddle boarded away from the boat.
The girls and I just stood there and watched our guests enjoying themselves in the water. No one had yet partaken of the snacks, but we were sure, after their swim, they would eat the light snacks we had prepared.
Zofia and Kathleen kept ogling Julian, and I guess, I was too. He was athletic and had well-defined muscles.
“Wow, he’s just a dream boat. So handsome. At least, we have some eye candy to keep us entertained for hours.” Zofia sighed.
“Yeah, he is a cutie.” I had to admit, Julian was indeed a very attractive man.
“I don’t know, though. I mean, he seems too perfect. I kind of still like Maverick’s ruggedness. Don’t you agree, Kathleen?” Zofia turned to Kathleen, who was still ogling Julian.
“They’re both cute in different ways.”
It was fun watching the guests enjoying their vacation. After a few hours, the guests who were snorkeling came back up to the yacht. Julian also came back, but his complexion had turned ruddy.
“I hope he used sunscreen. A sunburn is going to hurt,” Zofia commented.
Kathleen giggled.
“You girls are just too funny. Now back to work,” I ordered. I had to hold back on being the leader of the pack, but the girls didn’t seem to mind.
We served the guests their snacks and their drinks. Julian spoke to some of the guests as if he already knew them. They were very friendly with each other. Paul and the rest of the party didn’t come back until four p.m. By then, we had to head down to prepare for dinner.
Dinner was beef Wellington, mashed potatoes, and green salad. We served it with red wine. The teenagers got virgin cocktails. We served it in the dining area, where it was more formal. After dinner, some guests went upstairs while others went to the game room.
Julian approached me. “That was a great meal. And your name again, Chef?”
“It’s Harper.”
“Nice name. My name is Julian.”
Although he had already introduced himself to me on the first day, it seemed that he didn’t want me to forget his name.
“I noticed your accent. You’re American?”
“Yes, born and raised in Chicago.”
“Wonderful. I grew up in NY, then moved to Florida.” Julian was holding his red wine.
Zofia and Kathleen were busy cleaning up the table, and they smiled and winked at me. They pumped their fists in the air as if to cheer me on.
“It’s nice to see an American on this side of the planet.”
“Your friends seem to be Americans.” I pointed to the two couples that he was friendly with.
“Yes, they are, but I’ve invited them over. I’ve been convincing them to buy property on the island.”
“Are you into real estate?” I asked, suddenly curious about what he did for a living.
“Yes. I sell properties in Grenada and back home, too. I also trade stocks and stock options.”
