Another day in Paradise
"Sir, we had a challenge with the system in the night. So all bookings were manually done," reported the night receptionist.
Peter looked at the time on his laptop screen and it was 6 a.m. His shift had ended and the one to take over was already in.
"Is Thomas in?" Peter asked.
"Yes sir, he is already at his post," the receptionist replied.
"Get him and both of you come to my office," instructed Peter.
"Greetings, is your boss around," came a deep male voice.
"Yes please," replied Thomas.
His working colleague arrived on the scene and patiently waited for Thomas to finish attending to the guest before he engaged him.
"By your boss, I mean Mr Haward," repeated the man in his deep voice.
"Mr Haward has not arrived yet sir but his PA is around," replied the night receptionist on behave of his colleague Thomas.
"Okay, we would like to see him then," requested the man.
"Yes, please," replied Thomas and he quickly led them to Peter's office.
"Sir," Thomas called out as soon as he entered after a knock.
Peter lifted his head from his work and saw the two gentlemen. He recognized them as Mr Wellington's men. He dismissed Thomas asking him to ask the night receptionist to wait for a while.
"Welcome gentlemen. I am Peter," Peter introduced.
"Sam," introduced one gentleman shaking Peter's hand.
"Andrews," introduced the other gentleman also shaking Peter's hand.
They all sat down after the warm greetings.
"You know why we are here," Sam began.
"Yes of course. Let's begin," Peter said and put on the projector, projecting what he had on his laptop.
Peter started walking them through the Hotel management and the systems for booking, reporting and other relevant information. They asked questions alongside and Peter responded to all of their questions. Jason entered and drew their attention to himself.
"Don't mind me, carry on," Jason said in his deep calm voice.
"Yes sir," replied Peter and he continued with the presentation.
Jason was in the room so he helped Peter with the onboarding process, answering some of the questions Peter could not answer. The whole session was soon over and Jason introduced them to the finance manager and other heads of the Hotel. While Jason was taking them on the tour and visiting the various places in the Hotel, Peter was fixing the booking system. Julia walked into the hotel at exactly 11.30 a.m. for her shift which starts at noon. Peter watched her from the reception as she quietly proceeded to the changing room and changed her clothing.
"She shouldn't be doing that," Peter thought and sighed continuing with what he was doing.
Peter knew Jason may have said something to make her feel okay about still walking as a waitress in his Hotel but his concern was how Julia would feel when Mrs Haward took over and she remained in the Hotel as a waitress.
"Sir, you will lock the system," Thomas alerted Peter.
Peter snapped out of his thought and realized he almost locked the system thinking about Julia and Jason's situation. He quickly rectified that and continued working on the system.
"There, now upload all the bookings into the system. I will check them from my end," Peter instructed. "Remember to enter the extra hours worked in the working hour tracker platform before you leave," he said to the night-shift receptionist before leaving for his office.
The business was going on smoothly with everyone at their post executing their duties. A man walked in wearing a hoodie cloak cape coat with dark shades. He walked straight to the reception and stopped right in front of it.
"I am looking for Mr Haward," the person requested still with the shades on.
Thomas could not see the person's face properly as he also had a nose mask on.
"Please do you have an appointment," Thomas asked feeling the man standing in front of him looked suspicious.
"No, I don't but I still want to see him," the person said with a smile sensing the discomfort of the receptionist.
Jason returned to the reception with Sam and Andrews and saw the strange-looking man at the reception.
"Sir," Sam and Andrews said in unison.
Jason knew immediately that was Mr Wellington. He walked towards him and greeted him. Together with Sam and Andrews, they went to his office on the last floor.
"Your employees are very alert. I like that. I could feel his discomfort but he was very composed," Mr Wellington commented.
"Thank you," replied Jason.
"We are done with the presentation today. Sam and Andrews are ready to take over the management," Jason announced.
"Perfect," replied Mr Wellington.
"Sam, you will buddy with Peter on the ground floor and Andrews you will buddy with the finance manager. That is how it will be," informed Jason.
"I believe they can start now," Mr Wellington said.
Sam and Andrews exited the room to their respective positions as instructed leaving Jason and his father at the office.
"Dad, please keep an eye on Julia for me," Jason requested.
"Sure," Mr Wellington replied and watched Jason carefully.
He realises anytime Jason mentions Julia, his aura is different and he is more gentle.
"Son, why do you want to leave her here? You know we will have a war in this building," Mr Wellington asked curiously.
"She still trusts Mrs Haward and Mrs Haward knows it. Julia will be Mrs Haward's downfall," Jason pointed out.
"You are using Julia to get Mrs Haward? Son, that is like holding the snake by the tail," said Mr Wellington.
"I know but I want her to find out for herself who Mrs Haward is," Jason said pouring himself a cup of tea. "Tea?" he asked.
"Coffee, please," replied Mr Wellington.
Jason walked to the table holding two cups. He placed one in front of Mr Wellington.
"Thank, you" appreciated Mr Wellington.
They continued their conversation talking more about Hotel management. Mr Wellington wanted to ensure the Hotel was not brought down with Mrs Haward. He knew little about managing a Hotel and that is what he wanted Jason to walk him through. They were in the middle of their conversation when a phone buzzing sound interrupted them. They both search for their phones.
"It's my phone," Mr Wellington informed Jason. "Mrs Haward," he announced the caller after checking. "Hello," he said.
"Hello Mr Wellington," came Mrs Haward's voice.
Mr Wellington put Mrs Haward on speaker so Jason could also hear what she was saying.
"Hope you are doing well," Mrs Haward said.
"Yes, I am," Mr Wellington replied and Jason sat quietly listening to the conversation.
"Congratulations on acquiring Paradise Hotel," Mrs Haward said and you could tell the excitement from her voice.
"Thank you," replied Mr Wellington.
"I called to congratulate you and also find out when we are meeting for our next discussion now that you own Paradise Hotel," Mrs Haward said.
"I will give you a call, just be ready," Mr Wellington replied.
"If I may ask, what happened to Jason," Mrs Haward asked sounding curious.
"I don't know, I needed the hotel and that is it. I don't care where he goes," Mr Wellington replied and Jason raised an eyebrow making him smile.
"Yeah, you are right. That doesn't matter," Mrs Haward acknowledged. "So is Peter still working there?" she asked.
"Mrs Haward, do you need something?" Mr Wellington asked.
"No, I just wanted to congratulate you and find out when we can have our conversation," Mrs Haward said but you can tell from her voice she was smiling ear to ear.
"Okay, Mrs Haward, I am busy now, so later," Mr Wellington said and ended the call before Mrs Haward could say anything further.
"It appears your downfall gives her joy," Mr Wellington pointed out.
"It's always been like that except it's now worse," Jason commented.
The phone on Jason's table rang and he got up walking towards the table.
"Excuse me please," Jason said as he picked up the handset and brought it to his ears.
"Sir, you have a guest," announced Peter.
"Send the person upstairs," Jason said.
"Dad, I have a guest coming in, please wait for me in the rest area," Jason said and opened the door to the room for him.
"Now that is a great room to have in your office," Mr Wellington commented and entered with a smile on his face.
Jason heard a knock on the door a few minutes later. He went to sit behind his desk before asking the person to come in. The door opened and a strange-looking man entered his office making him frown.
"Hello Jason," came the voice of a woman making Jason frown deeply wondering why a man would have a female voice.
"Who are you?" Jason asked sounding very cold.
"I have some information you will like. It's about the Hawards," came the female voice.
"Who is this strange fellow and what information is he talking about," Jason thought staring at the person coldly.
"It's important I see you and this was the only way," replied the person taking off the hat and removing the skin disguise.
Jason's eyes widened and he tensed up quickly even though he remained composed staring at the person before him.