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Ondrej felt a pang of guilt, knowing his own role in the turmoil.
He stepped back into the hall with a racing mind. He needed to find a way to reassure his team, to protect everything he valued here. But with the hotel's future hanging in the balance, he wasn't sure how.
Ondrej moved through the hotel, his every step weighed down by the unfolding chaos around him.
As he walked by the reception, he heard a guest loudly complaining about the terrible service in the dining room.
“We waited an hour for rubber eggs and hard sausage!” The man’s cheeks were ruddy, and a vein was threatening to burst in his forehead. It was always a mystery to Ondrej how people could get so worked up about a botched breakfast, but hey, everyone was having their own day, he supposed.
“Excuse me,” Ondrej stepped up, interrupting. The desk clerk’s expression melted into relief.
“You must accept our sincere apologies. We aim to always exceed expectations, but alas, human infallibility sometimes gets in the way. Please, let me make it up to you.”
The man’s rage still pulsed, but Ondrej’s words had at least taken the lid off the kettle.
“Yes, thank you. Ok,” the man said.
“We will take that meal off your bill, of course, and I invite you to enjoy a complimentary lunch today. On me.” Ondrej pressed his hand to his heart.
With the guest placated, he walked away from the confrontation, feeling the emotional toll of the situation. His heart raced with a mix of frustration, sadness, and a growing sense of helplessness. How could he protect his team and the hotel's legacy? He found himself questioning his decisions, wondering if there was a path he hadn't seen, a solution that could save the hotel without costing the hearts of those who ran it.
The weight of the hotel's future, the staff's well-being, and his family's legacy pressed down on Ondrej. He leaned against a wall, closing his eyes for a moment. The hotel, with its history and memories, seemed to echo around him, a reminder of everything that was at stake.
"Ondrej," Pavel approached, his voice tinged with a blend of concern and determination.
Ondrej, still grappling with the weight of his responsibilities, turned to face his brother. His eyes, weary from the morning's turmoil, met Pavel's assertive gaze.
“What? Are you here to tell me what you knew all along?”
Pavel exhaled slowly and shook his head. “No. I think we are beyondI told you’s. But look around. This isn't just about today. It's about the future of the Novák Hotel. Chaos like this," Pavel gestured broadly at the scene around them, "it's a sign, Ondrej. It's a warning that we're on the brink of losing control. It's what happens when sentimentality overrides sound business judgment."
Ondrej's jaw clenched with a mix of frustration and resignation. “I guess she lied to us all.”
Pavel shrugged. “And are you surprised? It’s what anyone in her position would have done. It’s business. That’s why you can’t go sleeping with business.
Ondrej shot up. “I’m not—we haven’t. It’s not like that.”
Pavel smirked. “It’s like something though, isn’t it? But what’s done is done. We have to move on. Let’s get together this afternoon and review the Wolf contract. We might be saying goodbye, but we’re ensuring the hotel lives on. That our staff can stay on. Let’s get this done by Christmas and start the New Year fresh.”
Pavel's words made sense on some level, but they clashed with the promises Ondrej had made to himself and the memories embedded in every corner of the hotel. Yet, the escalating problems couldn't be ignored.
Pavel placed a hand on Ondrej's shoulder. Ondrej turned toward his older brother.
“Yes. Ok. Let’s get on with it then and be done.”
ChapterTwenty-Four
As the dusk settled over Prague, painting the sky in shades of gold and amber, I stood at the riverside, lost in thought. The Vltava's gentle flow mirrored my swirling emotions, a mix of regret and uncertainty. My gaze lingered on the water's reflective surface. The idea of leaving Prague, leaving everything I had started to cherish here, especially Ondrej, filled me with a melancholy ache. But I knew it was inevitable. And it was probably for the best. I wasn’t even sure I could bring myself to go back to Hotel Novák after this morning.
I turned and started a mindless stroll along the bridge when I spotted a familiar figure. With his silhouette framed by the early setting sun, shadows long on the glittering white snow, he seemed almost like an apparition, a figment of my wistful imagination.
I stood frozen in place as he came closer. He was bundled in his parka and scarf with his wool hat pulled down over his ears.
“I thought I might find you here,” Ondrej said. I offered him a weak smile, trying to keep the tears at bay. “I guess I’m sort of falling in love with this spot.”
“I don’t blame you. It’s hard not to. It’s one of my favorite spots in all of Prague, despite the memories.”
I nodded slowly and turned back out toward the water, my eyes scanning the scene.
