“I wish to speak with the management. I will be back,” he informed Steve and Max, who were by his door, and attempted to follow him.
“It is all right, boss,” they responded, and watched him walk away. Now, Alfred got to the administrative block and observed the casual workers before he walked into the general convenience. Out of the ten toilet cubicles, he got into one, and locked the door. Then, he disguised himself by pulling off, and trashing his jacket. Then, he untucked his shirt, and ruffled his hair. Not only that, he disabled his location from his devices, and put them into his singlet which was tucked into his trousers. Thereafter, he observed himself in the mirror, and nodded in delight when he was certain that he was unrecognizable.
Meanwhile, within ten minutes, many men in suits and shirts walked in and out of the busy general convenience.
Eventually, he walked out too, and met a porter, with a good deal of luggage.
“I can help,” he volunteered. “Oh! That is thoughtful of you,” the uniformed porter, who mistook him for a fellow porter, appreciated, and handed the luggage to him. He accompanied him to the guest's room, and the porter announced, “There is more luggage in the car, let's get them.”
“That is okay by me,” Alfred accepted joyously, and they walked back to the car. While in the corridor, the porter, who was pleased with his kindness, elucidated, “Why are you not in your uniform? It is against the rules.”
“You're right. I was hired today. I can get one by myself if I would be punished for disobeying the rules.”
“It is all right. Let's talk to the driver. He may give you a ride to the mall.”
“I will be delighted if you talk to him on my behalf,” Alfred requested pitifully. After the porter removed the last luggage from the car, he looked at the driver, and declared, “Sir, this poor porter was just hired, and he needed assistance. Kindly give him a ride to his destination.”
“Hop in,” the helpful driver signaled. He accepted to take him to the mall at no cost.
“I'm grateful for the ride, Sir,” he thanked when he alighted.
“No worries,” the driver responded, and drove off. To remain inconspicuous, he maintained the same appearance, and boarded a cab to the Lynden Pindling International airport. Thereafter, he walked into the convenience, and adjusted his appearance, but he still looked beggarly. Subsequently, he booked for the available flight to Argentina, and waited for a few minutes, and at 10 PM, they took off.
Back to the Hotel Suite
“You can go in for a …”
Hazel wanted to inform Alfred that he was free to go into the bathroom for a wash when she got out of the bathroom. She stopped suddenly when she noticed that he was not in the parlor.
“Where is he?” She asked herself, and called out his name, “Alfred.” When she got no response, she sat on the couch, and yawned loudly. Her quest to get Alfred, and deal ruthlessly with her family members had occupied her, and she forgot that she had not had her meal.
“I'm famished,” she remarked, and waited for Alfred's return, but she slept off on the couch after a while.
The Next Day – At Argentina
After about ten hours, Alfred disembarked at the Ministro Pistarini International Airport. Then, he let out a happy sigh of relief. For the first time in his life, he could walk freely without his suffocating Military Squad, and the choking aura of royalty.
“Grandpa, you can keep your royalty, and the arrangements with the Martin's Family to yourself. I need a break,” he mumbled, and proceeded to the Exhibition Center. To avoid his father searching him out through the exhibition if he noticed that he was missing, he presented himself as a new participant. Nevertheless, there was a hitch, “Good morning, ma'am,” he greeted the registrar timidly, just to align with his pauperized dressing.
“Good morning, Young Master. Welcome to the Perfumery Exhibition Center.”
“Thank you, ma'am,” he responded, and pretended to be jittery.
“How may I be of assistance?”
“I'm here for the Exhibition,” he informed, and read the registrar's expression. Nevertheless, she smiled, and remarked, “That's good.” Then, she looked at her system, and inquired, “What is your registration code?”
“This is my first attempt, and I don't have a registration code, but I wish to participate,” he related innocently, and locked eyes with the friendly registrar. She pushed her system aside, and explained, “I apologize, young man because I will disappoint you. The available slots have been booked, and there is no room for new participants.”
Now, Alfred feigned disappointment, and looked pitiable with his disheveled look. Then, he begged, “Ma'am, kindly consider me. I was unable to apply before today because I lacked funds, but my love for perfumery spurred me to be here. Kindly think of a way out.”
Now, his eyes were wet, not because of the situation, but because Hazel and royalty had reduced him to a liar. Meanwhile, the registrar was touched by his plea, and resolved to be of help. Actually, the Exhibition was meant for people like him, with genuine interest in the industry. She thought for a while, and came up with a panacea for the hitch before them.
“I have an idea, but I doubt that you would like it,” she explained.
“Say it. I would accept anything legitimate, in this circumstance,” he declared with great expectations.
“It is simple. Today is the first day of the exhibition. Participants are expected to clock in before 8 am. We will give thirty minutes of grace, and any participants, who fail to show up, his or her registration would be revoked.”
At that point, Alfred was inwardly happy, but maintained a gloomy expression. He was aware that his company would miss the grace period, and he would take over, as an individual. All the same, he inquired, “That would be great, ma'am. If I get you rightly, do you mean that you would replace me with the revoked candidate?”
“Oh! Certainly. Just hang around,” the registrar made clear, and looked at the wall clock. Then, she faced Alfred, and encouraged, “It is a few minutes past seven.”
“It's okay. I'm delighted to hear that,” he appreciated and walked to the convenience to ease himself.
“Poor boy,” the registrar murmured, and watched the supposed die hard lover of perfume walk away. He got out of the convenience, elated, and walked back to the registry and sat on the visitors' chairs. He looked at the wall clock now and then, and waited patiently for 8:30 AM. Meanwhile, the busy registrar, who was attending to the participants, who wished to beat the time, also had her eyes on the clock. To her delight, all the participants clocked in, except for Walter International Conglomerates. She looked up from her system, and saw Alfred, who was lost in thought, and she mistook it for uneasiness.
“Excuse me, Young Master,” she called out happily.
Alfred jumped up from his sit, and met her immediately.
“Congratulations. A company missed out. I have marked them absent. So, you are free to take their slot.”
“I am deeply grateful. Permit me to ask, how much do I owe this?”
“Nothing. The slot had been paid for. I will give you their hotel details. Enjoy your stay.”
Alfred smiled softly, and appreciated, “I will always remember this. Thank you so much for your assistance.”
“It's my pleasure. Hurry to your room, and freshen, and join the Opening Section.”
That was how I escaped.
Carson was sympathetic after listening to his story, and Alfred was relieved from his burden after pouring out his heart. Then, Carson remarked, “I can feel your plight. Royalty has its ups and downs. You would not have the privilege of choosing your partner.”
“You are right, Carson. Your feelings and choice were never considered. How many women will I marry to start with?”
“I wonder. Anyway, it was not a bad business. At least, you recovered your sense of smell.”
“I agree with you, but that doesn't mean that if I fall ill tomorrow and another woman treats me, that I would marry her.”.