Before I lose my nerve, I write the words I’m feeling.
I love you.
It only took three weeks for me to fall completely in love with Archer Bradley…and then to lose him.
Love, Millie.
I push the paper over to the clerk with a mutteredthanks, and when I turn around, Diedrick is standing behind me.
“Millie!” he says enthusiastically. “I was hoping I’d see you today. Come join me in my office for a moment.”
Shit. It’s like things are somehow going from bad to worse when I already feel like I’ve hit rock bottom.
My stomach is tied up in knots, and I feel like I’m going to be sick.
“Come have a seat,” he says once we arrive.
I sit across from him, and it’s like he has split personalities or something. He’s much friendlier today than he was the other day.
He gathers a few papers together and taps them into a neat stack before he passes them across the desk to me. “Congratulations, Ms. Monroe, on being named our newest brand partner. Feel free to read through the information, but the summary is that we are offering you a paid partnership moving forward. We’ll have you traveling around to different hotels in our brand portfolio, where you’ll maintain VIP status. You’ll be listed as a preferred creator with an elite guest tier on our internal influencer whitelist. The compensation details for this partnership are listed on the third page. I’m available for any questions you may need answered at any time.” He slides a business card across his desk with his personal phone number on it.
I flip to the third page, and my eyes widen at the compensation package.
An annual retainer of a hundred grand, for starters. That’ll pay the bills without having to worry about bartending to pick up the slack.
Affiliate commission for any bookings generated through my own referral link.
Bonuses per stay.
Perks include all-expenses-paid stays.
The more I travel, the more I promote this brand, the more money I make, and the more perks I get.
It’s everything I wanted before I arrived here.
So why is my gut telling me to pass on this?
“This is so generous, Mr. Pinder,” I say. “I’d love some time to review the paperwork.”
“Of course,” he says. “We’re very excited to welcome you to the Berkshire brand.”
I press my lips together. “Thank you.”
I walk out of his office and head straight back to my own suite here on the property. I’m in another new tower, this time the Seaside Towers, which is more residential and tends to be where those with longer stays reside.
On my walk back, I can’t help but wonder whether this is what I really want. It’s finally within my grasp, but it feels like my heart is trying to guide me somewhere else.
My brain saysyes. Absolutely. I’d be a fool to say no.
But something in my gut seems to be holding me up.
I try to make people happy. I make vacations accessible for people on a budget. What I do is important work. I’m connecting with people. Empowering them to see that they deserve to find meaning and beauty wherever they are in the world. I share my experiences, the highs and lows, so others can learn from me.
But how was going live with four pro baseball players in the background of my video benefiting anyone but me?
As I look at the even longer lines at the restaurants I pass, I can appreciate that what I did helped line the pockets of the resort owners.
The compensation package is impressive. There’s no doubt about that.
