Stolen Truth

Marriage

"Hello, Forest Hills Inn. How may I help you?" I say as I answer the phone.

"Hello, Adrianne. It's been four months. How are things going?" I hear Asher's voice.

"Asher."

"What, Ade? I just wanted to call and check on you. Why do you have to be so short with me?"

"Because obviously you want something. Things were going great. It has been an amazing four months since we last spoke – until now."

"You always hurt my feelings," Asher says.

"I can hear you smirking through the phone. Stop," I say with a chuckle.

He chuckles then says, "I am totally not smirking. So, how's Tom? Has he visited you any?"

"Um. Yeah, he's great."

"But has he visited you any?"

I hesitate, then say, "That is my personal business."

"Ah. I'll take that as a no," he says a little too joyful.

"Asher, it's my personal business," I say shortly.

"Fine. I'm coming to town this weekend. So, I would like to book a room for Saturday night."

I walk over to the computer and log in. I ask him, "Okay. How many in the room?"

"Hmm. Let's say two to be on the safe side."

"Okay – one it is. King size bed or two queens?" I ask.

"King."

"Okay, Ash. Your room is booked," I say through gritted teeth. "Thank you for booking with us. We have complimentary breakfast downstairs in the lobby every morning."

"Thank you, Ade," he says sweetly.

"You are welcome. Bye, Asher."

He says, "Bye, Ade. I'll see you tomorrow."

I put the phone down and smile. Why is he being nice? We hate each other. We can't stand each other. Maybe he is up to something. Why would he be coming here? There is nothing in this town for him. Wait, the last time he was here, he was trying to buy out my investors.

"Adrianne, I have a customer who would like to speak with you," I hear Chance say, which pulls me back to reality.

I put on my customer service smile and walk out to the desk.

"Hello, my name is Adrianne. What can I do for you?"

"We can hear the people in the room next to ours! They are yelling and fussing! It has gone on ALL night long! We thought for sure they would stop, but NOOO, they are still yelling! I want a new room!" the customer says as they haul off on me.

"I apologize that you had such a bad experience in that room. Here, let me change your room for the rest of your stay," I say. I pick up their key card so I can see what room they are staying in. I log into the computer system and see the available rooms I have. "Okay. I have a suite available or another room the same size as yours. How does the suite sound?"

"Is it even remotely close to their room?" the customer asks, still upset.

"No ma'am. It is on the opposite side of the hotel and on a different floor," I say with a smile.

"Fine. I'll take it," she says.

"Okay. You are all set. Chance will come up and move your luggage for you," I say.

As they walk away I release a sigh. This is my new lifestyle. I need to hire a new manager to run the inn. I love my job, I really do, but I miss home.