Claude

CHAPTER ONE

I didn't go to college for an English Literature degree only to end up as a receptionist at a flipping hotel. I can't believe this is my life. I stand out the front of the Angelis hotel and sigh. If I want to be a writer, I need a sensible job to earn money first. The only problem is that I didn't study to have a sensible job. I only went to college for my parents and now my lack of experience has landed me the boringest job in the world - a hotel receptionist.

I straighten my skirt and walk through the glass doors that lead into the hotel. I'm greeted with a soapy scent and a cold breeze from the air con being set to below freezing. I've been inside the Angelis hotel before when I came for my interview but I'm still startled at the sheer size and beauty of it.

The walls were covered in paintings like the Sistine Chapel - of angels and flowers of every kind. Each floor had a marble staircase leading up to the next floor. And gold. Everything was gold. The desks, the elevators, the floor. It was just beautiful. I don't even want to know how much it cost to build. I can only assume that it was more than I'd earn in a lifetime.

I break out of my daze and walk to the receptionist. The dark haired girl sitting there typing furiously doesn't even glance up when I stand there. I clear my throat but the concentration on her face indicates that she hasn't heard me.

"Hello," I say a little too loudly and she jumps.

"Just a booking for one?" she asks and I try to stifle my laugh.

"Actually, my name is Diana Carmody. I was asked to start my trial as a receptionist today. I spoke to Nina on the phone last night," I explain and her face lights up.

"That's me! Here, come put all your stuff down and we can get started." Her voice is a smooth southern twang and I'm instantly in love with her.

Once I've set all my stuff down, I'm led to a desk.

"This is where you'll sit. You'll answer this phone only," she taps the phone beside the computer, "except if I'm not here or if I ask you to answer my phone when I'm busy. This computer is used for bookings and to check our emails as well. We normally get online bookings but sometimes people come in to book. Your job is mostly to make sure we don't double book. Eventually, you'll get around to contributing to the hotel, like organising events for the Angelis's but don't worry about that just yet. For the first week you won't be expected to do anything much but you'll watch me and take notes before I let you do it on your own."

I take in all the information as quickly as I can but I will admit, I am nervous to meet the Angelis's. As far as I know, none of them were at my interview and I wonder if they even know anything about their staff.

"You'll get a 30 minute break at 1 o'clock in which you are welcome to do whatever you like with your time as long as you are back by 1:30. Mr. Angelis doesn't like it when his employers are late and it'll cut into your pay."

So they do interact with their staff.

"You'll get paid $25 an hour and your pay will come in on Wednesday's. Do you have any questions?" Nina stops to ask me and I think for a second.

"What kind of employers are the Angelis's?" I ask.

"It's mostly Mr. Angelis that manages the hotel and he is quite strict so I'd try not to get on his bad side. He isn't kind exactly but he is fair. You won't be seeing much of him though. If you have any concerns, come to me first and I'll speak to him."

I spend the rest of the morning watching everything that Nina does and taking notes to remember. By the time my lunch break rolls around, I'm completely starved and I practically run out of the building. I've never been to this area of New York before so I eye all the different cafes on the street. My plan is to eat at a different one everyday so that I can choose the best one to come to everyday.

I start with the closest one to the hotel. When I walk in, I'm hit with the warm and powerful smell of coffee. I order an espresso and a hummus wrap and sit down to wait for my order. I'm already exhausted and I haven't even finished for the day. My brain is full with all the new information I've stored in it today and I know when I get home that I am going to sleep like a baby.

Just as I finish my coffee, I check my phone so I can time the walk back. Shit! It's 1:35! I throw some money on the table and sprint out of the cafe.

When I run through the doors, my anxiety shoots through the roof when I see Nina standing beside my desk with a troubled look on her face.

"I'm so sorry that I'm late!" I breathe out. I don't bother making an excuse. I don't have one anyway.

Nina opens her mouth to say something but she stops and looks at the man beside her in answer. Fuck. Mr Angelis.

There are two things I notice about him first. One, he looks like someone just shat in his coffee. His mouth is twisted in a distasteful frown. Oh and his mouth...that brings me to number two. He was beautiful. He looked just like his hotel, sculpted from the marble of the staircase. His features are dark and hard and to say that he looked like a Greek God would not be doing his beauty justice.

My mum always told me that the worst thing you can do when getting a new job is working for a good looking man and now I finally understand why. It was both a struggle to keep my eyes on him and to keep my eyes off him.

"Miss Harmony, is it?" he asks.

"It's Carmody, sir. Diana Carmody." I correct him and I almost jump with joy when my voice doesn't waver.

He isn't impressed. "You're late. Not a good impression for your first day. Why should I keep you on?"

"I'm sorry, sir. I was unaware of the length of time it would take to get back. I misjudged."

He inspects me for a long time and I try not to squirm under his gaze. "I'll be taking money out of your pay. Take this as a warning and don't make this mistake again."

I nod quickly and doesn't spare me another glance as he walks away with Nina hurrying after him.

I breathe a sigh of relief and sit down at my desk. Far out.

I throw myself into work for the rest of the day and I don't stop for a break even when Nina reassures me that Mr.Angelis doesn't hate me, he's just like that.

At 5 o'clock, it's time to go home.

"Thank you so much for showing me the ropes around here. I'm looking forward to working with you," I smile at Nina.

"I'll get you doing the good stuff tomorrow," she winks.

I walk out to my car and drive home. I'm absolutely exhausted, so exhausted that I don't bother to open my computer to work on any writing. I just get ready for bed and I soon drift off.

Hope you enjoyed :)