Jerk

I studied hotel management while I was in college as a main course but I also took Catering courses on the side. I wanted to work in a hotel as either a kitchen staff or hotel staff. So when I graduated from school, I applied to different places until I was asked to come and work as an intern at Louisville Deluxe Hotel and Restaurant.

I was just 21 then and was also the youngest staff in the hotel at that time. At first, I was placed in the kitchen and worked there for a few months but then there was shortage of hotel staff so I was one of the people that were moved to the hotel.

I was so happy and I did my work well, and made sure there was no stain to my reputation. That was if I even had one then. My boss, Mrs. Karen saw how good I was with my job and recommended me to the Big Boss. Then when it was time for the Big Boss to step down, he handed me the post of the director of the hotel and the restaurant that came with it. I was surprised when I was given the post by the Big Boss, Mr. Martin.

He told me that he had been observing me closely and he saw that I had passion for my job and that was what pushed him to hand over the post to me, much to the dismay of other co-workers.


As I walked into the hotel, the security men whom I met at the entrance of the hotel greeted me. I replied with a bright smile and walked further into the building. On my way to my office, I came across a few others who greeted me and I also responded with a smile


I walked into my elevator and pressed my floor’s number and the elevator began to accelerate until it got to the top floor and then it came to a halt. I exited the elevator and made my way into my office.

Just as I sat at my desk, my best friend and the Chef of the hotel’s restaurant, Beth, walked in without a knock on the door.

“What’s the newest bride in town doing at work?” she asked teasingly.


Apart from my family and Sebastian’s, she was the only other person who knew about how this marriage thing wasn’t what I wanted. She was my best friend so we tell ourselves literally everything.

“Duh, there isn’t going to be any honeymoon so why would I miss work?” I said and she looked at me pitifully.

Beth knew I hated pitiful looks but I’d just let it slide this once because I knew she was sad for me.

“Come to momma”, Beth, said opening her arms wide for an embrace. I giggled and walked into her warm embrace, sobbing. I could hear her cry too.

Beth was always the tough one but she only cries on rare cases. After a while, we broke the hug and smiled at each other.

“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 apologized.


“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.