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“It won’t hurt to look around…”
“Enjoy your stay, Rey,” she says as she walks away, leaving me standing on my own private villa’s porch. “Remember that you’re on vacation.”
CHAPTERTWO
ZETHE
“Have you seen her?” Zero crosses his arms and leans his back against one of my lifeguard’s awning posts.
“The new human guest?” I ask, my gaze fixed on the guests playing in the incoming waves.
The sun is setting on the horizon, and the resort is bathed in warm, golden light.
I know who he’s referring to. It’s all anyone has been talking about today—the arrival of our first human guest. Rey. The idea was to make the resort more appealing to all beings, not just monsters. But still, it’s a shift that brings uncertainty.
I can’t deny that the change is intriguing, and also unnerving. The Starlight Resort has always been a haven for monsters, a place where we can unwind and mingle without the prying eyes of the human world. But now, with humans arriving, everything seems to be shifting.
“Yeah, her,” he starts, eyeing me with a probing gaze. “What do you think of Svea’s plan?”
I chew thoughtfully on the inside of my cheek. Zero and I have always been close, more like brothers than just coworkers. So, I don’t shy away from sharing my thoughts.
“I don’t really know how I feel about it, Zero,” I admit, my tentacles moving in a slow, rhythmic pattern. It’s a soothing motion that’s always been a source of comfort for me. “The idea of finding a fated mate amongst the guests… it’s not something I’ve ever considered.”
“Don’t you hope to find your fated mate?” Zero prods. His gaze intensifies, but I can’t read the emotion behind it.
Not just a mate, but the gift from the Moon Goddess. The thought has crossed my mind, sure. But my job as a lifeguard has always taken precedence over personal matters. I’ve seen too many lives lost to the sea, and I’d do anything in my power to prevent more.
Zero chuckles, but it’s a soft sound, filled more with understanding than amusement. “I get that. But what about the business aspect of it?”
Now, that’s a point I can’t argue. The resort does need the business. We’re known amongst monster communities, but the human world is vast, untapped. A new market for us.
“Job security is what matters to me,” I tell him honestly, meeting his gaze once more. “I support it if it brings us more business. I want to keep doing what I love, and that’s being a lifeguard. Keeping the guests safe.
“This resort is my home, Zero, and if more guests mean job security, then I’m all for it. I’m willing to do whatever to make sure that this place continues to thrive.”
“This is my home, too, Zethe. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help Svea realize her dream. To make Starlight Resort the best, the most desired resort in the world.” Zero’s voice rumbles low and earnest, a note of affection lacing his words.
His words resonate within me. The Starlight Resort is not just a workplace for us, it’s our sanctuary, our haven. I turn to him, my gaze steady. “I’ve always supported your family, Zero. Because of Svea, I’m doing what I love. Watching over our beachfront, ensuring its safety. There’s a joy in seeing our guests relishing in the same place that brings me happiness.”
He nods, running a hand through his thick black hair. “I know, Zethe, and we appreciate it. We all know it’s not easy for aquatic monsters like you; job opportunities are rare compared to those who can fly or live on land.”
I raise a tentacle in response. “True, but remember, there are jobs underwater that are impossible for others to do, even with special equipment. It’s our lot in life, and we’ve got to accept it and survive.”
Zero throws his head back and laughs, the sound echoing in the quiet room. “Yeah, I can’t argue with that. We both know Orcs can’t swim.”
I laugh along, the tension easing from my shoulders. It’s true, aquatic monsters face their own set of challenges, but we also have our strengths. We own the deep, the waters that others fear. It is in these depths that we find our place, our purpose.
As I watch the beach from my post, the scene is lively as the sun continues to set in the horizon.
A flock of birdmen splash and frolic in the waters, their joyous laughter carried by the wind. A pair of female orcs stroll along the shore, their hands entwined, matching bikinis and wraps bringing out the rich green of their skin. A catman model basks under the sun on his lavish pop-up beach catbed, his sleek fur glinting.
Turning my attention back to Zero, I bring up the topic that’s been swirling around my mind. “Have you heard anything about the human guest from Sage?” I ask. I’m certain Zoe wouldn’t be able to hold her tongue about her first human visitor.
Zero chuckles as his expression lights up with amusement. “Yeah, I have. I think the entire resort knows about her by now,” he answers, kicking himself from the pole and stepping beside me. “Eli said her name is Rey. Said she was as excited as Zoe to be here. He also mentioned she treated him with kindness and respect.”
He’s not wrong. Zoe’s excitement has been infectious, spreading like wildfire among the staff.
“I wonder if Zoe’s plan works, it’ll be interesting to see if the other humans, if and when they come, will be like her,” I muse aloud, my gaze drifting back to the ocean. I believe in Zoe’s abilities, but the thought of Svea dealing with disappointment gnaws at me.
