I got out of the pool and tried to get out of the hallway. You had to have a keycard to get back into the stairwell. I was cold, I had not brought a towel. I walked along the hallway until I found a door that did not need to be accessed with a keycard. I opened the door and found myself in the kitchen of the hotel. The cooks turned around and looked at me. “Sorry, I was with Javier Cortez, but he left and I can’t find my way out. Can someone please help me get to the 4th floor?” A cute server walked over to me and wrapped an apron around me. She had olive skin, dark brown eyes, shoulder length brown hair, was short, thin, and looked tired.
“Come with me.” She said and led me back into the hallway. “We will go get your things from Mr. Cortez’s room and I will help you get back to your room.” She must think I am some floozy that he picked up in the bar.
“I am not sleeping with him.” I said trying to defend myself. She didn’t acknowledge my comment. “We are old friends.”
“I do not care what Mr. Cortez does in his spare time, Miss. I care that you do not tell anyone about your time you have spent together. His indiscretions look badly upon the hotel.” She swiped her keycard opening his penthouse door. I walked in and she closed the door behind us. “Hurry up and get your things.” I walked into the spare room and noticed my dress had been taken. I walked to the closed and found a pair of jeans and a tee shirt and pulled them on and added a pair of sneakers. My clutch and phone were still on the dresser. I had put the engagement ring in my clutch before leaving for the club earlier and was relieved when it was still there.
I ran out of the room to the server. She had already summoned the elevator. “What is your name?” I asked her.
She huffed. “Claire Mendoza. I have worked for the Cortez Hotel for the last 3 years.”
“I’m Fallon Martin. I own The Velvet Room here in town along with 3 others. My family owns Martin Enterprise. I am a long-time friend of Javier.” She looked over at my quickly, ashamed she had been treating me so poorly.
“Ms. Martin.” She stuttered. “I am so sorry.” She turned to me, looking like she may cry.
“Don’t tell Javier you helped me, I will keep your rudeness a secret, as long as you keep mine.” I gave her a wicked smile. She looked like she may puke. “Actually, Claire. I enjoyed the honestly. People are usually overly nice to me. Your realness was refreshing.” She started to relax.
“Again, I am so sorry, I would have never.” I cut her off.
“I need an assistant. You look like you could use a pay increase.” She smiled for a moment. “Do you have anything holding you here in Chicago?” She shook her head.
“I moved here with my boyfriend 3 years ago and he broke up with me after 6 months. I have been trying to save some money to move out of here.”
“Well come with me to Mexico and work with me.” She smiled.
“Really? Why me?”
“I just have a feeling you may call me on my shit. I need someone who can do that. I need someone I can trust.”
“When would I have to be ready?”
“By tomorrow evening. Pack a bag, Claire.” I smiled and got onto the elevator. She followed me.
“How much money are we talking?” She asked nervously.
“How much do you want to make a year?” I answered. She thought for a moment.
“$60,000?” I laughed.
“That’s all? Why don’t you ask for more.”
“$100,000?” I laughed again. She was so innocent.
“Triple it and we have a deal.” Her jaw dropped.
“$300,000 a year?” She almost screamed.
“Only if you pledge your loyalty and allegiance to me. I need your honestly, respect, loyalty, trust, and you must always be true to me. I want you to listen and give me honest feedback and opinions. I need a friend and confidant, Claire. I cannot bring my best friend into my business with me so I need someone who will fill that role.” She nodded.
“Yes. Okay, I can do that!” I gave her my number and got off the elevator.
“Just promise you will let Javier down easy when you quit?” I laughed. She smiled and the doors closed.