Chapter 46
Chapter 46
CHARLOTTE
“Looks like nature delights in letting us cross paths,” a familiar voice said behind me. I turned around and locked gazes with Thiago.
“That’s such a poetic way to say it,” I replied as a smile formed at the corners of my lips before turning away. I had just gotten off the plane and was trying to stop a taxi to take me to the hotel.
“You think so?” he inquired as some men picked up his luggage and walked towards a black SUV. I resisted the urge to ask why he had people following him around and decided to focus on getting to a nice hotel room.
The last thing I needed was a conversation I was trying to avoid, but I turned around and chuckled. “No. I think it’s
corny.”
He chuckled in response and stepped in front of me, hailing an oncoming taxi. “I would’ve offered you a ride, but I don’t think you’d like that.”
“You’re right about that,” I wanted to say, but stopped myself before the thought formed words. “We might be going in different directions too,” I said instead.
“I tried to find you a few minutes before the plane landed, just to make sure you were alright, but…” he started to say, and I nodded slowly.
When I had left my seat to take a quick tour, I considered that he would think I was avoiding an interaction with him. As I stood there, I contemplated the need to explain myself to him. He had seen me getting snacks, which should be a great excuse to use at this point. “Thank you so much, I’m feeling a lot better,” I interrupted and raised my arm to reveal a bag of chips. “This helped too.”
He smiled and moved towards the taxi that had parked close to where we were standing and held the door open for me as the driver alighted to help stuff my luggage in the trunk. “Call me when you’re ready to experience Los Angeles from my point of view.”
I nodded in response and stepped into the vehicle. He waved goodbye and walked over to the car that was waiting for him. I turned around to see his driver speed off as mine started the ignition. “Thiago Mooze,” I muttered his name and thought about the card he had given me. I had tucked it into my bag, but the name had been etched into
my memory.
He was a nice guy; at least I could say that, given his concern over a crying lady on the plane. I had no idea what he was like daily, and while I deeply appreciated his kindness, I had no intention of finding out. The car slowly moved out of the lot, and my thoughts moved from the events of the plane to the reality that I was here, in Los Angeles.
As we drove through the city, I made small talk with the driver and stared at the landscape through the window. It was nothing like Milan. The air smelled different, the people exuded different energy, and I was caught between intrigue and trepidation. I could barely remember any streets or buildings, and his commentary was a very useful addition to the experience. I learned about the food, the lifestyle, and cuisine, which bore similarities to what Thiago had told me.
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Chapter 46
When we arrived at the hotel. I felt ready to experience the metropolis. The air buzzed with activity and a sense of urgency, everyone moved with a destination in mind and a spring in their rep
“Have a great time in the city, ma’am,” the driver wald as the car dowed to a half.
I pulled my gaze away from the window, thanked him for his service, and paid my Care. He helped me take my huggage out of the trunk as the porters made their way down the steps. “Welcome to The Hilton, ma’am,” said one of them as he took the luggage from the driver, and his companion led the way towards the reception. I stopped in my tracks and turned around to suggest something to the driver, but he had already driven aff
It would’ve been great to have someone who knew the city by heart transporting me from one place to another, but I figured I could handle it on my own. I turned around and continued walking. A few minutes later, I was standing in the reception area feeling slightly annoyed,
I had booked a room in this hotel a few days before leaving Milan, but hearing that they had no rooms available wasn’t on my bingo card. The receptionist seemed apologetic and tried to convince me to try another hotel, but that annoyed me further.
“If I wanted to be elsewhere, I wouldn’t have called this place. I’m new in this city, and I’m supposed to be doing what? Hopping from one hotel to another? What if they don’t have available rooms? What then?” I rambled, and she flinched at my tone.
I felt guilty for snapping at her, but I was frustrated. I needed to be lying in bed mapping out my inventory for the day, not going through an exchange that made me look like I had come here unprepared. “I’m sorry, ma’am, there’s not…” she started to say, but a loud ring interrupted her.
I glanced at the phone as she picked it up and answered in a tone that I could detect she reserved for customers who wanted to get a room. A few seconds later, her face brightened up and she turned to look at me. She put down the receiver and gestured towards a porter standing a few feet away. “We have a suite that we can put you in, ma’am.”
“A suite? I didn’t plan to spend that much. I’m staying…” I replied as my brain started to work out the figures.
I had booked a room within my budget. Getting put in a suite would mean spending more money. I had already spent extra on a first–class trip; it was rewarding, but I needed to be careful about my expenditure. A suite was currently out of my league. I was no miser, but having enough money to spend doesn’t translate to being extravagant. I wasn’t Signora Thuthai here; I was Charlotte Edwards, and she can’t afford a suite.
“Oh no, ma’am, you’re getting the suite at no charge for as long as you stay. It’s a gift from us to you,” she responded and turned to the porter who was currently standing next to me.
She handed him a keycard and gave him instructions to take my luggage to the new room. I was trying to process what she had told me while watching the exchange. When he was gone, she turned to me and started to speak, but my words rolled out before hers had the chance to form.
“Believe me when I say I understand the idea behind trying to make up for a situation like this, but what do you mean I get to stay here for free?”
She smiled and answered as a smile spread across her face. “We have been ordered to put you in Suite 5, one of the best suites in The Hilton. We hope you enjoy your stay here, ma’am.”
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Chapter 46
I recognized her tone. I had been in resorts with Rogerio a few times to be while to pick up when people recognized that you have some sort of status in society. I tried to think about what could’ve denged in those few seconds, but something else she said currently went on a loop in the corner of my mind. “Ordered? By wh
She stifled a chuckle at the question and clasped her hands behind her. “I can’t well you that, ma’am.”
“Oh, you can’t say that. I just went from not having a bed to sleep in to having more space than I could use. Now, I’m not complaining, but it would be great to know who’s behind this,”
“I’d love to answer that, but the details of that information are above iny paygrade. I’m sorry, I can show you the way to the suite, though,” she replied, and I nodded in response,
“Yeah, sure. Thanks,” I answered and followed closely as she led the way. As we walked into the elevator, I started to think about the circumstances surrounding this turn of events,
I considered the possibility of being recognized by someone who knew my connection to the Thuthais as the first reason behind this. But what were the odds? Anyone who knew anything about Rogerio’s family would know that he was set to marry someone else.
Why would they be nice enough to get me a suite? If this was their idea of a power move, then they had moved the wrong chess piece. I did not influence anything that happened in Milan; that was history to me, a life I had led and looked forward to forgetting. A part of my life I would do anything to ensure it was a distant memory. But if it still came with these sorts of benefits, I might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
Dancing into the Heart of Mr. C
