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Chapter 7

Jayden

It was now half past five. After the fiasco of that guest and air-conditioning in his room, I decided to sit in with the evening briefing and orientation.

To be fair, Michael Justins was a difficult one to deal with. The only reason I hadn’t banned him from the property was he was a regular as well as bringing in many clients due to referrals. One would think as he constantly complained, he would stay away as well as not refer others.

I deescalated the situation by upgrading him from his deluxe room to an executive rooftop penthouse for his one week stay. He immediately calmed down and apologized for causing a scene. Sierra led him away back to the foyer, where he was given a new key card and personally escorted by Frankie to the new room.

I was now sitting at Frankie’s desk and Sierra sat opposite me. Frankie was speaking but I wasn’t really paying attention to her. I was gazing at Sierra unapologetically because we both knew there was nothing she could do at the moment. I could abuse my powers in such scenarios.

“We have guest room 322, anything I should know about him?” Sierra asked, trying to ignore my gaze on her.

“That should be the agent from the Standards and Inspections Bureau. He is a sensitive guest so handle him with utmost care unlike you know who,” I interrupted Frankie.

Sierra’s cheeks and ears turned red. It wasn’t her fault, she didn't know that the air-conditioning unit in that room was faulty, but I couldn’t resist taking a poke at her. She looked very cute blushing like that.

“The whole hotel has identified him, from the seven restaurants, to housekeeping and Laundry to security and now you. The good thing is that he will never comment or complain, and that’s also a bad thing so give him the best service. Also he notices his environment quite well.” I decided to expound and Sierra nodded as she took it all in.

Frankie cleared her throat and looked at me. I nodded for her to take over.

“About tomorrow, fortunately you won’t be alone, my two other front office executives will be reporting back. One was on maternity leave and the other has just finished her PTO.

“As I told you earlier, we are celebrating five years of The Enchanted Garden. Your desk will be responsible for receiving, confirming and directing invited guests to the Gardens and the open restaurant at the back. I will show you where they both are.

“Remember, these are high-profile clients, musicians, celebrities, politicians and wealthy private citizens. Please put on your best shoes and be very welcoming. You can’t fumble with these ones. Understood?”

I saw Sierra nod as she wrote down something.

“How was your first day?” I asked, trying to make her relax.

She looked at me and I swear I saw a quick angry glare flicker in her eyes before she smiled. “Pretty uneventful all things considered.”

“Tomorrow you’ll report in the afternoon, though the gala officially begins at six in the evening.” Frankie chipped in. “Any questions?”

“Do I go home and wash this uniform? I was only given one pair.”

“This is a five star hotel,” I said, surprised to hear wounded pride in my voice, “The Laundry Department will issue you with a new uniform tomorrow, so just drop your uniform when you change.”

Sierra looked at me and I saw a smile play on her lips. I realized that she asked that on purpose to rile me up. But looking at her lips, I imagined tasting them and my hurt ego turned into longing.

“Any other question?” I growled.

She shook her head and stood up. We both watched her leave the office.

“Keep a close eye on that one,” I told Frankie. I saw her shoulders relax, “You approve of her, if not after the gala—”

I raised my hand cutting her off, “She is gutsy and blatant and has zero experience in this field. I can tell without looking at her resume. However, she’s got the looks and the adaptability to learn.”

“Yes sir,” Frankie said, closing up her desk. “Brian is up at the playroom, I’ll send for him.”

With that said she left the office leaving me alone in my thoughts. Something about Sierra made me want her, not just sexually but I feel this strong force between us.

I looked at my watch and saw it was almost time to leave. I locked up the office and walked up the hallway. The night manager William had already arrived, he looked up when I walked in.

“Good evening to you,” he said, rising to his feet. I acknowledged his greeting and briefed him on what I expected to be followed up on tonight.

When I was done, I had spent fifteen minutes with him before I realized it. I sighed internally knowing I’d find a bored Brian at the foyer. Maybe I should have just sent David to take him home.

I walked down the carpeted hallway, acknowledging the two Public Area attendants who stopped to let me pass before continuing to dust the flower portraits.

Imagine my surprise when I heard Brian’s laughter up ahead. None of the staff really engaged with him except for Frankie. I knew that Frankie had already left so it wasn’t her.

“Finally, I thought you forgot about me,” Brian said looking at me. There was a shining glint in his eyes. What surprised me though was Sierra.

She was seated next to Brian and had been whispering to him. When he spoke to me, she looked shocked. She quickly got to her feet and looked down shyly.

“I thought you left,” I told her, looking at her. She had changed out of her work uniform and looked even more appealing.

“I was about to, but I couldn’t leave the boy unattended, he just told me his father was coming for him. But I’m surprised why Aunt Frankie didn’t drop Brian off at home,” she mused.

Her last statement made me frown a little before it dawned on me. I felt a rumble in my chest before the laughter escaped. Oh bless her soul, I thought.

“Brian is my son.”

It took a second for her to digest this. I saw her face move from shy, to pale, before a sheepish smile was plastered on it.

“Sorry, I didn’t tell you,” I heard Brian whisper, “I was afraid if I did you’d not talk to me.”

Sierra smiled at him and I swear my heart fluttered in delight. She gave him a quick hug, “Unless Mr. Grey forbids me from talking to you, nothing will stop me.”

The way she called me Mr. Grey had two opposing effects. It rubbed me the wrong way but I also felt excited.

“We should get going, Sierra. I can walk you to your car.”

“I came by taxi today.” She answered as a wave of embarrassment washed over her face.

My mind went back to when we had first met. Her pouring coffee over me, leading me to her old car and then the washroom where it was just the two of us.

How intimate it was as I removed my shirt in front of her. I now wondered what would have happened had she poured the coffee on my trousers.

An idea formed at the back of my head and I couldn’t resist smiling at just how lawful evil it was.

“I’ll drop you home, isn’t that right Brian.”

Brian nodded and took her hand. My son had unwittingly become my wingman. Now I could know where she stayed, and mentioning Brian meant she couldn’t turn down my offer.

The doorman opened the door for us as my car pulled up outside the portico. David got out, opening the passenger door for us. Brian got in first, then Sierra. I got in last and he shut the door gently.

“Where to sir?” David asked, adjusting the rear-view mirror maintaining eye contact.

“Take us to The Aviary,” I told him and turned to Sierra, “I hope you don’t mind, we are making a quick stop to get some takeaway Thai food.”

I may have lied a little though, I chuckled internally.

The Aviary was a sister restaurant that I owned but very few people knew it was mine. It was a casual dining place I frequented when I was too lazy to cook at home but not stupid enough to order fast food.

“Sierra, have you washed any other people since last time?” I started.

“No sir, you were the last billionaire,” she responded. I smiled at her response but before I could question further, we had arrived.

David was the best driver in the city. By that I meant, he knew all the tiny alleys, backroads and secret routes to get anywhere. Before I hired him ten years ago, he had been a taxi driver in London. The Aviary was fifteen minutes away by car but he made it under five. Today though I wasn’t happy about the short trip.

I opened the door for myself and stepped out. I held out my hand for Sierra which she gladly took. This was the second time today I was feeling those soft dainty hands. I held on for a second longer before she coughed.

Brian had already entered through the glass revolving doors. David was in the car oblivious to us.

“After you,” I motioned. She stepped through the door and I followed behind closely.

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