Hot Coffee (The Hollens)

Ethan's POV

I watched as she brushed her hair in the mirror. She had been giving me the silent treatment since we returned to the room last night from the walk on the beach. She was upset that I wasn't excited for our wedding.

When did I say we'd get married here? Sharon was a beautiful woman, outgoing, cheerful and sweet at times but, lately, things had been different between us. She was becoming someone I never knew existed, nagging and possessive.

I was rash when I proposed to her because I wanted to make a good impression on my parents when they came back from their anniversary in Paris. Although I didn't do things to please them, because I didn't see much of them when I was a kid, I wanted to at least assure my parents that I was capable of settling down.

But was I in love with Sharon? Did I love her? Yes. But I wasn't sure I was in love with her.

I knew she was upset. Who wouldn't be? But I just wasn't ready to get married on a vacation. I always wanted a big wedding with all the trimmings, with my friends and family from around the globe. Not a beach wedding with just me and her and some employees from my mother's hotel. She couldn't seem to understand that.

"Shar, how long are you going to keep this up?" The question was overdue.

No answer.

"Sharon, I'm talking to you. Baby, you just don't seem to understand what I was trying to say to you."

"I understand perfectly, you don't want to get married to me!" she finally spoke.

"What are you talking about?" I asked with a sigh.

"I asked you back at the mansion and you said, 'Yes.""

"When I was sleeping?" I recalled her saying something after having the dream about Emma.

"Ethan, I want us to get married."

"And we will. Just not..."

"Why not here?"

"Because I already told you how I visioned my wedding. I don't want a cheap ass beach wedding in the Caribbean without my family and friends."

"Well can't we just do it small here and then have a big one when we get back? Planning a wedding that big would take months, Ethan."

"What's the rush? Why can't we just use the time to get to know each other better? Maybe have more vacations, or maybe you could move in with me?"

Her eyes lit up and she turned to me with a huge grin.

Oh no, what did I just do?

"Really, baby, you want me to move in with you?"

"Um, I don't see why not."

She flew into my arms and started kissing me passionately. Her mouth rushed to my neck which caused my manhood to stand at attention. I pulled her onto the bed as I laid over her. She let out soft moans as I drove into her with everything I had.

After the moments of heated passion, we refreshed ourselves in the shower then went down to the resort to have lunch. Grilled fish and lobsters, potato salads and vegetables, and Caribbean Breezes met our eyes. For the first time, in a long time, I felt relaxed, happy and carefree. I needed to have more vacations like this.

Sharon and I walked hand-in-hand along the beach again. It was beautiful during the day. The beaches here were to die for. We spread a beach blanket and laid down together while sipping on coconut water and taking in the beauty of the beach.

When we got back to our room, I checked my phone for missed calls and messages. Sharon told me to leave it behind because she said it was a distraction with all the ringing every second. I had twelve missed calls: six from the office, two from Grandma, and four from Luis. Why was he calling me?

I called Grandma first. She only wanted to check in with me and to tell me about her upcoming birthday. I was planning a surprise party for her at my place. There was enough time because her birthday was still far away.

I called the office afterward. Linda was still worried about the files but I found a way around it. I brought in an IT guy and was able to access my deleted backup files. I'd reprinted them and stored them in my briefcase instead of the home office.

Finally I returned Luis' calls. I assumed it was something with the car and he wanted to give me a heads-up, or he maybe wanted a day off to visit his wife and kids. I wasn't prepared for what he told me. Halley had been drugged and was in critical condition; her heart rate was failing.

What the fuck! How could that have happened? Who drugged her? Where did she get drugged? What about Emma? So many questions flew to my head at once.

"Why were they out when they were supposed to be at the damn house?" I was fuming.

"Sir, the girls said it was their half day."

Of course, I just had to give them a half day! It wasn't a habit of mine to keep cash around the house so I wrote paychecks to my employees. I understood they needed time to get them cashed, so I decided to give everyone a half day once a week. Besides, they weren't animals or machines, they needed time to rest and free time to do their business as well.

"Is the medical team still there? What happened to her?" I was concerned for her health.

"Yes sir, the medical team is here. They're doing everything to revive her. The other maid found a pill in her cup, so it's evident that someone had ill intentions."

My blood boiled. "Well at least we know the cause; they can find a solution, right?"

"Sir, that's why I'm calling you. Halley wasn't given the same drug. It's something different. They say it's some sort of poison, sir."

"Poison?" I couldn't believe my ears. I couldn't believe what was happening just one day after I'd left the damn country.

Using Sharon's phone, I called Hexx to get the jet here immediately.☐☐