Fighting Destiny

by Annalisa Simon

  “You can’t just expect to kiss me like that and expect things to go back to normal,” she cried now sensing hot tears pricking her eyes and flowing down her cheeks. “It doesn’t work like that!” she shouted back.

  “I know and there is so much I need to explain to you but now isn’t the time. Come to my room this evening after your session or I will come to you, it doesn’t matter! We need to talk Candee,” he pleaded.

  “I can’t Darius, I’m engaged to Nathan now!” she replied“, and I just can’t go around betraying him like this. You had your chance and you have to let go of the idea of there us being together ever again. I don’t want you back!” Candasee shouted hoarsely.

  “So you would rather betray your own self then?” asked Darius releasing her wrist suddenly as his features contorted with pain.

  His words stung not just because they were true, but because he had the gall to speak to her about betrayal? He was the master of betrayal! How dare he?

  “No Darius, I am not betraying myself here and you are fooling yourself if you think that this kiss meant anything to me! If anyone knows anything about the betrayal, it’s you! You are the ultimate master of betrayal,” she spat angrily, now walking as fast as she could away from him and out of the water.

  “Candee, you can run now but sooner or later we are going to have to talk about this!” said Darius. He’d spooked her, that was obvious and maybe that was what she needed. It was obvious more than ever that she was trying her best to pretend that he had no effect on her, but it was too late for her to hide that from him now.

  “Come to me this evening after your last class. At least think about it. I’ll be waiting for you,” he shouted after her.

  Candasee kept walking and grabbed her clothes and after two failed attempts to put on her pants she threw them back down onto the sand in frustration before looking back at Darius who hadn’t even moved an inch from where he stood before. Why did this man have the capacity to infuriate and attract her like this? God, he was so distracting standing there like a wall of chiselled muscle in his long dark track bottoms and bare, muscled chest. Snatching up her pants again she decided to find a way to change in one of the poolside bathrooms before returning upstairs. So much for having a relaxing morning to clear her mind! She was now more confused than ever before.

  “You go on Candee, I know where to find you!” whispered Darius under his breath as he watched her leave. She didn’t know it yet, but she just gave him all the confirmation he needed to continue. He wasn’t the one putting on the show, she was and she was doing a damned good job too!

  As she stood before the mirrors, Candasee touched her lips now slightly swollen and tingly from her encounter with Darius. She knew it was inevitable for them to talk but why did she have to feel so out of control at the same time? Quickly, she put back on her clothes and after taking a few deep breaths to calm herself she walked back through the way she’d come to return to her room. As she entered, she tried to do so quietly hoping that somehow Nathan was still asleep, but as luck would have it he was awake and dressed in his jogging clothes seated at the dining table waiting for her.

  As she closed the door she smiled and tried to appear nonchalant,

  “Good morning sleepy head!” she said with a slight sing song to her voice. She just betrayed Nathan’s trust and she felt like doing anything but singing.

  “Good morning, I missed you when I got up,” he said standing and crossing the space between them to embrace her. “Did you have a swim?” he asked after feeling how cool and damp her skin was.

  “Yes, it was so beautiful outside that I decided to have a jog and a swim. I got up pretty early and the outdoors just called to me,” she said walking away from him so he wouldn’t see her eyes.

  “Why didn’t you wake me, I would have loved to join you?” he said softly tracing her shoulders with the tip of his thumbs as he came to stand behind her.

  Feeling uncomfortable with his nearness, especially after her recent betrayal with Darius, Candasee pulled away again and began to go through the clothes in her drawers for something to change into after her shower.

  “Uh, you looked so comfortable sleeping there that I decided not to wake you,” she replied with an unsteady voice.

  “Candasee, is something wrong, you seem so distant this morning?”

  “No, I’m fine,” she lied. “You go ahead and get your exercise, I am going to take a shower and get ready to go downstairs early. There’s a routine I need to prepare before the students arrive later”, she said. “I can meet up with you for breakfast.”

  Something was different about Candasee this morning. She was no longer responding to him as openly as she was last night and that alone made him suspicious. What happened to change her attitude so quickly?

  “Did anything happen down on the beach this morning?” he asked in a carefully measured tone.

  Oh no, she thought. If there was one question she wished he wouldn’t have asked it was that one. It was best just to tell the truth but to stay calm. After all, the kiss meant nothing right? All that happened was two people being blindsided by the familiarity and memories from their distant past. It could have happened to anyone. She would be more vigilant next time.

  “Uh, I saw the camera crew setting up for the shoot downstairs and I also saw Darius when I was leaving the beach,” she said with what she hoped sounded like an even tone which said that latter detail didn’t really matter. “He was about to go for a jog.” Then she hurried into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Leaning against the door she squeezed her eyes shut knowing that Nathan wouldn’t buy her story for long. Darius was ruining her life again! Why wouldn’t he just leave her alone?

  Nathan exhaled forcefully after Candasee closed the door. At least she didn’t lie to him about seeing Darius but he knew that something had to have happened between them. Candasee was already pulling away from him and after a night like last night she should be feeling more drawn to him, just as he was feeling toward her.

  He went to his cell phone and dialled Solange once he was sure that Candasee was in the shower.

  Her sleepy voice answered the line,

  “Hello?”

  “Solange, it’s me Nathan, I know it’s early and I apologize ahead of time but I really need you to execute our plan today! Is it possible for you to visit Darius sometime this afternoon and get him to go out with you? If so, I can try to arrange it so Candasee sees you together with him.”

  “Nathan, this harebrained idea of yours is going to get us hurt! I have been thinking this over since last night and I think my end of it is pretty futile. Trying to stop Darius from following Candasee last night was like trying to stop a bullet train with a feather, and guess who the feather was?”

  “Okay, I know he’s distracted now by Candasee, and I can’t blame him there, but if we can at least make Candasee think he’s moved on, I can keep things together on my end for the next six days,”

  “This is important to you isn’t it?” she asked.

  “You have no idea Solange! In fact, you owe me. It’s your fault in a way that I have to deal with this ex-husband mess at all. You are the one that put them back together,” he exclaimed with a dry laugh so she wouldn’t take his last statement too seriously. Although he was beginning to wish that she’d indeed found another hotel!

  “Hey, I didn’t build the roof on the Meridian Hotel. I just manage the place and I really didn’t have any other option besides asking Darius!”

  “Okay I know, I’m just trying to make light of this situation, but we are in this pickle now. Let’s just help each other out! Have a little faith dear Solange, I can’t have you backing out on me now.”

  “Okay Nathan, I can be off work around three o’clock, so I will be there by four o’clock. I will arrange to meet him then and you make sure that she is nearby to see it okay?”

  “Thanks Solange, I will arrange for Candasee to be there when you are as well. I hope that seeing you for the s
econd time will be all she needs to see to forget any ideas of rekindling anything with her ex!”

  “Nathan let me make this clear though, I am only going to do this one time. If it backfires, I am out! Okay! I don’t like to play these games, and not even for an old friend like you!” she warned.

  “I read you loud and clear, but I sense that if we can play our cards right today, we will both get what we really want.”

  “So, Mr. Brogan you have been featured in so many magazines around the world and this hotel was nominated last year for hotel of the year on Trip Advisor, what is your secret to managing such a delightful property?” asked Sally with a broad smile.

  “Well Sally, there is a desire for luxury and for a sense of opulence in every person and I envisioned this hotel as a place where visitors could indulge that to the fullest. I also have an excellent staff that share the vision and are willing to go the extra mile to make sure that happens every day!” Darius replied.

  They were seated on one of the expansive lawns outside the hotel and so far the interview was going well. She was sampling one of the most delectable items on their breakfast menu as they spoke and the executive chef had also joined them on set.

  “Yum, you are right about that because these crab cakes simply have the richest flavour I have ever tasted anywhere!” said Sally after chewing a bite. “Any hope of finding out the secret recipe?” she joked with Chef Alexander.

  “Not a chance madam, not a chance!” laughed the chef.

  It was a really light and relaxed atmosphere on set that morning and Darius wished he could focus longer than a minute at a time to truly enjoy it. Not only was he looking forward with anticipation to his mother’s visit but he was hoping that Candasee would come to see him that evening as well. Things were beginning to look up since last night.

  Sally was thoroughly impressed with the grounds and with the beautiful layout and she described the property in glowing terms on the recording of the tour they taped earlier.

  The morning hours managed to pass without incident and when he was satisfied that Sally was able to see the best of the hotel and the interview was concluded, he left her in the capable hands of his management team.

  Trying to stay clear of the conference hall where Candasee was working was going to be impossible. He had to see her even if it was only a brief glimpse and even if it meant risking her thinking that he was crowding her. As he approached he heard a commotion in the room and when he reached the door he saw one of the delegates sitting on the floor holding her ankle and wincing in pain.

  “Hey, do you need any help, we have a medical team on staff here!” he called out walking quickly toward the concerned group.

  “Yes we know and thanks, Candasee has already gone to get them, one lady replied!”

  The girl who was sitting was still trying to flex her swollen ankle with a determined expression on her face. It was the same young lady who had stayed behind the evening before to ask Candasee for her advice. As she sat there she kept insisting that if she got it bandaged she would be just fine. He could see from her tears how important this scholarship opportunity was to her and how she was willing to even suffer pain to see it through to the end. It reminded him of Candasee and her insistence on pursuing dance even though it meant she had to walk away from him to do so.

  He had come a long way since then, now believing that she’d done the right thing then, basically to choose herself in the moment and he felt a renewed respect for her that she’d never allowed him to snuff out her dreams.

  “Hey, it’s going to be okay! The medics will take good care of you!” he said stooping down to eye level to encourage the girl.

  She looked up at him and nodded, fierce determination still shining in her eyes.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Julia,” she replied with a wince.

  “Nice to meet you, I’m Darius.”

  “Where are you from?” he asked.

  “I live right here on Derrien Island,” she replied.

  “Yeah, that fits, I can see you are a fighter!” he told her smiling.

  “That’s right! I am not going to let this slow me down, this opportunity is too important to me!” she said.

  “I wish you all the best then!” he said before standing again.

  The medical team arrived at that moment and right behind them was none other than Nathan! They noticed each other immediately and Darius didn’t miss the offence simmering beneath this man’s eyes at his being there. Did Nathan not realize that he was on his property and not the other way around? He made it seem as though by visiting the conference room he was somehow trespassing.

  Nathan was caught off guard to see Darius and was a little disgusted with himself that he was unable to conceal his disdain for his host especially after the kindness he had shown the academy with this event. This situation of uncertainty with Candasee was driving him crazy and he needed to have it resolved as soon as possible so that he could return to his normal easy-going self. He knew that he couldn’t compete with Darius’ money or what he could offer Candasee but he could compete for her love, and all was fair in love and war. He also wanted the publicity being offered to the academy through the travel show, so it would do him well to at least be civil.

  Darius finally walked over to him after they regarded each other intensely for a brief moment.

  “You have one determined delegate over there,” said Darius gesturing to the girl on the floor who was now being attended to by the medics.

  “Yes, they all are! This intensive will change one of their lives forever,” replied Nathan struggling to be diplomatic.

  “I think it is great that you are trying so hard to help these young people advance in their chosen careers,” said Darius knowing that Nathan was shocked by his sincere compliment. He’d always believed in giving a man his due even one who was determined to be his enemy. He never allowed his enemy to see his weakness and he knew from experience how to keep things professional and business-like when necessary.

  “Thank you, Mr. Brogan, I was not aware that you knew of the full benefit of this intensive,” replied Nathan with surprise.

  “You can call me Darius, and I always make sure that I know almost everything about person’s with whom I conduct business. It reduces the event of unexpected surprises that could hurt our association,” said Darius analysing Nathan’s response to being told that he had been researching his background.

  Nathan looked surprised but he maintained his cool and detached tone despite that.

  “Naturally, and I agree that it would make good business sense to do that!”

  “Oh by the way, I am sure that the events team explained to you the importance of us having a preview of the entertainment on the final night of the filming?”

  “Yes, we are holding a screening call tonight to complete putting together a programme with the talent we have here. These people are some of the most talented young people in the Caribbean,” replied Nathan with pride. Only the best were selected to attend this intensive through a gruelling audition process.

  “Good, I am having a meeting with my events team tomorrow morning at nine, concerning this. I believe that one of your instructors informed my team that you would be having auditions this evening around six o’clock?”

  “Yes that is correct!”

  “Good, I wanted to be sure of the time! When do you expect to be finished?”

  “The auditions should take about two to three hours to see what everyone is offering and then the instructors will need to meet to decide on how to sequence the best pieces,” replied Nathan.

  “Hmm, I didn’t realize it would take that long!” replied Darius wondering how that would affect Candasee’s ability to come and talk to him later. Would she be able to come earlier before the auditions started?

  “Okay, you can send Candasee to represent the academy at the meeting in the morning then and she can bring videos and liaise with the events team concerning any costumes n
eeded for the dancers while she is there.”

  “Candasee? Why her, I am the head of this academy so I would think that you would have me attend the meeting instead!” replied Nathan extremely offended by Darius’ omission and furious at his poorly veiled attempt to be alone with Candasee.

  “Under normal circumstances, yes, but I have always appreciated Candasee’s perspective on my business affairs and she is the one directly involved with the dancers, isn’t she? I believe the equipment for the singers and instrumentalists are already available through your company. We need to outsource the necessary costumes and she is the person we need to consult with most, Isn’t she?” he replied chagrined that he’d broken his own rule about not allowing his opponent to see his weakness. Too late! What was he thinking?

  Nathan bristled at the thought of being excluded from the meeting concerning his academy’s involvement. Yes, he knew he got this opportunity entirely by accident and although he wanted it, Darius also needed him and what the academy had to offer too. He had lots of bargaining power too.

  “I am going to have to insist on attending the meeting as well in the interest of the academy Mr. Brogan,” said Nathan ignoring his invitation to chat on a first name basis. “I realize your familiarity with Candasee but she is just the artistic director of the modern and jazz dance program and not a member of the academy’s executive management team. I think you know as well as I do that we are helping each other out here!”

  Darius admired the shrewd and calm way in which Nathan responded to him. In a business deal, he would take pleasure in this game of cat and mouse but Candasee was involved and Nathan had a power of influence with her that he did not have again as yet. He was right of course. He should be the primary one at the meeting.

  “I apologize for offending you,” Darius conceded with a slight smile. “You are right about our mutual exchange. So, I expect you both to be there on time for nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”