Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

Crystal

"It's nice not having to cook breakfast," Zoey said.

"For me as well. I do all the cooking."

"All of it? Every meal?" she asked.

"Yes. The woman I care for doesn't like processed foods. And honestly, she barely eats now. Mostly, I make nutritious smoothies. Even then, she insists that I make the yogurt at home as well. I'm grateful that I don't need to grow my own fruits, or we would be in trouble. One thing I don't have is a green thumb."

"Neither do I. I'm not one for cut flowers, but when Bennett buys me a plant, it is 50/50 that it will last more than a few weeks. Very sad, but he tries and continues to bring me the most beautiful plants," she smiled.

"I can't remember the last time I got flowers," I sighed.

Zoey looked shocked. "Mayson hasn't brought you any?"

I didn't mean for it to reflect on him when I made that comment, but how couldn't it? Even if people didn't know he and I spent the night together, it was evident that he hadn't brought me to the wedding just as a friend. Not the way he kissed me in front of everyone.

"Some men don't do things like that." Men who are sworn to be bachelor's forever.

"That just means their mother didn't train them." She sucked in her breath. "Oh, that was very insensitive of me."

"It's okay. People have different experiences growing up. I do feel for him not having his parents," I said.

"Well, I should know better. I grew up without knowing my mother. And truthfully, I pretty much wish I didn't know my father either. He was...was a very difficult man to love," she said.

"But you did," I said.

She shot me a wide-eyed look and her body language changed. She stiffened. But slowly she relaxed again. Not as relaxed as before, and there was a sadness in her eyes.

"I did," she said. "He just didn't deserve it."

"You don't love someone because they deserve it. You love them despite all the reasons you shouldn't." I reached out and touched her hand. "I bet Mayson and Orion love their mother even though they won't admit it."

"I would agree with you. Not sure what it will take for them to get past her leaving them. They are filled with resentment. More so Orion than Mayson," she said.

"Understandable. He was older. He remembers her more than Mayson. Not saying he doesn't recall his mother, but he probably recalls the stories he's heard of her more than actual memories," I said.

Zoey raised a brow. "I thought you were a nurse."

"Sorry. In all the years of sitting by a bedside, I studied psychology."

"Explains a lot about you. I mean you seem to be able to read a person and get them to talk even when they don't want to," she said.

I smiled. "That was something I've always had the ability to do long before I ever went to college. My friends called me the gatekeeper to all their secrets. And I had many." Still do.

" I see why. You make me feel... comfortable. Not many people do that for me. I mean outside of my family. I am really glad you asked me to join you for breakfast. I'm just sad that you're not staying longer. It seems like this week is going by so fast. You're leaving in just a few days, right?"

"I am supposed to," I said.

She grinned. "Could it be a tall dark Tabiqian that is making you consider extending your stay?"

I answered truthfully. "Yes." Just one difference. The reason. I needed to get him to read this damn letter I was carrying around in my purse. I needed to always have it with me because I never knew when the right opportunity might present itself.

"I hate to ask this, but does he know how you're feeling? I mean, I wouldn't want you to get hurt. But I know from personal experience that vacation flings rarely work out in the long run. And long distance is hell. I was fortunate that Bennett moved to Boston to be with me."

"I'm sure he did that because he couldn't picture his life without you," I said.

She nodded. "But then he got all heavily involved in things here in Tabiq, and we've had to spend some longer periods of time apart. With kids, that made it even more difficult," she said. "There were times I was afraid we wouldn't make it. That it was too much. And when I wanted to ask him to come home and forget all about Tabiq, I remembered why he was here. And I loved him even more for staying away. I knew it was just as hard on him, if not harder. If things are meant to work between you and Mayson they will. And when the times get hard, remember why you're together. stay focused on all the good and let go of the bad."

I smiled. "How many years did you study?" She looked at me puzzled and I added, "Psychology."

"Never did. I guess time has taught me."

"Time has a way of teaching us all things. I know I've learned more about myself than I ever imagined by caring for others. And even in the short time here in Tabiq, I've found there still are things I am yet to learn." Like how to heal from a broken heart because I am surely going to have one after this.

" And I think you have a lot to teach Mayson too. I hope he's just...open to it," she said.

That was the ultimate question.

"Zoey, I really could use a friend here. Someone I can talk to honestly and not have to worry about it getting shared with anyone else."

"Are you asking me if you can trust me?" she asked.

I nodded. "I know I'm asking a lot, but I have something I need to say, and I can't risk anyone else knowing."

"You mean, my husband," she said. I nodded. "Crystal, I can promise you that I won't share anything with him, but if I feel that someone's life is in danger, I will tell him." There was nothing about her tone that made me doubt that for a second.

My heart was pounding, and I was beginning to second-guess myself. Was I doing the right thing? Anya told me not to talk to anyone. That no one could be trusted. Yet she trusted me. And I was trusting my gut.

"It's about...my trip here."

"You mean your vacation?" she said.

"Well. It's kind of a vacation. I really haven't had one in years, but that wasn't my reason for coming here."

"Are you sure you want to share this with me?" she asked.

Just the fact that she was giving me an out made me want to tell her even more. "Yes. It's just I'm not sure where to start."

"Well, no one is expecting me back home for a few hours, so how about at the beginning?" she suggested.

"You know that I'm a private nurse?" I said.

"Yes. questioning if that is true now, but that is what I believed. What we all believed," she said.

"That is true. I have been working for the same woman for the past three years." And here is where the rest of the story gets difficult. "It's the woman I work for that sent me here."

"Why Tabiq?" she asked.

"She was born here."

"I see. And now she lives in the States. But she must be very old for you to be her caregiver," she said.

"She is fifty-eight. To me, that's young for someone in her health condition. But after the life she has lived, I understand why."

"What I don't understand is why someone so sick would send the one person who is taking care of them halfway around the world," Zoey said.

"Because she asked me to deliver something. And I don't know how to do it," I said, knowing that it was going to bring a set of new questions.

"What exactly does she want you to deliver?"

"It's a letter. But before you ask, I don't know what the letter says," I stated. "It was sealed when I received it, and I haven't opened it."

"So let me understand this correctly. You're just bringing a letter and then supposed to leave? Because it would cost a lot less for postage if she had just mailed it," Zoey stated.

"Yes, but she wants to make sure it isn't just delivered but read as well. And I'm not so sure that is even possible," I admitted.

She looked at me and then said, "It's for Mayson. The letter is for Mayson, isn't it?" I nodded. "From his mother?" she asked.

"Yes." There was nothing more for me to say.

"Oh my God. He has no idea, does he?" I shook my head. "How are you going to get him to read it?"

"I have no idea. And now since we are...more involved, I'm afraid that he will be more resistant to opening it because he'll think that everything, we have shared… isn't real. That I was just acting to get him to trust me," I said.

"And have you been?" she asked, rightly so.

"No. How I feel is real. The only lie is why I am here. But I am telling you the truth, she is not well. This is her dying wish. I had to come and try to fulfill it. I hope you understand," I pleaded.

"I do. I'm just not sure Mayson will," she replied.

"Are you going to tell him?" I asked.

"No. But you need to. The longer you let this go on, the worse it will be. Not just for your relationship, but for him alone. If you give him the letter and then just leave, there won't be any time for him to heal from the shock. You need to give it to him and then be here for him when he needs you. And trust me, he will. No matter what the letter says, he will need you," she said.

No. He'll hate me.

"I guess I should invite him over and tell him tonight," I said.

"Crystal, I must tell you that I wish you had been upfront with all of this in the beginning. You're going to face a lot of judgement, and anger. Not just from Mayson but others as well who have welcomed you. They may feel..."

"Zoey, I deserve whatever they say or feel about me." It can't be any worse than I'm feeling about myself. " And I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

"Don't worry about me. I'm part of a family that is used to lies and secrets. That is why I know how destructive they can be, even when they are being told to protect someone else," she said.

That shocked me. She married Bennett Stone but was born a Henderson. They owned New Hope Resort, and that was just the tip of it. Everyone knew the Henderson family. They were rich and powerful, and appeared to have what everyone in the world wanted. But that was appearances. The nice thing about talking to Zoey, I've come to realize, they are a normal family who struggles with issues just like everyone else.

And here I am bringing you more drama.

" I know it's too late, but my intention wasn't to hurt anyone. I actually am hoping that after he reads the letter, he will have some closure as to why his mother left him." I just wish I knew what she had written so I could be sure.

" You came with good intentions. I can see and hear it. The reaction you're going to get is not just about you. They are still filled with resentment about her leaving. I am not sure what you're going to say to Mayson that will even get him to agree to read it. Heart ache is a difficult thing to predict," she said.

That was the truth. "I was hoping that if I got to know him personally then I could help him. But I...I got to personally involved and now it's going to have the opposite effect."

"Initially. Yes. Would you like me and Bennett to be there, so you don't have to do it alone?" she offered.

You mean protect me from all the hurtful things he's going say? Because I know they are coming. I know I would have choice words for him if he was lying to me .

"I would like to say yes, but that would be for me, and I need to stop thinking about myself. If I'm going to do this, then I need to think what will be best for Mayson. If there are others around, he will probably hold in things he wants to say. Things he needs to voice. I think for Mayson, it will be better to hear this when we are alone. Not that it will make it easier, but...but..."

"But you're worried he is going to hate you?"

I know he will.

" It's not about me. This is about him and his mother. I'm just the person delivering the message," I said.

"Are you sure that's all you are?" she asked.

I fought back tears. "That's all I can be."

"Then I wish you luck. And I won't say anything to Bennett at the moment, but I will once he gets home."

"But you promised you wouldn't say anything," I reminded her.

"Crystal, once Mayson knows the truth, it won't be long before Bennett learns it. It will bebetter if I tell him ahead of time," she said.

I didn't need to cause any problems in their marriage. Asking her to lie about this to her husband was wrong of me. "You don't have to wait to tell Bennett. Just please make him understand that I will come clean and deliver the letter tonight. I want to be the one to tell Mayson. I would like the opportunity to explain everything."

"Thank you for that. I'd rather not hide things from Bennett. I would, but it wouldn't have helped the situation, and Bennett would've only had more doubts about you than he already has."

Rightly so too.

" I have learned my lesson. Lies, even with the best intentions, come with consequences," I said.

"That they do."

"Now all I can do is hope that he reads it. Because his mother won't be around much longer, and I would hate for her to miss out on her sons. She has already missed so much." They all have missed so much.

"I know you're trying to do what you think is right. I wish I could tell you that you are. It is very possible that no matter what you say, what she says in the letter, they still don't want to see her."

"I am aware of that. Just trying to be hopeful. I would love it if out of this, there was some forgiveness, healing and maybe a family again," I admitted.

"That would be nice. But only time will tell. Just know that I'm here for you and Mayson, once this is over," Zoey said.

That was kind of her to say. But I knew once I delivered the letter, it was best for me to leave Tabiq. All I would be here is a reminder of the lie.

"Zoey, it's Mayson that I am worried about. It's not going to be easier for him to hear from his mother after all these years," I said.

"I'm sure it's not. But I have a feeling that over time he will realize it is better than never hearing from her," she said.

Time is something Anya doesn't have much of. I hope Mayson realizes that. I need to make sure he understands it .

"I hope you're right."

"Me too," she said.

The problem with having breakfast at the resort meant I knew where Zoey was headed after she left the dining room with me. I should probably expect a visit from Bennett shortly. No matter what he had to say, I'd made up my mind. This must stop. Tonight, I tell Mayson everything and tomorrow, I leave for the States.

Back in my room, I sent Mayson a quick text message.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET FOR A WALK ON THE BEACH?

That was a calming place for me, and I needed as much of that as I could get.

SOUNDS GOOD. WHAT TIME?

I wanted to say now, but I wasn't ready. Not yet. I needed to be prepared mentally. Also needed to think about what I was going to say. Right now, I was clueless. It wasn't like I could just blurt it out. I needed to ease into it.

HOW ABOUT FOUR?

That would give him time to finish up at work, and me to come up with a game plan.

IT'S A DATE.

I wish it were, but I knew this day was going to happen. Just never thought it would be this hard. Never thought I would care so much about him.

Tossing my phone on my bed, I pulled out my suitcase. There was a knock on the door, and I knew exactly who it was going to be. Bennett.

That didn't take long at all.

I knew I was about to get an earful.

I opened the door, and my heart stopped. All I saw was a huge bouquet of flowers. Even though I couldn't see his face. I knew who was holding them.

Mayson.