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CHAPTER 14
The Island came into view and Mark stood up at the windows for a better look. It was gorgeous, a tropical paradise of palm trees and beautiful white sandy beaches. The cliffs that rose up out of the water to the east and west were natural and rugged and the structures he could see seemed to enhance the natural beauty rather than detract from it.
"It's better than I imagined," Mark admitted."I know," Jasmine said, standing beside him. "I love it here."Mark could feel the nerves building in his stomach again as the boat approached the pier and all too soon it was alongside it, the crew tying the Betsy against it. He could see several people waiting at the end of the pier and he took a deep breath, then let it out slowly."What's the Island Manager guy's name again?" He asked."Henry," Jasmine replied. "It's the guy there with the white hair and the black shirt. He always wears black shirts.""Why?" Mark asked, mRelated chapters
The Island CHAPTER 15
As Henryled them inside Markcould see wooden staircases on the far corners of the room leading to the floor above and wide doorways under them leading to the flanking towers."This place is amazing," Marksaid, his eyes continually roving around the room. Photographs of the Island were dotted around the walls, along with vases of flowers and plants in pots. Baskets of fruit sat on the coffee tables and as they walked out the other side of the house Marksaw the pool area.The two flanking towers had buildings behind them, he saw, two story rectangular structures that enclosed the main house right to the edge of the cliffs, sheltering the pool area on three sides, the other side opening to the ocean. Deckchairs and sun-loungers lay to the right and left of the large pool and a canopied area with tables and chairs sat to his immediate right."Welcome to the main house, Master Mark," Henrysaid, turning to face him. "I'll just
The Island CHAPTER 16
"Do you know what's in it? The will, I mean."Jasminepaused, then nodded. "Yes, but I can't tell you what it says, Mark. I'm not allowed, and anyway, it's only a few hours away."Markfrowned but nodded. "So what else?""Well, there's lunch and dinner too, and some time for you to chat with Myraand Maddy. I can tell you that Mister Moorewas keen for the three of you to get to know each other, so over the next few days you'll be doing a lot together.""A lot of what?""Briefings, meetings, activities, meals." Jasmineshrugged. "Nothings firmed up yet for times and dates, but I'll be managing your schedule carefully to make sure you're not snowed under, okay?""And don't accept any meetings myself," Markstated, remembering her advice."Correct."As Markstubbed out his cigarette he caught sight of Henryon the balcony, beckoning him up."Looks like your suite's ready," Jasmine&nb
The Island CHAPTER 17
"So you arrange stuff like that?""Sure," Jasminenodded. "Sometimes it's only for walking the carpet, get a few pictures. Sometimes it's a real date. Occasionally it's a hookup.""Holy shit. Talk about a different world.""That's one of the million reasons why I'm here, Mark," She reminded him. "It'd primarily business but I'm here to help you personally too. There's lots to learn and I'm here to help. Now, back to the topic at hand. Getting you some sleep.""Yeah.""I'm gonna be blunt here, Mark. Sometimes it's the best way," She said, looking him in the eye. "Most people masturbate before they go to sleep. I take it you do too?"Marklaughed, unable to hide the slight blush that hit his cheeks. "And I thought all this was insane before.""You'll get used to it. Incidentally, if I know this now then it means I won't be walking in on you midway through.""Okay, fair enough. Yeah, I usu
The Island CHAPTER 18
"I suppose," Markshrugged. "Hey, what did you mean earlier when you said someone more my status?""Oh, that." Jasminesaid, taking a seat. "I mean that you can't just turn up at a black-tie event with some girl who works in the local Walmart and lives with her parents.""Why not? Lots of good people work in Walmart," Marksaid, frowning."Because it's not what's expected of you. Because it's not someone you'll have much in common with, and because there would be this enormous gulf between you. You wouldn't be equals, or even in the same social circles.""Different can be good though.""Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking down on people or being elitist when I say this, Mark," Jasmineexplained. "Imagine a year from now what you'd have to talk about. She's just had a shit day at work because a customers kid peed in one of the aisles and she had to clean it up. You just flew into town from Hong Kong on a priva
The Island CHAPTER 19
Markcracked the door open on the shower cubicle, blinking again as the white glass suddenly turned clear, but he could see Jasminewasn't in the room anymore, so he grabbed a towel and dried off.Wrapping it around his waist he stepped into the bedroom, spotting a baggy pair of dark blue shorts and a dark green sleeveless t-shirt on the bed. He got dressed quickly and walked around the suite, looking for Jasmine.He found her sitting on the balcony, a low table in front of her with half a dozen different plates of food on it."The chef wasn't sure what you'd like for lunch, so he made you up a few platters with different stuff," She explained.Marksat down and looked at the dishes. "Wow."Jasminesmiled. "Yeah, Chef's fantastic."Markcould see four or five different types of fish, lobster and prawns. There was chicken, steak, a pate of some sort on crumbly biscuits, different breads, vegeta
The Island CHAPTER 20
Then they were off to meet the Islands resident physician, Doctor Kerr. The doctor was in her late thirties, with short and tidy red hair, but her cheeks were flushed, as if she was having trouble with the heat.While she gave Marka physical examination, he asked her about the injections that Jaydenhad recommended. To his surprise she seemed perfectly fine with it, as long as he agreed that they lasted no more than two weeks. She also informed him that he needed a Tetanusbooster, and he should probably have a contraceptive injection."A what?" Markasked."It's a hormonal contraceptive injection for men," She had shrugged. "Short term, only lasts for a month or so and then things are back to normal a few weeks later, but it stops the production of sperm. Given the injections you're already getting, the enhanced endorphins from the exercise and a sudden boost in confidence that you're likely to receive, it's almost certain that
The Island CHAPTER 21
It only took a few minutes to walk from the clinic to the salon, so Markhad a cigarette while they followed the path. It was the first time he'd been to the east side of the Island and he loved the flowers and bushes between the palm trees, the mixture of fragrances and fresh air being so much better than the city he was used to.As they walked Jasminepointed out various paths leading to the helipad, the recording studios, guest and staff accommodation and the main security office. The time passed quickly and all too soon they were entering the salon.There were three stylists who worked in bright open space. The Senior Stylist was a short Japaneseman with a bright purple Mohawk. Both his arms were covered in tattoos, and Jasmineintroduced him as Taki. Working with him was Betty, a short petite blonde who seemed to have trouble meeting his gaze and Alex, a tall bald man with a razor-thin goatee.The three of them set to work,
The Island CHAPTER 22
The closer they got to the pier the more nervous Markgot. It didn't matter that he'd met both Maddyand Myrabefore. If anything, that made it worse. He didn't know if Myrawould recognize him at all, or if she did, would she have him chalked up as one of a thousand perverted losers who'd paid to see her naked. Worse, he might be remembered as that creep who jizzed in his pants.As for Maddy, Markknew that she'd remember him. That night they'd spent together was burned in his memory, and he knew how she felt about it at the time too. They'd made love in the dark, then again when they woke in the morning, not a word exchanged. They'd showered together, then lay holding each other until they couldn't avoid getting up. Even then, he'd accompanied her all the way to the airport, shared a really tender goodbye kiss with her, and then kicked himself for months that he hadn't got her contact details, or just up and moved to New York to find her.Wha
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