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Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I glance around the bustling street, searching for any sign of a taxi. But the roads are packed with cars and pedestrians, and there’s not a cab in sight.
Panic starts to rise within me as I frantically search through my bag, hoping against hope that my power bank is in it. But I find nothing—my phone is on the verge of dying, leaving me stranded in the middle of the city with no way to call for a ride home.
12
Ethan
Icrack my knuckles as I stare at the screen of my computer; it’s a habit of mine that I always engage in when I’m trying to make sense of a difficult situation.
The number on the spreadsheet before me doesn’t add up, and I’m having a hard time figuring this out.
It’s a report from one of our hotels in Miami. Last year, it wasn’t doing well, so I had to put more money into it, hoping it would do better. But it’s been a year, and the numbers before me aren’t encouraging. It seems to have gotten worse.
I look up when I hear my office door open, and Sarah, my secretary, peeks in. “It’s getting late. I would like to call it a day if there isn’t any other thing you would like me to do for you.”
I glance at my wristwatch and realize it’s already past 7:00 p.m. “I had no idea it was this late. You can leave. I don’t need you to do anything for me.”
She’s silent for a moment, and when I look up, I see she’s still standing at the door. “You still haven’t been able to make sense of the numbers?” she asks, now stepping into my office.
Raking my fingers through my hair, I let out a harsh breath. “No. None of it makes sense. Either the manager over there is mismanaging the funds, or there’s an underlying issue that I’m yet to find out about.”
“It’s getting late. How about you head home? I’m sure by morning, you might be able to figure it out,” Sarah says in her motherly tone.
Sarah was Dad’s secretary, and she became mine after Dad passed on and I had to take over the business. She’s one of the few that I trust here and the only one that knows my true role as the CEO of Reid Holdings. Lysa’s dad was also one of them until he fell ill and had to retire.
“Yeah, maybe I will take your advice. Sorry I had to drag you here on the weekend.”
She gives me a warm smile. “Just make sure it reflects in my next paycheck.”
“It absolutely will.”
“Goodnight, Mr. Reid.”
“Goodnight, Sarah.”
Sarah is a middle-aged woman who sometimes acts like a mother to me at the office, not hesitating to tell me her mind and putting me on the straight path. I like that about her.
After she leaves, I decide to take her advice. Drake already texted asking that we have drinks together this evening. I think I will just have to take him up on his offer.
I’m just about to grab my jacket and head out when the last person I want to see right now walks through the door.
My heart sinks as I see Lysa sauntering into my office, a suggestive smile playing on her lips. I know exactly what she’s trying to do, and I’m not in the mood for it.
“Are you heading out already?” sShe asks, her expression a little unreadable.
“Yeah, anything you want?”
“I just wanted to let you know that we’ve carried out the routine check, and everything is in perfect condition.”
“Hmm. Finally.” I grab my keys. I’m driving myself as I gave my driver the day off.
“Ethan…” she drawls, causing me to cringe. “Baby, I’m sorry that you got stuck in the elevator. It was never my intention for that to happen.”
“Lysa, you’re missing the point. This isn’t about the fact that I got trapped in the elevator. It’s about the guests to whom it happened as well—it doesn’t bode well for us.”
She pouts. “Yeah, I see what you mean. I’m sorry that happened. The routine check has been carried out, and everything is fixed now.”
“Good.”
