The next morning, Maeve frantically dashed out of her apartment. Her hands in a twisted in a frantic knot. Last night's celebration had gotten the best of her. She had been so excited she drank in celebration overnight to some soft tune while being submerged in the bathtub and somehow ended up sleeping there.
Now panic set in, as she was late and it was past seven, the scheduled time for the appointment with the VIP client at the Grande a la Vista Hotel.
Just outside her apartment, she hailed a cab, her eyes drifting to her watch occasionally. The city whizzed in a blur as she urged the driver to hurry.
Finally, the cab pulled up to the hotel's majestic entrance. The hotel's sleek glass and steel façade gleamed on the sun's horizon. Maeve leapt out, smoothening her rumpled dress. She groaned internally. She had not worn the coffee shop's uniform. It would waste more time if she went to the shop first. In the lobby, marble floors shimmered beneath crystal chandeliers. Soft music floated through the air, accompanied by the gentle hum of the conversation between well-dressed high-class men. The sudden nostalgia hits momentarily before she turns to the receptionist's desk.
At the receptionist's desk, a polished wooden counter bore the hotel's emblem. The receptionist, poised and welcoming, checked Maeve's ID. "Ah, Ms. Maeve... you are quite late" She raised an eyebrow. Her professional smile held nothing but criticism of them. Maeve matched the pace, having learned one or two from her business. "It was a clear mistake on my part. Do pardon me." Maeve smiled.
The receptionist steps out of her post, and the assistant takes her place in a heartbeat. "Please, follow me," Maeve was relieved that she complied after her being late. She couldn't believe she almost messed up her VIP order.
Maeve's eyes widened as she trailed the receptionist to a private elevator. The doors slid open, revealing a spacious penthouse suite. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city skyline, bathing the room in golden lights. Plush carpets, rich wood accents, and exquisite artwork created an atmosphere of refined luxury. She was led to the open kitchen, facing the dining area and exposed to the living room area as well.
"This will be where you are working. Everything has been provided for, and it seems the guest is still fast asleep. So please hurry and make your exit before the guest awakes." Maeve was informed and gave her an honest thanking before she left. She strapped her sleeves upwards, preparing for work.
Maeve expertly arranged the breakfast spread, her hands moving with precision. She'd just finished when three elegantly dressed women emerged from the penthouse suite's bedroom.
"Good morning," one of them said, eyeing the breakfast table. "We'll just grab something quick before we leave."
Maeve smiled warmly as the three women approached theirs, hungry for the meal she had prepared. "Good morning ladies, If I had known this was a group breakfast, I would have prepared more than this. But it wasn't indicated by the client." Maeve stared between them, waiting for her client to speak up.
The girls exchanged amused glances at one another. "VIP client?" one repeated. "No, we're just here as guests." This meant the actual client had yet to emerge from their room and she had let those girls have their feast on the breakfast. Shit.
The girls chattered as they reached out for some more buns. "This is really good, by the way. We'll take some to go"
Maeve's professional composure began to fray. "Pardon me, but..." They were already out the door in seconds. "This service was meant for the client only," she muttered the last futile statement after they had disappeared. She sighed, her hands resting on her forehead as she groaned in anguish. She had to remake the breakfast.
Maeve's anxiety spiked, mixed with the crushing weight of her anger. She hastily re-prepared the breakfast, ensuring everything was perfect. Just as she finished, a door swung open, and she placed herself in front of the dinner table. Maybe the client had more guests in the penthouse. She couldn't risk the food getting taken by the wrong customer. Imagine the bad reviews that would leave coming from an influential person.
A man emerges from the bedroom. Maeve's gaze is locked onto his partially naked form stepping out of the bedroom. Her composure faltered as she took in the broad shoulders from behind and defined abs. His low-slung boxers hugged his hips, revealing a dangerous glimpse of his sculpted lower body. Maeve's eyes lingered, her pulse quickening. It had dawned on her, the ladies presence from earlier. Goodness. Her thoughts ran a marathon in seconds. She'd seen her fair share of men, but this one...
For a moment, she forgot herself, her eyes drifting to his lower half occasionally as he scurried around the room, still unaware of her presence. "Umm... excuse me, sir." her cheeks warmed as she hastily looked away, attempting to maintain her composure.
Without a glance her way, he spoke up. " Are you the person I ordered for breakfast and coffee?" he asked, his hands with decisive precision, lighting the cigar he had taken. He thought of how that would affect his breakfast, which crossed Maeve's mind.
As he drew closer, the morning light danced across his face, illuminating the sharp cheekbones, piercing gaze and a strong jawline. "I did inform that by the time I awaken, I wouldn't want any person around. So why do you still stand there idly?" he asked, a hint of irritation in his voice.
Maeve froze, her eyes widening, her heart had skipped a beat in response to the surprise. When she had not responded, the man glanced her way. His expression matched hers. He had also paused, as if time had stopped between them.
"Christian?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Christian's eyes narrowed. His expression had turned from annoyance to shock. "Maeve?" His gaze roamed her face, confusion etched on his features. Then, like a storm cloud gathering, anger darkened his expression.
"Who brought you in here?" Christian's deep voice dropped to a menacing growl. Maeve's hands trembled as clutched her dress. The misunderstanding was all too clear.
"I was the person you hired. Whatever you assume is wrong," she answered. But his face said it all too well that he didn't believe a word she had said. Ah shit, this was troublesome.