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For a moment, I consider picking up the phone and calling her to congratulate her on the promotion and perhaps even offer some words of encouragement. But then I hesitate, a nagging sense of doubt creeping into the back of my mind.
With a resigned shake of my head, I push the thought of calling her aside and return my focus to the task at hand. I will just have to wait until I get back.
As the plane touches down on the tarmac at JFK Airport, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. The long flight from Miami has left me weary and jetlagged, but there’s no time to rest. Not yet.
Instead of heading home to my penthouse, I make a detour to the office. I tell myself it’s because there’s work to be done, reports to review, meetings to schedule. But in truth, there’s another reason—a more personal one.
I want to see her.
It’s been a week since I left Miami, a week since she accepted the promotion to concierge. And in that time, I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind. Her fiery spirit, her determination, her refusal to back down—it’s both infuriating and intoxicating.
As I step into the familiar surroundings of the office, I feel a surge of anticipation coursing through me. Will she be here? Will I catch a glimpse of her as she goes about her day, immersed in her work?
I try to push aside the nagging voice in the back of my mind—the voice that tells me I’m being foolish, that I’m crossing a line. But I can’t help it. I need to see her, to reassure myself that she’s real, that she’s here.
With each step I take, my heart beats a little faster. And when I finally reach the front desk, my breath catches in my throat.
There she is.
Jessy.
But I don’t say a word. I just walk past her to my office. Seeing her is enough to help me relax.
As I settle into my office, my thoughts keep drifting back to Jessy and how beautiful she looked when I passed by her at the reception.
Lost in my thoughts, I’m startled by a sudden knock on the door. I glance up as Jessy steps into the room, her expression apologetic.
“Jessy,” I say, my voice betraying none of the turmoil that churns within me. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
She hesitates for a moment; her gaze flickering with uncertainty. “I just wanted to...apologize,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
I raise an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. “Apologize? For what?”
She shifts uncomfortably, her fingers twisting nervously in front of her. “For the way I accused you of...of trying to give me the promotion because...” she trails off, unable to meet my gaze.
I nod, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “It’s okay, Jessy. Water under the bridge.”
She exhales softly, relief flooding her features. “Thank you,” she murmurs, her voice tinged with gratitude.
I gesture for her to take a seat, motioning towards the chair in front of my desk. “So,” I say, changing the subject, “how are you finding your new position?”
She brightens at the question, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. “It’s challenging, but in a good way,” she replies, a hint of pride in her voice. “I’m still getting the hang of things, but I think I’m starting to find my groove.”
I nod approvingly, impressed by her dedication and determination. “I have no doubt that you’ll excel in your new role,” I say, my tone sincere.
She smiles, a genuine expression of gratitude and warmth. “Thank you, Ethan. That means a lot coming from you.”
As she rises from her seat, preparing to leave my office, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief wash over me.
18
Jessica
The clouds make a rumbling sound as I stand in front of the Grand Princeton, trying to hail down a cab, causing me to hiss under my breath. It has been raining awfully a lot these days.
Not that I’m complaining, but the rain just always seems to have horrible timing. Why doesn’t it rain while I’m at work or already in my apartment? Must it always come when I’m outside?
I am finally able to hail a cab, and just as I’m about to get in, I see a guest of the hotel walking out of the hotel. She is an elderly woman and she is also in need of a cab, so I allow her to take mine instead.
