Chapter 5 Rude jerk

I exited the mansion and took a cab. I have my car parked in the garage but I was too tired to drive. I gave the driver my destination address and he started the car and off we go. Not long, the cab stopped and I paid the driver and alighted.

He thanked me and I responded with a warm smile and said "Have a nice day". "You too", he replied. I guess he wasn't used to people talking to him like that because he looked dazed and had a bright smile on his face.

I'm happy I was able to make someone's day. I looked up at the towering building in front of me and smiled. I've worked in this company, Louisville Deluxe Hotel and Restaurant for a very long time; first as an intern and when they saw that I was good at what I did, they retained me.

It all began after I was done with college. I studied hotel management and catering in college. While waiting for replies from the hotels I applied to, I got a response from this hotel and not just a restaurant but a restaurant too.

I was 21 then and I was the youngest in the hotel. I was placed in the kitchen at first but then when there was a shortage of staff in the hotel, I was moved from the kitchen to the hotel.

I did well and so my boss, Mrs Karen recommended me to 'the Big Boss'. Since then, I've been working there and I really enjoy my job. Now I'm a boss of my own. I'm the director of the hotel and restaurant now.

C I was surprised when the post was handed over to me by the Big Boss. Mr Martins, the Big Boss, told me he was pleased with my enthusiasm and hardworking nature.

He said he had been watching me closely and he saw the passion to work within me so when he was about retiring, he handed me the post, much to the dismay of a few people. I loved my job so much; it's like the only good thing in my life.

I walked into the hotel and the security guys were the first I met and they greeted me. I replied with a smile and continued my journey into the company. I met a few others on my way who greeted me and each time, I responded with a bright smile.

I walked into my office and almost immediately, my best friend and the head chef, Beth barges in. She does that almost all the time. It's like we now share an office."What is the newest bride in town doing at work?" she asked teasingly.

Unlike other workers, she knows the origin of this marriage. I tell her everything and she tells me everything too. We're so close we're like the two sides of a coin.

"Well obviously, there isn't going to be any honeymoon", I replied too. She gave me a pitiful look and I smiled sadly at her. We both used to tell ourselves the kind of man and the type of wedding we would like to have. We usually spoke about how we'd imagined our futures to be.

She knows I don't like anyone giving me the pitiful looks but I let this one pass. I needed someone to be dejected with me. I needed someone to pity me and comfort me and Beth was the perfect person for that.

"Come to momma", Beth, stretching out her hands for a hug.I chuckled and walked into her embrace and sobbed and I felt my shoulder has a wet patch too. She was crying.

Beth may seem strong but she's so emotional. After what seemed like some minutes, we pulled away from the hug.

"Well, I better get back to the kitchen, boss.

We have very important people coming to eat at our restaurant these days", she said, wiping her tears, as she walked out of my office. "Thank you so much, Beth", I thanked her.

As I sat down to sit down, I heard another knock on the door."Come in", I said.

It was a client, an exceptional client. He has been making use of our hotel's hall for a very long time.

Our hotel is said to have the most exceptional multipurpose hall. Our hall is booked almost every weekend and even weekdays for one event or the other.

When we worked for Jackson for the first time, he was so pleased. He promised to keep coming back and he kept his promise. Since then he has been coming to make use of our hall. Jackson Montero is a 29 years old, multimillionaire and is one of the top 10 richest CEO's in the state.

After helping him with organizing and holding several of his events, especially Charity events, we became quite acquainted.

"Hi Jack", I greeted with a smile.

"Hello Jasmine. How are you doing?" he asked with a bright smile.

"I'm good and you", I answered.

"I'm good too. So a little birdie told me that you got married yesterday but I didn't know about it because a certain friend of mine didn't tell me about her wedding", he said.

Friend? He thought of me as his friend.

"Are we not friends?" he queried, looking crushed.

"I thought you just thought of me as a client or someone who works for you. I didn't think our relationship was more than that", I answered truthfully."I thought after all these while I have someone who is truly my friend", he said, looking upset.

"We can be friends, Jack. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings", I replied, feeling sorry for him.He just laughed and said, "Kidding. But I hope you know we're friends now".

"Yeah, I do. Can we shake hands to this new friendship", I said, stretching my hand for a shake to which he reciprocated.

We shook to our newly found friendship. We talked and laughed about a lot of things like we usually do. I couldn't believe I'd be friends with one of the richest man in the state. I only saw him as a client until now.

"So let's get to the main purpose of why I came today. So aside from the fact that I came to congratulate you on your wedding, I came to talk business. I want to book a few of your best rooms for some business partners of mine, who would be travelling here from Paris, Togo, America and Nigeria for an important conference. I came to meet with you personally because know you'd know the best rooms to keep for me", he said.

"Sure, I'd keep the best rooms for your guests. You can count on us to make your guests feel comfortable and well cared for", I assured him.

"Well, I should be getting back to the office. My attention is needed there", he said getting to his feet

.

"Ok, will see you soon. Have a lovely day", I said, stretching forth my hand but instead he pulled me in for a hug.

I felt uncomfortable and slowly pulled out of the warm embrace. He noticed and smiled a little.

"I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable, Jasmine. I guess we haven't reached that stage yet. I'm really sorry", he apologised.

"No qualms. I'd get used to it as time goes on", I said.

"Well, I better get back to work. Those files on my table won't sign themselves", he said chuckling. I chuckled to and walked him to the elevator. He entered the elevator the waved at me before the doors closed and I waved back too with a smile.

I walked back into my office and sat on my chair trying to go through some new recipes as Beth wanted to add to the menu. Our hotel guests love our menu but requested that we add new cuisines to the menu and that's exactly what I was working on until I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in", I said, looking up from the open laptop in front of me.

The door came open and I saw a smiling Beth at the door. What did she want again? Did she see Jack again?

"I just saw Mr Handsome exiting your office. Another charity event to organize?" she asked.

"No he came to tell me that a 'little birdie' told him I recently got married", I replied, throwing a glare her way.

"When you said a little birdie, why did you make air quotes?" she questioned.

"Because you're the little birdie. You told him", I said, looking at her with a fake glare.

"So what did you guys talk about?" Beth queried inquisitively. "He told me that he wants me to choose the perfect suites for his guests coming from about 4 different countries. He said he came to me directly because he could trust my opinion", replied.

"He even said we're friends. I mean I only thought of him as a client but he told me today that we were friends", I added.

"REALLY!!" she exclaimed.

"Yes", I answered, wondering why she was now staring and smiling at me in a strange way.

"Does that mean you're going to help me bring us together?" she asked, giving me the puppy eyes.