9. Until We Meet Again

New Orleans,

Grayson Group of Hotels,

Aries and his colleagues, from the chairman down to the security personnel, convened at the recently built hotel in New Orleans. Every gaze was fixed on the massive wall-mounted TV screen, and they held their breath as the announcer was on the brink of declaring the Hotel of the Year winner.

Aries watched the screen stoically, devoid of any emotion. “I am delighted to announce that the winner of the Hotel of the Year Award 2019 is Grayson Group of Hotels! Give them a huge round of applause,” the presenter announced on the stage.

Everyone clapped as Mr. Courtney, soon to be retired, walked up to the stage to accept the award for Grayson Group.

“Why did Mr. Grayson refrain from attending award ceremonies and instead send his employees?” A fresh recruit spoke in hushed tones to another staff.

“His belief in his vision is unwavering, yet it is us who manifests it into reality. Sir Aries shows great respect for all diligent employees!” The other staff remarked. “Don’t slack off, new kid!”

Aries switched off the television and swiveled around to face his staff. His piercing gray eyes darted from face to face in the hall, taking in every detail. “I see fresh faces here with us today! Welcome to the Grayson Group Of Hotels,” He smiled.

“The hospitality industry has five crucial work ethics! The values of Honesty, Integrity, Respect, Excellence, and Accountability. Every individual present here is a representative of the Grayson Group Of Hotels. My reputation is in your hands!” Aries said in his deep voice.

“You are now in charge of this hotel, manage it like it’s your own company, put forth every effort to make it the finest hotel in New Orleans, and your hard work will reap rewards.”

The new boy who inquired about Aries became instantly captivated by him, and Aries became his role model. Despite starting as a lowly server in the restaurant, he sought to demonstrate his value by adhering to Aries’s guidance.

“I hope I’ve made myself clear!” Aries said. “You may now proceed to the dinner party to commemorate our great triumph. Have a good time!” With a smile, he departed for his suite.

He stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the fortieth floor. As the elevator door opened, he found himself in his luxurious suite.

“God, I’m so tired!” Throwing his blue jacket somewhere in the suite, he muttered and rubbed his tense shoulders. He reached for his phone to turn it off before anyone could congratulate him, but the screen lit up with Mike’s name.

Taking the call, Aries let out a sigh. “Hey, Mike! If you have any bad news, call tomorrow.”

“The girl is ready to give the car!” He exclaimed, causing Aries to fall silent. “Her call to surrender the car has spurred me to re-open negotiations. I’ll get the car in one million instead of two.”

“Five million!” Aries said in his deep voice.

“Wait…. What?” Mike widened his eyes.

“You heard me! Give her five million,” Aries answered. “I am feeling generous! Let the little woman enjoy some luxury in life.”

“Are you sure, sir? It’s five million!” Mike was baffled.

“I’m certain! Bring me the car,” Aries ordered before hanging up. In his lavish suite, he strolled to the bar and poured himself a glass of scotch to toast his triumph.

“Aries always gets what he wants!”

***

Mike stepped out of the car on the desolate road and approached Cara with a courteous smile. However, as he drew near, she seemed weak, scared and manhandled.

His smile gradually faded away as he observed her. “Is everything fine with you?” His gaze drifted down to her feet as he asked her. “May I be of any help to you?”

“No, I’m fine. Here!” She handed him the car key.

“What tempted you to change your mind suddenly?” He narrowed his eyes.

“I urgently need money!” She said, and Mike nodded, taking her car keys.

“When can I expect the money?” Her voice quivered, and tears welled up in her eyes as she felt a sense of wrongdoing. Her phone buzzed in her hand, and she quickly checked it, then looked up at Mike with a shocked expression. “Five million!”

“Yes! My boss was generous today. He increased the amount to five million instead of two million.”

“Can I ask you something?” She asked. “Why is your boss interested in my car?”

“I’m clueless about his fascination with this old car,” Mike answered, and Cara nodded humbly, looking down. “Alright then, it was a pleasure meeting you!”

Cara interrupted Mike as he took a step towards the car. “Give me a moment!” She said, then glanced at her car one last time. She moved forward and hugged the car’s bonnet, tears running down her face.

“I am sorry, Dad! I couldn’t keep any memory of you with me.” She kissed the car. “I’ll bring you back soon! Goodbye until we meet again.”

“Give this to your boss, please!” She handed him an envelope, and he took it.

“Goodbye!” He drove away in her car while Cara watched until it disappeared.

“We will meet again!” She promised herself.

***

Upon arriving at Sandra’s apartment, Keith secured emergency help to transport Rob to the hospital. He attempted to engage with his inebriated visitor regarding Rob’s mishap and Cara, but no one had a clue.

Keith walked into the guest room where Cara was staying and saw bloodstains on the bed. His gaze landed on the suitcases in the corner of the room. As he rifled through them, he found important documents that included a picture of Cara.

As his phone began to ring, he continued to read her documents and took the call. “The phone is currently showing its location at the Seven Seas Hotel!”

“Roger that, I am almost at that spot!” Keith hung up and rushed out.

Seven Seas Hotel,

“Yes, boss, she is here! I am closely monitoring her, and will not let her slip away as she did previously.” As Cara headed towards the reception to reserve a room, a man donning a black suit kept his eyes on her from afar.

Cara's complexion was ghostly, and her eyes were swollen. She was experiencing a spontaneous headache and was desperate for some rest. “May I offer any help to you?” The receptionist smiled politely.

“I’d like to book a room, please,” Cara said in a slurry voice. The pain in her head was making it impossible for her to move her face, and she felt like she might faint.

The receptionist sized her up, and the woman appeared broke. Her feet were a mess of cuts and scrapes as if she had walked through a thicket barefoot. “This hotel is quite pricey! I think the cost will be beyond your means.”

Shaking her head, Cara expressed her disagreement. “I have money! Please provide me with a room,” she said, her eyes shut involuntarily.

“If that’s the case, you must settle the payment first before getting the room.”

“Okay,” Cara forwarded her card in her direction. “Cara Silencio,” the receptionist entered her details and swiped the card. She swiped the card once more and glanced at Cara.

“Transaction declined!” She said and Cara parted her lips. “I think your bank account is seized!”

“That’s not possible! I have five million in my account. Please try again!” Cara’s heart raced as panic set in.

“Please stop wasting my time and show yourself out!” The receptionist returned the card to Cara, who was on the brink of tears once more. As she opened her mouth to plead once more, the receptionist cut her off, catching sight of the elite guest grimacing at Cara. “Kindly refrain from coercing me to contact the guard. Leave!”

Cara retrieved her card and pivoted to depart, casting a final imploring look towards the receptionist.

“Where shall I go now? What am I supposed to do? How will I pull through?” As Cara wandered out of the hotel with shaky legs, lost in her thoughts, Sebastian’s aide in the black suit pulled out his gun.

“Game over, Cara!” He set his aim at her from a distance.

Cara dragged herself out on the road, feeling the intense pain shoot like a bolt of lightning into the back of her head, causing her to momentarily lose sight. The last thing that registered in her mind was a car speeding towards her before she fell unconscious on the road.

With a sudden jolt, the car came to a stop, and Keith immediately got out of the driver’s seat to rush over to her. He tried to wake her up, but she didn’t respond to him. Gently lifting her frail body, he carried her to the car and laid her in the backseat.

Sebastian’s aide observed the car speeding away and banged his fist on the nearby wall. “Fuck!”

***

New Orleans,

Aries was deeply immersed in the soothing melodies of soft music and had reclined back on a chair with eyes shut when the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted by the sound of shattering glass from the window falling to the floor.

With a sudden jolt, he shot his eyes open, and then quickly made his way to the window to watch out for any sudden change in the weather.

The rain was pouring heavily outside and the refreshing wind brushed against his face, causing him to grin as he remembered his father’s advice.

“Rain is a sign of new beginnings, betterment, and hope!”