The Jupiter Hotel pulsed with an air of disciplined luxury, where every worker moved with precision and efficiency. It was a place of power, a domain controlled by the cruel and the mighty. And standing at the center of it all was Mateo Alvarez.
Mateo was the hotel manager, a force to be reckoned with. He was sharp, commanding, and dangerously alluring, the kind of man whose presence made women weak in the knees and whose wrath sent shivers down spines. He expected nothing short of perfection, and he ruled with an iron fist.
Sabi encountered him again after watching him and Paris exchange secret touches the last time, she had just finished polishing the grand hallway's floors when she heard his voice slicing through the air like a whip.
"This is unacceptable!" Mateo barked, his Spanish accent thick and dangerously smooth. He held up a perfectly folded napkin like it was a disgrace to mankind. "Do it again. I want absolute precision."
Sabi turned her head just slightly, watching as one of the workers trembled under his gaze before scurrying off to fix the issue.
"Do you have a problem with the way I run things?" Mateo's voice startled her.
Sabi snapped her eyes to him. He was watching her now, those piercing hazel eyes burning into her soul. He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in an expensive navy suit that fit like a second skin. He looked like he belonged on a billionaire's yacht, not barking orders in a hotel.
"No, sir," she muttered, lowering her gaze.
"Good. I don't tolerate slackers. You are new, learn from the older ones and do a good job"
Sabi clenched her teeth. Was every higher authority in this place this cruel? Was this the kind of treatment her mother had endured until her body finally gave up? The thought hardened her resolve.
Mateo gave her one last searing look before walking away. Sabi exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Later that day, she was finally introduced to her supervisor, a stark contrast to the brutality she had just witnessed. Her name was Martha, a plump, funny, elderly woman with silver-streaked hair and a warm, motherly aura.
"Ah, you must be the new girl," Martha said, smiling at her. "Don't take things too much to heart here. They're all bark, no bite. Well… mostly."
Sabi chuckled despite herself. "I'll keep that in mind."
Martha patted her shoulder. "You'll be fine here as long as you follow the rules, dear. And rule number one: if the Hotel King is in the building, you run. I mean, you ensure you don't cross paths with him."
Sabi frowned. "The Hotel King?"
Martha's smile faded slightly. "The owner of this entire empire. He's..." She trailed off as if searching for the right words. "Let's just say he doesn't tolerate incompetence."
Sabi's stomach twisted. Levi Callahan. The man responsible for this place. The man she despised without ever having met him. She wondered what it would be like to come face to face with him.
She didn't have to wonder for long.
That night, Sabi was scheduled for her first night shift. The halls buzzed with quiet tension as staff members whispered frantically, their eyes darting around as if they were preparing for a storm.
"He's coming," someone muttered.
"Move faster! If he sees this mess, we're done for!" another warned.
Sabi was confused. "What's happening?"
One of the maids grabbed her wrist, eyes wide with fear. "The Hotel King is on his way. You don't want to be anywhere near him."
Sabi frowned but didn't quicken her pace. Instead, she continued walking towards the main hallway, the same direction from which the supposed monster was approaching. If she was expected to cower, she wouldn't. She had no reason to fear a man she despised, and for some reasons, she wanted to dare to see what he was going to do if she walks past him. Is she not human like him? Why fear him like he's her God?
And then she saw him.
Levi Callahan.
Walking in measured strides beside Mateo, the billionaire exuded authority and arrogance. He was tall, dressed in a sleek black suit that screamed power. His jaw was sharp, his raven-black hair slicked back with a few rebellious strands falling over his forehead. He was breathtakingly handsome but wore cruelty like a second skin.
Sabi swallowed hard as she walked past him.
She could feel his piercing gaze settle on her. Why was he staring at her like that? Was it out of disdain? Surprise that she could dare walk past him?
"Stop," Levi commanded.
The hallway fell into complete silence.
Sabi stopped mid-step, her heart hammering in her chest. Slowly, she turned around, locking eyes with the beast himself. He was looking at her and honestly, Sabi felt charmed instantly.
Levi studied her, his eyes dark pools of unreadable thoughts. "You're new."
It wasn't a question.
"Yes," she said evenly.
Levi tilted his head slightly, assessing her like she was some kind of puzzle he couldn't quite solve. "And you are?"
"Sabi," she replied, her voice steady despite the chaos inside her.
Mateo glanced between them, his expression unreadable.
Levi took a step closer, his towering presence suffocating. "Sabi..." his glare were like fire, discomforting Sabi. She wondered what he thought as he looked at her so intently
She lifted her chin slightly. "Yes, that's my name, Sabi Carter." She manages to say trying to hide her trembling voice.
A flicker of something passed through Levi's eyes, something almost amused. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by cold indifference.
"Hey Baby." Paris walked towards them, threw Sabi a very displeasing glance and shooed her away. "Can you move away?"
Sabi felt really offended but the way Paris spoke down on her, but she knew she had to get use to the ill treatment.
Paris took Levi by hand and led him away from Sabi. Levi threw one last glance at Sabi and went on. The moment he disappeared down the hall, the staff erupted in whispers.
"She's done for."
"He actually spoke to her?"
"Poor thing. She has no idea what she's gotten herself into."
Sabi exhaled, finally realizing she had been holding her breath. Her first encounter with Levi had been unexpectedly, intense. She hoped she hadn't drawn attention to herself, at least not now.