Hidden Love (Derrien Island Trilogy)

by Thorpe, Simmone

  His family had advised him of the risk of dating his employee and yes he knew that it was far from ethical. But, he had gone way past caring about ethics now. Before the end of this year he would see to it that he convinced her to become his wife and he would not be so foolish as to let her go as her first husband did. He wanted her to have a stake in all of his affairs so she never had to consider herself as his employee again but rather his partner in all things.

  Uncapping her soup quickly, Candasee dug in. There was something about eating soup on cold rainy days that made her sigh with pleasure as her toes curled at the warmth sliding down her throat. She always hated storms and Darius could never understand why she would not sit and watch the lightning displays with him. Why couldn’t he be more like Nathan who understood her and never tried to force her into being who she wasn’t? Nathan just accepted her as she was and that meant so much to her. He was predictable and she liked that about him!

  Suddenly conscious of her own train of thought, she noted to her chagrin how easily her thoughts still slipped back to her ex-husband Darius. Distance and time may have separated them, but still her heart had not yet forgotten him and the fact that their divorce still hurt infuriated her to no end! After a year of him trying to convince her how silly her dreams of becoming a dance instructor were and that she should be proud to be an attorney, she’d finally had enough! She was not simply a trophy to be displayed on his arm when he proudly introduced her as his wife or by her job title as a high-powered corporate attorney. Every time he did, it annoyed her because he only started doing that after she declared her desire to change her career. He always knew she loved to dance, so why the sudden change of heart when she decided to make it her career? Sure he gave a little resistance to her going to classes over the years but nothing like when she decided to make it her passion and her life.

  She could appreciate wealth and prestige as much as the next person but her heart just longed to do something else. Her father always told her that a person’s worth was measured by more than their career and the size of their bank account. Character, integrity and fulfilling purpose were also extremely important to her and to her family as she was growing up. She would never forget the disdainful words Darius spoke to her after she closed her private law practice to work part-time at a studio which taught dance on the island.

  “Surely you don’t expect me to say that you teach dance for living, do you? What would my associates think about that? Why don’t you work with me at the hotel or just continue practicing law if you need to be busy? Leave dancing as a hobby for the ordinary folks!” His words still echoed painfully in her mind even till now.

  Who were these ordinary folks and did he forget how he came to be where he was today? It was after that moment and several other tumultuous ones which followed that made her wonder how she could have ever thought she knew or loved that shallow excuse for a man. She knew the answer immediately because of the almost paralysing stab of pain that she once again felt deep in her heart. Once again, the pain was an indicator that what he said mattered and it still mattered a lot even now and it wasn’t fair! There were purges and cleanses of all kinds for the body, so how come she couldn’t find something that would take care of this constant dull ache in her heart.

  Was that all that she was to him after all they had experienced together. Had becoming a hotel magnate changed him so much that all he saw was money and status and the need to show off and to fit in with the crowd? What had happened to the man who used to spend hours with his head resting on her lap listening to her tell him about her hopes and dreams? He seemed interested then, but she had to wonder if it was just all an act to get her down the aisle. Granted, it only took seven months from their first date to their wedding day but surely she could not have been so blind! She always prided herself on being able to see through the façades presented to her by her clients in the many cases she worked on as an attorney. But nothing prepared her to discover that the biggest lie was the trust she had placed in Darius Brogan to love and support her!

  “Hey, you seem as though you have drifted off to a faraway land!” said Nathan touching Candasee’s shoulder lightly.

  She had blown on that spoonful of soup in her hand about twenty times now and he was pretty sure it was cold!

  “Hmm?” she intoned, coming slowly back to reality before pushing the spoonful of cold soup into her mouth.

  “Are you okay, I hope you aren’t worried about the conference, somehow I have a feeling that Solange will come through for us!”

  “Yes, you are right! Let’s just eat okay!” said Candasee not bothering to explain the true direction of her thoughts. Nathan still had no idea that she’d lived here on Derrien for four years. Talking about this former life was her least favourite subject because she still felt way too much when she thought about it! She always found a way to deflect attention from discussing her past, because that was how she wanted it to stay, a past event and nothing more.

  She planned to tell him eventually but the time never seemed right to discuss the subject of her failed marriage to Darius. Nathan actually only knew her as Candasee Maxwell because she had reverted to using her maiden name after the divorce was finalized leaving off the name Brogan that would so easily tie her to her well-known ex-husband. The less Nathan knew the better and the fewer questions she would be forced to answer! The subject of her marriage was still a very sore point that she just did not want to discuss with anyone!

  Although Nathan was wealthy in his own right, he would certainly be intimidated if he knew that the simple woman sitting before him used to be married to a billionaire who owned three major hotel properties throughout the Caribbean and several other real estate businesses. It was probably for the best that he knew as little as possible!

  Suddenly Nathan’s phone rang and he grabbed it quickly hoping that it was Solange with good news.

  “Hello, Nathan speaking!”

  “Hi Nathan, Solange here, and I have really good news for you!” she exclaimed with excitement in her voice. “I managed to find a replacement hotel for you to host the intensive for the next two weeks,” she said excitedly. “The owner and I discussed the monetary aspect and he agreed that it will not cost you much more than you would have spent here at the Meridian Hotel.

  “Solange, this is great news!” exclaimed Nathan smiling broadly, grasping Candasee’s hand and gave it a hopeful squeeze.

  “Now, I know that you wanted to have a hotel which the delegates could afford and we had arranged special discount rates, but at this hotel that arrangement will be problematic!” continued Solange.

  “I don’t understand! I thought you said the rates were going to be similar. Is it significantly more expensive?” interrupted Nathan with concern.

  “Oh definitely more expensive, out of your budget actually, but I managed after much negotiation, to still get you a really good discount. It will work if you can get some of the delegates to share rooms and split the costs!” she said.

  “I am not sure they would want to do that! These people are practically strangers to each other,” Nathan replied warily.

  “I knew that would have been a concern for you, so I took the liberty of asking the delegates who are already here what they thought about the idea! When they heard the name of the hotel, they were more than willing to make the sacrifice,” said Solange laughing.

  “Which hotel did you book for us Solange?” demanded Nathan.

  “None other than the luxurious Derrien Hilton Hotel and the owner’s name is Darius Brogan. He’s been a good friend of mine for a few months now! Don’t worry I am in the process of sending out all of the details to his hotel to help you all get settled in quickly. This is a loss for us here at the Meridian but we want to make sure that you still have a wonderful event!” replied Solange sincerely to her friend. She and Nathan were old college friends and they had kept in touch occasionally throughout the years!

  “Yes, I am sorry too about not being able to use
your property but did you say, Derrien Island Hilton and Darius Brogan? Do you mean the billionaire hotel magnate that has been buying up properties all over the Caribbean?” exclaimed Nathan loudly.

  At the sound of Darius’ name and the Derrien Island Hilton, the sense of dread Candasee felt on the plane returned in full force and completely eliminated any appetite she thought she had left. Instead a wave of panic flooded her abdomen and her heart began to race. Her soup filled spoon dropped from her hand back into the container as every muscle in it became listless. Surely she did not just hear Nathan say that the venue for the intensive shifted to that hotel?

  “The one and the same,” Solange replied to with a smile. “So I know that you and all of your delegates will be well taken care of in five star quality. I scheduled a meeting with his events coordinator for you this evening, so you can go over with her your plans to set up the conference area and I will drop by the hotel tomorrow to check up on you.”

  “Solange, thank you so much, I really appreciate how you have gone out of your way to make sure this event still succeeds. I’ll see you at the hotel tomorrow.”

  “Now, before you thank me, there is another condition to this deal that you need to know about. The hotel is in need of an entertainment package on the fourth night of your intensive. So when I told him that you were a professional arts and media group he was very interested in learning more about you. The group they booked cancelled last minute and now it is imperative that they get a professional arts company to provide entertainment,” she said.

  “I see, so we will be working for our stay and our supper in other words!”

  “Something like that and it will help you absorb the differences in the cost for the delegate’s meals as you no longer have the all-inclusive arrangement we arranged. Darius has agreed that if you do the show he will allow the delegates to stay as all-inclusive guests for the duration of the intensive. That is extremely generous of him and you would both be helping each other out!”

  “Why is he so willing to do this? Has he ever heard of my academy?” asked Nathan with surprise.

  “I emailed him a few videos of the performances and awards your company did and received and he was impressed and so was his events coordinator,” Solange replied. Now this is the big part that I have not told you about yet! You are getting a steal because the entertainment is going to be featured on the Where in the World Is Sally Flanders travel show, this upcoming week so you will be getting free global exposure and recognition for the work you do at your academy,” squealed Solange with elation.

  “No way!” exclaimed Nathan. Solange are you serious? This sounds too amazing for words! I don’t know how to thank you! When I see you remind me to give you a giant hug!” hooted Nathan excitedly.

  “Someone must really love you in heaven, Nathan!” said Solange smiling. “I am really happy for you, this could not have been better arranged for your academy!”

  Nathan blinked rapidly as he fought to digest the implication of the news! The academy was going to be featured globally on one of the most popular shows in the history of cable television?

  “Solange this is too amazing for words, wow!” he said.

  “Okay, while that sinks in I have to go and sort out some other details so we will talk soon!” she said before disconnecting the call.

  As Nathan hung up the phone and looked at Candasee to tell her the good news, he paused and studied the odd dazed expression on her face. She was staring at the bag where he had just placed his phone with utter dread and panic written all over her face!

  “Candasee, I have some good news,” he said slowly trying not to alarm her by touching her arm lightly. “Solange got us rooms and a new venue at the Derrien Hilton, isn’t that wonderful? I knew this would work out wonderfully!” he continued while trying at the same time to comprehend the stricken expression on her face. “The owner agreed to allow us to pay similar rates with a few concessions on his part to ensure a smooth transition as a favour to Solange! Aren’t you happy? We just got a major upgrade for the intensive?”

  “Nathan, I’m sorry, I can’t go to the intensive anymore, I am leaving on the next flight back to Barbados,” said Candasee leaping to her feet and looking around for her travel bags.

  Nathan, completely puzzled by her reaction reached out and held her wrist gently but firmly.

  “Wait Candasee, please talk to me, I thought that this news would have made you as happy as it made me!”

  “Nathan you don’t understand! I really can’t go anymore! I’m sorry to do this to you on short notice but there are some things I haven’t told you!” she replied still trying to pull away her hand.

  Nathan held on firmly now becoming alarmed at the sudden change in Candasee’s demeanour. All it took was mentioning the change in venue and she immediately became a different person. Her face had become a cool mask, devoid of emotion but her eyes reflected the truth. She was afraid of something, but what could it be?

  “Candee, please talk to me! You aren’t making much sense right now!”

  “Look, I have not been completely honest with you and there is a lot about me that you simply don’t know!” replied Candasee shaking her head as she continued to pull her hand out of Nathan’s strong grip. But still he refused to let her go!

  “I’m not letting you go until you agree to talk to me!” he said. “Something is really bothering you and I would like to help you if I can.”

  Finally, deciding not to cause a scene she sat again and tried to take in several deep gulps of air to steady her shattered nerves! She had not seen or spoken to Darius in over a year and to think that he still had such a powerful effect on her threw her into an immediate panic. When Nathan blurted out his name, a mixture of emotions immediately boiled up within her. The first one was pain, then hurt, then anger, then the unbelievable knowledge that she still missed him and wanted to see him so much was the strongest of them all. This was crazy! The faster she got to a ticket counter and made her way back to Barbados the better it would be for all concerned!

  “Candasee I don’t think there is anything that you could do or say to make me hate you or be disappointed in you! You are the most remarkable woman I have ever met and I know that you must have had your reasons for not saying whatever it is you haven’t said to me as yet,” replied Nathan softly moving a tendril of hair that had fallen over her eye. “Just talk to me, you can trust me!”

  Nathan’s presence always seemed to be able to calm her down and his controlled reaction to her irrational outburst was again testament to the character she knew he possessed.

  “Nathan, it is statements just like that one that let me know that I really don’t deserve your friendship sometimes,” said Candasee.

  “Let me be the judge of that! Now tell me why you reacted like that at the news?” Nathan asked her once more.

  Before answering, Candasee swallowed deeply and closed her eyes. The best way was to just get straight to the point.

  “Nathan, I think you should know that Darius Brogan is my ex-husband and I lived on this island with him for four years! I was also once on the board of trustees for the hotel.”

  “He’s your what?” exclaimed Nathan as his hand now froze and his eyes widened with surprise. Whatever she was about to say, he surely did not expect her to say that!

  “See, I knew that you wouldn’t take this news well!” began Candasee just wanting to run from this or any moment that forced her to see Nathan’s judgment of all she neglected to mention about her marriage.

  He could see that she was taking his reaction badly and he knew he had to soften it somehow so she would understand exactly why he was surprised.

  “No, you misunderstand me Candasee. All this time, I have considered your ex-husband to be the craziest man alive to have divorced you. But now to hear that it was one of the savviest businessmen in the Caribbean leaves me totally astonished.”

  “I don’t follow you, Nathan!” replied Candasee puzzled.

&n
bsp; “I don’t know what happened between you two and I know it isn’t any of my business but a man only becomes that wealthy when he can seize a good investment as soon as he recognizes one. So, I am left to wonder how come he is willingly missing out on the greatest of them all!” said Nathan sincerely touching her hand gently to convey the depth of what he was expressing to her.

  “That is a really sweet thing to say Nathan, but it does not change the fact that I don’t want to go within ten miles of that hotel right now!” said Candasee.

  “Is he such a terrible person, Candasee?” said Nathan now concerned that Candasee might actually follow through on her threat to leave.

  “He hurt me more than anyone else has in my life and I can’t forgive him for that! I just can’t!” she replied. This was the first time she’d ever let him see a glimpse of what she thought of her ex and it was very telling, thought Nathan! Her vehemence alone signalled that there were still unresolved feelings there and that thought put him on alert.

  “I love you Candasee, and I don’t care who you were married to before. All I care about now is that you are willing to take a chance with a man who loves you, values you and appreciates you! Me. I’ve never hurt you nor do I ever plan to. You can trust me to protect you! I know I can’t force you to come to the intensive with me, but I can say this. Give me a chance to help you heal all that he broke in you! Come to the intensive not as my employee or just as someone I’m dating but as my partner.”

  Nathan knew he was taking a chance being so intense with Candasee right now but he could also see from her reaction that she was not totally over the effect her ex-husband had on her. If he had any hope of winning her during this stay he had to state his intentions right now before they got to the hotel!