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"Sienna," he began, his voice earnest and laced with an emotion I couldn't quite name, "I can't thank you enough. What you've done for the hotel... for me... it's more than I ever imagined possible."
His words were a balm, soothing away any lingering doubts I had harbored.
"Because of your campaign, Sienna, we raised enough to not only repair the fire damage but also to make some much-needed updates.”
The news sent a surge of pride through me, and I blushed under the weight of it.
“It was a joint effort.”
“You wear humility well. Have you seen some of these blog posts? I’m not sure where people are getting half of these stories about the hotel.” He laughed and shook his head.
“Maybe Berco had a hand.”
Ondrej chuckled. “Even if they’re fabrications, they make us look good.” He stepped closer to me. His breath was misty in the chilly air. “You make us look good. What gave you the vision for all of this?”
“Do you know a woman named Magda? Really old woman who works here?”
Ondrej’s face fell and his eyes went wide. “Magda? Yes, but she died twenty years ago.”
A chill snaked up my spine and I felt a tingle.
Then Ondrej burst into laughter. “I’m kidding. Your face, my God.”
I play-slapped him.
“Yes, Magda. She’s about 110 years old. Used to be a housekeeper. No idea what she does anymore but she does wander the halls like a ghost. Why?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Well, she gave me some very sound advice about a tree that swayed me.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “Seems on brand.”
He paused for a moment, then his expression went more serious. “We've talked it over as a family. We're going to seek outside investment instead of selling. We want to preserve what makes this place special while giving it a chance to thrive in the future."
A wave of shock went through me, and my mouth widened into an uncontrollable smile.
“And Pavel?”
Ondrej half laughed. “He actually came around quite nicely. He’s going to stay on as a silent investor. I don’t have to buy him out after all. Which is actually a pretty big relief, financially speaking.”
I exhaled. “Wow. That’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.”
The relief and joy I felt were overwhelming, not just for the hotel's salvation but for what this meant for Ondrej. At least I’d leave knowing he had found some peace.
“And, well, there is something I wanted to ask you,” he continued. “Are you still planning to go back to Los Angeles?”
I looked up at him in surprise. “Well, yes. Obviously.”
“When?”
I sighed and stared back out at the Christmas Eve unfolding beneath me. “Maybe I can stay until after the new year? I do have some vacation left, and I don’t think I can make my boss any angrier at me than he already is.”
Ondrej nodded, and he looked as though he was pondering something. Finally, he said, “And what if you didn’t?”
“Didn’t what?”
“Didn’t go back. How angry would he be then?” A sly smile tickled his lips.
I let out a clipped laugh, not sure I understood him. “I think it’s safe to say he’d be pissed. And I’m not sure what I would do.”
