Billionaire Blaze, page 22
None of the reasoning I tried to use to make myself calmer worked. I was a wreck, and it took all my self-control to put one foot after the other as we walked through the building site to the first of the huts. Most of the ones we passed were done or very close to done, and all of them had been finished by me.
“Nervous?” Sarai asked as we reached the door of the first one, and she looked back to find I was lingering near the back of the group.
I shook my head, not sure how to put it into words or explain it, and also not wanting to.
Trying to lift my chin and take charge, I moved toward the door and pushed it open.
“I’ve worked wonders in here,” I said. “I think it’s some of my best work.”
The words felt like a lie, but I couldn’t take them back and they had come out before I had known how to stop them. Lukas raised an eyebrow for half a second and then followed Sarai into the hut and past me. Richard wasn’t long after that.
I took a moment to follow, Henry leaning in close to me. “Gotta admire confidence in a woman. If things ever don’t work between you and the boss, just let me know.”
“Uhhh…thank you, I think.” I tried to smile, but I was caught off-guard by his words and had no idea how to respond. Was it a joke? I didn’t find it funny either way, but I knew that it could have been meant that way. Some men didn’t understand that it was a confusing thing to say if it wasn’t serious, and creepy if it was.
I glanced at Lukas to see if he’d noticed, but he wasn’t looking at me. Instead he was scrutinizing the hut and everything I had done to it. He and Sarai quickly wandered deeper, and I hurried to go after them, wanting to put some distance between me and Henry.
“What do you think?” I asked Sarai, noticing that Lukas was almost glaring at everything as if he hated being in the hut. I couldn’t tell if Sarai liked it or not. She wasn’t her usual bouncy self and she kept glancing toward Lukas as well. Had they heard what Henry had said to me?
Did they understand that I hadn’t been trying to get his attention at all? There was no way for me to know without asking, but Sarai slowly nodded.
“You know, at first I wasn’t sure, but it’s growing on me as I notice more of the little elements we decided on and the clever ways you incorporated them.” Sarai explored the hut. In terms of layout it was barely different from the others and in some ways that had made it harder to theme them all differently. There were only so many ways to place furniture in the same space.
Of course, the furniture varied, and I worried that it would be difficult to replace some of it if there was a breakage, but I also knew that this was going to be a fairly high-end vacation park. It would attract the sort of people who would expect a high standard, but also pay for it, and that meant replacing some of the furniture wouldn’t be as difficult, budget-wise.
The budget Sarai had given me had reflected that as well, and although I wouldn’t have admitted it out loud, it made it a lot of fun to do the design. Not once had I actually come close to any ceiling from Sarai.
Sarai shook her head as she came back down the stairs, but she was smiling and for a second or two I wasn’t sure what reaction to expect. “I don’t know how you’ve done it. You’ve made so many wonderful designs and put together such a lot of different pieces and you’ve barely spent a thing, darling. You’ve made this look effortless.”
Relief flooded through me, and I found myself grinning back, high on the praise after being so tense.
“What is the theme supposed to be for these huts?” Henry asked as Richard went upstairs, bypassing Sarai.
Richard didn’t seem to mind either way and had previously expressed the sentiment that as long as Sarai was happy, he would trust her natural instinct. I thought his support and how he showed it was adorable, and I loved that he was always willing to look, express encouragement, but leave the actual decisions to his wife.
At first, no one answered Henry’s question, all of us looking between us and not sure whom the question was even aimed at.
“African,” I replied when no one else did. The silence started to get awkward and I’d always struggled with silences. I was surprised he hadn’t been told that already, or didn’t know from the site map we’d been given or seen several times in the site office.
“It doesn’t look very African. I’d expect it to be more...” He trailed off, looking around like he couldn’t see what had caused me to decide and design the place the way I had.
“I studied several different tribes and the African tribes I’ve used in each hut are in the little information leaflets and the fun pack we designed, too,” I replied. “Of course, you’re right in that it’s not like the stereotypical caricature tribes that we get told about by Hollywood or Western media, but it still represents the African tribes and their culture overall in a much more respectful way. As Sarai and Richard are hoping to attract worldwide customers, I wanted the huts to respect each nation, not be gimmicky and fake.”
Although I had started speaking calmly to Henry, by the time I had finished, there was plenty of bite to my words, and my cheeks felt hot. I willed my body to relax and calm down, but everyone was staring at me, including Richard, from the top of the stairs. I had just totally embarrassed myself.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
The silence that dragged out after I snapped at Henry only served to make me feel even worse. No one knew what to say, and I could feel Lukas’ gaze on the side of my face.
Henry was my focus, and he was returning the stare as if challenging me.
“Well, I for one think we should move on to the next hut,” Sarai said eventually, breaking the ice and taking the focus. I nodded and walked out the door, not even waiting to see if anyone followed me or not. This was why I had been nervous. Today was different after all.
I tried not to stomp down the path that led back to the road and then across to the next hut. I was bypassing one of the huts that had been decorated in the same way, going into another that was intended to represent a different part of Africa and a different culture. This had been one of the hardest to get right, and I knew that if Sarai didn’t like one of them, it would be this one.
As I got close to the hut, I finally stopped and waited. Only Sarai and Richard were with me. Lukas and Henry had hung back and were having a conversation by the first hut.
“Let’s go inside. I’m sure they’ll join us when they’re ready.” Sarai kept a smile on her face, but I could tell from her eyes that it was a little forced. It only made the situation worse. I couldn’t tell if she was irritated and exasperated at me, or at Henry and Lukas for not joining us.
I opened the door to this hut, but I don’t know how I walked through the door. At some point, I stepped out of the way enough for Sarai and Richard to follow, and then I just hung back and waited. Whatever their reaction to this, there wasn’t a lot I could do anymore. The design was done, and I wanted to get this tour over and done with.
“Oh, this one is even better.” Sarai clapped her hands, giving me the first gesture that made me feel as if she definitely liked what she saw. It was a reaction I had barely dared to hope for. But again, if she was happy, it didn’t really matter how anyone else felt about it.
Richard went straight to the small plaque that explained the African tribe it was based on and picked up the fun pack I’d put together for the kids, and Sarai followed him. Both of them flicked through it, Sarai growing even more animated, and even Richard appreciating it and making happy noises when he discovered another element—the word searches I’d made and everything I’d thought of to try and help explain the decor.
“Can you do these for all the others too? In case we get visitors to any of the huts who don’t understand it, and also to make them all the same fun for kids?”
I nodded, knowing it would be extra work but easy enough to do. I could follow the same formula as I had for the few already made, and just change details for each culture and theme. It would take time, but I was being paid more than enough that I didn’t mind the extra. If nothing else, it would keep me here for a few more days.
Assuming Lukas wasn’t angry with me after this. I didn’t think he was as angry at me as he seemed to be at Henry. I dared to glance through the open doorway to see what they were up to, and they were still talking. It looked less heated, but Lukas was doing more of the talking.
When Lukas looked my way, I quickly moved away from the doorway and closer to Sarai and Richard. He was still flicking through the little booklet I’d made, and Sarai had moved on to the rest of the hut. I had used more of my own artistic license with this one, and she’d approved fewer of the items directly.
Still, she seemed happy, and it was a huge relief. There was still one more hut to show her, but I could live with two out of three on this sort of day, especially when there was something I had already been praised for and asked to do more of.
As Lukas came through the door, we all looked his way again. Henry wasn’t with him, and he was frowning.
“Henry?” Sarai asked, but her voice was gentle as if she was concerned more than wanting gossip.
“He had to head back to the office. I need him to do something for me.” Lukas smiled, ever the professional, but I got the impression Henry had been sent back to the office, not required to go.
There was no way I was going to ask about it, however. If Lukas didn’t want to say, I couldn’t pry. But I fully intended to ask him if we were still all right with each other as soon as we were alone.
For now, Richard beckoned Lukas over to him and showed off the booklet I’d made again, while Sarai continued with her tour. Not wanting to stand by myself or butt into Richard and Lukas’ conversation—or listen to them talking about me—I followed Sarai.
“Well, that was awkward,” she whispered when we were alone in one of the bedrooms.
I nodded, not sure what I could add to the conversation and wanting to forget it more than I wanted to keep talking. I was already so embarrassed by everything and my own outburst.
“Do you think it was because he criticized your lovely work?” Sarai asked. “I’d heard Lukas could be protective, and I know you two have a thing for each other. But Henry has been working with him for a long time now.”
Not sure what else to do, I shrugged.
Sarai gave me a hard stare for a few seconds, and it made me feel guilty, even though I still had no idea. Was I supposed to know?
“Well, I guess it will remain a mystery, but I hope he stood up for you. You’re doing a good job here, and I’ll sing your praises when the time comes.”
“When the time comes?” I replied, ready to ask almost anything to move the conversation along.
“Oh yes. The press will attend the launch party, I’m sure, and I know that many in the industry will take an interest. There are always some. Friends, other businesses whose managers I get along with, all sorts of things like that. I’ve invited a lot of people to the launch, and you will have to be there to talk about your inspiration. They’ll all be dying to know how you’ve pulled all of this off, my dear.”
I gulped. I didn’t want to hear how I was going to be put on a pedestal or thrust into the spotlight at the end of this project. I didn’t want to be in the limelight, and as much as the money was good, I wasn’t sure what other jobs I would want to take. After this project, I either wanted to suggest that I stay here with Lukas or I wanted to go back home to my friends.
Although I loved the project for the most part, and Sarai and Richard were great to work for, I was getting more and more homesick, especially in moments when I wasn’t working or the days I was with Lukas. I was less independent here than I was used to. I was used to being able to walk almost everywhere I needed. Everything in the US was too far away from each other, and having a car was pretty much a necessity.
“Don’t worry,” Sarai said, patting my shoulder. “They’re going to adore you. I know, because we all do. And please don’t let Henry’s comment from earlier get to you. I know what it can be like being creative in any field. You wear your heart on your sleeve, and it’s so easy to feel like you’re failing when just one person doesn’t like something. He showed his ignorance, not your lack of skill.”
I nodded, looking down. As much as I appreciated Sarai’s words, I knew I wasn’t entirely ready to hear them. Sometimes, the mind didn’t want to play ball.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Lukas
I hesitated outside the hut I knew Sarai, Kit, and Richard were in. They no doubt would have seen the conversation with Henry, and I thought Kit had noticed the argument and how heated it had gotten afterward. It had left a bad taste in my mouth, and I didn’t know if I had done the right thing by sending him back to the office to cool down.
He had accused me of being protective of Kit, and I knew there was an element of truth there. She was mine and had agreed to be my submissive, and I was always going to be protective of her. While I was her dom, her safety in everything was my responsibility. Letting her know she was safe, making her feel safe with me—that was the basis of my role in her life and the foundation of the trust between us.
And Henry had been unkind and expressed an opinion when he hadn’t been invited to do so, with a tone and attitude that had belittled her. That much I felt sure of. I had seen the brief look of shock on Richard’s face, how nervous Kit had been already, the way she rubbed her hands together when she didn’t think anyone was looking, and even Sarai’s reaction.
I couldn’t stay out here and dwell on it, however. This was my job and I needed to remain professional no matter what. I wasn’t going to let another woman take that away from me either. As if by magic, the perfect words formed in my head to explain all this.
Going inside revealed my three companions and work colleagues already busy looking around the second hut, and the subtle differences were astounding. It was almost a shame that I had sent Henry away. He wouldn’t be able to see the work she had put in to make the style of this one also feel African but obviously base it on another tribe.
My heart swelled with pride as I gave my explanation to the room. Of course, Sarai had been the one to dare ask where Henry was, but they said no more and left me to my excuse. Richard then called me over to show me the kids’ pack Kit had made for this hut.
It quickly showed all the ways she had incorporated the differences, and I understood how smart she had been. A quick glance at it would tell every adult what they needed to know to appreciate the art and tribe the design was based on, and then there was even more for a child to enjoy. No one who understood the difficulty of interior design for the themes she had been given could deny the genius in her process.
Standing with Richard and looking through the pack helped calm the awkward atmosphere as the two women went around the hut. By the time they came back, Kit was more composed, but she wouldn’t meet my gaze, and I could see the fear hidden inside her. This had unsettled her.
I admired her ability to pull herself together and keep going as she led us to the third and final hut of the African section, but I worried for her. This had knocked her confidence and she clearly feared that we would think less of her.
Sarai went out of her way to praise Kit for her final design. Of the three, it was the most clever. Once again she had kept certain elements that spoke of Africa but switched out the tribal elements, the color scheme, and the subtle touches that spoke of another culture within a culture.
It must have taken her forever, and she must have spent a long time trawling stores and markets to get everything she needed to put it together. This area of the site had been partially finished for some time and she had mentioned a few times that it was taking more work, but it had been worth it. Again, I regretted sending Henry back to the office, but I knew I would need to come around again. I would bring him here and make him see this for what it truly was. A masterpiece.
One thing was sure. Kit knew how to do her job, and I felt proud of her. Still, she didn’t seem to understand how amazing this was and how much we genuinely loved it. Her confidence had been damaged and I wasn’t going to let it slide. I had protected her from the hurt in one way, but now I needed to find the right space to help her put herself back together.
“I think this calls for a celebration,” I said, taking a leaf out of Sarai’s book. “And I know just the place to go to celebrate Kit and her unique and skilled taste.”
Kit lifted an eyebrow as a plan formed in my head. I knew the perfect place to make her feel at home and help show her I appreciated her.
“Well, I happen to agree,” Sarai replied, looking between us and catching on enough to go with it.
“I still have some work to do.” Kit frowned, clearly not sure she wanted to go with it. Her eyes still carried the sadness Henry had put there, but I took her hands in mine before she could object too much.
As soon as she looked up at me, I kissed her. It was a bold move in front of Sarai and Richard, but I hoped they would understand. Kit was more important, and I was putting us out of work mode and into fun time. “Trust me. I know the perfect thing, and besides, you’ve earned this. This is amazing. You’re amazing. We all know that you’ve been working really hard on this section of the site the last week or so. You can’t work hard all the time and not stop to celebrate your achievements.”
The moment Kit pulled away and I let go of her, Sarai put an arm through hers. “I happen to agree. You have worked hard on this section and it shows. While I want the same level of attention and detail to the whole project, I know when it’s time to unwind and celebrate the wins along the way. Let’s go, take a few hours. I need to come back later; I’ll bring you back with me and we’ll do what we need after celebrating.”
This removed any other objection as Richard opened the door for all of us.
“Good man,” he whispered to me as I walked past him, the two women already a little way ahead. I gave him a nod, grateful that he understood what I was trying to do. The more time I spent with Richard and Sarai, the more I liked their relationship and the understanding both showed to each other.
