“So let’s go.”
“Okay,” she said, hoping that she would not regret her decision.
The conversation taking place at the Ross residence had a different tone.
Sidney, Kurt Nobel’s CFO, was in his fifties with grown children. His round, jolly face lit up as he remarked, “This is better than the actual wedding. I’m flattered that he chose us to be among his guests, and I’m interested to see what he’s done with that monster of a hotel on the island.”
Heather was petite, keeping her slight figure even during menopause. She said, “I didn’t know that you ever saw the place when it was a hotel.”
“I never did, but the resort was such a money guzzler, operating in the red, that I suggested he should get rid of it. It was Kurt’s own idea to turn it into his private vacation residence, which makes sense, since it would have been nearly impossible to sell.”
She laughed and remarked, “I’m surprised your millionaire boss is going to the trouble of arranging flights for everybody on a commercial airliner to Hawaii and a boat trip from there to the location. I would have thought he’d use his private jet to get us there directly.”
Sidney said, “That’s not an option. There is no runway on the island. It is only accessible by boat or helicopter.”
“Of course. How stupid of me!” Then she said, “I have some vacation time due. Tomorrow, I’ll let them know at the library about taking that week in April off.” She nudged her husband playfully and said, “It will be a wonderful, unexpected trip. I’m already excited!”
The Simonian family had finished their dinner. The boys, one a senior in high school, the other a sophomore, had carried their plates to the dishwasher and then vanished into their bedrooms to do homework, listen to music, and text their friends. Kate ran coffees through the espresso machine, then carried the small cups - - one for Rafi, the other for her - - to the dining room.
Their relationship had not lost its spark after twenty-four years of marriage. Kate admired her spouse for his ingenuity in business and sensitivity in matters of the heart. For his part, he appreciated her quick mind and ability to keep their family as a welcoming unit, despite everyone’s busy lives. The fact that she was still a good-looking woman was a bonus.
Between sips, she said, “That’s quite a surprise we got in the mail today.”
“No kidding!”
“Do you have time to go on the trip?”
“I’ll make time. This is too good to miss,” Rafi assured her.
“What about our sons?”
“The boys are mature and trustworthy enough to fend for themselves for a week,” Rafi said with confidence.
“I guess so.”
He winked and said, “Imagine what a leisurely vacation on a tropical island can do for our love life, not to mention all the ideas the romantic setting will provide for your next book.”
“Your enthusiasm is contagious on both accounts! I had better get myself in gear, then.”
“What do you mean?”
“Purchase an exotic summer wardrobe,” she replied.
CHAPTER 5
At the beginning of March was a rare occasion when Kurt and Barbie dined together at home, just the two of them. The domestics had their day off and Barbie cooked the meal herself, which was also a rarity. She’d done her own grocery shopping, followed by a couple hours of labor in the kitchen. She now served them meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans.
Kurt took a few bites and then praised, “Nothing compares to a wholesome, home-cooked meal. You’re not only gorgeous but an excellent cook as well!”
Clearly pleased, Barbie did not let on that she was a novice, having followed the cookbook’s recipes, step by step.
As they lingered over coffee, Kurt announced, “We got the last response in today’s mail. Now all have replied and are planning to attend our celebration.”
I was afraid of that, Barbie thought, but kept it to herself.
He continued, “I’ll go ahead and book the flights and arrange for the boat ride. I’ll also organize the domestic aspect of our venture. You don’t need to do anything as far as that goes, but I’m asking a favor.” Grinning, he said, “You can probably guess what that is.”
She gave him a blank stare.
“I’d like you to sing for our guests.”
She shook her head. “I’d rather not.”
“You love to perform. So what’s the problem?”
“I don’t feel secure singing without accompaniment.”
“Of course you’ll have backup music. For one thing, there’s already a grand piano at our place on the Isle of Ease and - -”
“There is?” she interrupted.
“How could I plan a vacation house without a piano for you to play on? But don’t worry. I don’t expect you to sing and play at the same time for the guests. I can engage musicians. How about the band you used to belong to? We’ll hire them if they’re available.”
She grimaced and said, “They’re angry at me for having quit, leaving them without a lead singer. They’re a proud bunch; I doubt they’d come.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll find you other backup musicians. Meanwhile, you can all practice here in your music room.”
He did not give her a chance for objections and said, “That’s settled then. Leave it all to me.”
Later, deep into the night, while Kurt was snoring next to her, Barbie lay awake. She wondered, are all millionaires like that? She had not been permitted to make a single decision of her own, ever since their wedding day. On closer reflection, the controlling had started even before, without her having been aware of it. Well, she determined, I’ll get back at him in my own way. Tomorrow, I’ll call for the chauffeur and have him drop me off at Rodeo Drive for some serious shopping.
CHAPTER 6
Domenica Cortes had been Kurt Nobel’s live-in housekeeper at his Beverly Hills estate for many years, ever since the divorce from his first wife. She was a widow with two grown daughters, one living in nearby Culver City with husband and elementary school age kids, the other in Guadalajara, Mexico, with a no-good-husband and two teenagers.
At the moment, Domenica was laundering the master bedroom sheets. Fortunately, the task did not require her full attention, as her mind was stuck on the conversation she’d had that morning with Señor Nobel. He had asked her to be in charge of the household on his little island while he entertained guests there. She had come up with all sorts of excuses why she could not go there in April, and he had managed to overturn them all.
Assuming that she worried the job was too much work for one person, he had assured her that he didn’t expect her to take care of the domestic needs of him, his new wife, and a dozen guests all on her own. He would leave it up to her to hire more help as she thought fit. Señor Nobel had it all wrong, none of that had entered her mind. She was too embarrassed to let him know that the reason she was reluctant to do the job was her fear of flying. In all of her sixty years, she had avoided traveling by air, and hoped to keep it that way. Her motto was, if God intended us to fly, we would have wings.
While switching sheets from washer to dryer, Domenica thought, so why did I end up agreeing to his offer? Money, of course. Señor Nobel will pay me double the salary for that week in April and an extra-large bonus, for what he called “my trouble.” True, her employer was, and always had been, generous. Since having few expenses - - being a live-in,