Page 52 of Escape To Paradise
“I’ll send you a contact for a driver who can take you around town.”
“It’s okay. I’ll make my own arrangements.” I instantly thought about contacting Viktor. I knew it was already late, but I texted Viktor hoping he’d still respond. After a few minutes, he responded with an affirmative.
“So, what are your plans for tomorrow?” Julian got curious.
“I’ll just go to work, training the cook at The Flamingo.”
Julian’s face tensed. “I wish you’d get it done soon. But I understand, business is business. At least, get paid handsomely for your effort.”
I didn’t want to push Julian about what went on between him and Maverick. Based on his reaction, it wasn’t good.
***
Julian left before nine in the morning. He said he was going to show his clients different properties and would just call me when he was ready to meet up.
Viktor picked me up shortly after. We dropped by the market to pick up some ingredients for the American burger recipe, sweet potato fries recipe, and pizza recipe I was going to teach him. When we got to The Flamingo, Maverick was already there.
“You’re giving another lesson today?” Maverick asked.
“Yeah, I had availability at the last minute.”
Viktor excused himself and went to the kitchen with the grocery items.
Maverick had a boyish charm. He was wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and rubber shoes. He wasn’t a snazzy dresser like Julian, but he had his own appeal. I could see his chest hair peeking form his shirt. He also had very hairy arms. Julian shaved all of his chest and arm hair.
“How many days are you guys off this time around?”
“Five days. We’re waiting for a new captain. Captain Youssef is on leave for eight weeks,” I told him.
“That’s nice. If you have time to drop by again, I’m ready for my cocktail lessons.”
“Yeah, we’ll practice for twelve drinks. It’s going to be easy.”
“I’m glad you’re here. I would really like to make this bar well-known in this island for good food and good drinks.”
“It’s straight-forward. You’re not aiming for a Michelin-rated restaurant. What I can teach is to make non-mediocre food and drinks. Keep the vibe of the place, casual and fun.”
“Let me know when you’re going to drop by. I’ll make myself available.” He glanced at his wristwatch and told me he had to go. He seemed to be keen on going on his computer all the time, but I didn’t ask him what that’s about.
“Okay, see you when I see you.”
He started walking away, but then he turned around and said, “I really appreciate the help, Harper. I really do.”
I went to the kitchen and prepared the food. Viktor joined in. He seemed very eager to learn a new recipe. I asked him where I could hire a driver, and he gave me the number of his cousin, who works full time as a driver for hire.
I finished the cooking lessons at 1 p.m. I still hadn’t heard from Julian, so I texted him. No response from him still. Viktor offered to drive me back to Julian’s place. I asked him if he could drive me around town so I could get some baked goods and maybe a coffee first. We dropped by a coffee shop with some baked goods. The pastries and bread weren’t that sophisticated, it was simplistic, and the coffee was also just decent.
“Yeah, that’s what we need in Grenada. A better coffee shop for tourists. Unfortunately, it’s just a simple country,” Viktor explained.
“It’s a beautiful country. You guys have nature’s beauty and gorgeous beaches. Maybe that’s all you guys need.”
“Yes, we’re simple people with simple tastes. It’s the tourists that always look for the fancy restaurants, the fancy bars and coffee shops.”
“Yes, we Westerners are very complicated indeed.”
Viktor dropped me off at Julian’s place around 3 p.m. Julian still hadn’t responded, so I texted him again, asking where he was. I got impatient waiting for a response, so to keep my mind off things, I decided to take a swim in Julian’s pool. I wore one of the bikinis I had purchased.
I swam for over an hour. The water was cool, and the sun was already dipping at the horizon. When I emerged from the pool, Julian was standing there, just staring at me.
