A Mind in Love

By TN Durham

No one, not even his best friend, knows what really binds Ibrahim Ortiz to the most tragic event in his life. He's unaware of how much time he spends living inside of memories. Sometimes he welcomes it because it fills a void. Except something unexpected happens when he meets Macy Valentine, a tourist. She's giving him something new to think about, but his past won't let him go so easily.

 

He's on the verge of reaching the promotion of his dreams from Interim to General Manager of the Majestic Fantasia Resort and Spa. Nothing matters more to him. He would never put his career in jeopardy to get involved with a guest. All that changes when he learns of the ulterior motive of another tourist, Ronald Clifton.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TN Durham
• Release date: Sep 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215008102

TN Durham

TN Durham has spent the majority of her career working in the community with refugees, immigrant, homeless, and a variety of adult education programs.  She is passionate about helping others reach their dreams.  She loves to read and has degrees in Journalism and Marketing. She currently lives in Atlanta, GA. A Mind in Love is her first novel.

Book preview

Chapter One

Once I had the undivided affection of someone I adored. Maybe it didn’t last because I didn’t do enough to earn it. Remnants of what I lost keep crossing time and the ocean to remind me, when all I really want is to let go.

A five and a half hour flight from Miami will bring you to the middle of the Caribbean Sea and to me. Where on the tropical island of San Raphael, all-inclusive means my job is keeping guests happy, no matter what.

To prevent a customer from escalating a complaint, I was on my way to confront the employee I suspected of credit card theft. While passing by our beachside pool, I came across a tourist reaching for the door handle of a supply closet. 

Just because you’re beautiful doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want to do.

To me pretty faces were nothing more than hazards to avoid at work. When she turned towards me, I could tell I’d startled her. But the instant our eyes connected, my heart fluttered like an eagle preparing its wings to soar.

Excuse me, I just needed towels. I haven’t figured my way around yet. And I’m not interested in wondering around this resort and getting lost at this hour. Her eyes left mine but she continued talking to herself. I can’t believe I still haven’t memorized that room number. What in the world is it?

I found her behavior amusing and couldn’t help smiling. As she continued thinking out loud trying to figure out the number of her suite, I slipped behind her and into the closet.

She was no skinny piece of paper. On the contrary, she had the curvaceous and voluptuous figure of a Roman statue.

Most of our staff who work in these stands won’t arrive for another hour. I doubt if any of them will keep you waiting long, madam. Here are your towels. My name is Ibrahim Ortiz, the Interim General Manager of this resort. If you can’t find your way, ask any employee to call me and I’ll return and go with you to your room. 

That did not come out how I intended it to and I both saw and felt the apprehension in her eyes.

You have nothing to worry about. Company policy prohibits staff from becoming involved with guests. When you consider the price of losing your job, it’s not worth the risk to any of us.

I noticed two new employees from housekeeping slowing down as they neared us on the walkway. With curiosity on their faces, they looked at us like we were easy prey. Around the resort, gossip spread like melted butter on warm toast.

Well, that doesn’t seem fair, she said as she reflected for a moment. And then with a playful twinkle in her eyes she said, Anyone can fall in love. Don’t you think? 

At this resort, we forbid all uninvited and aggressive advances. We can’t control the other guests, but our team is committed to ensuring your safety and that your stay is memorable. 

She was the type of person who had a cheerful nature and smiled as she spoke. There was a spellbinding serene elegance about her. Her brown eyes beckoned me with such an unusual compassion that I couldn’t stop staring into them. But I also saw something else inside her eyes that her chipper personality couldn’t conceal.

What’s your name?

Macy Valentine, she said. 

Macy Valentine. It suits you. I must leave you for now, but you will see me again. Enjoy your swim. 

Fear of job loss kept most employees from pursuing romantic impulses. For me it was anticipating the news of my promotion to General Manager only days away. There wasn’t a face in the entire world pretty enough for me jeopardize it and get passed over again.

I continued across the resort to question the employee who I believed was behind the credit card theft. And Evie returned to dominating my thoughts like she’d been doing since I dreamt of her over the weekend.

It was one of those dreams that seemed so real that when I woke up, it felt like we’d never been apart. And I’d been holding her in my arms the entire night.

I’d come across Evie in a similar unexpected casual encounter. She was intelligent, attractive, and ambitious. Mesmerizing. When I opened the door, she jumped inside and without hesitating seized control of the steering wheel of my life.  

We were inseparable from the start. Our relationship gave me a certain assuredness that I never anticipated. The closeness and passion that I shared with her took me to the heights of a joy that was unimaginable. I thought it would last a lifetime.

I never got over losing her. There was something about how it happened that made it difficult to forget. To put my friends and family at ease, I stopped talking about her, but not thinking about her.

Some people might say I’m stuck in the past. Perhaps, but if that’s true, I wish someone would tell me how to get from there to almost anywhere else.

The more I thought of Evie, the less I could hold onto Macy Valentine. Her pretty smile and those magical minutes I’d spent with her evaporated from my memory like dewdrops off rose petals in June.

I’d already directed the resort security team to investigate the credit card theft, but I couldn’t sit around and wait. If my VP found out, he would never promote me to General Manager. 

My instincts pointed me to the single employee who blew off work and guests as if he were fanning away flies, Osvady Nova. Scheming and manipulating has kept him employed for over fifteen years. And he’d deluded himself into believing that his years of service meant tenure. Other than the employee who received the most complaints, he’d never earned anything.

I took a shortcut across a side path behind the buildings to eliminate the potential for additional delays. Only to come across the one guest I wish would’ve never boarded a plane to our country. Ronald Clifton, an investment banker in his late forties from New Jersey.

I began counting my breaths as he strutted towards me. Our company ordered all employees to attend a stress management workshop last year. And counting breaths was all I was able to recall from the training.

Did I count six seconds in and four seconds out or was it the reverse? I tried focusing, long deep breath in short deep breath out.

He snapped his fingers at me then said, Isaac? Do you understand English?

I’d never needed to count my breaths to do my job, but it seemed to help with him.

Good morning, Mr. Clifton. It’s Ibrahim. My name is Ibrahim Ortiz, sir.

I was told you’re the head bellboy or something.

I’m the Interim General Manager. How can I assist you?

What do you see on this phone, he said, thrusting it so close to my face I had to take a step back.

Today’s date.

An empty calendar. I called the concierge desk five times already. Does anyone work around here?

I apologize. Her shift doesn’t begin until later in the morning, but I will make sure she takes care of it. Is there anything else that we can do to help you enjoy your stay?

Move the family in the suite next to mine. Why should I have to get up before the sun on my vacation because they can’t control their children?

I’ll check into it. Is that everything?

You may go, he said and waived his hand in his manner of dismissing me.

His eyes followed two attractive bikini-clad women in their twenties walking by with flip-flops clopping against the sidewalk. Without hesitating, he took off after them.

I expected to find Osvady in the break room. He used it like his personal office. It’s where he spent most of his time complaining to whomever would listen how much he disliked working for tourists.

Since the day I became his supervisor, Osvady resented me. Often mistaking my patience for weakness, he forced me to keep him on a tight leash. 

Then there was Juanito. He was far from malicious, but nothing in any of the management books I’d ever read had even the slightest effect on him.

I guess you were serious about not paying me if you didn’t see me on the resort my entire shift. You took away almost half of my paycheck, he said with a perturbed look on his face.

Juanito, why don’t you come to work and do your job like everyone else? I think you can find something interesting here that’s worth giving us your time.

Work interesting? I don’t think so. Sounds just like the reason I left home.

Juanito was 23-years-old, spoiled, lazy, and didn’t have a single career aspiration in life other than having a good time. He stayed employed because he kept guests happy.

His family owned manufacturing companies, restaurants, and thousands of residential and commercial properties around the country. The Rodriguez’s have remained one of the wealthiest families on the island for over sixty years.

Juanito never liked to talk about his family. Once I managed to get him talking about them. He told me he and his father didn’t get along and gave no further explanation except he never wanted to hear his father’s voice again. Juanito has been in Las Palmas ever since trying to avoid returning home. 

When I thought of someone so young not having his parents’ support when he needed it most, I felt the urge to tell him to call his dad. And at least give him the reassurance that he was alive and wasn’t living on the streets.

My father died when I was twelve. I couldn’t think of anything he could say to make me never want to see him again.

So who’s getting fired?

I’m not firing anyone.

For almost $300 in unauthorized credit card charges? My dad would fire someone for stealing one peso. I was right at the front desk yesterday with Osvady when it all happened. I heard everything. 

Gossiping was a part of our resort culture that I had to live with and Juanito wasn’t exempt. His ears were always perked up to catch any gossip his mouth could spread. Seldom did I have any desire to listen to his mindless babbling, until I heard him mention Osvady.

Did you see Osvady with Mr. Griffith’s credit card?

No, but Mr. Griffith bullied and threatened Ana until I thought she would break down and cry. He was so loud it was impossible to ignore him. I lost $50 bucks on a card game I should’ve won. You can’t really blame Ana for using the card. She’s the only one who brings home a paycheck since her mother fell last year and injured her back.

It wasn’t true. No one could make me believe such a thing about Ana. Since the day I hired her, I softened whenever she was around. She had such an innocent, tender, and caring disposition from the years she and her younger sister spent in a boarding school isolated from society. I’d become somewhat protective over her, as if she were my own daughter, having no children of my own.

When she first arrived, I found Osvady slithering around her with mouth watering as if she were a piece of fresh fruit waiting for him to pluck and devour. I wasted no time putting an end to it. And told him if I caught him around her again, he’d have a side of me to deal with that even at my worst he’d yet to experience.

I made the same message clear to all the other predators working on the resort that nobody would go near Ana. Her dream was to travel the world helping other low-income children alongside the missionaries from her school. I planned to ensure she accomplished her goal.

Juanito enjoyed having an audience, but I didn’t have time to entertain him. I was about to leave when I saw Osvady shuffling towards the beach. He went far and wide to avoid me, but dragged himself my way after our eyes met and I signaled him. 

He’d been in charge of room service long before I joined the company. Since he’d been here the longest, he assumed my position belonged to him until they hired me. He wasn’t qualified, but that didn’t keep him from nursing a grudge against me since that day.

Good morning, Ibrahim. If you’re headed to the front desk, perhaps I can help, he said.

With what, Osvady?

I heard about the scandal going on. You know that credit card issue? I might know who’s behind it.

I had no expectations of Osvady confessing and making it easy on me. Still, I gave him the benefit of doubt. Is there something you want to tell me?

Everyone praises Ana so often that she believes what she’s doing is outstanding and that she’s so special. He said with so much sarcasm I cringed. I realize it will be difficult for you to terminate her since she’s your favorite.

You don’t bother doing deliveries to the rooms any longer, so what were you doing up front?

Helping a guest of course. Isn’t that the reason we’re all here?

I heard the whole thing. Mr. Griffith was certain someone used his card yesterday for items he couldn’t have purchased because he was golfing the entire time. Maybe Ana already flipped what she bought and turned it into cash, Juanito said. 

When I think about it, I did see a credit card number on the counter next to Ana right before he showed up, Osvady said.

You won’t get that promotion you’ve been working on with this on your record. What a shame. You haven’t taken a day off in three weeks.

Juanito had an expertise in causing me to lose my concentration and forget what I needed to do. And so, to stay focused, I had to put some distance between the two of us. I sent him as far on the other side of the resort as possible to take care of some errands. Nothing urgent, because he was more likely to become distracted and forget everything I asked him to do.

You know Ibrahim, it’s not a good idea to put so much confidence in employees like Ana and Juanito. If I were you, I would never trust someone as inexperienced and timid as Ana. She can’t handle being all alone at the front desk with all that money and all those credit and debit card numbers.

I have yet to receive a complaint from a guest about either Ana or Juanito. Although you and I already discussed more complaints I received about you two days ago, I said.

Guests are never happy. They get the meals they order. Is there any appreciation? No, because they’re looking for problems. They always want someone fired for not giving them what they want, how they want it, and when they want it. So what? Am I now responsible for doing housekeeping’s job as well?

Osvady, the guest only asked if you would give her an extra bottle of shampoo. But you told her you didn’t speak English when she knew you did. That’s what upset her. No matter which department you work in, your job is to assist our guests. Excuse me, I said. I had to remove myself from him before my exasperation escalated into losing my patience.

Chapter Two

Ana was alone at the front desk when I arrived. She continued to stare straight at the computer screen as I slipped behind the counter. I could only imagine the anxiety and stress Osvady and Juanito had caused her since yesterday, but I had to find out who stole the credit card.

It only took seconds for her gentleness to diffuse my determination. As I watched her, I thought of how to bring up the theft in a manner that wouldn’t upset her. Not a single idea came to mind, and so I took a less direct approach and looked for a distraction.

Next to Ana there was a crystal vase with elaborate and intricate carvings so finite that it was difficult to ignore. I was even more astonished by the assortment of fuchsia, red, orange, and pale pink roses accented with foliage and vines that cascaded down the side of the counter. The arrangement was so full and exquisite that it was as if a rose bush was blooming right on top of the desk. 

The roses perfumed the air with a scent so pleasant and enticing that it brought to mind Evie stepping out of the shower.

I coordinated the resort’s weddings and submitted the orders for flowers. Never had I seen such a lavish bouquet.

There are no weddings today or tomorrow. Where are these flowers going?

They’re from Mr. Clifton. He stopped by yesterday and ordered them for Ms. Macy Valentine, she said.

It was no surprise to find that Mr. Clifton had wasted no time tracking down another most likely unsuspecting opponent to play with during his stay. A full day hadn’t even passed since I saw him saying goodbye to the Brazilian Barbie doll he’d befriended. I thought he was going to follow her to Brazil from the way he stood next to her taxi refusing to let her go.

I intended to return to the credit card issue, but the name she mentioned halted my thoughts like railroad crossing gates stop traffic.

Something about it sounded so familiar to me, but I couldn’t quite figure out why. I thought of work related connections, but nothing came to mind, and so I returned to the questions I needed answered.

Hey Ana? Before I left yesterday evening, I received a call regarding some charges that didn’t seem accurate on a credit card. Why don’t we take a look at the record and try to piece the puzzle together?

Ibrahim, I would never use anyone’s card how Mr. Griffith accused me of using his. That’s wrong. Although we have very little in my family, we don’t steal. We are proud of everything we have.

I know. I know. Don’t worry, Ana. We’ll find out what happened. Let’s pull up his account. I’m sure there’s some minor error that we can fix with one click and take care of it.

She entered Mr. Griffith’s name in the computer and pulled up all the expenses applied to his room since his arrival. I went through each of them comparing the dates, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Until we found that in fact there were charges from one of our women’s clothing boutiques and Mr. Griffith was vacationing alone. 

I called the shop to ask about the charges. Yahira remembered a customer who wasn’t certain of her room number. Osvady happened to be in the store at the same time suggesting changes to the displays to increase sales. Yahira said she became so consumed with rearranging the store with Osvady that she almost forgot to charge the customer’s account. 

That’s it. She must’ve mixed up the room numbers. You see, Ana, there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll go over to the shop and pick up the sales record, and we should be able to connect the signature to the correct room.

Ana’s eyes brightened as she smiled and gave me a tight hug. Thank you, Ibrahim.

I’ll speak with Mr. Griffith and reassure him that there was a minor data entry error that we have corrected. And you keep up the good work. Did you hear from the school in the UK about your application?

No, she said. Her smile faded as her eyes fell downward.

Chin up. They’ll call.

It’s been months, Ibrahim. Maybe I should start making other plans and go to college, like my aunt suggested.

College is never a bad idea.

I know. It’s just that the teachers at our school did so much for my sister and me. I don’t think I would’ve ever learned English, began to care about the problems facing other children throughout the world, or ever wanted to do work that helps to improve someone else’s life. My sister and I are very fortunate. I don’t want to waste everything they have given us.

Before we were chosen for the scholarships at our school I know it was hard on my mother making enough to even give us more than rice and beans everyday. When I think about kids who have even less than us, it makes me cry. Little children who have no food, water, or even clothing so they don’t even think about school. My teachers told me about children who are abused or they steal or join gangs so they can survive, I want to help them. When I see girls on my street who are my age already with two kids, I just don’t know how my life will be any different if I don’t leave. What can I do here?

I understood the hint of desperation in Ana’s eyes. Many years ago, I caught my mother gazing at my sister and me with the same look. To provide for us after my father died, she worked on resorts, cleaning rooms as many hours