Seven Guilty Pleasures

by Jeannette Winters

  But it was another day and she had other things she needed to focus on. A waitress made her tips by being on top of her game. Not only getting the orders correct but having a bright charming personality like Janet.

  The pressure was on tonight. Janet had called out sick. Carlos had given her both the good and bad news. Isa was covering Janet’s tables in addition to her own. It meant twice the work, but hopefully also twice the money. She was already two hours in and that hadn’t been the case so far. There was a live concert event, and it appeared all the customers had gone to that.

  Cleaning another empty table, she looked around. She hadn’t realized how many customers had come here on a regular basis. When they found out Janet wasn’t in, they only stayed for one drink. If she noticed it, Isa was positive Carlos had as well.

  It was proof that you could dress them all alike, but Janet was the draw. And I’m only doing it right when she’s here to cheer me on.

  There was such a lull she was bored covering two stations, never mind one. Carlos waved her over to the bar. Please don’t send me home. With each step toward him, she prepared herself.

  “Sorry, Isa. It’s not a great night. That means I don’t need everyone here. I have to send someone home.”

  “I understand,” Isa said. She was the new hire. “I’ll punch out.” What seemed to be her lucky night had tanked. It wasn’t the end. Tomorrow would be better, she knew it.

  Once in the back, she grabbed her purse, pulled out her badge, and was ready to head for the door. Carlos came into the back looking panicked.

  “You haven’t left yet.”

  “Sorry. I was just gathering my things. I’m leaving now.” She was on the clock and he probably didn’t want to pay her any longer than needed.

  “No. I need you to stay.”

  It hadn’t been that long; had there been a mad dash on the place? But she wasn’t going to argue with staying. Some money was better than none.

  “Of course I can stay.”

  “Good. Mr. Fletcher just arrived and wasn’t pleased when I told him I was sending you home.”

  That stopped Isa dead in her tracks. She didn’t want Carlos keeping her here because Drake ordered him to. What would the other employees think? What does Carlos think? She’d accepted the phone, that didn’t mean Drake could start manipulating other parts of her life. Isa couldn’t back out now. It would only cause a big scene. And Drake will blame Carlos when really it’s me.

  “Maybe he anticipates more patrons coming in later and is concerned about being short staffed.” She knew that wasn’t the case, but hopefully Carlos bought it.

  “Possible. He is here with some other people. Although I directed him to another table, he asked for yours.”

  So much for playing it off as coincidence. Putting her badge back in her purse, she said, “I’ll attend to them immediately if that’s okay with you.”

  “He’s the boss.”

  Isa caught the change in his voice. Carlos did as he was told, but she could tell he wasn’t used to Drake coming in and dictating how to run the lounge. So why was he doing it now? It didn’t matter. She answered to Carlos, and he’d asked her to stay. As far as Isa was concerned, she was going back to the lounge for one thing. Do her job. Who she served, didn’t matter. One customer was no different than any other.

  As she opened the door she realized she was looking forward to seeing Drake again. Since he asked for me, I guess he feels the same way. It didn’t take much to locate him. She could easily spot him in a crowded room, let alone a nearly empty one.

  Drake was facing her direction, and when their eyes met she had her answer. The smile said he was there because she was. Of course he wasn’t alone, but that didn’t matter. She pulled out her order pad and headed to his table. She’d kept eye contact with Drake the entire time and only noticed who his companion was when she got to the table.

  Ugh. Alex. It didn’t matter who he did business with. Although it did put a damper on seeing Drake again.

  “Hello gentlemen, what can I get you tonight?” Isa asked cheerfully.

  Alex turned to face her. “Nice to see you again.”

  Isa gave him a brief nod but couldn’t bring herself to actually acknowledge him.

  “I’ll have a beer,” Drake said then turned to Alex.

  “I’ll have the same, and my wife would like an iced tea with lemon.”

  She hadn’t seen anyone else so she asked, “Shall I wait until she arrives?”

  Alex shook his head. “She’s in the ladies’ room.”

  Isa scooted away to fill their drink order. She wasn’t sure she wanted to see his wife again after he’d approached her. She wondered if his wife knew what a lowlife creep her husband was. Probably not. Alex was all smiles and charm. His wife was a stunning woman who he probably married just for show. So he could appear to be a gentleman. Too late. I already know what you are.

  When she returned to the table, Alex had his arm around his wife, and she was laughing. It all looked so lovely, so normal. It was making Isa sick to watch. But it wasn’t her place to intervene. For all she knew, the woman knew exactly what type of man he was. That didn’t mean Isa wasn’t tempted to shout out and tell the woman to open her eyes. Just because this wasn’t Tabiq didn’t mean men weren’t snakes.

  “Isa, is everything okay?” Drake asked.

  “Yes, fine. Thank you.” But she wasn’t fine at all. Her blood was boiling with all the things she’d experienced herself. She might not have had a fighting chance, no one to stop it, but this wasn’t Tabiq. We don’t have to take it. We can speak out.

  “Why don’t you sit with us?” Alex asked.

  “Sorry, I can’t.”

  Isa didn’t stand around waiting for him or anyone else to ask again. They had everything they needed, and she wasn’t one of them.

  Drake called out to her and she couldn’t bring herself to ignore his plea. He’d never ignore mine. She turned and walked back to their table.

  “I’d like you to meet some friends of mine.” Drake said and held out a seat near him.

  Isa slid into the seat opposite Alex’s wife.

  “You’re the same waitress from the last time I was here.”

  Isa nodded to her.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Isa.”

  The woman smiled. “That’s a beautiful name.”

  “Thank you.” Isa didn’t ask her name as small talk would only drag this out. And anything she wanted to say couldn’t be said in front of Alex.

  “You make me think of home. I’m from a small country that most people don’t know of. Have you have heard of Tabiq?” Ziva asked.

  Isa nodded. She didn’t feel comfortable talking to Drake about it, never mind a stranger. All they shared was a country of origin. Hopefully that’s all. It would be hard sitting across from someone who had shared the same brutality she had. It was the dirty little secret that should never be voiced. Not even to someone from Tabiq.

  “I still live there. We were heading back home when Drake asked us to come out tonight. I miss my baby girl, Charisa, but this was important.”

  Charisa. Hearing the name again made her recall that had been her grandmother’s name on her father’s side. Isa couldn’t sit here any longer thinking about home and definitely not family. The waterworks were going to start and work wasn’t the place for that to happen. Even if she could excuse herself in time, her makeup would be ruined. Please, no more.

  “That’s nice. I should get back to work and let you enjoy your visit.” Isa went to get up, but Drake reached out and grabbed hold of her hand.

  “It’s slow. Sit for a while.”

  She didn’t want to draw any attention, but the other waitresses obviously knew who Drake was. Isa could see them watching but trying not to get caught.

  “Dra—Mr. Fletcher, it’s really not appropriate for me—”

  “The name is Drake, and I determine what is appropriate. These are my friends, and it would m
ean a lot to me if you stayed and sat with us.”

  Darn you, Drake. Asking nice is not easy to resist. She looked across the table and could see the woman was concerned Isa would flee as well.

  “Please, just a few minutes more. Alex, do you think you could get me a glass of water please?” Ziva asked.

  Alex nodded. “Drake, why don’t you join me and we can discuss . . . business.”

  Drake patted Isa’s hand. “We’ll be right back.”

  “Aren’t you doing my job?” Isa asked.

  Drake smiled and said, “I think I can manage water. You just sit and get to know each other.” Drake got up and kissed her on the top of the head before heading to the bar with Alex.

  Isa’s heart was racing at his public display of affection. This wasn’t some hole in the wall. For goodness sake, this was his lounge, his everything. She hadn’t wanted anyone to know they were even speaking to each other, and now this. At least Janet isn’t here to rib me about it. There was no going back. This was definitely going to be the topic of conversation next time the staff went out together. If they even invite me.

  Sadly it was easier thinking about the staff than looking across the table.

  Alex leaned over and kissed his wife on the lips. “I’m only at the bar if you need me. I love you, Ziva.” Then he left them sitting alone.

  Ziva! No. It can’t be. Can it? Could she be . . . my sister? “Who . . . who are you?” Isa stammered, her voice so shaky she wasn’t sure she could speak.

  Ziva replied, “My name is Ziva Henderson. But my maiden name was Grzyb. My father’s name—”

  “Is Jaysin Grzyb.”

  Ziva nodded. Isa could see her eyes were tearing up, but Ziva didn’t cry, even though Isa could see her bottom lip trembling. “I . . . are . . . you saying that you’re . . .”

  “Isa Grzyb, your—”

  “Sister.” Ziva got up so quickly she nearly knocked the table over.

  Isa couldn’t get to Ziva fast enough either. She looked Ziva in the eyes. “How did I not see it before? Your eyes are the one thing that hasn’t changed.” Then she pulled Ziva into her arms and the tears they both had tried to control were overflowing with joy.

  Each of them rambled words of thankfulness in their native language. How did this happen? How did she find me?

  “My Ziva. I cannot believe we are here, together. My sister is here.”

  “Isa, it feels like a dream, a wonderful dream, and I . . . and I never want to wake.”

  When their tears slowed, they loosened their hold but didn’t let go. Sitting down, this time beside each other, they started talking. Isa couldn’t stop touching Ziva’s face. How was this real? My baby sister is alive and well.

  “I never thought I’d see you again. I looked for you for years. And here you are.”

  Isa sniffed. “I wanted to go back, but—”

  Wiping her cheeks Ziva responded, “Isa, you don’t have to explain that. I know the score, we both do. I’m so overwhelmed. We are together. Here. In Connecticut. All this time you were only hours away from Alex all this time.”

  And half a world away from Tabiq, and that still doesn’t feel far enough. But she didn’t want to think of that place. Her sister, one she never thought she’d ever see again, was here, and that was all she cared about at the moment. “How did you find me?” Isa asked.

  “I didn’t. I had no clue. Alex said nothing to me . . . Maybe Drake did this. He must’ve told Alex because we really were on our way home.” Ziva reached out and clasped her hand over Isa’s. “Oh God. I’m so glad he did.”

  Isa looked over and her eyes locked with Drake’s briefly. He’d been watching the entire exchange. “Why?”

  “I guess that’s something you’ll need to ask him. But if I’m right, it’s because he cares very much about you. With everything else going on, he thought of nothing but making this moment happen.”

  She had no idea why he’d do such a thing. He had everything. She had nothing to give him to show her gratitude. Isa still couldn’t believe Ziva was right in front of her, but she never wanted to be indebted to anyone. Especially someone as rich and powerful as Drake. What has he done?

  Ziva was right; she’d need to have a long discussion with Drake. But tonight all she wanted was to bask in the joy of being with her sister. The rest will have to wait.

  Chapter 11

  Isa and Ziva stayed up practically all night talking. They laughed over some of the silly things they’d done growing up. Even though Isa was eight years older, they had been close. Although it was wonderful seeing Ziva, it was also odd. She was a stranger for the most part. It had been twenty years or so since they’d seen each other. It was only natural they’d both changed over the years. Ziva, no longer a tomboy, was now a wife and mother. She also was a strong and confident woman married into one hell of a powerful family.

  She heard Ziva say again and again how wonderful Alex was, how much his family had done for Tabiq. But it was truly difficult to see Alex Henderson as someone so amazing, especially once her fears had been confirmed. He was James Henderson’s son. Isa couldn’t forget what James had done. If it hadn’t been for him, Tabiq never would’ve gone down such a dark and vicious path. I never would’ve been assaulted. Never had to run.

  Isa was glad Ziva could forgive and forget. Isa couldn’t. Knowing Ziva hadn’t been touched by evil personally brought Isa infinite peace. But . . . it didn’t erase the torture and pain she’d endured, and right or wrong, thoughts of Tabiq brought heartbreak and torment. She didn’t know if he was still alive. If he was still looking for her. Would I be safe if I went back? Such thoughts made breathing harder, and she nearly died when Ziva asked her to go home with her and Alex. Hell. No. Isa knew what true panic attacks felt like, and at that moment, she was close. There was no way Isa could go back there. Never will I return to hell.

  It wasn’t home. America was home and had been for a long time. She grieved knowing she’d never see her parents again. God, had that hurt. No, Tabiq reminded Isa of everything evil, everything she had lost, and everything she never wanted to know again. It hadn’t been her home since she was eighteen. There was nothing there for her. Especially since Mom and Dad aren’t alive. Going to Tabiq was only going to remind her of everything she’d lost. And how I don’t fit any longer.

  That didn’t mean she wasn’t thrilled to find Ziva safe and most of all happy. She actually found solace in that. It had been like a weight lifted from her shoulders. There were so many missing pieces, but it didn’t matter. The main questions had been answered.

  Although Drake had offered to take her to her apartment last night, Isa needed to sort a few things out, so she had caught a cab instead. She’d thought she would be up all night, tossing and turning. When she closed her eyes, for the first time in a long time, she slept through the night without any nightmares. Instead she dreamt of her little niece, Charisa, who she’d only seen pictures of. Ziva said they would be back in a few months and promised Isa would get to meet her then. It gave her something to look forward to. It gave her hope.

  Her cell phone rang and she saw the caller ID. Ziva. It felt so wonderful and odd after all these years seeing her sister’s name on her phone. How many nights did I dream of this moment? And now it’s a reality.

  “Hello, Ziva, I thought you were leaving.”

  “We are in the air, but I had to call. It’s not too late. We can turn this jet around and come back for you.”

  Isa laughed. “My saying no three times was not enough last night?”

  “You got off easy. I drove Alex crazy all night trying to think of a way to get you to change your mind. This isn’t easy, leaving without you.”

  Isa understood how Ziva felt. They needed more time to catch up, never mind rekindle what they’d loss. “You’ll be back. I’ll make sure I ask for time off then. And you can call me any time you want.” It didn’t seem like much, but only twenty-four hours ago she didn’t know if Ziva was alive or not, so this wa
s huge. “We’re not losing each other again.” She knew that was Ziva’s fear. It was bad enough they had lost each other once.

  “I know. Don’t forget that I love you and you’re not alone anymore. You have me and Alex and your niece, Charisa.”

  “I know. And you have me too. Safe travels home.”

  It wasn’t easy knowing her sister was on her way back to Tabiq. All she could do was respect her decision. Like I want her to respect mine.

  She wasn’t alone. It felt . . . strange. Of course this new development didn’t change the fact that she was far behind on her bills and probably was going to be homeless in a few days. It was hard to believe Ziva was married to a billionaire while she was sitting at her kitchen table have black tea and dry toast.

  She wasn’t jealous, because she couldn’t picture herself married to a Henderson no matter how nice they were. It was hard enough to accept one was actually her brother-in-law. At least he explained why he offered me a job. I was so glad I didn’t have to tell my sister her husband is a good-for-nothing pig. He was as kind as I first thought him to be. Although he was still a Henderson . . .

  Isa took another sip of tea. It had gone cold. She got up and put it in the sink. Drake had told her not to show up for work today, but a day without pay was the last thing she needed right now. He thought he was trying to help, but in fact, he was sealing her fate. She didn’t regret spending last night chatting with Ziva, but that meant the customers who did come in were waited on by someone else. Not that there were all that many anyway.

  So instead of working tonight like she’d hoped, and needed to, Isa was taping cardboard boxes with what few belongings she had. Most of them was clothes, but she had keepsakes from the years she’d spent working for the Bowens.

  She wished she’d spent time getting to know them on a more personal level. They allowed her to live in their home, work in their business, yet Isa had been so broken back then she couldn’t allow anyone, not even good people like them, into her heart. Actually Drake, you’re the first one who . . . I . . .