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It was hard to say because she would be losing so much money on the room. But she knew she had to do something because she wanted him to stay. She wanted this business to thrive, and for that, she needed guests and glowing reviews.
If he stayed, she would have a chance to make it up to him.
He put a hand up to his chin. He actually looked like he was considering her offer. But just when she was feeling good about it, he replied, "No, I just want to leave as soon as possible."
Taking a deep breath, she replied, "I understand. I'll authorize a refund for the remaining nights of your stay."
The man nodded, a satisfied smirk on his face. "Good. And I expect it to be processed immediately."
April nodded, biting her tongue to prevent herself from saying something she'd regret. She walked over to the front desk and began the process of refunding the man's payment.
The guest left immediately, his bags trailing behind him as he wheeled them off to his car. As he drove off, April cursed under her breath. Could this day get any worse?
April typed away until the refund was processed. When she was finally able to look up, she saw Millie talking to her father in the lobby.
"Hey," she began to say, walking over to them. But then she overheard part of their conversation that made her stop in her tracks.
"You're gorgeous, I bet you can get any guy you want," Richard told Millie.
She was half of his age, someone he definitely shouldn't be flirting with, according to his daughter standing right beside him. It was appalling to listen to. A part of her wanted to throw up. But she swallowed her sick stomach to continue.
Millie giggled nervously, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "Uh, thanks Mr. Johnson. But I'm actually not interested in dating right now."
Richard chuckled, undeterred. "Nonsense! A pretty young thing like you should be out there enjoying life and all it has to offer. Don't waste your youth."
April couldn't take it anymore. "Dad," she said firmly, "we need to talk."
Richard looked up at his daughter, surprised by the interruption. "What is it, sweetie?"
"Millie, could you go check on that room that just left? He's not going to be returning," April said, hoping that she would take the out to leave the uncomfortable conversation. The worker nodded her head and ran off to clean.
April thought about her horrible day. Anger had been building inside of her. She was ready to burst open.
"Dad, what were you thinking?" she said, her voice shaking with rage. "You can't talk to people like that. You can't come in here and ask for my help and then make people leave by arguing with them."
His head sunk. It would have made her feel bad if it wasn't for the fact that all she saw now was red.
"It wasn't my fault. He was the one cooking fish in a shared kitchen. That's a known rule," he said, brows furrowed. April realized that he truly thought he'd done nothing wrong.
He never thought he did anything wrong. That was what April found so infuriating about him. It didn't matter what she said, he would always have an excuse. There was someone or something else to blame.
But April had had enough. Not just with her father, but with everyone. No one seemed to give her a break. Everything she did came with a fight of some kind.
She continued, unable to stop her rants, "And you can't just hit on my employees like that! It's unprofessional and inappropriate."
Richard's face contorted into a confused expression. "What are you talking about, April? I was just giving her a compliment. There's nothing wrong with that. I was just having a little fun. It's not like I'm hurting anyone."
"Can you just please-" she began to cry out, her head in her palms. But her father put a hand out, stopping her in her tracks.
She looked up at his face, waiting for him to respond. Waiting to continue yelling at him for everything he'd done wrong. She needed an outlet for this fury burning inside of her.
"I'm sorry," Richard said. It was the two words she'd been waiting all day to hear. Everyone should have been saying it, but it meant something coming from her father. One apology was better than none.
April wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She didn't want to fight anymore. She was exhausted.
With a frown and raised brows, he appeared genuinely remorseful, a look of regret etched on his face. It was a rare moment of vulnerability between them.
Though one apology wouldn't make up for everything, it was a start.
