Page 20 of Billionaire Retreat

Part 2

Obstacles

Chapter 5

I looked at my belly in the mirror. I turned to the side and sighed and then turned back to the front. At three months along, I was barely showing, but my pants were uncomfortable around the waistband. I felt bloated all the time and had terrible heartburn. I ignored all that and made myself stop staring at my body in my bedroom mirror.

I was still at my parents’ house. I’d been hiding with my tail between my legs for much too long and today was the day. I’d changed my mind about contacting Griffin. I’d done some legwork and found the contact information of Richard, the guy who’d hired me. I planned to call him today and inquire about Griffin. I wasn’t sure if legally he would be able to connect me with him, but I didn’t think it would hurt to try.

I sat down on the edge of my bed, pushed the hair out of my face and made the call.

“Hello, Island Associates, this is Lorelei. How can I help you?”

“Hi, Lorelei. I’m actually trying to contact the guy who hired me. I was one of the entertainment specialists and just have a quick question for him.” That question being, can you tell me where my baby’s daddy is, I thought to myself.

“That would be Mr. Hayes,” she replied happily.

“Yes,” I said totally not knowing what I was talking about. I realized that up to that moment I hadn’t ever bothered to ask his full name. I guessed it was Richard Hayes.

“I can see if he’s in. Can I ask who’s calling?”

“Nina Charles.”

“Nina Charles. Let me see if he’s in.”

She put me on hold and for some reason, I was nervous. I didn’t even have time to analyze why when suddenly Lorelei was back.

“Give me one second and I’ll transfer you.”

“Oh! Thank you!”

A second later, Richard greeted me warmly. “Nina! How are you? I wanted to reach out to you after your abrupt departure from the island, but I didn’t think a call from me would be appreciated.” He sounded nervous and I was confused as to why and then it hit me.

“I’m not going to sue you or anything like that. Nothing happened out there that was lawsuit or criminal charges worthy, trust me.”

He sighed. “I know, but I still feel guilty. I mean, I don’t know what exactly happened between you and Mr. Wallace, but I did feel partially responsible for your abrupt departure.”

“You’re a nice guy, Mr. Hayes. I was actually calling to see if you could put me in touch with Mr. Wallace.”

He coughed, startled. “I’m afraid not. We’re not allowed to give out any information about our guests.”

“I figured as much.”

“Yes, I’m sorry about that. I can’t give out his phone number or any contact information at all. I can’t even tell you that you can find him at the corporate headquarters in the Westmore building most weekends.”

I smiled to myself and quickly reached for a pen.

“I can’t tell you that if you go this weekend, you won’t have to worry about five different security guards finding you. In fact, the only guard you’ll have to worry about is Cliff. Tell him that you’re there to see Griff and that Richard sent you.”

“How do you know all this?”

“Don’t worry about it. Go get him. Good luck, Nina.”

We said our goodbyes and hung up. I stared at the information in my hand and then decisively reached for my computer. Less than ten minutes later, I was scheduled for a flight back to L.A.

I stood up and planted my hands on my waist, feeling in control of my life for the first time since I found out I was pregnant. And then I promptly dropped my hands as a bout of nausea hit me that could only mean one thing: it was time to hug the toilet bowl again. So maybe I wasn’t in complete control of my life yet.

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