“I am not prepared to share you with anyone, especially not your ex! Remember that!” he said softly stroking her cheek.
“You aren’t sharing me Nathan!”
“Good. I will move in this evening after the session. Perhaps we can have dinner tonight in the restaurant near the sea. I went walking out there this morning and I think I saw one with an oriental theme to the menu. I know how much you like Asian cuisine!” he said smiling.
“I think that would be nice, I’m looking forward to it!”
Nathan heard her response, but he still had a feeling that based on the look he exchanged with Darius earlier that not even his moving in here to 746 would be a deterrent to Darius. He would have to watch both of them closely to ensure that he protected his investment here.
Later that evening, after the opening ceremony was complete and the classes were about to close for the day, Candasee finally began to relax a little. The day was extremely successful and the facilities exceeded everyone’s greatest expectations. Forty delegates came from all over the Caribbean and all were thrilled with the hotel and the proposed intensive program. The participants in her dance class in particular were very excited to learn new things and to display their talents. A scholarship winner would be announced at the end and everyone paid her their rapt attention.
As she was about to close her session for the day she thought she would issue an important reminder. “For the dancing module of the intensive you will be learning two modern pieces as a group and you will also be required to present your own spontaneous interpretation as a solo to a song we will reveal in four days. As you already know from this morning’s meeting we will also be having an additional audition session tomorrow evening for you to display your talent in order to be chosen for the Sally Flanders travel show entertainment concert recording. Please note that you should restrict your practicing to this conference area during the intensive hours. You will be given free time during the day to work on your pieces so don’t spend it all on the beach and no practicing must be done in your rooms. I am sure you can see that this is a five star property and breaking anything will cost you dearly!”
As she spoke a buzz of excitement rippled throughout the students that stood before her. Each delegate was between the age of eighteen and twenty-five and this year they had a notable increase in males. She could not help noticing just how well suited this conference room was for their purposes. The carpets had been removed to reveal a well polished hardwood floor beneath which was perfect for dance.
“Management has also asked that you take this into consideration while you are here and take care how you behave and treat the property,” she continued.
“Sally Flanders? You mean that British lady who flies all over the world and visits the most exotic locations?” asked one of the students interrupting her with excitement.
“Yes, and apparently and she will be arriving at the hotel tomorrow!” replied Candasee so please remember that and be on your best behaviour so we can continue to have the intensive here without causing the hotel any more embarrassment.”
“Ms. Maxwell, why would you think our being here would be embarrassing?” asked another student Julie looking slightly offended.
“I’m sorry. That did not come out right. I have faith in you guys to do the right thing and represent yourselves and your countries well while we are here. I just wanted to make you aware,” replied Candasee realizing too late she had just projected her own fears onto the students. The last memories she’d had of Darius’ included his disdain and embarrassment over her own involvement in dance.
Another student raised her hand at that moment, “Excuse me, Ms. Maxwell, will the hotel be providing us with costumes for these added performances?”
“I am not clear as yet on those finer details but just know that you need to prepare your best pieces of work for audition and we will go from there. This was unexpected for us but it has turned out to be a great opportunity for all of you and the academy to gain worldwide exposure,” replied Candasee. “Okay, class dismissed for the day, we will meet here again at nine o’clock in the morning.
The class then proceeded to gather their belongings and return to their rooms, no doubt to plan for a night of fun. She just hoped they heeded her words. The last thing she needed was to hear Darius tell her how her career was once again bringing him any kind of shame and embarrassment. She sat down on the floor and decided that she needed to stretch and unwind a bit before returning to her room to get ready for dinner. Tonight would be somewhat like a fresh start for her and Nathan and she was a little apprehensive about it at first but now she was looking forward to the time. She always enjoyed his company and he listened to her and they never ran out of things to discuss.
She set her IPod to play through the speakers to one of her favourite love songs and she began to dance a spontaneous routine of self-expression. It was so easy to get lost in the dance, to be completely swept away with the emotions movement could evoke in her.
As she danced, she never saw her audience arrive. For the second time in one day, which was certain to be some kind of new record Darius thought, he’d found his way downstairs and this time he knew who he was looking for and he’d found her. Watching Candasee dance he could see the freedom and the expression that she was able to release and knew that being a follow-the-rules- attorney was simply too stifling for her. He rested against the wall not wanting to disturb her as she pirouetted, lunged, rolled and leaped gracefully. The song ended all too soon and Candasee walked over to her IPod and turned it off!
When she turned around she was startled to see Darius calmly leaning against the wall and his slate grey eyes were filled with blatant admiration and was that also desire she saw?
“Darius, what are you doing here?” she exclaimed with surprise.
“I came to talk to you, after all I never got to finish what I was saying this morning, but I did not want to disturb you!” he said.
“I wish you had said something instead of just standing there staring!” replied Candasee feeling decidedly uncomfortable after having Darius see her dance like that.
“You dance beautifully, you always did! I’m sorry if you felt that I was invading your privacy,” he said walking slowly toward her with his shoes clicking against the grain of the wooden floor.
Candasee struggled not to snort audibly at his response. Dance beautifully? Since when did anything related to her dancing even appeal to him in the slightest?
“Darius, exactly what is the game you are trying to play here with me? When have you ever seen me dance or even taken any interest in it? Do you really expect me to believe that you have changed this much?” she ground out between gritted teeth sensing herself growing angrier by the second!
“I know this is all confusing for you, which is why I wanted us to have dinner together tonight! There is so much that I want to explain to you and I have a proposal for you concerning your academy,” he replied never breaking contact with her eyes.
“I’m sorry but I already have dinner plans for tonight! I think you should seek to discuss any plans for the academy with Nathan. He’s the founder and CEO.” she replied stiffly.
“I am not talking about Carthswright’s Academy, Candasee. This is important!” he pressed.
“What? I don’t understand what you are talking about and no I can’t reschedule! You can’t expect to have the world fall at your feet all the time Darius. I have a new life now and I have moved on with someone else and I think you should too,” she said gathering up her bag and walking quickly toward the exit and away from him. She could hear Darius following closely behind her along the pathway leading from the room. Just as she was about to turn around and ask him why he was following her a beautiful woman walked up to him boldly and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly on the lips.
“Surely, you have not forgotten that you promised to have dinner with me tonight. I came early to make sure you were not stuck behind your desk
as usual,” she crooned almost musically.
Candasee swallowed a huge knot that had just appeared at the back of her throat at the sight of the woman kissing her husband, pardon ex-husband. Who was she?
Darius groaned inwardly at Candasee’s wide eyed expression at this flagrant display. Great! The last thing he needed now was to have Solange here creating more misunderstandings. But she was right, he did forget about their dinner date for tonight. He had been seeing Solange off and on for a little while when he felt that he needed some companionship at business functions but being with her always left him feeling empty. It was good to have the company in the moment but the reality was far from what he truly wanted. Now, God knows what Candasee was thinking about this. He’d only agreed to have dinner with her distractedly when she’d asked him last night saying she wanted to make sure her guests had settled in well. He’d forgotten about it completely! It was more like a dinner meeting of sorts as far as he was concerned.
“Look Solange, I can’t make it tonight! I’ve made other plans!” said Darius apologetically as he tried to set her aside gently to continue following Candasee. But she stepped into his pathway and rested a palm on his chest.
“Darius, but we spoke just last night, surely you could have let me know before I came all the way down here,” Solange questioned.
Candasee shook her head and walked off quickly leaving Darius with Solange. The nerve of the man declaring he made other plans as though she would automatically say yes to him. Besides this woman’s name sounded very familiar and it was then that she realized that the hotel manager at the Meridian Hotel was also named Solange. How interesting that she was able to call in such a big favour from Darius, thought Candasee. I wonder what else she promised Darius in exchange, and here she was feeling guilty about seeing Nathan. She wouldn’t be making that mistake again, she told herself fuming inwardly. But her anger was more at the envy that was swirling inside of her than the guilt she was supposed to be feeling.
Tonight she would finally release her inhibitions about being here with Nathan. He was right, Darius did bring his lovers here to the hotel and she was being very silly about all of this. They were divorced and he was free and so was she to do as she pleased!
She made her way quickly to the elevators, and pressed the button to open the doors.
Darius breathed out his frustration at being interrupted for the second time that day in trying to speak to Candasee.
“Solange, look I really apologize for forgetting about dinner tonight, but I really can’t talk to you right now,” said Darius not taking his eyes of Candasee.
Solange knew she was getting the brush off and she did not like it. In fact, all of her attempts to get past superficial with Darius had all failed miserably. She could literally see him slipping through her fingers and that was more than distressing.
“Okay what about lunch tomorrow?” she pressed.
“Look Solange, I’m sorry but I’m busy and I will try to contact you later. There is someone I really need to talk to, again my apologies,” he said finally forcing his way past her and striding quickly down the pathway in the opposite direction leaving Solange standing alone in shock.
Candasee stepped into the elevator and the doors closed behind her. Darius walked up to the doors and pounded them with his fist lightly. She obviously got the wrong impression just now. Should he try to catch up with her now? He decided to let her go for now because any conversation he attempted tonight would surely be met with disbelief after what happened with Solange just now. He made a mental note to let Solange know that he would not be seeing her again.
“Solange?”
Hearing her name Solange turned toward the sound of the voice and saw Nathan jogging toward her. They had become friends at university years ago and had remained friends ever since.
When he reached her, he embraced her warmly.
“How are you? I am glad to see you and I did promise you that hug for all of your help!” he said with a broad smile.
“I could be better actually!” she replied turning again to watch Darius’ rapidly retreating figure. “But enough about me, are you happy with the facilities?” she asked trying to deflect the attention from herself.
“Are you kidding, this is fantastic! I know it is weird for us to compare it to the hotel you manage but the truth is the truth,” he laughed. “By the way, how do you know Darius Brogan so well, to call in such a big favour?” asked Nathan curiously.
Solange bent her head a little and scuffed the tip of her shoe against the stone walkway before she responded. “I met Darius last year at a tourism conference and you could say we became friends. We go out every now and again when he needs a date for a business function, but so far nothing serious!” she said in a deflated tone.
Nathan could not believe his ears. What was it with this man that women were left sighing in his wake?
“Well you would have to be pretty close to pull of these arrangements for us! Nathan countered trying to encourage her to say something, anything he could use to his advantage against Darius.
“No not really! You are forgetting that Darius is a businessman. He isn’t doing this for free you know; it is my hotel that is suffering the losses here.”
“It seems that you like him a lot though, judging by the way you look right now!”
“That would be stating it simply Nathan,” replied Solange looking deflated.
“Oh no, you’re in love with him aren’t you?”Nathan guessed, now understanding Solange’s body language.
“Guilty as charged! Look Nathan, I think I am going to leave now, I just got blown off for dinner so I am going home to repair what’s left of my dignity with my favourite bucket of ice cream!”
“Dinner?” asked Nathan even more intrigued.
“Yes, we planned to have dinner tonight but he said he made other plans but did not give an explanation. He was hurrying after someone. Actually now I think about it he was talking to a woman dressed in exercise clothes when I stopped him, probably one of the intensive instructors!
Nathan froze at that bit of information and fumed inwardly at Darius’ repeated attempts to get close to Candasee. Goodness, it had only been one day, what was the man’s rush?
“Did this woman have dark skin and long black hair?” asked Nathan trying to sound nonchalant.
“Yes, she did!”
“Solange, I think we can help each other,” said Nathan thinking quickly.
“What do you mean by that?” she asked.
Come, let us go and have a drink and I will fill you in on all of the details. I think we are both in a position to help the other out!
Solange looked quizzically at her old friend and regarded his wide smile. Any help in snagging the elusive Darius Brogan was definitely worth a listen but she could not imagine how Nathan could help her do that.
Fifteen minutes and a glass of punch later, Solange looked at Nathan with amazement at his idea. It turned out that they had much more in common than she’d even realized.
“So, will you help me?” he was asking at that moment.
Helping Nathan was helping herself now that she knew what Darius’ distraction was. But one thing was still bothering her!
“What if they really love each other, I wouldn’t want to go through any more heartbreak than I have already, Nathan.”
“Solange, they already got a divorce, so all we need to do is to make sure that we keep them apart and create a little doubt about the possibility of them getting back together while we are on this trip,” said Nathan.
“But sometimes divorcees get remarried when they realize they made a mistake in separating!” argued Solange.
“Not in this case though, Solange! Hey, I thought you wanted Darius so why all the negativity?”
“Nathan, I can’t be here all day doing this, I do have a job at the Meridian and now that we are carrying out repairs I have to supervise that to make sure everything runs smoothly and on schedule,” she replied.
“I know it all sounds difficult and it will require some of your time but I love Candasee and I want to marry her and I can’t do that if her ex keeps sniffing around like some kind of bloodhound, reminding her of their past.”
Solange exhaled seeing the angst of her friend thought of what could happen if this plan should fail. She could lose her friendship with Darius and Nathan would lose too, but the possibilities were almost too tempting to pass up.
“Okay, I’m in!” she said and she and Nathan clinked their glasses in agreement.
Chapter 6
The candlelight flickered in the sea breeze within the red glass orb in the centre of the table casting a sensuous glow on the tablecloth and on Candasee’s radiant skin. She was wearing a white cotton halter dress fitted to her full rounded breasts and her narrow waist before flowing fluidly around her ankles. When she emerged from the bathroom earlier, Nathan thought she looked as beautiful as a bride and wanted this night to go as slowly as possible as he drank in her loveliness.
They walked hand in hand from the hotel room all the way to the restaurant and Nathan slipped his arm around her waist and held her close to him as they walked. There was a relaxed air about her and it seemed that she was finally ready to allow everyone to see them together as a couple. It was such a welcoming change from earlier in the day and he wondered what happened to cause it.
She had released her hair from its ponytail and it now flowed all around her shoulders and her back in long waves. This was heaven indeed and Darius Brogan could eat his heart out, he thought! Oriental cuisine was not a big favourite of his but tonight he did not care what he was eating, everything tasted perfect.
“If you keep staring at me like that Nathan, I ‘m going to start thinking that I am the dessert,” flirted Candasee as she regarded Nathan’s brooding expression.
“Perhaps you are the dessert,” he replied as his gaze lovingly caressed her face.
Hidden Love (Derrien Island Trilogy) Page 8