Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 14

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.

"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.