Page 4 of Escape To Paradise
“I didn’t even make a wish yet.”
“It’s okay. I made a wish for you.” Lisa laughed.
***
I got used to my days at Lisa’s, walking their family dog, cleaning the house, cooking, and helping the kids with homework. I never knew a life outside of running my restaurant. My days here were different, but refreshing. The center of the town was tiny, and there wasn’t a lot that happened there except over the weekend with their farmer’s market and small-town musical festival.
It was Friday afternoon when I received a call from the company Lisa had applied for on my behalf. Lisa had gone to pick up the boys from school; they would be home shortly.
“Hi, is this Harper Aziz? My name is James. I’m the local recruiter for the company that you applied for. It’s for the luxury yacht charter which is based overseas.” James sounded very professional.
Of course, the job didn’t sound familiar. Lisa applied for a dozen positions, and it was hard to keep track of where she sent my resume.
“Yes,” I lied, pretending I knew what he was saying.
“I would like to conduct a phone interview if you’re available now, or if not, we can set it up in a few days. Would you be available now?”
I still did not know what type of job this was and where the job was going to be located. But I had no other choice; I needed a job. My money was still tied up in the restaurant and the house. The lawyer I hired was dealing with everything. Meanwhile, I had to earn a living while the money was being divided, and I wanted to disappear for a few months. I knew this could be my chance.
“Yes, I’m available now.”
“Great! I will conduct the interview now. So, do you own a passport?”
“Yes, I do.” I nodded my head, even though he couldn’t see me.
“Are you able to travel within the next two weeks?”
I was surprised that Lisa chose this job for me. It was too soon, or so I thought.
I wanted to sound calm, so I cleared my throat and responded, “Of course. Yes. I’m willing and able.” Deep inside, I was already nervous about what I was getting myself into.
“It says on your resume that you currently own a restaurant. Is that correct?”
“Yes. I am in the process of divesting myself from that restaurant.”
“For what reason is that, if I may ask?”
“It’s a partnership between me and my ex-boyfriend. I’ve decided to end the business partnership. I’ll get my share.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” James said in a sincere tone.
“It’s okay. I’ve moved on.”
“Based on your resume, you’re overqualified for the job. We were looking for just a chef with at least one or two years of experience. You’ve had eight years. And not only that, but you also helped run your own restaurant. Why are you interested in this job?”
Even if I couldn’t see James, I could picture him staring at me while he asked this question. It was indeed unusual for someone with my experience to just give up everything and work wherever this thing Lisa had signed me up for.
I took a deep breath and said, “To tell you the truth, I’ve been burnt out, running my restaurant and running a kitchen. I just wanted to do something simple. And also, to continue to cook but not handle like an entire team.”
“Sounds perfect. There’s just you and your sous-chef. The other crew members are the stewardess-slash-cleaner, the captain, and the assistant skipper.”
Yacht meant I was going to be a cook for a charter yacht, but he forgot to mention where it was.
“I apologize, but did you already mention the location of this charter boat?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s in the Caribbean. Have you heard of St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines and Grenada?”
Those were familiar-sounding places, all of which I had not been to before. I quickly Googled them and located them on the map.
