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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781426957819 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Trafford Publishing |
| Publication date: | 03/22/2011 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 76 |
| File size: | 256 KB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Twice In Love
By Amin Durant
Trafford Publishing
Copyright © 2011 Amin DurantAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4269-5779-6
Chapter One
It was a beautiful summer's day back in August. A warm tropical breeze was blowing through the Sir Francis Drake Channel. The sky was clear. The water was as still as a mirror. In fact, the weather was so good, Max decided to spend the day on the beach with his family.Together, he and his wife loaded the family's van with light snacks and drove into town. There they caught the ferry over to Virgin Gorda and once they arrived, they rented a jeep and headed to the Baths ... one of the best swimming sites in the British Virgin Islands.
The afternoon seemed to melt away, as Max took the time to really enjoy the closeness of his family. He loved his wife, Kara and daughters dearly. Even though he was currently out of work and had financial pressures, he was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Max and his family settled in a semi-private part of the beach and after a while, he took out his trusted camera and began to take pictures of the happy group, who were enjoying themselves, splashing in the warm, crystal clear water. He wanted to ensure that the gorgeous day would be immortalized forever!
After shooting a few rolls, he took a rest on a beach chair, while the wife and kids slipped into the warm seawater to bathe.
The cool breeze was beginning to gently rock him to sleep, when a voice interrupted his tranquility. Max opened his eyes to see a stranger standing over him with a broad smile on his face.
"I've been observing how well you handle yourself with that camera" said the stranger, who later introduced himself as Thomas.
"Thanks man. I'm Max", replied Max, "but I must confess ... it's my job ... I'm a professional photographer, my specialty is shooting models and you must admit ... I have three beautiful models to work with" Max took every opportunity to boast about Kara and the girls.
"I see", said Thomas, "So have you had any exciting work recently?"
"Well things are really kind of slow right now. I'm just taking it one day at a time", Max confessed to him.
"You have a lovely family, Max." Thomas said, attempting to change the subject, sensing that he had hit a nerve. Then, out of nowhere, he asked, "So what would your wife think about relocating?"
Max was a little taken back, but he somehow managed to muster a reply, "Well, I really never thought about it, but it might be a good idea. Anyway, enough about me! Tell me about yourself, Thomas".
That was just what he wanted. This man, practically a total stranger, jumped at the opportunity to fill him in on the details of his life.
"I'm married, with three kids; two boys and one girl, but I'm in the midst of a divorce. My wife decided that after fourteen years together, she doesn't want to be married to me anymore," explained Thomas.
Then without stopping for Max to respond, he went on, "She said that she's spent too much of her time taking care of me and the kids and that she needs some time to spread her wings and explore life. She figures she can't do that being married to me", Thomas further explained; his voice filled with emotion.
"sorry about that, man!" Max said, in his best attempt at being empathic, trying to make Thomas feel a little better.
"That's ok. I think I have adjusted pretty well. I have my own advertising business in Trinidad. It's doing well and I'm kept very busy," he went on to say, his voice beginning to return to normalcy.
"Right now we're looking for an experienced professional photographer and my gut feeling is, you fit that description! So what do you say? Are you interested in the job or not?" Thomas inquired, causing Max to gasp in surprise.
"Whoa ... you sure don't waste time at all," replied Max, trying to keep focused on reality.
"I'm a businessman Max, and in business, time is money! Exclaimed Thomas, almost in an aggravated manner.
"So let me ask you, Thomas ... if I do decide to take this job, it would mean I have to move to Trinidad, right?" Max inquired. The thought of the sudden incredible opportunity began to sink in.
"Precisely, Max!" Thomas responded, sensing that he had gained Max's interest.
"Well, if that's the case. I would definitely have to talk this over with the wife and kids", Max told him, being as frank as he could be.
"I have no problem with that ... but don't take too long making up your mind. Remember time is money! After you've discussed it with your family and decided what you want to do, give me a call. Here's my card" Thomas replied, while he slipped his business card into Max's hand. Thomas then shook Max's hand and walked away just as suddenly as he had approached him, only moments earlier.
On the ferry back to Tortola, Max approached Kara with the offer that Thomas had made to him about the job in Trinidad.
"Kara ... we need to talk, honey," Max told her.
"Is something wrong, baby?" she asked, her voice sounding so sweet and caring.
"Well yes and no, honey. Remember that guy I was talking to on the beach today?" he questioned.
"How can I possibly forget Thomas. You spent a great deal of what was supposed to be our time together, talking with him," she said, her voice sounding a bit tensed.
"he offered me a job, Kara ... in fact, a very good job!" Max bragged.
"That's wonderful Max! when do you start?" she asked enthusiastically.
"That's the problem honey. The job is in Trinidad," he explained.
Right away, without any hesitation, whatsoever, Kara exploded, "Max! My mom's here ... my dad's here. All of our friends are here. I don't want to ... no, I won't move! Tell that man you can't accept the job!"
"But honey, we need the money. I was thinking that maybe I could go for a while ... like three months or so and see how it goes." Max said, trying to console and calm her.
"Anyway we take it Kara, I still have to come back to you and the kids. So how about it?" he asked, knowing fully well that he was treading on thin ice.
"Max, I don't think I can handle that. What if it takes you more than three months?" she asked.
"Baby, if you don't want me to go, I won't go ... but when you think about it, it would probably be for the best.
"Things are very slow here. It's been so for the past few months. Our finances are dwindling and sooner or later there won't be any money left for me to support you and the girls. So you see, honey, we need this job to stay afloat", Max coached her, in his attempt to make her see reality from his perspective.
"Oh, ok Max ... you've made your point ... but, promise me ... only for three months!" she said, finally beginning to see where he was coming from.
"Thanks honey! I love you!" he replied, holding her gently in his arms.
three weeks later, Max boarded the plane. He was on his way to the land of steel band, limbo and calypso!
And so started Max's adventure!
However, when he arrived in Trinidad, he found it to be very different from what he had expected. Life there moved at a lot faster pace than he was accustomed to. He felt out of place. He had no friends; no one he could trust.
But ... over the following weeks, as he grew familiar with this new environment, things began to gradually change. Thomas made sure of that!
Max was introduced to Thomas' inner circle of friends, his business acquaintances and a seemingly endless supply of gorgeous women. Soon after, he had himself totally convinced that he could get used to this new lifestyle.
Chapter Two
Wanting to make a good impression, Max made sure he got to Thomas' agency very early each day."Max, I see that you are one of the early birds ... but I want you to know that I am not easily impressed," said Thomas, amusingly, yet, in his own business-like way.
"Good morning Thomas" replied Max. At that point, he didn't know if Thomas was only kidding or if he was just very strict.
And ... before Max could bring himself to say anything else, remotely intelligent, Thomas rambled on, "This is Rose, your secretary. She is going to show you around the office, so you'll be comfortable in our little neck of the woods!"
Max nodded at the plump, slightly older woman, who would be his assistant for the next three months.
"I'll check on you later, after you've settled in," Thomas told him.
"Thanks again for everything" Max replied, finally getting a word in.
"No problem man" was Thomas' reply, before he shot off to take care of business as usual.
As Thomas was safely out of sight, Rose immediately took the opportunity to get acquainted with her new boss.
"Tell me Max ... what do you think about our island so far" Rose asked, with her sweet "Trini" accent.
"Well, I haven't seen much of it, but I must say that I am very much impressed with what I have seen," he answered.
"Good for you! I hope you won't be disappointed!" she said. A smile began to form on her rosy cheeks as she spoke.
"No, I don't think I would be. After all ... I'm a man who likes adventures, so I'm pretty sure I'll find more than enough things while I'm here to keep me busy," Max told her ... a trace of the Caribbean Man in him beginning to show itself.
"I hope so, but just in case you get bored, give me a call and I'll definitely find something for you to keep busy!" she offered, almost in a sultry, yet innocently sweet manner.
"Thanks, Rose" her replied, not sure where the conversation was heading.
"That's what I am her for, Max ... to make sure that you're comfortable and that all of your needs are taken care of," she explained.
"All of my needs?" he asked jokingly.
"Well, not all, but most of them" she quickly replied, sensing that perhaps Max had something devious in mind.
"Just kidding, Rose!" he replied. He quickly tried to bring the conversation back to some form of professionalism.
I'm glad you have a sense of humor. Most bosses these days don't even know how to laugh, much less, have a sense of humor ... but I can see that you're different. I hope you won't change with time!" she said.
"I promise you, Rose ... I won't" Max assured her.
"You promise?" she asked softly.
"You have my word, Rose!" he assured her.
A few days later, Thomas checked in on Max to see how he was adjusting to the job. It wasn't that he did not trust Max. He certainly had no doubts about his ability. Thomas just wanted to make sure everything was going all right. He had major plans for Max that he hadn't discussed with anyone.
"So Max ... how is the new office? I trust everything is to your liking," Thomas asked, when he popped his head into Max's office.
I'm comfortable. I must say I have no complains," replied Max.
"That's good Max. As long as you're happy, I'm happy," he explained ... and in the same breath, he turned to Rose and asked her, "Did you give Max his assignment for today?"
Rose answered "Not yet, Sir. I was waiting for John. Sorry Sir, I did not think ..."
"That's the problem with you people! You don't think! It looks like I have to do all of the thinking around here!" Thomas shouted, before she could finish. The he turned around abruptly and stormed out of the door, down the corridor and into one of the outer offices.
Max felt so bad for her, all he could do was apologize to the poor lady, "I am awfully sorry about that, Rose," he consoled her.
"That's ok ... I'm accustomed to it. That's why I told you, you need a sense of humor around here," she replied.
"I guess you're right, Rose", he agreed, shrugging his shoulders at the unpleasant situation that had just transpired.
Seconds later, John entered the office and Rose made the necessary introductions.
John was a younger guy, fresh out of college. He was eager and had an extremely pleasant character. Max liked him instantly!
"So John, where are we going?" questioned Max.
"Over to the Mall to shoot some babes!" was his eager reply.
I'm lost John! Babes ... what babes?" Max asked. His interest was growing by the second.
"We are supposed to be taking pictures of some celebrity divas ... you know babes ... divas ... same thing!" exclaimed John, sounding as excited as a boy scout, off on his first camping trip.
"Actually, Whitney and Mariah are in town for a fundraising concert to help under privileged children and they are at the Mall giving an interview. Thomas wants us to cover it. So you see Max, we're going to shoot babes!" John enthusiastically explained.
"Whatever you say, John" said Max as he followed him through the door, cameras strung over his shoulder. Max had to try desperately to keep up with John, who was behaving like a kid on his way to a candy store.,
On the way to the Mall, the two got to know each other. They engaged in conversation about a wide range of topics during the drive over, but when they arrived, the two photographers clicked into their best professional mode.
As a result the assignment went like clockwork and the photo session with the two celebrities went extremely well.
However, the day's activity seemed to end all too quickly and when they returned to the office, everyone, including Rose, gathered around. They were all eager to hear about Whitney and Mariah.
"Hey! Max how was your first assignment with John? Did you two get into any trouble?" Thomas asked, as he quickly assumed the leadership role of the inquisitive group that had formed around the two photographers.
"It was hectic, but I had a good time. Believe me, John made sure of that!" answered Max.
Then ... as quickly as he had joined the group, Thomas left ... always as busy as ever ... off taking care of business!
As Thomas was out of sight, Rose continued with the questions, "So how were Whitney and Mariah? Do they look as good as they do on television?
More than willing to satisfy her curiosity, Max replied. "Those two are drop-dead gorgeous and they know it! I was a little surprised though. I never expected them to be so down to earth. They're very friendly."
Max continued on, "I guess you can't judge a book by its cover. You might be surprised by what's inside!"
After getting her bellyful of the two "babes" that John and Max had photographed, Rose quickly changed gears into dutiful, ever efficient secretary and broke the mode by informing Max, There's another assignment at three o'clock at the Government Building and Thomas wants you to cover it."
"What's it about? He asked.
"Some speech the Prime Minister is going to make about the state of the economy and what he intends to do to improve it." Rose explained.
"But, Rose ... That is not my department! You know I only cover models and celebrities" Max protested.
"I know Max, but Thomas says he wants you to get accustomed to photographing different types of events. I guess you could discuss it with him if you like," she offered, in her sweet voice.
"No. That's ok. I will have to take what I get until I get what I want ... Right, Rose?" Max replied in an attempt at regaining his composure.
"My sentiments exactly!" she agreed, before reassuring him, "Don't worry, John will go with you!"
So the days went by and each day Max was kept busy with all sorts of varying assignments. Sometimes alone. Sometimes with John.
Days quickly turned into weeks and the relationship between Rose and Max began to grow closer and closer, until one morning she approached him and said, "Can I tell you something, Max?"
"Sure. Go ahead," he told her.
"I was planning to quit my job before you arrived, but after I met you, I realized that you are different from the rest, so I decided to stay on. However, my daughter is pushing me to quit and stay at home, but I think that would drive me insane. I need to work, Max! I love to work" Rose said ... a slight bit of her tightly concealed emotions beginning to show.
"So you have a daughter?" Max managed to ask in an attempt at gaining some control of the situation.
"Yes. I do ... and a son too, but he lives in Europe with his wife and kids. It's sad though, because I don't get to see him very often. So, it's just Roxanne ... That's my daughter's name," Rose explained.
"Good for you! As for me, Rose, I too miss my family!" Max confessed.
"So you have a family?" she asked.
"Yes. I have a wife and two adorable girls who keep me very busy and very happy" he boasted.
"I'm glad to hear that, Max! Most men these days are so busy with their careers that they forget they have a family. It's good to see that there are some of you who care about other things ... other than your career." Rose replied.
"That's good to know you approve. So when am I going to meet this daughter of yours? I hope I do before I leave. I only have three months to play with," said Max
"You'll meet her ... you can be sure of that!" Rose replied, in a suspiciously jovial manner.
Just then, the phone rang and Rose quickly answered it, breaking the brief bonding session with her new boss. "Thomas wants to see you in his office, a.s.a.p." she said.
"Thanks, Rose" Max shouted over his shoulder, as he bolted through the door, down the corridor, heading for Thomas' office.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Twice In Love by Amin Durant Copyright © 2011 by Amin Durant. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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