I smile and wave her off. “I’m opening another hotel. Everything is business, Linda. I’ll be back soon.” I turn and walk away, heading for the elevator. I ride down to the parking garage and head over to my Corvette. I climb behind the wheel and start my way home. The drive is short, but it takes forever in the New York City traffic. I weave in and out of lanes in order to get home in any reasonable time frame.
At home, I head inside and pack my bags, ready to make this flight. I’ve opened many hotels over the years, and while there are more than enough people to manage for me, I like to get my hands dirty from time to time and make sure everything goes off without a hitch. I’m about to open a lavish, luxury hotel in the middle of nowhere Colorado. It’s a small town, but it’s booming with tourists who are looking to ski and enjoy some luxury. Loveville already has a nice ski resort, but my team discovered that they’re often too booked to meet demand. That’s where I come in. My newest hotel will be able to hold more people than the town wants to see.
I’m not looking forward to spending all my time in a po-dunk town, but I do what I must in order to make a profit, and this hotel will be nothingbutprofit. I’m hoping that the top-of-the-line spa will bring people in during all seasons, and not just in the ski season. While I’m not much of a small-town guy, Loveville, Colorado is one of my favorite spots. It’s nice and quiet, so you have no choice but to relax. Plus, I have an old college buddy who’s currently living there, and every time I’m in town we always meet up and relive the good old days.
Within the hour, I’m packed and heading for the airport. The flight feels like it takes forever, but I try to keep myself occupied. Even at work when I have to be behind a desk, I prefer to keep my mind and hands busy. I try reading a book, going over my calendar for the next few weeks, and even taking a nap. Nothing works, and I eventually give up and watch the time tick by until the plane lands.
Finally in Colorado, I rent a car from the airport and make the drive to Loveville. The town is beautiful and has a charm to it that not many do anymore. Main Street is decorated with potted flowers, signs, and banners. All up and down the street is nothing but quintessential small-town living, like a bookstore, bakery, historic office buildings, and boutiques.
I drive past them all and head straight for the ski resort I’ll be staying in over the next couple of days. When I pull up under the awning, a valet rushes over to take the car while the bellhop unloads my bags.
“How was your trip, sir?”
I nod. “Very good. Thank you.”
He offers up a smile before rushing behind me with the bags.
I stop at the check-in desk and I’m greeted with warm smiles and polite hellos.
“Mr. Brooks would like to meet with you if you have time,” the lady behind the register tells me.
Mr. Brooks owns the resort, and he’s more than happy that I’m building a hotel here. Currently, he’s limited on rooms and another hotel in town will give people a place to sleep, so he’ll get more traffic on the slopes than what he’s getting now.
“I think I can carve out some time,” I tell her, handing over my card to pay for the room. “Dinner and drinks tonight?”
She nods. “I’ll pass that along and have him reach out.”
“Thank you.” I take the keycard she hands me, and the bellhop shows me up to my room.
My room is one of the biggest in the hotel. It has a private sitting room with a couch, loveseat, TV, and desk, and the bedroom portion is closed off for privacy. The bellhop puts my things by the door, and I slip him a twenty for a tip. When I’m alone, I get to work on setting up the desk with my computer and other things I’ll need for work. I call my assistant.
“Mr. Billings’ office, how can I help you?” she answers.
“Hi, Linda. It’s me.”
“Oh, good. You arrived safely.”
“I have and I have my computer, and everything set up. So feel free to send me anything that may require my attention.”
“Okay, I’m going to send over some emails now.”
“My meeting with the party planner is today, correct?”
“Yes, her name is Destiny Parks, and she’s set to meet you at the event center at two P.M.”
“Okay, thank you for setting up the meeting.”
“Of course, sir. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do, goodbye.”
“Goodbye,” she says, hanging up the phone.
I lean back in my chair and realize that I have a few hours to kill before the meeting. I decide on having some lunch since I opted out of the plane food. I head downstairs and have a seat at the bar.
A female bartender walks over with a smile. “What can I get ya?”
“I’ll have a scotch on the rocks while I look over the menu.”
