Chapter 18
Maya
I feel like I’m floating on a cloud to work instead of driving in my old, but reliable, Ford Focus.
Spending time with Eddie in the igloo last night was even better than I expected.
Deciding to do the interview to honor his brother can only be categorized as a breakthrough. I’m so excited he’s going to stay.
Today is Eddie’s interview, and tomorrow is the last day of the Mynt to Make a Difference Week.
As a final celebration, there’s going to be a Merry Mynt Ball.
It’s a huge party with fancy clothes, dancing and definitely lots of peppermint puns.
I haven’t figured out what I’m going to wear, but I am looking forward to being with Eddie.
Of course, we’ll have to keep our feelings for each other a secret. But, it’s only two more days. I can do that, no problem.
“Maya, hello…” Holly’s voice rips me from my thoughts. I’m her ride since she’s currently car-less, thanks to engine problems. “Are you in the car with me, or on love island with Eddie-the-hot-tennis-player Evans?”
I bite my lip. “I was just thinking about what I need to prepare for the next couple of days.”
“You mean your last days with your one true love?” Holly emphasizes each word in dramatic fashion.
I pull into a parking space at Mynt Peak. “Holly, no one can know that Eddie and I…” I trail off, trying to find a professional way to say that we have a crush on each other.
“Gotcha, no one can know you’ve been K-I-S-S-I-N-G in the igloo.”
“Holly,” I plead. “Help me keep this under wraps.”
“I’ll do my part, but girl, you’re glowing. You need to tone down that smile.”
I clamp my mouth shut. “No smiling, got it.”
“Act normal. Pretend Eddie’s just another guest for two more days.”
I exhale. “Okay, I can do that.” I zip up my coat a little more to prepare for the freezing weather outside the car.
Once inside the staff locker room, I immediately get a text. “It’s Lauren, she says she wants to meet with me ASAP.” I feel panic rising in my chest. “You don’t think she knows…”
Holly plants her hands on my shoulders. “Don’t freak out. I’m sure it’s just business.”
“Okay, you’re right,” I breathe. Why does acting normal feel so impossible right now? “I better go.”
“Good luck! You got this!” Holly gives me a thumbs-up.
I’ve done nothing wrong, I tell myself on my way to Lauren’s office. Eddie told me he was leaving today, and when we were in the igloo last night, I was off the clock.
I might be trying to rationalize this too much.
When I arrive at Lauren’s office, I give a quick knock on the door.
“Come in,” I hear.
Lauren is sitting at her desk, typing on her computer. Her office is modern chic. A large black and white geometric painting hangs behind her desk, and a vase filled with red roses and white lilies sits on top.
She looks up momentarily from her screen and says, “Hi, Maya, have a seat.”
I’m a little thrown off by her official tone. I take a seat in one of two gray chairs facing her.
She clicks one last key and then shuts her laptop. Folding her hands together, she makes eye contact with me. “Maya, thanks for meeting with me.”
I nod like, you’re welcome (not that I had a choice).
“As you know, your job this week was to accompany Mr. Evans to his required events. However, it seems he’s missed quite a few.”
I start to feel shaky. Am I about to be fired?
Lauren opens her mouth to continue when I hear a male voice ask, “Is now a good time?”
Looking behind me, I see Mr. Mynt in the doorway.
“Hello Mr. Mynt, come on in. I was just discussing the Evans situation.”
Mr. Mynt nods and takes the seat next to me. “And what is the update?” Mr. Mynt asks.
I’m trying not to freak out. I’ve seen Mr. Mynt in passing, attended meetings with him, but I have never been this close to him in such small quarters.
Lauren lays her hands flat on the desk. “Maya has had a difficult time keeping Mr. Evans on schedule. He even considered not doing the interview. However, I spoke with his manager a few minutes ago and was able to make sure we are back on track.”
Mr. Mynt sits forward. “That’s great work, Lauren!”
“Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Mynt then stands and walks toward the door. Pausing, he turns around and says, “I’ll meet you in the conference room for the interview.”
“I’ll be there!” Lauren smiles as Mr. Mynt exits. Then, she turns her attention back to me. “I understand this is your first time hosting such an important guest. It’s my fault for thinking you were ready.”
My mind is spinning.
Did Lauren just blame me for Eddie missing his events and then take credit for getting him to do the interview?
She must not know, or doesn’t care, that he had headaches from the stress and memories this event brought on. I’m not going to share his personal information, but this really sucks.
I swallow. “I tried my best to accommodate Mr. Evans. He wasn’t feeling well—”
Lauren holds up her hand, interrupting me.
“Listen, I don’t buy for a second Mr. Evans wasn’t feeling well, and you shouldn’t have either.
I told you he was hesitant to come. It was your job to find a way to make his time here successful.
On top of that, I got a call from Mr. Gray last night, telling me Eddie didn’t want to do the interview.
Furthermore, he was planning to leave this morning.
” Lauren stands. “Well, it’s a good thing I was able to talk to Mr. Evans and convince him otherwise.
Now, he’s happily doing the interview, which I need to get to. ”
Lauren heads to the door. I stand to follow her. She stops, puts her hand on her hip and says, “You are no longer Mr. Evans’s host. I’ll be doing the job myself.”
My heart drops. “What? What will I do?”
Lauren looks at a mirror hanging near the door and adjusts her bangs. Without looking at me she says, “The housekeeping crew is swamped. Head to the basement immediately for laundry duty. You can report there until further notice.”
I feel tears welling up. I’m angry, and I’m sad, and I’m disappointed. How did everything go south so quickly? There’s no way Eddie will be okay with Lauren hosting him, right?
It doesn’t matter. I’ll be spending my foreseeable future in the dungeon, a.k.a the laundry room.
It’s probably better this way. Eddie is leaving soon. I let myself get caught in Holly’s world of romantic fantasy. Eddie is a professional athlete, and I’m just a resort worker. My time with him was great, but it was temporary. It’s over now.