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“And what if you stayed here?”
I sucked in a small breath and tried not to read into it. Clearly, he was just joking.
“Yeah, funny.”
Unwavering hazel eyes stared at me hard. He took my hand. “I’m not joking. I’ve talked about things with Pavel and Dominika. And what you did was incredible. What if you stayed here and worked for the hotel?”
I blinked, trying to make sense of the words I was hearing. No, they didn’t make any sense at all.
“And do what?”
“More of what you’ve been doing. Marketing and events and outreach.”
My mind raced. "Ondrej, I'm flattered, but I'm not the right person for that job. I know this was successful, but it was a fluke. I’m a—client liaison. A negotiator, not a marketing strategist.”
“You could have fooled me. I’ve never met a so-called marketing strategist that could have pulled off what you did in the past week.”
“Ondrej,” I said with a small nervous laugh. “Thank you, but even if that’s true. I can’t stay in Prague.”
He shrugged. “Why not? It’s a city, just like Los Angeles.”
I nervously tucked my hair behind my ears. “I have a job in Los Angeles.”
“I’m offering you a new job.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “I don’t have anywhere to live.”
He splayed his arms out toward the hotel. “We have a few vacant rooms.”
I laughed and shook my head. “I don’t speak Czech.”
He bobbed his head as though considering it and then shrugged. “Nobody speaks Czech. Everybody speaks English.”
I slowly shook my head. “I have a life in LA, Ondrej.”
He pulled me closer to him and leaned down. “Build a new life here. I’m not saying stay for me, although I guess that would be a very nice perk. But stay for the hotel. She loves you. I can tell. You have a vision for this place that goes beyond architecture. You understand her heart. And, selfishly, I want you to stay. Whatever this thing is between us—I think it’s something worth exploring. No?”
His words washed over me like a warm tide, both frightening and exhilarating. It was a far cry from anything I'd imagined when I first arrived.
“I—I don’t know. I need to think.” The idea of staying, of being part of the Novák Hotel's future, suddenly seemed like the most natural thing in the world. But I was high on our victory and Christmas spirit. I wasn’t thinking clearly.
“Of course,” he said with a tinge of disappointment but a smile nonetheless. “Think about it. But not too hard. It’s Christmas Eve. Let’s just enjoy the party.”
I smiled and nodded. “Yes. Let’s.”
ChapterThirty-Seven
The hotel’s grand ballroom had transformed into a winter wonderland, an enchanting realm where the magic of Christmas came alive. Stepping inside, I was greeted by a spectacle of twinkling lights and elegant decorations that captured the essence of the festive season. It was perhaps even grander than the Winter Gala.
Giant snowflakes, each uniquely crafted and glistening like diamonds, hung from the ceiling, creating an illusion of delicate snowfall frozen in time. The walls were adorned with garlands of evergreen, intertwined with golden ribbons and fairy lights, casting a soft, warm glow that bathed the room in a cozy ambiance.
At the heart of the ballroom stood a majestic Christmas tree towering toward the high ceiling. Its branches were lavishly decorated with a myriad of ornaments – from shimmering baubles to intricate wooden figures. Beneath the tree, a collection of beautifully wrapped presents—whether real or merely for show—added to the festive allure.
The air was filled with the sweet and spicy scents of the holiday season – cinnamon, cloves, and pine. Tables laden with festive fare lined the edges of the room. There were platters of succulent roast meats, bowls of rich, creamy sauces, and an array of side dishes. The dessert table was a particular spectacle, with a stunning array of pastries, cakes, and puddings, each a miniature work of art, too tempting to resist even for the most hardened LA dieter.
Women glided through the room in fairy-tale gowns shimmering with beads, sequins, and velvets, with glittering wrists and necks to match. The men, equally dapper, wore timeless suits and crisp tuxedos. Silk lapels gleamed under the ballroom lights. Some had chosen to add a personal touch with festive ties or pocket squares in rich reds and greens or with cufflinks that glinted subtly. The younger guests added a modern twist with slim-fit suits in shades of charcoal and navy, their ties or bowties adding a dash of festive cheer.
Children darted around in their party best. Their laughter and excitement were infectious, reminding everyone of the childlike wonder that Christmas brings. Amongst the guests, there were also those who embraced traditional Czech attire, adding to the authenticity and cultural richness of the occasion. Women in beautifully embroidered blouses paired with flowing skirts and men in vests adorned with intricate patterns.
