Wilden Estate

•business•

Chapter One

For the biggest part of my life I've lived in a motel. Not because my family can't afford a house but because my family owns a motel of their own. The old estate has belonged to my family for generations, a little over 130 years, first opening as a safe house for civil war soldiers back in the 1860's. With 50 or more rooms the outside is made up of tan brick and maroon shutters, the inside neatly furnished to resemble the style of a vintage plantation house. Even with the newer modeled motels in the industry we still keep a fairly good business going, mostly housing antiquers and middle aged couples who are getting away from the technology based world for a however long time.

Since I was 13 they have made me work various jobs. Cleaning, cooking, booking rooms and I also had to carry the luggage for a while. They aren't tough jobs and I'm honestly happy to do them; they pay me well and I don't have to go through the agonizing process of looking for an otherwise part time job.

My parents and older brother are all in the real estate business, frequently putting me in charge of the motel while the three, sometimes only two, are gone each time. . For the first week of summer every year they host a banquet and get together for buyers and sellers who are interested in doing either of the two; buying or selling. The event usually attracts a large crowd and this year our family was expecting the busiest year yet.

The day before is made up of every worker hustling along to prepare rooms and my parents ordering different people around while they get paperwork ready. "The hotel hasn't been this busy in almost two months." I point out to my older brother who's helping me restock the bathrooms lining the wall in front of their connected room. Each room has its own bathroom but it's not located inside the room, it's out on the other side of the hall. It's their personal room but the builders thought it would be better to have all restroom pipes and equipment on the same side. "It'll be even more hectic this week. The staff will be busy almost constantly over the time." He agrees, filling the shelves with shower items. "I know that, Mick. I've lived here for 17 years, this won't be a first time thing." He gives me a pointed look, "While the guests are here I don't want you calling me by that nickname, call me Mickey. It's not professional any other way." My nose crinkles up as I roll my eyes at him, "Won't be a problem Mr. Businessman." He places the empty clothes basket on the floor that he'd had the items in and pulls me up to eye level with him. "Katherine, I didn't mean to be like that. It's just that all of this is stressful and you know that if I don't make the Henderson sale that I will lose the partnership," I cut him off before he can finish, "I know, I know. If you don't make the sale your license will be revoked, ya da ya da ya. Just loosen up a bit, Mickey." His full name sounds foreign on my lips since I've not used it since we were young. He stares at me before shaking his head, "Well I am going to help mom and dad." With that he walks out, leaving me four empty bathrooms and a nervous stomach.

My entire family had this serious, driven attitude about them. They were secluded and never really showed their anger which made it hard for me to feel at home most of the time. When I was younger it wasn't as bad but now they expect me to focus on the life ahead of me and strive toward the future. I'm sure we all have to give a little thought to our future but they take it too far. With this event they were doing their normal, putting a fair amount of pressure on everyone involved with Wilden Esate; they were triple checking to make sure everything was absolutely perfect.

After stocking the bathrooms, I lock the storage closet back with my keys and then go down into the lobby. The head secretary who works the files was scurrieng around behind the front desk, writing something here and filing something there. "Hey Carol, how're things?" I ask her, propping my elbows up on the counter, "They are going just wonderful Miss Katherine." She smiled over at me, her words laced with her thick Indiana accent that has still managed to stay the same over the years. Most of the workers weren't from Kentucky, they had been here for such long periods but they were from all sorts of different states. "Anything you need help with?" She shakes her head, "No I think I have everything under control. I think your mother was looking for you though." I give her a thumbs up as I make my way into my parents' office.

"There you are!" My mom yelps and rushes over to me, pulling me toward the table their papers were spread out on. "Tomorrow you'll have to help Carol and Diane with renting out the rooms but you're gonna have to carry their bags because we need Alen to help with parking the cars." Alen is our usual bag boy but one of my favorite jobs was carrying the bags so it didn't bother me too much. "Fine with me. Is everything ready to go?" I question and they nod their heads passively, already focused back in on signing papers.

Later that night, everyone meets in the dining room for a quick dinner of pizza and garlic bread upon my request since they will pull out the fancy food they'll be cooking every day this week. I grab two slices of cheese pizza and a pop from the cooler on one of the tables then grab a seat next to my dad. "Excited Kate?" He asks as he eats a slice of meat lovers. "Excited? I don't know if that's the word I'd call it." I joke, opening my pop and taking a sip. "You used to get so pumped for summer time at the motel when you were younger. You would look up at me and say, 'Daddy, can I please help?' with puppy dog eyes just so that you could meet all the new people." He describes to me wistfully with a sincere smile. "I still love meeting new people, dad. I get that from you." I elbow him playfully and finally begin eating. "I'm really proud of you Kate, you've matured so much over the years and-" before he can finish my mom is calling him over. "Patrick! Time for your speech!" She calls, apparently oblivious to the fact everyone is actually trying to eat. He gives me a nod, shoves the rest of his pizza in his mouth and goes over to her.

They stand at the front of the kitchen that is connected to the dining room. "Everyone, if I could please have your attention momintarily!" He projects his voice to the entirety of the staff and they all pause their conversation to listen. "As we all know, tomorrow begins the week we have all been so hurriedly preparing for. Like past years we will gather the strength as a team to do and provide our absolute best for our guests. I know that we will accomplish this, we can service our guest to the best of our abilities. Isn't that right, Kate?" Dad questions with a grin just as I take a huge bite of my pizza. All eyes are on me as cheese hits my chin and my mouth is full, I have to hold in a laugh as chuckles erupt around the room. I give him a thumbs up, my shoulders rising while I try to swallow. He proceeds, "I want to thank you all for working hard today to be prepared tomorrow, we're definitely ready to go! Now, I'll let you get back to enjoying your five star meal." He jokes and follows mom out of the room but not before grabbing another slice of pizza then motioning for us to stay quiet.

Finally everything was set and I was able to sneak up to my room. It was on the end of the guest hall just in case anyone needed anything during the night and set up the same way as theirs. After taking a shower, I stalk in to put on my pajamas. When I'm ready, I gladly collapse on the bed, completely drained by all of the mess going on today. It was was hot outside so I didn't even bother to use more than a thin sheet to cover me while I let my mind make up scenarios of what's to come to help me drift into sleep.

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