When you realise

12. The Journey Home

"Thank you John, I know I gave you the weekend off, but thank you for coming to get me, I hope I didn't drag you away from anything with your family", John had been my driver for the past 5 years, he had already retired but was getting bored at home and once I had started making profit from the first hotel I had bought back to life, I decided to hire a driver.

When my mother committed suicide when I was 17, actually 2 weeks before my 18th birthday, it was my job to clear out her things, I was an only child with no father, I wouldn't even know how to try and look for him, all my mother said was that I was the result of a one night stand that turned into a life sentence when she fell pregnant, we had struggled all our lives and I was determined that I was never going to be like her, I never wanted to be bitter and pissed off with the world.

Maybe I should just be grateful that she didn't abort me and actually gave me life, I often wonder if she ever loved me, in front of people she was nice but behind closed door she became a monster.

While I was clearing her things out, I found an unopened letter from a solicitors office, I opened the letter and was shocked at what I read, there was another sealed envelope inside, a letter from my mother's father, telling her that he was sorry that he kicked her out when she told him she was pregnant and he has regretted it ever since.

My mother was sixteen when she had me, I don't know why she kept me, and she would always say I caused her nothing but pain and misery. Even though he kicked her out, he bought her a house ironically only about 30 minutes away from the hotel he owned, on the condition that she never returned because he didn't want people to know what a disappointment she was, he didn't want his name tarnished at the fact that his daughter fell pregnant as a teenager.

The letter went on to say that my grandfather was dying and only had a few months left to live and he knew he wouldn't see her again but he had left everything that he owned to her including a large sum of money, a very large sum of money.

After calling the solicitor, he told me he has been trying to contact my mother for 5 years. I explained the situation that she was dead and he told me that everything then belonged to me.

I was almost 18 years old and found out I had just inherited a few millions dollars and multiple hotels, The Hasting Hotel chain, I was told the staff have been keeping them running, but they needed some work to get to their full potential.

It's funny we used to go past the Hasting Hotel when I was younger and I asked my mum once if they were family because we had the same name, but she told me to stop being stupid and a lot of people have the surname Hasting.

So with my inheritance I went to college, I had received an academic scholarship but it only lasted for a year, I was going to use that year to work and try and save up enough money to stay a second year.

I wanted to make something of my life.

I finally discovered a direction in which to go, I studied hard and graduated with honours and put everything into the hotels.

Now almost 10 years later, I have finished school and own 3 exclusive 5 star hotels, the original 3 that belonged to my grandfather.

They were all run down when I first saw them but with a bit of effort, money and a lot of hard work we turned them into the most beautiful 5 star hotels you have seen, with them still being affordable.

I am hoping to start to expand soon.

As well as the hotels I now own a few bars and night clubs around the hotels, I thought it would be a good way to offer incentives for staying at the hotel, just a few extra places to drink, gamble and dance at a discounted rate or special offer for staying with us, it worked like a charm and all premises are packed every night.

I have a drivers licence, but as I attend so many meetings, it was easier to have a driver, sometimes it was nice to have a conversation while going to and from places or I caught up with work while getting to a destination.

John's voice brought me out of my own thoughts "No mam, it was just a quiet night at home with my wife, hopefully the kids will come for dinner tomorrow night" John replied.

"Excuse me Miss Hasting" he continued to talk "Are you ok"?

"Not really John but thank you for asking", I gave up trying to get him to call me by my first name, he was always so professional.

"Do you want to talk about it" he knows all about Hunter and Rosie, I tend to drift off and talk about them often but right now I am not wanting to relay everything that just happened.

"No, not today, thank you anyway" the rest of the trip was quiet, I was so deep in thoughts I didn't realise when John was standing there with his hand out waiting for me to get out of the car, I grabbed his hand and allowed him to help me out of the car, he reached back in after me and picked up my bag, which he handed to the door man and told him to take it to my apartment.

"Thank you again John, I won't be needing the car again this weekend so you can go home, Tell Margaret I said I'm sorry for dragging you away from her, she deserves all your attention".

For the first time since I have known him John walked over and hugged me and whispered in my ear "I don't know what happened to you today, but someone as special as you does not deserve to have that much pain in their eyes" he kissed me on the side of my head before he took a step back and wiped the tear that ran down my cheek. "You deserve the world Eliana and I hope one day you get it". I slightly smiled at him as it's the first time he has called me by my name.

"Good evening Miss Hasting, take care of yourself", we both chuckled at the fact that he was back to being his professional self.

I watched him drive off, then proceeded into the hotel, yes I live in one of my Hotels, the penthouse to be exact, the best views in the city. After the busy schedule I had at work, it was sometimes just easier to live where I worked, I worked in the office floor on level 2, reception was on ground level, level 2 was office space, level 3 were the conference rooms and level 4 to 52 were the hotel rooms, I lived on the entire 52nd level, I had my own private elevator, only a few people knew the code, my best friend Damian who also happened to live with me, the elevator operators and myself. Anthony was standing at the elevator with my bag when I caught up with him.

"I can take it from here Anthony, Thank you for your help"

"Good evening Miss Hasting, have a good night", I always pride myself of my staff being kind at all times.

The elevator doors opened and I stepped inside, placed the code in and was making my way to my penthouse. Even if I haven't stayed here in sometime, I still come in every evening after work to shower and get changed before going to Hunter's. I also came in every morning to get ready for work, it was just easier to leave my work clothes here than have to drag them from place to place.

The door opened to the penthouse and I was not ready to see what I was looking at...

Damian is Completely naked standing in the entry way, his clothes scattered all around him, the guy that was kneeling before him just about to put Damian's cock in his mouth at least still had underwear on.

Damian heard the elevator doors open and looked directly at me, he was always able to read me, no matter how I was feeling.

He pulled underwear guy's head back by his hair "Get out". He moved around the guy and hurried to me and just held me tight, like I said he could read me and he knew something was wrong.

"What the fuck man, you told me you weren't seeing anyone" underwear guy screamed.

"Get dressed and get out" he yelled back but not taking his arms away from me, I held him back just as tight, knowing that my best friends hug was where I seek comfort