Aziza’s heart brimmed with happiness as her mother’s rich contralto filled her ear—even if she was getting grief. They had chatted for half an hour before her mother, Constance, circled back to when she planned to return to the States.
“After Ryan and I have a chance to talk, I’ll let you know.”
“I would think you’d be on the first plane out of that place.”
Aziza pictured her mother; the milk-chocolate skin of her face creased into a fierce frown as she paced the living room in Evanston.
“Remember I have a job here?”
In fact, Aziza didn’t know whether she was still employed. Ryan had checked her into his room, and her name might have triggered curiosity, if anyone was checking closely enough. If that was the case, someone from personnel would want to talk to her soon.
“Well,” Mom continued, “If I were you, I’d want to see Duraria behind me.”
Aziza’s gaze strayed to Sunita, whose head was buried one of the books they bought downstairs. “Durabia,” she said in response to what she swore was stubbornness on her mother’s part. She refused to get the name right.
“Ryan’s wrapping up some things here. I’ll be perfectly safe.”
What Mom didn’t know was that Ryan hadn’t returned to the suite, but had been in touch with her late last night, early this morning, and at midday. She understood the nature of what he was doing in tandem with the Kings. She was comfortable on her own, knowing he was working for the good of the kidnapped women.
She couldn’t wait for Ryan to appear. She’d spent the morning falling asleep in snatches and waking up scared out of her mind. When she gave up on resting, she stared at the river that wound past the hotel, then watched television. Now, she had separation anxiety.
Aziza’s attention settled on Sunita, who sat on one sofa, tracing the lines of text in another illustrated book.
Her mind came back to the conversation when her mother said, “I need to have a word with Ryan. He has a good head on his shoulders.”
“That’s why you should trust me when I say we’ll be okay. If I didn’t love you, I’d be offended that you trust him more than me.”
Mom laughed, but only for a few seconds. “No, honey, I don’t, but you can’t imagine the relief. I don’t know if I had a solid night’s rest since they took you.” Her voice was teary when she continued, “I just want you here, at home, where I can see you.”
“I’ll ask Drake to set up a video call, so you can see I’m in one piece. Shouldn’t you be worried about him?”
“Your brother is as right as rain. They broke up the largest kidney stone with laser surgery. I’ve been talking to him about his diet for years. This will teach him.” She lowered the sound on her television, then said, “Your father wants to speak with you.”
“Hey, sugar plum.” Martin Hampton cleared his throat, and Aziza knew he was trying to control his emotions. He hadn’t called her that in years, but she imagined him hugging her mother while they sat together on the large sofa. The two of them were inseparable, even now. She visualized him, a heavy-set, light-skinned man, his beard sprinkled with gray. Her heart ached because until then, Aziza hadn’t realized how much she missed her parents.
“It is so good to hear your voice, but I’m going to echo your mother.” Her father’s deep voice cut into her musing. “I can’t imagine you’d want to continue working in a place where you don’t feel safe.”
She didn’t want to build their hopes that she’d be home in a few days. Many things had been left unspoken between Ryan and her. Although he didn’t want to be apart from her, Ryan hadn’t definitively laid out a blueprint for how things would look after they left Durabia.
Aziza wasn’t sure she even wanted her job back. Taking an assignment in a faraway place had been an adventure when she decided to get away after her last relationship ended. Her father was right. She wasn’t sure she’d ever feel safe here again. Plus, there was the fact that Ryan had to return to Paradise Island at some point. Yet, being with Ryan in Durabia changed everything. She let out her breath and admitted, “I do have a few things to sort out before I think about coming home.”
“I understand that, sugar. You better tell Ryan that if anything else happens to you, I’m holding him accountable. We’re grateful and all, but still … ”
After reassuring him she’d be careful, Aziza bade both of them goodbye and called the women’s shelter named after Amanda Maharaj that she’d looked up in the directory. After a request routed through two different women, Aziza was able to speak to Naima.
“Hey, I hope you had a good sleep last night and that you’re okay.”
“We are all thankful. I’m praying the others will return safely.” She exhaled on a heavy sigh. “We had a vigil last night.”
Aziza’s heart sank. While she was resting comfortably in a hotel room, they had been up praying. She had called the center once after Ryan left, but knew it was too late to get anyone on the phone. After a restless night, Aziza still felt tired and her fist was sore. She ignored the discomfort, and holding her breath, she asked, “Is Ahaba with you?”
Naima’s silence told the tale.
“Oh, God, no.” A boulder sat in her stomach, and she felt even worse about her good fortune.
“We were separated when we walked outside the clinic. She got into the first vehicle ... “
“Ryan and the team are still searching,” Aziza said quickly. “They won’t give up until they find them.”
In a soft tone, Naima said, “We are praying they come back.”
Aziza sighed and pushed away the heaviness in her spirit. “I have to take care of something now, but I’ll call you when I come back. Please tell the other ladies I said hello.”
“I will. Stay safe.”
“You, too.”
Her gaze settled on Sunita, who was still mesmerised by the picture book.
Aziza half rose from the sofa before the phone rang again. Searching her brain as to who could be calling, she lifted the handset then cracked a smile. This was Ryan’s room, not hers.
“Good afternoon, may I speak with Miss Aziza Hampton?”
Her heart missed a beat, but she steadied her voice and sat on the edge of the sofa. “Speaking. May I ask who’s calling?”
“I am Claudia Gonsalves, from the personnel department of the hotel. We understand that you’re checked in as a guest.”
Her hackles rose, but Aziza answered in an even tone. “Yes, that’s true.”
“Can you come to personnel in a half-hour?”
Her promise to Ryan and his words echoed in her head. Promise me you won’t leave this suite until I return.
“Is there a particular reason you want to meet with me today?” she asked.
“Well, your pay and commission are in jeopardy since you abandoned the job—”
Aziza’s blood turned molten, and she clenched her jaw and spoke through her teeth. “I did not abandon the job as you put it. For this entire work week, I’ve been … ” She didn’t want to talk about yesterday or any of the days before that, so she changed tack. “Never mind, but your accusation is unjustified.”
“Well, based on company policy, if someone does not show up after two consecutive days … ”
At that point, she stopped listening. She’d given her best to the hotel and deserved every cent she’d worked for in her time there. No way was she about to walk away and let them keep her hard-earned commission.
“So, if you don’t show up to the office for this meeting … ”
Aziza zoned out again. Ryan expected her to stay put, but she had matters to settle now. She had to at least show up to be able to collect what was due to her. If her luck didn’t turn, she’d be back before he returned. “I will be down in a while.”
After she replaced the phone, Aziza stood. “Sunita, we have to go out for a short time. Can you change into the sweat bottoms and t-shirt?”
After putting the book aside, Sunita scooted off the sofa.
Aziza went with her to the closet and pulled the items of clothing off the luggage holder. Then she slipped into the Chinese style casual dress she had bought for herself.
The moment she opened the door to the corridor, panic swept over her. The same sensation held her prone to the mattress when she woke at 2:00 a.m. to find that Ryan had not returned. She’d sat up and switched on the light to reassure herself she was not inside the container. Then her thoughts returned to the women who were missing. She said a prayer for them, checked on Sunita, then tried to fall asleep again, but it was dawn before her eyes closed.
Aziza squared her shoulders, gripped Sunita’s hand, and made her way to the administrative block, annexed to the main building.
She waited ten minutes to see the human resources director and ensured Sunita remained in the spacious office with them. She was far enough away not to hear the entire conversation. After sitting like a statue for a minute, Sunita turned and stared through the plate-glass at Durabia’s capital city below.
The Caucasian woman, who identified herself as the HR director, opened a file Aziza assumed was hers. “My assistant said you claimed you didn’t abandon the job.”
“I’m sure the hotel reported me as missing to the police. Isn’t that the case?”
“Well—”
Aziza sat forward. “So, if you know the reason for my absence, why are you giving me a hard time?”
“The hotel’s policy is that—”
“I don’t give a rat’s behind about your policy,” Aziza spat, then glanced toward Sunita. “When I didn’t turn up for work after two days, didn’t it occur to anyone that something must have happened to me, especially since my things are still in the apartment where I live? That’s if you haven’t had my possessions thrown out.”
The woman had the grace to lower her eyes as her skin flushed. “No, we have removed nothing.”
“Did you even check back with the police for an update?”
Valencia Hamilton—according to her name plate—squared her shoulders. “This is not the first time a worker has disappeared—”
“And clearly, none of you cared enough to do anything about it.” Waving one hand, Aziza said, “All that matters to this establishment is money.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way. but—”
Aziza was in no mood to deal with a trite semi-apology that rang hollow. She looked Ms. Hamilton dead in the eyes. “The woman I was sharing the apartment with, is she still working for the company?”
“Of course, both of you signed your contracts at the same time.”
“Since my things are still in there, I need a key to get inside. Mine was stolen.”
“I don’t think—”
Aziza’s patience went AWOL, and she stabbed the desk with one finger. Pain radiated from her still tender knuckles, which made her temper spike. “I didn’t resign, and you know they took me against my will, the least you can do is let me get my stuff.”
Sunita turned from the window to stare at Aziza, who stretched her lips in a tight smile to reassure the child. “It’s okay, sweetie. Auntie is fine.”
But she wasn’t. Nor was she in mental condition to be haggling with anybody. What she needed was peace and the chance to heal from the trauma inflicted on her soul.
Her gaze went back to the dark-haired woman, who leaned forward with both arms on the desk. “I know this may sound strange but here’s what I can offer: since you were missing for a week, we can take you back if you reapply for the job. There are strict employment procedures based on your contract—”
Aziza counted to five before she spoke. “Look, I’m not in the mood for any of this after what I’ve been through. I need a key to that apartment and I’m not leaving here without it.”
With her eyes laser focused on Ms. Hamilton, Aziza stared her down in a silent battle of wills, until the HR director picked up her phone and asked someone to bring her a key.
Aziza was well aware that based on Julene’s duty roster, she was likely to be at home, but the HR director didn’t need to know that fact. They sat in silence, while Aziza glowered at the woman across the desk as she tried to make amends with weak excuses to pacify Aziza. No doubt, she didn’t want Aziza to make a stink about the situation.
When a staff member arrived, and Aziza received the key, she got to her feet.
The slender woman frowned. “So what about the job?”
“Don’t worry about that because I wouldn’t work here, even if you offered me twice my salary. Let me know when my pay for the last two weeks I worked is ready. Plus, the commission.”
She stood, and the woman flinched.
Aziza motioned to Sunita, smiling despite the desire to slap someone. “Let’s go, sweetie.”
As Miss Hamilton kept a wary gaze on her, Aziza said, “You know where to find me.”