“Jake, I’m not prepared for that.” I shook my head. “Why me?”
“I don’t know, but you can do this. It’s just Luke. Luke isn’t like the chairman. You just have to read what’s written here. It’s easy.”
I nodded, then followed Grace, but I asked her to give me a few more minutes. I read the introduction in my mind repeatedly. When I was ready, I nervously stepped on the stage. My knees grew frail instantly as I gazed at the crowd. Everything was dazzling brightly before my eyes.
“Good evening,” I said into the microphone. Dozens of eyes swung in my direction, including the hotel’s owner, Lucas Alejandro, who sat across his family.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Hotel B.” I paused, then briefly glanced at my card. “As the new General Manager of this exquisite hotel, we would like to welcome and thank our dear sponsors and guests for celebrating with us, the Thirty Second Anniversary of Alejandro Foundation. We would also like to thank everyone for choosing Hotel B as this event’s host.” I grinned, then looked around. “I would like to call Mr. Marco Alfonsi for an inspirational speech.”
Everyone applauded as Mr. Alfonsi stood from his seat and walked on stage.
“Thank you, Ms. Taylor,” he whispered in my ear.
“It’s my pleasure,” I responded with a grin. “The stage is yours,” I told him, then I gracefully walked my way out.
Jake was waiting for me down the stage. I couldn’t help but embrace him. I backed away in a second.
“Oh, God! I was so nervous. I have a cheat sheet, and you know it was short, but everyone was watching me!”
He chuckled. “You’re doing fine. I’d like to finally introduce you to our boss.” He offered his arm to me. I gladly accepted it.
Jake ushered me to his friend and his parents. A sophisticated, late-forties woman recognized him immediately. She’s probably Gene Alejandro, the CEO’s stepmother.
“Jake! The star I wanted to see!” Mrs. Alejandro opened her arms, then gave Jake a brief hug and a small kiss on the cheek.
“Gene, you look lovely tonight. I wonder why your son here doesn’t look pleased at all. Right, Luke? Not enjoying the party?” Jake teased.
“Don’t start with me, Jake,” he warned, but there was humor in the CEO’s soothing manly voice. “You think I didn’t know what happened to you and Chris?” I wouldn’t deny that the man was ridiculously hot. He was evenly tan and unbelievably good-looking.
Jake rolled his eyes. “And don’t use that on me, Luke. It’s not going to work.”
“Oh my darlings, excuse me,” Mrs. Alejandro cut in. “I’m afraid I need to leave. Your father is waiting for me outside.”
“Oh, sure, I’ll see you guys at home.” Luke leaned to his stepmother and kissed her cheek. Gene bid her goodbyes to Jake and kindly smiled at me before she walked away.
“Oh Luke, by the way, this is Julianne Taylor, your new manager and also a good friend of mine,” Jake introduced.
“Just Julia,” I corrected Jake. “Good evening, Mr. Alejandro.” I smiled, reaching a hand to him.
He shook my hand. “Pleasure’s mine, Julia. I hope we get along.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Alejandro.”
“Just call me Luke,” he said kindly.
“Luke. ”“It’s mine as well,” he said. “Can I steal Julia for a dance later, Jake?”
“Sure, you’re the boss. I’m going to meet some friends out there. I’ll leave you two to dance.” Jake said, patting his friend’s shoulder, but before leaving, he leaned into my ear and whispered. “F.Y.I. He’s into blondes...”
“I heard that, Jake. That’s not new. It’s every man’s type.”
I smirked secretly, thinking that maybe he was right.
“I’d better go. I'm greeting the other guests.”
“Sure.”
Jake nuzzled my cheek before he left. Luke and I walked to the dance floor. He held my palm tight as his other hand slid at my lower back, drawing me a bit closer. I gasped slightly. He let out a soft chuckle.
“What’s that for?” I asked.
“Nothing. It’s fascinating that you’re Jake’s friend. I barely see him with a woman.”
“I can tell why,” I laughed and then shrugged.
He grinned. “Don’t always listen to him. I have a preference.”
“Sorry, what?”
“His remark about my type,” he said, flashing out his perfect white teeth. I didn’t think it was any of my business, though. But his charisma was refreshing for a boss.
“Do you want a drink?”
Now he was even more amused. “I should be the one to ask that. What would you like to drink?”
“Vodka?”
“Vodka, it is.” He nodded in approval. “Come. Let’s go get you a drink.”
***
The dance began right after the auction. However, my mind didn’t seem to let go of Adam and his ex-wife, thinking about how they got back together. I remembered when Adam wouldn’t stop sending me messages when I left him. One day, he just stopped. Maybe he realized he still loved his ex-wife and ran back to her.
“Looking for someone?” Luke asked, bringing me back to reality.
“Uh, no. I’m looking for Jake.” I emptied my third shot of vodka and lemon.
“He must be outside. Do you want to look for him?”
“Uh-no, it’s fine. Thank you.”
“Then, do you want to continue dancing?”
“I thought you are not a party person?” I teased.
“No. I’m really not.”
I chuckled. “Okay. Be my guide.” I grinned, giving him my hand.
He took me back to the dance floor. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and let his hands envelope my waist. A romantic Ricky Martin song was playing in the air.
“So, how long did you work for Cavendish?”
“Two years.”
“Why did you leave?”
“I resigned.” Actually, I didn’t. I left“I heard you are a chef too?”
“Yes. My father has a business. A small restaurant.”
“That’s amazing. You are talented.”
“We dream of expanding the restaurant someday.”
“Keep the goal. I won’t be surprised if you are a CEO yourself in the next few years.” He grinned.
I had heard those words before. Ah, from Henry. His restaurant was a success.
“Yeah, thank you.”
“Hotel B is planning to work with your former boss. There are other companies in line, but hearing his reputation in the business caught my attention. I want his design for my new hotel in Los Angeles.”
What a sudden change of conversation, huh?
“Yeah, I heard that from Jake.”
“I’m also invited to the wedding, but I’m not coming. I don’t attend corporate weddings.”
“Wedding… what“Your former boss is re-marrying his ex-wife, right?”
I knew that, but why was my heart clenching?
Silence.
After several seconds I restarted the conversation. “Thank you for trusting me as your General Manager for your new hotel.”
“I trust Jake. If he trusts you, then I will, too. Ah, and here comes your former boss.”
Luke stopped swaying then greeted Adam. He wasn’t with his ex-wife anymore. “Mr. Cavendish.”
“Mr. Alejandro,” Adam greeted back.
“I hope our hotel is giving you the best accommodation. How’s the suite?” my new boss asked.
“The suite is exquisite. Thank you, Mr. Alejandro.” Adam’s eyes narrowed at Luke’s hand on my back. “I wish to speak with my former assistant.”
“Oh sure,” Luke said. No! Don’t leave me with him. I curtly nodded, then I watched him walk back to the crowd, greeting another friend.
“Care to dance?” Adam asked, offering me his hand.
I heaved out a sigh. “Fine,” I uttered. I let him hold me, but I kept the distance.
“God, I wish all of this is real,” he whispered softly. “Aren’t you going to answer my question from earlier?”
I swallowed, trying to prevent myself from inhaling his familiar scent. “No. I don’t think it’s your business, Adam.”
“What, I can’t even ask you, how have you been?”
I shook my head. “No. Ask me anything except about the past.”
“Then, are you dating Alejandro?”
I scowled. “What? No! He’s my boss.”
“Quentin?”
I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, Adam?”
“I need to know.” Adam drew me close. I gasped.
“What are you doing? Your fiancée might see us. She knew about me.”
“God, Julia. I just want to talk to you. She went home.”
I tried to pull away from him, but he only tightened his grasp. “Adam, please…”
“Stop resisting, Julia. I just wanted to talk. I want to explain myself to you.”
“You explained everything on those voice messages you sent me, and I still don’t care.”
“You still care. You listened to my messages. I still want “No.” I pushed him away with all of my strength. I marched away from him and came out of the event hall, proceeding to the hotel lobby. I sat on the couch. I wouldn’t be able to control myself if I was near him. I wiped away my tears.
“Julia?” Jake’s voice said behind me. I glanced over my shoulder.
“Hey…”
His brows furrowed. “What’s going on? Is everything alright?”
Unable to answer, I stood and embraced him. I buried my face on his chest and started to cry.
“Whoa, missy. It’s okay… it’s okay.” Jake wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back.
“I want to go home,” I told him.
“Okay, shall we go now?”
“Yes. I don’t want to see him. I don’t want to talk to him. Get me out of here, please.” I sobbed hard. It was too much to take in.
“Who are you talking about?”
“I believe she’s talking about me.”
I shivered at the sound of Adam’s absurdly melodious voice. I pulled away from Jake and spun around to face Adam.
“Oh, goddamn it, Cavendish. Stay away from me!” I cried.
“Is this what you really want, Julia?”
“Yes! This is what I want. I want you out of my life!”
“Whoa! Calm down, you people!” Jake stepped between us, with a confused look on his face. “We have visitors here. This is an event. Can’t we talk in a civilized manner?”
Adam stepped away. “No, it’s fine. I’m leaving anyway,” he whispered harshly. “But at least hear this, Julia. You had no idea of the aftermath when you left and how miserable I became fixing your mess. I’m sure you don’t even know what I’m talking about, but you will.” He shot me a warning look, then turned away.