Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
The muted voices from the living room, quietly filtering through the closed bedroom door, had me paying more attention there, then gathering my gear for my next shift at the swimming pool.
Quietly, I opened the door to a small slit and surveyed the scene. Based on the loud conversation, I’d thought others were there with my father. But he was alone, sitting at the dining room table in full business attire. He always overdressed for such a warm, sultry climate. How did any deodorant stand up against all those clothes?
The waitstaff worked quietly, setting breakfast at the other end of the table. A telephone was placed to one side of him. Tom, one of my father’s senior advisors, spoke from the speaker. A set of blueprints was sprawled out before him. I stared at them, trying to remember if I’d been told of any new architectural plans. My curiosity got the best of me, and pushed open the door. Whatever discovery I had to solve needed to be done in the next ten minutes, since I was due downstairs.
My father noticed my entrance, causing him to pause mid-sentence and push his seat backward from the table. He stood, joy evident as he gestured me over. “Tom, Dasham’s here.”
As I surveyed the blueprints, I interjected, “I won’t bother you. I’m headed down for my shift.”
The hearty clap on my back and wide grin made me forget everything else as I openly stared at him. My father was rarely happy. I needed some sort of explanation. “Son, you’ve fulfilled your duty. Your efforts are greatly valued. We appreciate your service, but there’s no need to continue with the charade. We’ve done it.”
“Okay,” I said, then paused. The confusion sparked a whirlwind of possibility. “Can we rewind? What duty?”
Both Tom and my father chuckled at me, most definitely not with me. My dad threw out a hand to shake mine. With hesitancy, I reciprocated the pumping grasp. I wasn’t sure I’d ever been in a situation like this.
“What’s happened?”
“The local group opposing the resort has officially declared bankruptcy. They’re done. The picket line’s down by half today. We anticipate dissolution by end of day.”
Regret tumbled through me. The stories Beau and Chae had told of the area’s past vitality and vibrance must have deeply affected me. What would become of those small businesses? They were bound to fail.
“What’s that for?” I asked, nodding toward the blueprints. A dawning understanding twisted my gut. There was no one more ruthless than Tom. He certainly wouldn’t give the locals time to absorb their losses and recover. He’d strike swiftly, like a cobra, injecting venom into the wound.
“Tell him, Tom.” My father wrapped an arm around my shoulders, clasping me in place. Somehow, I’d landed in his private inner circle of confidants, and I wasn’t entirely sure how I ended up there.
“We have the plans for the next phase in the resort expansion,” Tom explained. “It’s massive and ambitious. We’re building a four-hundred-acre amusement park and a two-hundred-room extension to the resort. We’ve signed national restaurant chains and large retailers who have waited for this day.”
If my father succeeded, other large hotel chains were destined to follow.
“Son, you’ve been an instrumental part in changing the reputation of the resort.” My father deftly flipped the bound pages of the blueprints back to the second page.
“Is his silence a sign he’s waiting for a financial payday? If so, he’d be a true Richmond,” Tom said.
My father burst into an uproarious laughter as if that was my angle and gave me a hearty pat on the back.
The plans outlined the significant expansion of the resort, tripling the current size. I bent in to examine the blueprints more closely. There appeared to be a Las Vegas vibe, dazzling displays of lights and attractions, which seemed excessive for the tranquil beauty of Sea Springs. The proposed amusement park had multiple roller coasters, a big water park, a multi-screen theater, and a large digital arcade. It was a lot to take in.
“Will the city approve?” I asked.
“The governor’s in our pocket, young Richmond. You have a lot to learn,” Tom declared proudly.
“Where’s all this land coming from?” As I spoke the words aloud, I knew the answer. It wouldn’t be good. The land surrounding the resort was all owned by those who fought the resort in the first place. The expansion was destined to destroy them.
“With the bankruptcy, we can acquire the surrounding properties for a fraction of their value,” my father explained as if teaching me a valuable lesson. My heart plummeted. A strong sense of empathy washed over me.
“I’m needed on another call,” Tom said. “Well done, Dasham. Jack, we’ll talk more tonight.” The call ended abruptly.
Oh no.
“Go change your clothes. You’re finished with that absurd job. I’ve had breakfast brought in. Change and join me.”