AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As the man continued, Ondrej could almost hear his parents' laughter and see the sparkle in their eyes. These stories weren’t just about the past—they were the essence of what the Novák Hotel represented – a place of connection, of shared experiences.
The murmur of voices rose and fell like a gentle tide as people shared their stories, their memories linked to the hotel. The air was thick with the scent of burning wax and the collective warmth of bodies standing shoulder to shoulder. There was a sense of unity, of solidarity that pulsed through the crowd, as tangible as the cobblestones beneath their feet.
This place—with its dated curtains and glittering chandeliers—was more than a building. It was a tapestry of lives lived, loves found, and history made. And tonight, it was the silent witness to the collective wish of the community, a fervent hope that its heritage, its spirit, would be preserved.
Ondrej was feeling a little high from everything. The fundraising event had been a smashing success. The amount of money they had brought in was utterly staggering. So much, in fact, that he had to make Berco run the numbers three times. He couldn’t believe she had done it. She might have just brought them back from the brink of ruin. And not just financial ruin. She saved him from the brink of ruin as well. Because who was he really without this hotel? Without his family and his history? He was so terrified that he would’ve been nothing.
“Pretty incredible, wasn’t it?”
Ondrej turned to see Pavel walking into the office. Something was different about him. He had a look of resolve. Of peace.
“It was pretty incredible indeed. I can’t believe she pulled that off.”
Pavel chuckled. “You and me both. I thought she was absolutely insane. And honestly, though? I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong.”
“That’s big of you, brother.”
“We’re never too old to learn and grow.” Pavel offered him a weak smile.
“Has Berco shown you the numbers?” Ondrej said.
Pavel nodded. “They’re pretty unbelievable.”
“And, what do you think about the proposal? See where the businesses and then I buy you out.”
Pavel rubbed his cheeks. He walked over to the bar cart and poured himself a drink. He took a thoughtful drink before turning back to his brother.
“I had a slightly different idea. I will admit I’m tired. In this hotel, sometimes it’s very hard for me to be here. You know that me wanting to sell was more than just the money.”
“I know,” Ondrej said.
“But, seeing what happened here today. Seeing how hard you worked to keep it, the passion. I don’t want you to buy me out.”
Ondrej raised his brow. “You don’t?”
Pavel shook his head. “I don’t want to run the hotel anymore. I want you to take over running the hotel. I want you to be the majority shareholder. Split it up with Dominika however you see fit. But I want to stay invested. I want to be part of this family. And I want my money to help keep it going.”
Ondrej nearly dropped his drink in shock.
“I can’t believe you’re saying that, Pavel.”
Pavel chuckled and shrugged. “Maybe it’s just the Christmas spirit. So don’t let me change my mind. OK? Tear up that Wolf Corp contract before it’s too late.”
Ondrej raised his glass to his brothers, and they clinked.
ChapterThirty-Six
The days following the fundraiser were a whirlwind, a vortex of attention that swept through the corridors of the Novák Hotel like a long-awaited zephyr. Each morning brought a fresh deluge of coverage as international and local media outlets clamored to capture the essence of the hotel's storied history and its recent resurgence.
The digital buzz was a phenomenon in itself. My phone was a constant stream of notifications, a never-ending chorus of pings and dings that marked each new post, review, or video from influencers and event attendees. Scrolling through travel forums and websites, I watched as positive testimonials flooded the digital sphere. Photos of the hotel, each snapped from a unique perspective, danced across screens worldwide while stories of its charm and grace became travel lore. As the hotel trended online, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride. The Novák Hotel, once a fading gem, was now a shining beacon reverberating far beyond the cobblestoned streets of Prague.
I stepped out onto the rooftop terrace, the cold biting at my cheeks, but I hardly noticed. I pulled my puffy coat over my festive Christmas dress—a floor-length number draped in champagne sequins. The view was captivating, a panoramic painting of a city that had slowly, quietly, stolen a piece of my heart. Christmas Eve had taken over the city, and it was now a glittering tableau of lights and merriment.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" The voice came softly, almost a part of the twilight itself, and I turned to find Ondrej stepping out onto the terrace. He also wore a heavy winter coat over what I could tell were dress slacks. There was an electricity in his presence, a current that had become familiar yet still sent shivers down my spine, shivers that had nothing to do with the cold.
We stood there in comfortable silence, side by side, allowing the beauty of Prague at dusk to envelop us. It felt like a sacred moment, one of those rare slices of time when the world seemed to pause just for us.
Ondrej was the one to break the silence.
