Things Aren't As They Seem

"Jude!" Mama shouts.

Our backs towards her, Jude stops and whispers, "Go to the car."

Before I take a step, Mama says, "You too, Ajay."

Wide-eyed, I look up at Jude, whose eyes are glaring through his mama. Mama asks, "Son, do you know what day it is?"

Glancing my way, he answers, "Thursday."

"Okay. Friday is an important day, right?"

"I'm more aware of Friday than you are, mama. I assure you, I won't need my privacy until Saturday night."

Aware of my uneasiness, Mama smiles my way, saying, "Tonight, we are having a luau for the guests. Please, stay and enjoy the festivities."

Flustered, Jude releases a loud sigh. Unmoved by his agitation, Mama stares through him, saying, "Ajay needs to see how fun we are."

She winks at me, but Jude answers, " Not tonight, mama."

"Deena! Please escort Ajay to her room." Mama shouts.

Through a phony grin, Deena says, "Follow me."

My eyes fixed on Jude, he pleads, "Mama, I promise I'll return her tomorrow."

"Son, we discussed..."

"Mama, I have needs," Jude says under his breath.

Rolling her eyes, Mama answers, "It's only for tonight."

Immediately, Jude motions for me to come to him. Nose scrunched, I hurry away from Deena towards Jude. Suddenly, Micah appears, begging, "Please forgive me, Ajay. Me forcing you into that room isn't what you think." 

"Enough, Micah!" Jude yells, startling everyone. 

Now caressing his back, Mama shushes him. Glaring my way, she calmly says, "You both may leave after the luau."

Jude nods and then walks away. Mama motions her head toward Deena. It's then Deena scowls, "Follow me."

Deena leads me to a back room on the second floor. It's a dainty little room decorated in Mexican decor. Refusing to look at me, Deena opens the closet, removing a uniform identical to hers, and then commands, "Put this on."

"I don't think I'm working tonight."

"Well, this room is $455 per night. We only accept credit or debit."

Waving her off, I say, "Please leave so I can get dressed." Without saying a word, she leaves, shutting the door behind her. 

Bags have formed under my eyes from two days of nonstop stress.  Once again, I have to hold back tears. Now dressed, I redo my makeup, put on perfume to make myself feel better, and then head towards the lobby. 

The sound of drums meets me at the door. As I look across the crowd, I realize all the men are wearing all-black uniforms that match the hostesses' red and back skirts and blouses. Jude is even in uniform. 

There are at least 50 tourists present for the luau. Andrew appears, telling me, "You're our guest tonight, so you can sit if you like."

Before I could thank him, I saw Aaron and Tyler enter. I sigh, "Thanks, Andrew, but I'd rather stay in the back helping."

"Suit yourself." He smiles and then leaves.

Ignorant of my duties, I hide away in the back. Everything is exciting and lively, but I'm prying on Aaron. Snug in my corner, snooping, I'm startled by, "We need help serving the drinks. Thanks." 

It's Melanie. Another host hands me a tray, saying, "Follow Melanie!"

Melanie heads straight to Aaron. Tyler sees me approaching and shoves Aaron with his shoulder. Tyler's laughing, but Aaron's grin fades into a frown. Once I sat the tray down, Melanie told me whose drink was whose. Tyler's laughing uncontrollably while Aaron taunts, "This is all you're worth to your guy? You're stupider than I ever imagined."

Tyler interrupts, "Servant, my drink isn't strong enough. Remake it!" 

Glaring, Aaron says, "Mine, either."

Melanie's watching from across the table. Once her tray's empty, she asks, "Sir, what would you like added to your drink to make it pleasing?"

With an erotic lick of his lips, Aaron answers, "You."

Melanie smirks, "Sorry, I'm no longer on the menu, so I'll have the mixologist add more tequila."

"For now." Aaron winks.

Looking at me, Melanie scolds, "Return those to the kitchen and have them remade."

"And hurry the fuck up!" Tyler laughs. 

Humiliated, I left the tray in the kitchen and then ran outside.  Feeling overwhelmed, I run into the darkness, away from everything. Soon, a forest appears. Too afraid to enter, I stand at the entrance, covering my face and cry. 

Hearing leaves crunching under footsteps paralyzes me. Someone touches my shoulder, and I scream.

"Shhh." Jude whispers.

Sniffling, I wipe my nose with the hem of my blouse. His bedroom eyes almost glowing in the dark, he says, "Let me show you something."

Palm up, I place my hand into his, and he leads us into the forest. Only a few paces in, I hear crashing waves. 

"Use the tree branches to help you." He says.

We're hiking up a steep hill. Jude is close behind, ensuring I don't fall. Now, at the top, The waxing moon displays a vast ocean. It's mesmerizing. To my left, I see the flames from the luau's massive bonfire. Suddenly, I feel Jude's warmth against my ear, and he whispers, "You like?"

Merely turning my head, I answer, "It's beautiful."

His body is pinned behind mine, and I can feel his erection. Pressing closer, he kisses my wound, and I whimper, "That hurts."

"Let me see it." He whispers as he tries to remove my gauze. Grabbing his hand, I say, "I think it's infected."

Jude gently kisses my neck and says, "Let me heal it."

"Huh..."

His tongue, now in my mouth, stops me midsentence, and we're kissing. Soon, he's lifting my skirt from behind with one hand as he unzips his pants with his other. Though aroused, his actions leave me confused. Needing answers, squirming away, I say, "Wait! Jude, stop."

He pauses, gazing into my eyes, then pulls me close for another kiss. I'm drawn in a few seconds more before I say, "I'm serious, Jude. Stop! What's going on? ...First, Melanie, is your sister? Was this entire debacle a setup? Did you deliberately have your sister seduce my boyfriend so you could have me?"

"Don't flatter yourself," he huffs.

"Oh, trust me, there's nothing to be flattered about. But I demand answers. ...Your psycho cousin locks me in a dungeon while your mom and your entire family act as if it's nothing."

"Let's go," Jude sighs, now headed down the hill.

"What? ...Hey, don't leave me! Wait, this is dangerous! JUDE!" I screech.

Heartbeating fast, I try to hurry down this dark, rocky hill. I lose my footing and start sliding. I was screaming for help when Jude grabbed me and then flung me to stable ground. Once I'm balanced, I slap him as hard as I can. Motionless, he stares my way as I scream, "Stay the fuck away from me!"

"Shut up."

"Something's wrong with you. Unless there's a fire, earthquake, or any catastrophe, but outside of that, don't you as much as breathe my way! I hate I ever learned you exist on this earth!"

"I'm sure you're needed by now. Let me get you back to your job," he says snidely. Not acknowledging him, I squeeze past him and then jog towards the villa.