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The sun poured into the resort office's main lobby through a large, open entrance and warmed the smooth, fieldstone paved floor. Resort staff wearing leis and white tunics stood on either side and greeted guests as they approached. The sound of trickling water danced through the air, coming from a fountain at the lobby’s center. The sparkling stream issued from the palm of an uplifted marble hand. It ran down the statue’s arms, split, and snaked around her hard, naked curves as they mirrored the warm glow of the island sun.
Kalei Kahue, the resort director, gestured to one guest seated in a lobby chair and pointed towards a pair of French doors.
“Please, come in here, Mrs. Abbas. Can I get you anything?”
Huda clutched a handful of her grey silk abaya as she stood and lifted it just enough to avoid the steps of her feet. Her white hijab surrounded her frowning face and ruffled in the soft breeze that blew through the open lobby.
“No, thank you. That won’t be necessary,” she said.
She followed the direction of his hand through the doorway and took a seat in front of his desk. Kalei took a deep breath and mustered a warm, professional smile as he closed the door and walked around the desk towards his chair.
“So, what can I do for you today? I trust your stay so far has been an enjoyable one.”
“No, it has not.”
“I’m very sorry to hear this. Is there something wrong with the accommodations?”
“No.”
“Have the staff been less than impeccable in their service?”
“No, the staff are fine.”
“Perhaps the food has not been...”
“It has nothing to do with any of that. I need to file a complaint about another guest.”
Kalei’s eyes widened and glanced to the side as his head shifted back on his neck.
“Oh. I see.”
“She parades around the island wearing the most disgraceful bikinis. Making a display of herself and distracting the other men on the island with her harlotry.”
“Mrs. Abbas, this is an island resort. It is acceptable for women to wear swimsuits here.”
“These are not swimsuits, Mr. Kahue. They are the devices of a witch, designed to seduce.”
“I see. Can you describe the swimsuits, Mrs. Abbas? What about them do you find so offensive?”
Huda’s eyes narrowed, her posture stiff.
“There is more material in the lint in your shirt pocket than in one of her bikinis.”
“Mrs. Abbas, my shirt doesn’t have a pocket.”
“Exactly.”
“So, she is walking around naked?”
“She might as well be.”
“Well, I suppose I could ask my staff to observe her when she is in the common areas, and if they feel her attire is inappropriate, they could ask her to change her clothes. Would that make you feel better?”
“No, it would not. Correct me if I am wrong, Mr. Kahue, but the mission of this resort is to provide a place for married couples to come and work on their relationship, is it not?”
“You are correct. That is our mission.”
“This whore has no intentions of working on her marriage. She is only out to destroy the marriages around her.”
“That is a very grave accusation, Mrs. Abbas. Other than your objections to her attire, do you have any evidence to back up what you are saying?”
“Yes. I witnessed another guest who was not her husband leaving her bungalow late at night.”
Kalei Kahue raised an eyebrow, put his elbows on his desk, and folded his hands in front of his mouth. Huda continued.
“After he left, I knocked on her door, and she answered wearing a scandalous garment.”
“Well, that sounds a bit concerning,” Kalei said.
“When I confronted her about her attire and the man who left, she pointed to her husband and claimed to wear it for him, but she lied. She couldn’t have changed that fast. And what was the other man doing in their private quarters to begin with?”
“Well, Mrs. Abbas, I realize you find it inappropriate, but some guests befriend each other during their stay. Resort guidelines do not prohibit visiting each other in their rooms, especially after hours when common areas are closed.”
Huda scowled and leaned forward.
“This was not an innocent visit between friends. I assure you of that.”
“If I may ask, Mrs. Abbas, what other man did you witness leaving their bungalow? Can you describe him?”
“Yes, he’s an older gentleman with unkempt grey hair. His wife is a heavyset white woman with short, curly red hair.
Kalei smiled and sat up straight, clapping his hands together.
“Oh, you mean Brad and Alice. Mrs. Abbas, they have been patrons of this establishment for at least ten years. They are a lovely couple who adore each other. I cannot believe that Mr. Brad would ever do anything inappropriate like you are suggesting.”
Huda gritted her teeth and glared at Kalei.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Abbas, but unless you can provide some kind of irrefutable evidence of your accusations... perhaps a photograph or testimony from some other witnesses... I am not in a position to...”
She slammed her open palm on the desk and stood up. Her eyes burned as she pressed her fingertips into the desk and hissed at the director.
“Do you know who my father is?”
Kalei shrunk back, his arm muscles tensing as his hands retreated to the armrests of his chair.
“I’m sorry, should I know?”
“He is an influential member of the Qubth-ut-Allah.”
“I am not familiar with...”
Her stern tone pummeled Kalei’s chest and caused the tendons in his neck to tighten.
“They are the fist of God. And they do not take the matter of a wayward woman lightly.”
“Ok. Well, Mrs. Abbas...”
“If you do not have the tramp Jessica removed from the island at once, I will have to tell my father, and trust me; you do not want the Qubth-ut-Allah to address the situation.”
Beads of sweat surfaced on Kalei’s forehead. He pressed his lips together as he stood and extended a shaking hand - fingers spread and palm down - towards Huda.
“Please, Mrs. Abbas. Let’s not do anything drastic. I believe you are referring to the Strokers. They are new to this resort and may not be aware of the community guidelines. I will go over the rules with them. I am committed to preserving an environment at this resort that is conducive to couples focusing on their marriage and working to improve it. We do not tolerate a situation that detracts from that.”
“Then, Mr. Kahue, you need to give your full attention to this matter. I know a villainous slut when I see one, and I assure you that this one is a heinous fire that threatens to burn down your resort and every marriage on this island.”
“I promise I will get right on investigating the matter. No need to involve your father.”
Kalei’s heartbeat pounded in his ears while he suffered what seemed minutes under the radiating heat of Huda’s piercing eyes.
“We shall see.”
She turned towards the door.
“Can I escort you?”
She raised a hand, not looking back.
“No need. I know the way out. And I know the way back. Next time I return, I expect to hear your resolution to this situation, Mr. Kahue.”
“Trust me. I will get right on it.”
He followed her to the French doors and watched as she exited the lobby, holding his breath and a smile until she left his sight. Then he closed the doors, turned, and leaned back against them. His chest heaved as he gasped for breath and wiped the sweat from his brow.
“Oh, god, I need a drink.”
