Chereads / Betrayed by Love, Saved by The Boss / Chapter 17 - First Working Day

Chapter 17 - First Working Day

Dashiell muttered under his breath, "What a cocky and foolish diva!"

Trisha, who had been walking ahead of him, suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned her head toward him. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "What did you say?"

Dashiell couldn't help but chuckle and flashed a playful grin. "Oh, nothing important. Just admiring the view."

With that, he took a step ahead and gestured for Trisha to follow him. He was eager to show her more of the resort project site and explain its intricacies. As they walked together, Dashiell pointed out various aspects of the project, sharing his vision for its future transformation and the challenges they faced along the way.

Trisha followed him curiously, as they delved deeper into the resort's potential and the work that lay ahead. Despite their earlier clash, she couldn't help but appreciate Dashiell's passion for the project.

As Dashiell and Trisha continued their tour of the resort project site, a man in his forties with a clipboard in hand approached them. He had a friendly smile and an air of authority about him. It was Jeremy Mitchell, one of the supervisors overseeing the project.

Jeremy gave a nod to Dashiell, greeting him warmly, "Good morning, Dash. It's nice to see you back."

Dashiell returned the greeting with a nod and replied, "Morning, Jer-Bear. Yeah, just showing Trisha around and checking in on things." He turned to Trrisha and said, "Oh yes, this is Trisha Lockhart, our newest team member."

Trisha smiled, recalling that she had met Jeremy the night before. "Nice to see you again, Mr. Mitchell."

Jeremy nodded in recognition. "Likewise, Miss Lockhart. Welcome to the team. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to ask."

Dashiell raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you've met before?"

She responded, "Yes, we crossed paths last night when you abandoned me in the middle of nowhere."

"Well, you see, sometimes it's the best way to get to know someone." Dashiell chuckled and scratched his head. 

As they continued their tour with Jeremy now joining them, Dashiell explained more about the project and the challenges they were currently dealing with. It seemed like a productive start to Trisha's first official day at the resort project.

The resort project was located in a picturesque site on Azure Bay island. The area had the potential to be a beautiful getaway destination, but over the years, it had fallen into disrepair and neglect. The project site was a mix of abandoned buildings, overgrown vegetation, and aged infrastructure.

Dashiell explained the situation to Trisha as they stood near the entrance. He gestured toward the site and began, "This is our resort project. As you can see, it's in need of a lot of work. We've got a team of workers here who are primarily focused on repairs and renovations."

He continued, "The goal is to transform this place into a thriving resort, but it's going to take time and effort. We'll need to rebuild some of the structures, update the facilities, and create a welcoming environment for guests. It's a challenging project, but we believe in its potential."

Dashiell pointed out various areas that needed attention, such as the main building, the pool area, and the surrounding landscape. "We're also planning to add some eco-friendly features to make it more sustainable," he added.

As they walked through the site, Dashiell shared more details about the resort's history and its past glory. He emphasized the importance of preserving the natural beauty of the island while enhancing the overall experience for guests.

Trisha listened attentively, taking notes and asking questions about the project's timeline, budget, and goals. Despite her initial impression of Dashiell, she couldn't deny the potential of the resort project and the impact it could have on the local community.

As they explored the site further, Trisha began to see the beauty beneath the neglect and decay, and she realized that her role as a project manager might be more important than she initially thought in bringing this project to life.

Turning her head towards Jeremy, Trisha raised an eyebrow and asked, "So, Jer-Bear, what's the deal with this project? Despite the funding, it seems to be on a decline. What's going wrong?"

Jeremy leaned in slightly, a mischievous grin curling on his lips as he responded, "Trust me, Miss Lockhart, you're better off not knowing."

Trisha arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Now you've got me even more intrigued. What's the story behind all this trash?"

Jeremy chuckled and leaned in a bit closer, making it seem like he was about to reveal a juicy secret. "Well, let's just say that this place has a history, and not all of it is pleasant. Some folks around here have a unique way of expressing their frustrations. There are always ups and downs in these projects. But I have a feeling things will turn around soon."

Trisha raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Jeremy's cryptic response. "A history, huh? I'm all ears for a good story. So, what's the deal with all the trash? Any local legends or ghost stories to go with it?"

"Well, some folks say it's cursed. A long time ago, this place used to be thriving with life and prosperity. But then, something changed, and the fortunes turned. People started leaving, and those who stayed began to experience strange things. Whispers of curses and restless spirits started circulating. It's just superstition, of course, but it's become part of the island's lore."

Trisha chuckled. "Cursed, huh? That's quite the tale. I guess every place has its legends. It adds some flavor to the history, I suppose. I guess I'll have to stick around to uncover the secrets of this project."

Jeremy chuckled. "Well, Miss Lockhart, we're always open to new ideas and fresh perspectives. Perhaps you'll be the one to turn things around here."

She smiled proudly and nodded. "I'll certainly do my best."

With a raised eyebrow, Dashiell cast a quick glance at her, obviously impressed by her confidence and boldness.

Jeremy felt a bit relieved when he believed that Trisha didn't know about the project's decline. However, he also realized that she must be very careful in her approach, as any misstep could reveal the truth and potentially jeopardize the project further.

Trisha's look revealed that she wasn't someone who could be easily appeased. She scanned her surroundings, her inquisitive gaze taking in the less-than-ideal conditions of the project site.

With a furrowed brow, she swept her gaze around the project site, her face reflecting her displeasure. "Why are there so many piles of trash scattered about?" She couldn't help but question the messy state of the area, her assertive nature coming to the forefront.

Jeremy scratched his head sheepishly. "Yeah, it's construction waste. We've been a bit lax with the cleanup lately. It's been a busy season, and we haven't had a chance to handle it yet." He looked around at the scattered debris, acknowledging the need for dealing with them.

"Well, it's definitely something that needs attention. A clean and organized work site can make a big difference in the overall impression of a project. Plus, it's safer for everyone involved," she replied and then added, "Mr. Mitchell, let's make sure all this garbage is cleared out by the evening."

Jeremy nodded in agreement. "Yes, as you wish, Miss Lockhart. We'll get to work on it right away."

Dashiell remained quiet as Jeremy and Trisha engaged in conversation. He observed them closely, his silence serving as a way to gauge their interactions and assess how she was fitting into the project team. His watchful presence hinted at his underlying concern and curiosity about her role and impact on the project's future.

As they walked, Trisha turned to Dashiell, her expression serious as she spoke to him. "Speaking of cleanliness and organization, you should see the staff house. It's in terrible condition."

He raised an eyebrow and asked, "How bad is it?"

"It's pretty awful," Trisha replied with a grimace. "The water's freezing, and there's no hot water."

"Yeah, we've been having issues with the boiler. It's been acting up for a while now, and we haven't had the chance to fix it."

"And there are no lights either. It's pitch dark at night."

"The recent storm knocked out the wires, but we'll have the electricians out to fix it soon."

Trisha shrugged. "Well, to add to the list of inconveniences, my cellphone's dead too."

Dashiell furrowed his brow. "Why do you need a phone if there's no service here?"

"Well, I was hoping it could at least take some worthy photos of my misadventures in this place." She smirked and added, "And an alarm clock would be a lifesaver too. Can't rely on my internal clock in this wilderness."

"I'll see what I can do about it. As for the other issues, we'll work on getting everything fixed up as soon as possible."

"Then, do it as quickly as you can. I have no desire to spend a lot of time at Aunt Gwen's place. I'd prefer to stay at the staff house once it's in better shape."

Dashiell nodded in agreement with her request, and as he was about to walk away to the next spot, he couldn't help but think to himself with skepticism. Is she planning on making the ramshackle staff house as her permanent residence? he wondered silently.