Aziza’s attention settled on Sunita, who sat on one sofa, tracing the lines of text in another illustrated book.
Her mind came back to the conversation when her mother said, “I need to have a word with Ryan. He has a good head on his shoulders.”
“That’s why you should trust me when I say we’ll be okay. If I didn’t love you, I’d be offended that you trust him more than me.”
Mom laughed, but only for a few seconds. “No, honey, I don’t, but you can’t imagine the relief. I don’t know if I had a solid night’s rest since they took you.” Her voice was teary when she continued, “I just want you here, at home, where I can see you.”
“I’ll ask Drake to set up a video call, so you can see I’m in one piece. Shouldn’t you be worried about him?”
“Your brother is as right as rain. They broke up the largest kidney stone with laser surgery. I’ve been talking to him about his diet for years. This will teach him.” She lowered the sound on her television, then said, “Your father wants to speak with you.”
“Hey, sugar plum.” Martin Hampton cleared his throat, and Aziza knew he was trying to control his emotions. He hadn’t called her that in years, but she imagined him hugging her mother while they sat together on the large sofa. The two of them were inseparable, even now. She visualized him, a heavy-set, light-skinned man, his beard sprinkled with gray. Her heart ached because until then, Aziza hadn’t realized how much she missed her parents.
“It is so good to hear your voice, but I’m going to echo your mother.” Her father’s deep voice cut into her musing. “I can’t imagine you’d want to continue working in a place where you don’t feel safe.”
She didn’t want to build their hopes that she’d be home in a few days. Many things had been left unspoken between Ryan and her. Although he didn’t want to be apart from her, Ryan hadn’t definitively laid out a blueprint for how things would look after they left Durabia.
Aziza wasn’t sure she even wanted her job back. Taking an assignment in a faraway place had been an adventure when she decided to get away after her last relationship ended. Her father was right. She wasn’t sure she’d ever feel safe here again. Plus, there was the fact that Ryan had to return to Paradise Island at some point. Yet, being with Ryan in Durabia changed everything. She let out her breath and admitted, “I do have a few things to sort out before I think about coming home.”
“I understand that, sugar. You better tell Ryan that if anything else happens to you, I’m holding him accountable. We’re grateful and all, but still … ”
After reassuring him she’d be careful, Aziza bade both of them goodbye and called the women’s shelter named after Amanda Maharaj that she’d looked up in the directory. After a request routed through two different women, Aziza was able to speak to Naima.
“Hey, I hope you had a good sleep last night and that you’re okay.”
“We are all thankful. I’m praying the others will return safely.” She exhaled on a heavy sigh. “We had a vigil last night.”
Aziza’s heart sank. While she was resting comfortably in a hotel room, they had been up praying. She had called the center once after Ryan left, but knew it was too late to get anyone on the phone. After a restless night, Aziza still felt tired and her fist was sore. She ignored the discomfort, and holding her breath, she asked, “Is Ahaba with you?”
Naima’s silence told the tale.
“Oh, God, no.” A boulder sat in her stomach, and she felt even worse about her good fortune.
“We were separated when we walked outside the clinic. She got into the first vehicle ... “
“Ryan and the team are still searching,” Aziza said quickly. “They won’t give up until they find them.”
In a soft tone, Naima said, “We are praying they come back.”
Aziza sighed and pushed away the heaviness in her spirit. “I have to take care of something now, but I’ll call you when I come back. Please tell the other ladies I said hello.”
“I will. Stay safe.”
“You, too.”
Her gaze settled on Sunita, who was still mesmerised by the picture book.
Aziza half rose from the sofa before the phone rang again. Searching her brain as to who could be calling, she lifted the handset then cracked a smile. This was Ryan’s room, not hers.
“Good afternoon, may I speak with Miss Aziza Hampton?”
Her heart missed a beat, but she steadied her voice and sat on the edge of the sofa. “Speaking. May I ask who’s calling?”
“I am Claudia Gonsalves, from the personnel department of the hotel. We understand that you’re checked in as a guest.”
Her hackles rose, but Aziza answered in an even tone. “Yes, that’s true.”
“Can you come to personnel in a half-hour?”
Her promise to Ryan and his words echoed in her head. Promise me you won’t leave this suite until I return.
“Is there a particular reason you want to meet with me today?” she asked.
“Well, your pay and commission are in jeopardy since you abandoned the job—”
Aziza’s blood turned molten, and she clenched her jaw and spoke through her teeth. “I did not abandon the job as you put it. For this entire work week, I’ve been … ” She didn’t want to talk about yesterday or any of the days before that, so she changed tack. “Never mind, but your accusation is unjustified.”
“Well, based on company policy, if someone does not show up after two consecutive days … ”
At that point, she stopped listening. She’d given her best to the hotel and deserved every cent she’d worked for in her time there. No way was she about to walk away and let them keep
