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“Uh…enjoy your stay. Thank you for choosing the Troposphere Hotel,” the bellboy stammered, confused, but closed the door behind me once I was out.
The guards, both of whom were Asian, nodded at me before opening the double doors of the suite.
“This all screams shady—holy shit.” I gasped at the room—no, palace—which had the most stunning view of the city. Everything was gold. The chairs, the desk, even the lamp stands.
“Holy shit.” I turned as an Asian woman in a fitted burgundy skirt, diamond studded belt, and blue print blouse stepped inside from the patio. Her black hair was pulled back into an updo. There was not one blemish on her skin, like she was photoshopped in real life.
“Not the worst reaction my hotel has ever gotten.”
“Your hotel?” I repeated.
“Thank you, Avery. I’ll take it f
rom here,” she said to him.
“No problem, Ms. Callahan.” He nodded at her and then at me. “Ms. O’Davoren, it was a pleasure.”
Just like that, before I could say anything, he walked out of the suite and I was trying to catch up. When I remembered what he’d said in the car.
“Ms. Callahan?” My head whipped back at her.
“Do I not look like a Callahan?” she asked, taking a seat in the throne-like chair, crossing her legs elegantly.
“No…I mean, not that...ugh. I’m sorry, do you mind letting me know what I’m doing here? I thought I was going to see Mrs. Callahan…well, the older Mrs. Callahan. Or…how many Ms. Or Mrs. Callahan’s are there?”
“We’ll get there. As for my grandmother.” She tilted her head to the side. “Do you really think you’re suited to meet her?”
The tone in her voice was sharp…and familiar.
Standing up straighter, I didn’t back down. “Yes. I’ve already met her—”
“Incorrect. Grandmother chose to see you because she is nice like that and overlooked your obvious flaws.”
Kind is hardly the word I’d use. “I’m sorry, what? Flaws? Just because I’m not all dolled up doesn’t mean—”
“Incorrect again,” she cut me off for the second time, glaring back. “How you present yourself now means everything…for you it is the only thing that matters. When my grandmother met you, you were no one. Now you are on your way to being someone. That means before she sees you again, you need to look the part and not like a starved teenager from 1985. Even I couldn’t bring myself to walk you here.”
“I’m sorry prison doesn’t come with a Bloomingdale’s card!”
“You’re forgiven, that’s why you were sent to me first.” She smiled even as I glared at her. “Now, would you sit so we can get started?”
“I’ll stand.”
“I wasn’t asking, Ivy.”
“Is everything all right, ma’am?” A maid, dressed in some of those ridiculous French outfits, came out of the bedroom.
The woman looked at me, waiting, and so I did as she said and sat on the couch.
“Yes, tell them we’re ready.” She directed the maid.
“Are you going to tell me your name or do I have to call you ma’am too?” I asked, reaching for the apple from the bowl of fruits on the table.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She smiled, adjusting the ring on her finger. “We’re about to be family soon. You can call me Nari. I’m Ethan’s cousin.”
“Ethan?” I repeated. “Is that the grandson I’m supposed to be marrying or whatever?”
She stared at me as if I were crazy and then just shook her head. “One step at a time.”
