9. Sweet & Sour Fantasy 🍋

Once my plane landed, I was in the airport no more than ten minutes before I was directed to a driver named Maximo. He led me to the Range Rover and helped me inside. As he drove, I couldn't help but to pull out my phone and start snapping pictures and short videos of what I was seeing. There were so many palm trees, and the people seemed so easygoing that even the clouds seemed to dance with the sun. My phone warned me that my battery was low. I put it inside my purse. From Maximo, I learned that he works for the Rivers family. He enjoys driving. He was born in Germany, but he lived in California most of his life.

When the vehicle came to a stop, Maximo got out and opened my door. When I thought I would be staying at a regular hotel, my eyes caught sight of a luxury resort. Maximo helped me out of the Range Rover while two men took my two bags. I followed them. Every path we took had a different scenery from the façade of the resort to the view of the pool that literally looked as if it was on the edge of the world. The men opened two large glass doors. I walked inside first.

A woman came down the stairs and greeted me. "Hi, Miss Sawyer. How was your flight?"

"It was good, but how do you know my name? Oh, wait. Zeke Rivers must've told you. In that case, you can just call me Jamie."

"Fantastic! My name is Bridgette. Follow me. I'll take you to your room."

Call me confused, but I thought... "Don't I need to check in or get a key to the room first?"

Bridgette laughed, "Of course not. Don't worry about your bags. They'll be brought up soon."

I followed Bridgette up the grand staircase. The first corridor was a wall of photos. I recognized a lot of celebrities. This had to be a very popular resort. Normally, I wouldn't go crazy about meeting celebrities, but I'm in California. I'm going to see so many of them at once. I reached for my pockets only to realize I didn't have my phone. It was in my purse which was still in the car.

"Bridgette, I left my purse in the car."

"Don't worry about it. Maximo inspects the car after every drive. He'll bring it inside with the rest of your things. Your room is down this hall." She made a right turn and walked down another corridor.

The hall was short with one door at the end. Bridgette opened the door and led me inside. Everything was purple: the bed sheets, the rug; the curtains. Everything! Except for the furniture and the walls. It wasn't just one shade of purple, either. There was lilac, plum, and violet. Also, there were textures from silk and lace to fur and velvet. The way I'm explaining it could sound like a mess, but it was very elegant in appearance.

Bridgette asked me, "Do you like it? Zeke said purple was your favorite color."

I didn't know you could make a color request at a resort. "Like it? I love it." I walked over to the bed and collapsed. It was fluffy and comfy like a bear hug. I didn't want to move. If I could just go to sleep, right now, this would be perfect.

I almost forgot I wasn't alone when I heard Bridgette's laughter. I hopped out of the bed. "Sorry."

"Oh, no. You're perfectly fine. I didn't open your curtains, but you have the view of the ocean."

I almost tripped trying to get to the curtains. I opened them to a huge floor-to-ceiling window that allowed me to see the whales and dolphins that I imagined were swimming in the ocean. It was breathtaking to say the least. "What are the hours of the pool?" I asked her.

"It's opened 24/7." She smiled at me. "Breakfast is served every morning from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Lunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Snacks are wherever you see a glass bowl. They're located all around. There's one on your nightstand."

I turned around to see a embezzled clear, glass bowl full or cookies, crackers, and candy. All it's missing is cake and ice cream.

"Your mini fridge is in the opposite corner. At first, I had the snack bowl on top of it, but Cathy insisted on having it on the nightstand."

Cathy must be a housekeeper, too.

Bridgette continued, "If you need me, I carry my work phone on me throughout the day. My number along with the Wi-Fi password is on the card behind the TV. The TV moves. So, you can bring it close to you, move it to the right or the left. Whatever you want."

Then, a man knocked on the door. He carried my two bags and purse inside the room. "Here you go, ma'am."

"Jamie, this is Warren or as I like to call him, Mr. Polite. He's one of the most gentle gentleman that I've ever come across."

Warren held his hand out to me. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Jamie."

"You, too." I shook his hand.

Warren said, "Feel free to call me or Bridgette if you need anything. My number is behind the flat screen." He whispered, "I'm a lot faster than Bridgette."

"I heard you, Mr. Polite!" Bridgette chuckled.

They laughed together, reminding me a lot of my old neighbors, Paulette and Joey.

"We're the same, but not, because she likes to do more of the talking. I like to do my job and get things done."

"That's enough out of you," Bridgette joked. "He's been here longer than I have, but I'm the one who teaches him how to do a lot around here."

Warren scratched his head. "Last time I checked, I got paid more."

I could listen to them all day. I grabbed my purse and pulled out two five dollar bills. "Here's a tip for you both."

They stared at me for a second too long before declining.

"I'm sorry I don't have more." I searched my purse.

"No, it's not that at all," Bridgette informed me. "The Rivers pay us quite well; especially, when they have guests over."

I put my money back in my purse. "The Rivers must come here a lot."

They laughed, again.

Warren pulled out his phone. "Miss Jamie, you are gonna fit in just fine around here. Ladies, I have to part ways with you."

I arched a brow, "Oh, okay. Bye!"

He left the room.

Bridgette smiled, "Jamie, I'm not a nosey housekeeper, but I've been a housekeeper around plenty, a many of people to know when the math ain't adding up."

I sighed, "You got me. I'm lost."

"This is the Rivers' home. Zeke lives here with his parents and his brother. They have visitors over all the time like yourself. Some even stay for months at a time."

My eyes grew with shock. "Wow! I thought I was at a resort."

Bridgette chuckled, "Trust me. I was the same way when I started working for the rich. It can get overwhelming, but I enjoy it." Bridgette took her phone out of her back pocket. "Speaking of the Rivers, Zeke's mom just made it home. So, I'll leave you to your devices."

"Can I meet her?" Why did ask that?

"Sure!" Bridgette led me back to where we started, downstairs.

The same two men walked inside carrying shopping bags from stores I wouldn't invite myself to, because my pockets would get declined.

"You know your dad is probably at Floyd's studio when I told him he can't be sleeping on sofas with the back he has." Her voice was motherly and direct. Then, I saw her. She was a beauty. When she saw me, she took off her sunglasses and spread her arms wide. "Aren't you just a ray of sunshine! I forgot Zeke said you would be here today." She hugged me as if she already knew me.

Zeke put his phone away as he held a few bags in his hand. He took off his sunglasses and smiled at me. I smiled back.

His mother looked at me. "You were right, son. She's definitely not from around here. Y'all met where, again?" She asked.

"Mom, I told you we met at the beach." Zeke stood next to me.

"How was your shopping trip, Cathy?" Bridgette intervened.

Cathy gave her attention to Bridgette. "It was great. I needed it. I found a cute dress for dinner tonight. Bridgette, do you know what the chef is cooking?"

As they talked, Zeke grabbed my hand. "I got something to show you." He led me through a room of tables and chairs to a door that took us outside by the pool.

It was hard trying to take it all in while containing my excitement of seeing Zeke again. Then, my mind went back to what he said earlier. "We met at the beach?"

Zeke sat the bags on the ground. "I'll answer your questions after you pick any bag you want, because the bag you choose will determine what we do today."

I grinned. There were five bags. I was debating between Tiffany & Co. and Yves Saint Laurent - I still don't know how to pronounce that brand. Then, I saw the Versace bag. Out of curiosity, I picked it up. "Can I open it now?"

Zeke nodded his head.

I opened the bag and pulled out sunglasses. My brows merged, "These look way too expensive for me to wear."

"Try them on."

I hid my excitement as I put them on.

"Today, we're going to the beach," he said.

"Really?" I tried my hardest not to act like I'd never been to the beach before, but I'm pretty sure I was serving all teeth.

Zeke pointed past the pool. "When you walk through those doors, you're going to go up the stairs and make a right, it'll take you down a hall that leads to your room. I got you a swimsuit and sandals, too. When you're done changing, come back down. I'll be waiting out here."

I remained still. "You didn't answer my question."

Zeke said, "Jamie, I'm serious about helping you, but I need you to help me, too. My dad and my brother can be very controlling when it comes to music, and I want to do this without their interference. I don't want my family to know that our relationship is artist-producer. I told them that you are my girlfriend. I need them to believe that."

Either a gust of wind just blew me backwards or I took a step back, because that was not what I was expecting him to say.

"I know it's not ideal, and I would understand if you wanted to go back home."

"No, Zeke. I understand. It's just going to be weird pretending to be your girlfriend."

"Trust me. My family will barely be in your face if they think you're my girl," Zeke explained. He handed me the shopping bags. "I'll wait for you down here."

As I went back to my room, I felt a little disappointed about the situation. Yes, it's going to be great working with Zeke, but to be his fake girlfriend felt like I was being friend zoned. I don't know what made me think he was attracted to me like I was attracted to him. I blame all those You and Zeke Rivers fanfiction stories I read as teenager.

As I changed into the swimsuit that magically fit me, my phone vibrated. I sat on the bed and picked up my phone, reading the text message from my cousin.

Monica: Have you landed yet? What hotel you staying at? Call me. Love you, cousin!

Jamie: Hey, cousin! I made it and I'm staying at Zeke's family's house. It's HUGE and I have my own room. I'll send you a quick video.

I stood up with my phone in hand. Ugh! I forgot it was on low battery. I quickly put it on the charger. Quickly, I finished getting dressed. A few minutes later, I grabbed my phone and recorded my room with a short, slow clip before ending the video and sending it to Monica.

Monica: DAY-YUM!!! He got you in there like you are his African Queen

Jamie: 😂 Zeke is taking me to the beach now. I'll call you when we get back. Love you!

I figured I wouldn't need my purse. So, I left it. I grabbed my phone and my license that fit into the pocket of my phone case. With a scarf tied over my head that hung low, I headed back to Zeke wearing the Versace sunglasses, a matching tie-dye crop top and long shorts swimsuit set, and white Chanel sandals.

Zeke was looking at his phone, sitting at a table when I walked through the doors.

I cleared my throat. "I'm ready."

Zeke asked, "Do you like it?"

I quickly took off my sunglasses. "If this was a bikini or a one piece, I would've stayed in the room. This feels like I'm wearing regular clothes."

"I told my mom you were a little conservative, and she picked it out."

"Your mom should be a stylist, because I love it."

"She was a stylist. That's how she met my dad," Zeke stood up. "Give me your hand."

I took his hand, and we walked together to the car. I immediately thought about our gondola date.

Maximo opened the door to the Range Rover. As I sat next to Zeke, a thought came to my mind. I became fearless and asked, "How many dates do you usually take girls on before they get to meet your mom?"

"My mom knew my exes before they were my girlfriends."

Welcome to celebrity life, Jamie. You are not that special. I focused my attention out the window. Pretending to be a girlfriend is not fun. If it meant taking in this scenery and this opportunity, then it is what it is. Palm trees and all.