Paradise Found (13 page)

She opened her eyes to meet his.

“I have regrets but the one thing I don’t regret is having you.” Tears swelled in his eyes. “Come here and give your long lost father a hug, will you?”

Victoria hesitated a moment before approaching him. Embracing her father for the first time in her life. He held her tight in his arms. The warmth and security of such a personal act made her eyes water. After thirty-three years she had met her father at last. He wasn’t dead but alive and now a part of her life.

The revelation struck another chord within her. Here she was, an adult woman, meeting the father she never knew for the first time in her life. She felt a sense of relief, of peace, knowing the truth. A sense of completion. How different would it be if the roles were reversed? How would it feel to inform Justin that his mother wasn’t dead but alive and wanted to be a part of his life? Would he feel her sense of relief and peace? Her sense of belonging?

She had to see Justin again
.

Chapter 21

The invitation arrived at her mother’s house by post. On the engraved card was a scribbled note from Jovanna personally inviting Victoria to a
bon voyage
party for Justin at the Shangri La. In a few weeks, Justin would be flying to Great Britain for the ten-day football academy he had won. Victoria read the note with pride but her heart sank when she realized the party was being sponsored by Paradise Helicopters. The event offered an opportunity to see Justin but would also put her face-to-face with Daemon. Their lives were so intertwined there seemed no way of escaping it. She slid the invitation back in its envelope and set it on the kitchen table.
Le bonne heure.
In due time she would deal with it.

Glancing at her Rolex, she realized she had to leave right away in order to catch the flight to Praslin. Today was her first day as an employee of Eden Resort’s Seychelles office. She wondered if she had made the right decision in trading in her sandals for pumps and her sundress for a suit. By accepting the position with Eden, she knew she would be propelled back into the hustle of corporate life, a life of commercialism and excess, of technology and kiss-ass games, of schedules, and stress. Back to reality and the real world.

Though the office was casual, the corporate machine was running at full throttle. Eden was as no-nonsense as any office in the States or in Europe. When Victoria entered the reception area, she was greeted by her administrative assistant. The young Indian woman seemed capable and efficiently handed her a day planner with business trips to resort properties located around the world penned in. The amount of travel seemed daunting. After, she was led to her office. She was grateful for its corner location with windows overlooking flora and fauna. Her desk and credenza were teak and equipped with a computer, printer, fax and telephone system. A row of filing cabinets and bookshelves completed the corporate environment. A thick corporate handbook had been set on her desk next to an array of office supplies.

When her secretary left, Victoria sat in her leather swivel chair. She thought it ironic that she would be in an office. Since she had been in the Islands, she hadn’t even opened her notebook computer, had let the battery die in her cell phone and ignored the news completely. Though the latest technology existed on the Islands and they were more remote through geography than communications, she had preferred to ignore it all. Most Islanders did. She was certain her doctor would have been pleased. Her blood pressure had probably dropped substantially. Any stress she had was from normal living, not from the technology that had seemed so necessary but hadn’t been necessary at all.

She had been connected to nature instead of to things.

Windows separated her from the lush greenery and humid air outdoors, and while she sat in sterile air-conditioned comfort a revelation dawned on her. Thoughts of Daemon and her father sparked in her mind. The Seychelles were one of the few remaining places on earth where mankind hadn’t overrun it. A utopia. They were her heritage and her homeland. The Islands were her past, her future and Justin’s future. She had told her father that development and conservation could work together. Perhaps resorts could become ecology friendly. She was in a position to actually make it happen. As Vice
President of Development for Eden, she could set the standard for the resort industry. The idea made her giddy. Alexander Wells didn’t know what he was in for when he hired her.

The telephone on her desk rang and she lifted the receiver to hear Alexander Wells’ booming voice.
Speak of the devil.

“Miss Montcherry, what a pleasant surprise to have you in your office, already at work,” Wells’ said. “Is there anything you need or need to discuss?”

She paused for a moment before replying. “There is something I’ve been giving a great of thought to.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Eden resorts has been getting some bad press lately due to the Seychelles’ rumor mill. Fear is that the firm will be influencing the government to overdevelop the islands into a tourist mecca. Eden is looked upon as anti-environment.”

“When have I cared about what other people think?” Wells said with a huff.

“Eden should care and its image should be reflected in a better light.”

“What do you propose?”

Victoria smiled. She had been giving things a great deal of thought. “I propose that Eden donates the land I purchased on Praslin, adjoining the Vallee and donate to them. This could be a major media event generating positive press for Eden around the world. Just think of how Eden’s image would improve. Eden would be viewed as a developer with a conscience.”

“Hmm…”

“There is a trend toward conservation and Eden can be at the forefront.”

“Did Daemon put you up to this?”

Victoria chuckled. “No, but Daemon isn’t always wrong. He has some intelligent ideas and savvy business sense.”

“You really think this would give Eden positive press?”

“Yes, and you as well.”
May as well fuel his ego.

“Okay, come up with a plan and pass it on to Public Relations and Communications. Together, this might just work out well.”

“I’m certain it will.”

Justin’s party was held on an outdoor deck of the Shangri La on Mah’e. The Saturday afternoon was humid yet breezy with salty trade winds blowing in from the ocean beyond. A buffet was set up with a variety of seafood, curries, rice, chutney, breadfruit, fruit, tarts and fritters. Coolers held iced bottles of Seypearl that members of Justin’s football team were drinking with abandon. The adults sipped Seybrew and imported wine. As Victoria wandered about she noted that no expense had been spared. From the linen-clothed tables, the floral centerpieces with a football theme, the abundance of food and drink, Daemon was hosting an affair befitting a wedding more than a teenager’s going away party.

Though she had noted him in conversation with guests, Victoria had purposely avoided Daemon. He worked the crowd like a politician and she found his animated movements and exuberant expressions interesting to observe.

She had really just arrived and taken a glass of Chardonnay from a passing waiter. After taking a drink, she approached Jovanna. Before she could utter a word, Jovanna had her in a hug.

“I’m so glad you came,” Jovanna said with a sparkling enthusiasm.

“You invited me, how could I not?” Victoria answered as Jovanna released her hold.

Victoria met Jovanna’s warm gaze. “I thought it only right that you come today. This is the biggest day in Justin’s life so far. You may as well share it.”

A lump formed in Victoria’s throat. Instead of treating her like competition for Justin, Jovanna was being more than kind. For that she was grateful.

“Thank you,” Victoria said.

“Come, you must see the Island’s pride and joy.
Our
pride and joy.” Jovanna took her arm and led her toward Justin.

He was standing in a circle with members of his team, all attired in their football uniforms. They raised their soda bottles in a toast. To Justin!

Victoria had to swipe at tears forming her eyes and tried to collect herself before being meeting her son.

Catching site of Jovanna, Justin turned toward her.“
Ma Mere!
Isn’t this exciting? I can’t believe anyone would throw a party for me. A big party!”

“You’ve worked hard and this is the prize,” Jovanna said, her voice a silken caress.

It was evident that she loved the boy and Victoria felt like an intruder watching the intimate chemistry pass between mother and son.
Her
son and she was not the mother.

Justin turned and met Victoria’s startled gaze. “Miss Montcherry. How good of you to come to my party.

He reached out and took her hand. Victoria thought she’d melt at his tender grip. She had to muster all her strength not to draw him in her arms and hug him.

“I couldn’t miss the biggest event on the Islands.” Victoria’s lips trembled as she spoke. The touch of his hand on hers lingered after he let go.
I can’t let go!

Justin was so tall and handsome, so charming and well-adjusted. She feared she never could have raised him to be the special young man he had become.

“Thank you,” he said, tilting his head. “Did Mr. Wells invite you?”

She stammered, “Jovanna was kind enough to invite me.”

“Oh.” Justin looked at Jovanna with raised brows. “I see.”

“We’re old friends,” Jovanna said, turning to Victoria who nodded.

“Well, well if it isn’t Victoria Montcherry,” Daemon said as he approached the group.

Victoria cringed. She knew she’d have to see him eventually. At the party it was inevitable. Why while she was talking to Justin?

Daemon looked as good as usual, the white linen shirt and pants highlighting his golden tan. He smiled, waving a bottle of Seybrew. His gaze met hers with an intensity that made her shiver.

“Miss Montcherry is a friend of
Ma Mere,
” Justin said.

“Is that right?” There was apprehension in Daemon’s voice.

Jovanna nodded while Victoria stood still. Gazing into Daemon’s eyes was like staring into an abyss, equally as deep and dangerous. Victoria couldn’t help but recall their meeting when his lips crushed hers and his asking her if she could live without him. Wrenching thoughts of his concern at her mother’s funeral gnawed at her. Knowing that she had to let him go for Justin’s sake brought her back to reality. She thought she was
living without him quite successfully until this moment. His heat was melting away her façade of contentment.

“I … I think it’s wonderful that you’re hosting a party for Justin. He’s making the Islands proud with his football prowess,” Victoria said, trying to break the magnetic hold Daemon held on her.

“It’s the very least I can do,” Daemon said, glancing at Justin. He reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair. “I’m so proud of you, son.”

“Oh.” Justin shrugged, smoothing his tousled waves with splayed fingers.

The interaction of man and boy was enough to put Victoria over the edge. If she wasn’t rattled enough by Jovanna’s invitation, by meeting Justin, encountering Daemon, all the forces were interacting to make her feel like more of an intruder. She was so tense, the glass of wine in her hand wasn’t enough to settle her.

“Hey, Justin,” the other boys were calling.

“Gotta go,” Justin said with a nod and a shrug. He rushed off to join his friends, seeming as eager to flee as Victoria.

“In all the years I’ve known you, Jovanna, I never knew you were friends with Victoria until recently,” Daemon said.

He was prying and Victoria didn’t approve. “We knew each other when we were younger. I had been away a long time. We’re catching up,” she said.

“I see,” he said but didn’t seem convinced.

“And funny that you both know each other as well,
non?”
Jovanna added with a smile.

At that moment, Marcella Gruen approached with two plates of sweets. She drew up to Daemon’s side, handing him a plate that he took with a grin. Marcella winked at her while winding one arm possessively though Daemon’s as she held her plate in the other.

Victoria began to feel flush and ill. This was too much.

“It’s a fabulous party but I really must go,” she said, turning.

“Must you leave so soon?” Daemon asked.

She couldn’t leave soon enough. The deck was getting too stuffy and she was suffocating.

Polishing off the glass of wine as she winded her way through the crowd toward the exit doors, Victoria ran into the last person she had wanted to meet. The afternoon was about to get worse and she knew it.

“Vicky,” Alexander Wells greeted with an unsettling familiarity.

Before she could escape, he grabbed her in his embrace, his arms like the tentacles of an ocean octopus. She looked up and could see Daemon’s gaze burning at her. She was certain it would gain Alexander’s approval and it did. Why was she being used as a pawn between father and son? For whatever reason she didn’t like it. She didn’t like it at all. She squirmed out of Alexander’s grasp, smoothed her sundress and backed away.

“I’m leaving,” she said with the bite of anger.

Wells grasped her arm. “You can’t leave now. I just arrived.”

The urge to slap him and rush out off the deck was tempting and she would have done so if not for it being Justin’s party. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin her son’s celebration by creating a scene. She was trapped.

Daemon wanted a sear a hole through Victoria’s head, to analyze her brain bit by bit to find out what the hell was going on. He didn’t invite her to Justin’s party. Why would she care about an Island boy who played football well enough to win a trip to Great Britain? She was a single businesswoman. This crap about her being a friend of

Jovanna’s. The two women had about as much in common as a fish and a fruit bat!