Gabby stood outside of the plane and breathed in the clean, natural air of a survivor. She glanced around the airport, unsure of where to go. Not knowing how long they would be staying in the state, she briefly considered remaining at the airport in case they could return to California that same day. However, her hopes were dashed when the large news anchor on the screen announced that the weather would be unfavorable for several days.
She was about to approach the information desk to inquire about nearby hotels when a lady suddenly appeared in front of her, offering a flyer with a practiced smile. Initially hesitant, Gabby suspected it might be a ploy to extort money from foreigners. However, the lady explained that the flyer contained a list of available hotels in the state. Relieved, Gabby accepted the paper and headed to the waiting cab area with her luggage.
Reviewing the list, Gabby was impressed by the well-organized arrangement of hotels, ranked according to their quality and price. Unlike her previous experiences, she felt confident that this arrangement would lead her to a comfortable and hospitable stay. She hailed a cab and requested to be taken to the Everton Hotel, the first one listed.
As the cab driver navigated through the city, Gabby observed her surroundings. Though not as bustling as the city she was accustomed to, the state had its own colorful charm and appeared comfortable. However, she couldn't imagine staying here for an extended period, preferring the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Glancing at the driver, Gabby noticed him fumbling with a cassette player. He appeared to be in his late 30s or early 40s, with a slightly round build and a head of curly hair showing signs of age. Attempting to ignore him, Gabby closed her eyes, hoping to avoid conversation. However, the driver persisted, engaging her in small talk about the state and its attractions.
Growing increasingly irritated, Gabby finally snapped, requesting him to focus solely on driving. The driver, taken aback by her bluntness, responded defensively before begrudgingly complying. Despite his rude remarks, Gabby remained composed, refusing to let his behavior affect her.
Upon reaching her destination, Gabby paid the fare and exited the cab, retrieving her luggage from the boot. Frustrated by the driver's lack of professionalism, she expressed her discontent before heading into the hotel.
Opting for a two-day stay, Gabby settled into her room, pleasantly surprised by its luxurious amenities. After a refreshing shower, she collapsed onto the bed, relishing the comfort it provided. As she drifted off to sleep, her mind buzzed with thoughts of rearranging her work schedule and hoping for a smooth stay.
The next morning, Gabby woke up feeling rejuvenated. After attending to some urgent matters, she descended to the dining hall for breakfast, ordering a light meal. However, her hopes of returning to Chicago were dashed once again when the news anchor announced continued disruptions due to the weather.
Disappointed but determined, Gabby returned to her room and immersed herself in work. Time seemed to fly by as she focused on her tasks, ordering lunch to be delivered to her room. Despite encountering signal issues, she managed to communicate with her assistant, delegating tasks to ensure the smooth operation of her company in her absence.
Later that evening, Gabby attempted to rest but found herself awake much later than intended. Frustrated by her disrupted routine, she blamed the hotel's comfortable accommodations. However, her annoyance turned to determination as she noticed preparations for an event in the dining hall.
Appalled by the chaotic decorations, Gabby took charge, guiding the decoration team to rectify the situation. With her authoritative demeanor, she swiftly organized the team, restoring order and elegance to the venue. However, tragedy struck when one of the workers fell from the stage, leaving the room in stunned silence.
As they tended to the injured worker, a lady made her way into the room. Upon entering, her eyes widened in shock at the sight before her.
The decorations were breathtaking, far beyond anything she could have imagined. However, her steps quickly faltered when she caught sight of the chaos near the stage. From her panicked movements and the way people quickly made way for her to get a better view of the situation, anyone could deduce that she was the event director.
A knot of dread tightened in her stomach as she rushed forward, her heart sinking at the sight of one of her workers lying on the ground, surrounded by concerned colleagues. Anger surged within her like a raging inferno. "How could this have happened? Who took charge without my consent?"
"Who did this?" she asked, her voice echoing through the room.
Gabby's voice rang out from where she stood beside the injured man. "I did."
"You must be the event director. Her name is Gabrielle Lawson, CEO of Gabril Fashion Closet and head of Lawson Firm."
"I'm sorry you had to come back to this. I'm a very meticulous and fastidious person. I'm equally appalled, as you are, by this incident. I'm not one to pry; I'm a very discreet person. I feel embarrassed by my actions. I do hope you can forgive and overlook all errors. I am willing to compensate for any adversity caused."
"What on earth are you going on about? Are you trying to claim indifference and justify your actions? Who gave you the right to do any of this, and why were you directing my team without my knowledge?"
"I never insinuated that what happened was not caused by her meddling. Her choice of words and tone of voice may suggest otherwise, but I sincerely apologize for any trouble this incident might have caused you."
"He has a sprained ankle; it's just a minor injury. I'm relieved about that. I will cover all necessary expenses, rest assured."
The event director was short of words at this time. She moved to kneel beside him. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine concern.
"Yeah, I'm good," he replied with a groan. He was sweating profusely, and by the look on his face, you could tell that he was in a lot of pain.
The event director stood and issued orders for provisions to be made to have him transferred to the nearest hospital. Everyone leaped into action, making calls.
Gabby stood by the side, not wanting to interfere. She had not planned for any of this to happen; she had sought to help, unaware of the consequences her actions would bring.
After everything was sorted and the event center cleared, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. The event director, whom she finally learned was named Mary, ignored her presence and went ahead to complete the work which Gabby had started.
Gabby had no issues with her actions. All this could have been avoided if she had been more careful and paid more attention to her surroundings. Feeling tired, she bid farewell to some of the workers around her and finally made her way to her room.