Jay could hardly believe his eyes as he approached the parking lot where his notification said his car would be waiting. Lot 12A. Sure enough, in the space reserved for him sat a sleek, midnight-blue Aston Martin, gleaming in the sunlight. He walked around it, taking in every detail, feeling a sense of disbelief. The leather seats, the shining chrome accents—it was every bit as luxurious as he'd imagined.
His hands shook a little as he opened the door and slid into the driver's seat. The engine purred to life, the power humming beneath him. A grin spread across his face as he drove out of the lot, feeling like he was in someone else's life.
The address for the Starlight Hotel wasn't far, and within minutes he found himself pulling up to the hotel's grand entrance. The Starlight was a stunning five-star establishment with polished marble floors and crystal chandeliers, the kind of place he'd never thought he'd even set foot in, let alone own.
He stepped inside, doing his best to keep his composure. A quick glance around the lobby showed opulent furnishings and guests dressed in high-end fashion. He barely had time to take it all in when a familiar voice stopped him cold.
"Jay?"
He turned, heart sinking. There stood Emily, his ex-girlfriend, arm in arm with a man wearing a sharp suit and a smug expression. She raised an eyebrow, giving him a look of surprised disdain.
"Wow, Jay," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Did you get lost or something? You know this is a five-star hotel, right?"
The man beside her chuckled. "Yeah, buddy, I don't think they're hiring here today."
Jay clenched his jaw, reminding himself to stay calm. This wasn't how he'd imagined running into her again, but he could feel the sting of her words as they laughed at him. She shook her head, the same critical look she'd worn the day she'd broken up with him.
"I just thought you'd have learned to aim higher," she added with a sigh. "It's… sad, really. You're still just that poor, pathetic orphan with nothing going for him."
Jay felt his face heat up, but just then, a voice interrupted the moment.
"Mr. Jay! There you are," said a tall, stern-faced man in a perfectly tailored suit. He approached with purposeful strides, his gaze steely as he took in the scene. It was the hotel manager. Jay turned, a little surprised at the sudden attention. "We've been expecting you."
Emily and her companion looked stunned, glancing between Jay and the manager, confusion and disbelief flickering across their faces.
The manager's eyes flicked to Emily and her friend, his jaw set with obvious displeasure. "Mr. Jay," he said, voice firm, "are these people bothering you?"
Jay glanced at Emily's wide-eyed stare, savoring the moment. "Actually, yes, they are."
The manager's expression hardened. Without missing a beat, he stepped closer to Emily and her friend. "I'm going to have to ask both of you to leave. Now."
Emily looked around, bewildered. "Wait, you can't be serious. I—I know the owner. He's… he's…" Her words trailed off as the reality set in, her face turning pale.
The manager didn't flinch. He snapped his fingers, summoning two security guards who stepped forward immediately. "Escort these two out," he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument. He turned back to Emily, his gaze cold and unyielding. "This hotel is under new ownership, and we don't tolerate disrespect toward our staff or management."
Emily tried to protest, her companion sputtering indignantly, but the security guards were already at their sides, gripping their arms firmly. They pulled back, but the guards only tightened their hold, steering them toward the door with practiced efficiency.
"Wait!" Emily cried, desperation etched across her face. "Jay, please, this is a mistake. We were just—"
Jay looked at her calmly, a small smile on his face. "Goodbye, Emily."
The guards led Emily and her companion out through the grand doors, their protests and pleas echoing through the lobby as the doors swung shut behind them.
The manager turned back to Jay, his face softening. "My apologies for the disturbance, Mr. Jay. If there's anything you need, we're here to make sure your stay is perfect."
Jay allowed himself a smile, feeling an unfamiliar but satisfying sense of power. For the first time in his life, he wasn't just scraping by—he was in control.