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"I completely agree. There's a certain romance in these old buildings, a narrative in every arch and window."
Our eyes met, and for a moment, I saw a different Ondrej—a man as captivated by the beauty and history of Prague as I was. But then his gaze shifted, a guarded veil falling back into place.
"And what about modern architecture?" Ondrej asked, his tone probing. "Does the glass and steel appeal to you as much as these ancient stones?"
I hesitated, aware of the undercurrents in his question. "There's merit in modern designs, their efficiency and innovation. But for me, the soul of a place lies in its history. That's where the true artistry is."
Ondrej nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Interesting. Most in your line of work prefer the new and shiny over the old and storied."
Was that a hint of respect in his tone, or was I reading too much into it? I couldn't tell. Ondrej was a puzzle, each piece revealing something new and unexpected.
"I'm not most people," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
A corner of his mouth twitched, almost a smile. "Clearly."
We walked a few paces in silence. I shivered as an icy gust swept by and gnawed on my bones.
“Are you ok?” he asked.
I laughed lightly. “Yes, fine. My Southern California blood is just definitely not accustomed to this weather.”
“I was born here, and winter still kicks me in the ass every year.”
We both laughed and then fell into a heavy silence as we hurried along the narrow streets back to the hotel.
We reached the front and hurried inside. Once enveloped in warmth again, I felt his eyes boring into me.
“What?” I asked.
He said nothing for a moment, then shook his head. “Nothing. You are just—different than I thought. It’s good.”
“Oh. Well—thanks. I guess.”
He laughed. “Have a good night, Sienna.”
Then he turned and was gone before I could collect my thoughts.
ChapterNine
The next morning, I woke to the sounds of the city humming outside my window. I glanced at the clock and was relieved to see I’d managed a full eight hours of blessed, deep sleep. Feeling rested for the first time in days, I pulled myself up and popped a Nespresso pod into the in-room machine. I sipped in quiet bliss before the phone's ring cut shattered my tranquility. I glanced down, and my stomach tightened to see my boss’s number flashing like an unwelcome intruder from across the ocean.
I pulled my hair into a quick, messy bun, slipped on my coat, and stepped onto the wrought-iron balcony. Below, the city hummed with a life that seemed foreign to the corporate world I was about to reconnect with.
“Good morning, Will,” I said, trying to keep my voice upbeat as I answered.
"Sienna! Glad you answered. How’s it going there? Settled in? Drinking your body weight in beer?”
I forced a laugh. Will tried so hard to be the charming, cool guy, but he always came across like some cliched sitcom boss.
“It’s going well. Yes, I’ve had more beer than I have since college. It’s a beautiful city. The hotel is amazing. You weren’t wrong about it.”
“I rarely am. So, I trust the negotiations are progressing?" He was quick to business, a stark reminder of why I was an ocean away from home.
"They're moving along. The Nováks are... cautious. It's a big decision for them. They aren’t your typical sellers. This hotel is their home. Where they literally grew up. It makes things trickier.” I watched the golden light spill over the terracotta rooftops and tried to imagine waking up to this every day of my life. It was like something out of a fairytale.
"Understandable, but time is money, Sienna. We need to close this deal. I am told the middle brother is the major obstacle. What’s the situation there?”
I chewed my lip. There was something inside me that didn’t want to throw Ondrej under the bus. I wasn’t sure why—it wasn’t like I owed him anything. But my heart still felt for him.
