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I standbefore a number of troubled faces, tapping my fingers on the counter. We temporarily closed the hotel for this meeting. It's the first time I'm meeting with everyone in the hotel.
Frank has left me to handle management while he focuses on securing the permits needed to give this place an update. The faces in front of me aren't happy. I don't know if it's a case of loyalty to the previous owners or if they are just uncertain about how Frank and I intend to run the hotel.
My face is serious as I stare back at them. No words have been said yet. But the air is crackling with tension.
“You all know Jeff and Aurora are gone. Things are about to change. This time around, you don’t get away with bullshit. If you do your job diligently, we’ll treat you well.”
There are a few unsure nods. I step forward and open my arms. “I’m not hard to please. Just do your job, and everyone will be happy.”
“I quit.” A middle-aged man in a rumpled white shirt does an about-face.
“Security?” I nod my head to the guard to follow him. "Make sure he leaves everything relating to the company.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Anyone else want to join him?”
The room is dead silent. My eyes settle on Sarah in the back of the room. I wave her over.
“Until a new manager is appointed, she’ll be my eyes and ears around here.”
A cheer runs through the room. I join them in clapping as Sarah stares at me wide-mouthed.
“Another thing is I’m raising your pay by ten percent. All of you.”
The applause is louder than ever this time. I look at the guy who quit, and he stares back at me with a pained look. Someone regrets his decision already.
“Finally, we’ll be auditing the books to block off financial loopholes. Remember, stick to the rules and we’ll remain on good terms. Enjoy the rest of your day. Sarah, come with me.”
Cheers echo after me as I walk briskly away from the counter. Sarah rushes after me in her heels, struggling to keep up. We get into the office set aside for the manager and I motion for her to sit in front of the desk.
“When I say you’re my ears and eyes, I absolutely mean in. I need you to give reports of people who aren’t doing their best.”
“I understand, sir.” She jerks her head.
“Mr. Baldi. For now, I want you to impress me.”
“I’m willing to doanythingto impress you.” She fiddles with the button of her jacket.
I hold up a hand cutting off that train of thought. “That's not how I handle business. Just do your job, and we'll work well together. Understand?”
"Yes, Mr. Baldi."
A relieved look crosses her face. Is it relief or disappointment? At any rate, I’m not doing this for sexual favors. For now, Aurora remains the only woman that has my attention, and I haven't seen her in a couple of weeks.
“Get to work.”
Sarah scrabbles up, mutters thank you and hurries out of the office.
I watch her leave, her heels clicking as she walks out. Still, all I can think about is Aurora. I can't believe how much time I've spent thinking about her since that first meeting. Frank and I decided to keep the place open, and it's been smooth sailing since then.
The office is silent now, and I walk around the room, thinking about Aurora working in this office, dishing out orders. I wonder what she was like as a boss, kind or tough?
Another look around the grey walls tells me there are a lot of things to change. The interior is much better than the outside, but we still need to make some things better to attract customers. I'll meet with a project manager and contractor in the coming days to discuss a facelift for the hotel. It's not in bad condition, but I want to transform it into a modern urban space that attracts tourists. Depending on the nature of the renovation, the hotel may have to close and stage a grand re-opening.
I get off the chair and walk out of the office, exploring every part of the hotel on my way out. As I step out, I see Aurora hurrying toward her car, a stack of paper under her arm.
"Hey," I call.
