Maybe, Someday

One

Present Day:

"I understand your frustration Mr.Whitmore and I sincerely apologise for the delay in us not yet having your room available. I am quite prepared to offer both you and your wife some complimentary drinks at the bar while you wait and as a token of appreciation for your loyalty to our hotel I will comp your meals for the two nights you are with us. How does that sound?"

I plastered on my best fake smile for the man in front of me. His eyes narrowed his lips were firmly pressed together and he had one of those veins that bulged in his neck when he was trying to keep it together. It was not the first time I'd dealt with him and based on his frequent visits it would not be the last.

"That sounds acceptable Ms. Daniels. I appreciate you coming to resolve this issue. Clearly some of these other employees at this establishment need to work on improving their customer service skills"

He nodded towards where Sierra and Micheal were working behind the counter. Their attention was not on us but focused instead on checking in other clients.

"I'll definitely take that into consideration and advise senior management of your suggestions sir, now let me organise Wade to place your belonging in the secure storage area while we finalise your room ok?"

"Yes, thank you"

"Your most welcome, and please if there is anything else you require during your stay ensure you advise the front desk team"

I held my hand out to shake his, he took hold of it and shook it firmly, Before turning to his wife and leading her to the bar.
As soon as he was out of sight I made my way back to my office.

"And how was our dear Mr. Whitmore today Mila?"
Samuel Matthews was the night manager at the hotel we worked at. His shift for the day was just starting and he so far was taking great pleasure in the fact that my last concern for the day was to deal with one of our more annoying regular big spenders.

"Ugh, the usual, whatever he can find to complain about he will"

"Well his concern was kind of valid, his room wasn't ready"

"He also advised us he would be a late check in, it's on his booking so his regular room was not on the priority clean schedule. Yes we were running behind with the rooms today due to a few people off sick but this guy showed up 3 hours early demanding his room"

"You think he complains all the time just so he gets to talk to you?" Sam winked at me.

"Come on Sam"

"What, I'm serious Mila, this guy is infatuated with you"

"He's married"

"And?"

"And old"

"And your young and hot, I swear - he causes a scene knowing they will call you and then you come out and he gets to gawk at your hotness"

"That's so disgusting even from you Sam, I swear if you weren't so cute I'd probably slap you right now"

"Promises, promises" Sam laughed.

I had known Sam for a long time, we had grown up in this city together and gone to the same high school though we had entirely separate groups of friends.
When he started at the Cabellas Hotel at the same time I had, we were placed in the same team and we quickly moved through the ranks together. We were offered the trainee management program at the same time and when the positions became available we got promoted together - we both held the title of front of house operations managers - I worked the daytime shift 6am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday - Sam worked the evening shift on the same days which was 2pm-midnight.
There was a backup team who ran the days off which were the quietest days of the week.