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“No one at any age is prepared for that.”
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Thank you. Sorry, I didn’t mean to make a depressing night even worse. I guess—I guess I just can’t help but think of them with every breath right now. I want to think they would understand why we have to sell. I think they would understand. But I do think they would be a little bit heartbroken to know that it has come to this. That we failed them in keeping this place alive. In keeping the memories alive.”
“You selling is not going to erase their memory. It’s not going to erase anything that ever happened at the Novák Hotel. It’s just a new chapter for everyone.”
“You are very good at sales, you know?”
I laughed. “Maybe. But it doesn’t seem to matter when you’re up against Greta Wolf. Let’s be honest. What we are offering doesn’t stand a chance against what Wolf Corp can offer. At least not in the way Pavel cares about.”
He nodded in a resolved kind of way. “Possibly. I don’t really know, to be honest. My brother is a man motivated by numbers. Me, not so much. But in the end, I don’t think my sentiment is going to hold much weight. You heard him at dinner. I’m not sure there is any course correction at this point.”
A heavy lump formed in my gut at the truth in what he was saying. Ondrej sighed. “Come on. Let’s seek out some hot wine and forget everything for just a moment.”
“Best idea you’ve ever had.”
ChapterNineteen
Ondrej wasn’t lying about the grandeur of the winter gala. The Hotel’s grand ballroom was a spectacle of elegance and celebration. Its vast space had been transformed into a winter wonderland with shimmering silver and gold decorations. The crystal chandeliers cast a warm, inviting light over the guests, who were beginning to trickle in, clad in their festive best. Large, arched windows draped in heavy velvet curtains offered glimpses of the snowy Prague night, adding a sense of romance and mystery to the setting. The air was thick with the scent of pine and the subtle undertones of spiced wine, setting the stage for an enchanted night.
At one end of the room, a grand stage had been set up, framed by lush, red velvet curtains and garlands of greenery twinkling with fairy lights. The polished wooden dance floor reflected the light, inviting guests to lose themselves in the music and merriment.
Round tables draped in crisp, white linen were arranged elegantly around the dance floor, each adorned with a centerpiece of seasonal flowers and candles. The silverware gleamed on the tables, perfectly aligned with the crystal glassware.
I felt transported to a Regency romance novel as I watched the guests fill the room. The men were dapper in tailored suits, some opting for classic black tuxedos while others sported velvet jackets in rich jewel tones. The women glided in, wearing gowns of everything from flowing chiffon to intricate lace and shimmering sequins catching the light as they moved. The air was alive with a symphony of celebration from the soft clink of champagne glasses and the subtle rustle of silk and satin.
As the gala buzzed with activity, I found Dominika overseeing the final touches on the dessert table. Approaching her, I couldn't help but admire her ability to manage such a grand event with what seemed like effortless grace. She didn’t have a sheen of sweat on her milky skin.
Clad in a spaghetti-strapped silver dress with a faint floral brocade, she’d pinned her black hair back into a severe twist that emphasized her high, sharp cheekbones. She embodied graceful leadership as she swiftly but politely rapid-fired orders at the staff. Staff moved quickly under her watchful eye, aligning rows of chairs to perfection, ensuring each table centerpiece was an artful display, and double-checking that the lighting cast just the right ambiance.
"Dominika, this is incredible. It’s like stepping into a fairytale."
She smiled, her eyes briefly scanning the room. “Dekuji.This event had been going on in one way or another for nearly one hundred years. My mother really upped the show in her time. I suppose I’m just trying to hold a candle.” She smiled wistfully. “Sad to think it will be her last year.”
"The love you’ve put into it really shows.”
She picked up a wine glass and inspected it before placing it back on the platter. "My mother believed in the power of bringing people together. She used to say that this hotel was more than just a place to stay. It was a place to experience, to feel alive and connected."
"That’s a beautiful philosophy. We should all live like that a little more.”
She smiled softly. “Well, here we are. We will make the final year the best, yes?”
“I don’t have a comparison, but I think it’s shaping up that way.”
“Come. Let’s pour some of the good champagne before the guests drink it all.”
“Do you know all of these people?” I asked, looking around at the abundant display of festivity.
Armed with crisp French bubbles, Dominika leaned in. “See the gentleman in the navy-blue suit? That's Mr. Karel Novotný, a prominent local businessman and a regular patron of our hotel. He's been coming here since my grandparents were running it."
I followed her gaze to a tall, silver-haired man who carried himself with an understated elegance. He was conversing with a younger woman in a sleek, modern dress, her laughter ringing clear and bright.
"And over there," Dominika continued, pointing subtly to a small group near the orchestra, "is Jana Horáková. She’s a well-known philanthropist in Prague. The charity event she hosted here last spring was a tremendous success. A good woman to know.”
Jana Horáková was impossible to miss in a deep red gown that complemented her striking features and commanding aura.
As we continued to survey the room, the doors opened to admit a couple that immediately drew attention. The woman was a vision in a midnight blue sequin gown, and her companion was equally suave in a sharply cut blue velvet tuxedo. They moved with an ease and confidence that spoke of their high societal standing.
"The Kovaríks," whispered Dominika. “Some kind of distant royalty. Influential, generous, and absolutely in love with this hotel's old-world charm. They've celebrated every anniversary with us for the past fifteen years."
