Chapter Three – Sanctuary

Jordan P.O.V

‘What the fuck just happened?’ I think to myself as I watch Elisha walk out of the bar with Uku instead of me. Everything was fine until I got up to piss.

I look at Ailani and Keoni, and Ailani just shrugs her shoulders. “I guess we should probably head off too. It was nice getting to know you better, Jordan,” she says with a smile, and they get up and leave.

I sit there dumbfounded, trying to figure out what could have happened between the time I left the table and when I got back. When I look over to see Eva cleaning the tables, I realise there are only a couple of people left in the pub.

Eva saunters over to me and stands behind me, massaging my shoulders. “I’m off in thirty minutes. Your place or mine?” She whispers seductively in my ear. I rub my hands over my face in frustration before I answer. “Yours. You know the rules,” I say as I stand up and walk over to the bar.

#

Elisha P.O.V

I toss and turn, trying to get Jordan out of my head. But that kiss... His hand on my cheek... It was only a peck, but the heat behind it awakened feelings within me that I haven’t felt in a long time. ‘Don’t be stupid,’ I chastise myself. ‘You’ve been here for less than 24 hours, and you sure as hell should not be getting involved with anyone, let alone someone like him.’ I sigh angrily and roll onto my stomach, punching my pillow a few times to get comfortable.

#

II slam my hand down on the alarm clock on the bedside table, the loud beeping adding to the pounding in my head. I groan as I roll over and sit up, rubbing my eyes, which feel like sandpaper. ‘I need to stop drinking wine,’ I mutter to myself as I get up, drag myself into the bathroom, and turn on the shower.

When I get out, I can hear someone knocking on the door, so I quickly wrap a towel around myself and go to see who it is.

“Elisha! It’s Uku!” I hear him yell out as I get to the door, and when I open it, he looks me up and down and laughs. “Feeling okay?”

“Should have seen me before the shower,” I say, motioning for him to come inside. “I just need five minutes,” I tell him, and rush off to the bedroom.

“Take your time!” He calls out. “I got here early and thought we could grab a coffee on the way.”

“Sounds good!” I yell back as I get dressed.

#

We arrive half an hour early for work, and Uku leads me past a large dock and into a small brick building with a sign that says “Sanctuary” on the top of it. We walk through the modern-looking front office, and we find Bob in his office at the end of the hall. “Good luck!” Uku says with a big smile as I knock on the open door.

“Good morning, Elisha! Please come in and take a seat. I hope you had a good time last night,” he says with a smile.

“I had a great time. Thank you. Everyone is lovely.”

“Wonderful. I’m glad to see you fit in so quickly,” he says, pulling out a folder and handing it to me. When I open it, there are photos of trash-covered beaches inside.

“Now, your first assignment will start today. Over the next few weeks, you will head to Nu’amanu with Mitchell and Uku to help clean up the beaches and assess any damage to the island’s wildlife habitats. Here’s the key to your assigned locker in the women’s change room, where you will find your uniform. We suggest bringing a change of clothes and swimmers to these jobs just in case. How does all of this sound?”

“I’m so excited to get started,” I smile.

“Excellent! Now off you go. Get changed, and the boys will meet you out front at the dock.”

“Thank you, Bob,” I say as I stand and head out to find the change room we passed in the hallway.

I find my locker and set my backpack down on the metal bench. I unlock the locker, grab my uniform, and get my work boots out of my backpack. When I’m done getting dressed, I grab my backpack and head outside to meet Mitchell and Uku, who are loading supplies into a small speedboat at the dock.

“Hi, guys!” I yell out as I approach them.

“There she is! How’s the head?” Asks Mitchell.

“Remind me never to drink with you guys on a work night,” I joke.

The guys laugh, and Uku reaches out to help me into the boat as Mitch starts the engine and we make our way over to Nu’amanu.

#

It’s another gorgeous day, and the view over the water is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The water is so blue and clear that you can see the coral and fish. I lean over the side of the boat and run my hand through the water. It’s so warm. Maybe I should go for a swim later.

Mitchell tells me about Nu’amanu, explaining that it’s the more secluded of the three islands of Lai’eloa, with only a few residents and an abundance of wildlife. It is also home to a massive volcano.

We eventually approach a rickety old dock, and Mitchell jumps out to tie the boat to it. I climb up and quickly stretch to loosen up my tired body, then I help the guys grab the gear out of the boat, and we head inland.

To say that this island is beautiful is an understatement. But it’s much hotter here than in Lai’eloa, and the humidity is starting to affect me. Finally, we arrive at a small open hut with only a roof, three walls, an old workbench, and a rusted old sink. We set the equipment down, and I wipe the sweat from my brow.

“Okay, I’m definitely regretting those last two drinks now,” I say, leaning over and placing my hands on my knees. I take a few deep breaths before straightening up and reaching for my large water bottle in my backpack.

“The humidity is a killer, but you’ll get used to it. Just stay hydrated. We don’t want you to pass out on us,” Mitchell says as he unpacks the supplies. I nod as I chug my water.

“Okay. I’m good. Where do you want me to start?” I ask as I put my water bottle away.

“When we were out here last week, we noticed some sea turtle nests near the old shipwreck. So, we’re going to head down there and clean up carefully around them so that the beach is clean when they hatch,” Uku answers.

“Helping baby sea turtles? Hell yes, let’s go!” I say excitedly.

We head down to the area of the beach where they saw the nests, and my heart breaks. It’s a mess. There’s rubbish everywhere.

“How did it get like this?” I ask, looking around at all the rubbish.

“Kids and tourists,” Mitchell says with a frown. “The kids come over here to party, and the tourists just don’t care.”

“Right, let’s do this,” I say, grabbing a trash bag and gloves.

#

A few hours later, Uku calls me over. “Come on, Trouble. You’ve done well today. But we need to head back to Lai’eloa. There’s a storm front moving in.”

I nod, grab my gear, and we return to the hut to secure our supplies for tomorrow.

#

We get back to Sanctuary and tie the boat off, then I head into the changing rooms and have a quick shower. God, I’m so tired. I could fall asleep in here. I sigh and get out, dry off, get dressed, and head out into the staffroom to find everyone talking.

“Hey, Trouble, did you want to come to my place for dinner?” Uku asks.

“Thanks for the invite, but I’d probably fall asleep at the table.”

He laughs. “How about a ride home, and I’ll grab us a pizza?” He offers.

“Thanks, that’d be awesome,” I say.

“Are you guys in?” Uku asks Mitchell, Ailani, and Keoni.

When everyone says no, we wave goodbye to everyone and head out to his ute, and he takes me home.

#

“So, what do you think of the islands so far?” Uku asks as he leans forward and grabs another slice of pizza from the coffee table.

“Everything’s beautiful. Mitchell said there are three islands. What’s the third one?”

“The third one is Noa’lati. It’s where all the rich snobs live,” he shrugs, before giving me a sly grin. “In fact, Jordan lives there.”

I roll my eyes and take my plate over to the sink. “What about you? Anyone you’re seeing?” I ask.

“Nah. I’m thinking I’ll have to go travelling to find Mr. Right. There’s no one cool enough here to match my awesomeness,” he says with a stupid grin on his face.

“You? Awesome?” I tease, and he chucks a cushion at my head. “Hey!” I yell with a laugh and throw it back at him. “No, but seriously, don’t you get lonely?” I ask as I sit back down on the couch. “I know I do.”

“I suppose so. I mean, there are guys in my life... but nothing serious. And, besides, I have you to keep me company now,” he smiles.

I laugh. “Well, it’s the least I can do after you got me a job,” I say.

“Yeah, you’re stuck with me now.”

I grin. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”