“He has someone better.”
“No, he has someone that will never, on her good day, measure up to you.” Lock let that hang around before he stood. “Listen, all I’m saying is you should just try. If you give up, you’ll never forgive yourself. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. You know it’s not, but he loves you, Ayana… That has to count for something.”
He leaned down and kissed her forehead, saying, “Listen, there will be someone outside your door at all times until you’re released. If you need anything call me, okay?”
“Okay,” she nodded. “And Lock… thanks for everything.”
“A second chance doesn’t always mean a Happy Ending, it’s a chance to end things right.” – Unknown Author
Chapter 14 – Bradley
I was almost back at my hotel, still trying my best to get the sight of Ayana lying in her own vomit again out of my mind. I started to drive faster as if I was trying to outrun those images that would probably haunt me forever, when my phone started to ring. I looked at the panel in my car, the number didn’t appear to be familiar. I answered it anyway, not wanting to admit that I couldn’t seem to breathe until I found out if she was okay.
“Dr. Mills,”
“Hello, may I speak to a Braddock Mills,” the woman said, voice clipped and professional. She sounded like a doctor and my blood pressure rose instantly.
“Speaking,” I replied, gripping my steering wheel tightly.
“Oh good. Glad I caught you. Sir, this is just a courtesy call to first thank you for your reservation at our resort. We hope to make your stay a very pleasant and enjoyable one. I believe your fiancée made the reservation, but I wanted to confirm everything with you. I tried to call her. However, she didn’t answer.”
I loosened my grip. “Okay, confirm away,” I insisted, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Well, we have you listed for a two-week stay at our beautiful resort in Cancun, Mexico. She also mentioned that you two would be tying the knot. First, let me say ‘Congratulations.’ This is a big deal in a couple’s life and I hope we…”
I tuned her out the moment she said “two week stay.” Now I know you remember the conversation I had with Nora saying that I would make the plans. I planned for us to head to Vegas and get married quick and painless. I never said I wanted to go to Cancun. I never hinted on the phone that it was what I wanted to do. I start my fellowship in a week and granted I didn’t tell her shit about it. I didn’t have to. If she wanted to get married, we’d work all that out later.
“Dr. Mills?”
Upon hearing my name, I snapped out of my trance. “Yes, I’m here,” I responded, clearing my throat.
“Wonderful! Now does everything sound to your liking?”
Fuck no!
“Well… What is your name, I’m sorry?”
“Oh, no problem. My name is Debra Malachet. I’m one of the supervisors for the Hyatt International resorts.”
“Okay, thank you, Ms. Malachet, but we will not need this reservation.”
“I’m sorry, sir?”
“There’s no need for you to be sorry. Just cancel my reservation. I will not need anything that my, uh, fiancée booked.”
She paused a beat, then asked hesitantly, “Was there something I said that upset you? We can change anything you would like us to with no problem. We are very flexible and—”
“I’m sure you are,” I cut her off. “But no, it wasn’t anything you said.”
Actually, yes it was.
“Ms. Malachet,” I continued. “I appreciate your call, really I do. Your service seemed very impeccable and maybe in the future if I ever plan a trip, I’ll use your hotel to book with.”
I heard her sigh deeply. “Well, thank you, Dr. Mills. That sounds wonderful. I hope that you do.”
“Was my credit card charged?” I asked, already knowing the answer from her hesitation.
“Yes, sir, it has. And unfortunately, it’s going to take some time for us to complete the refund process.”
“That’s fine. Please email me confirmation of the cancellation, just as I’m sure you did with the confirmation of the booking. And please if you will provide me with your information, just in case I have any questions. I’m in my car and I have a lot of things going on right now. But once everything settles, I will probably have more questions for you.”
She hesitated again. “Okay, that won’t be a problem, sir,” she replied. “I’ll handle that right away.”
Yeah, now I’m a sir.