Anouk’s POV
It’s been three relaxing days, but now I gotta get to work. Our little hotel is dying without some marketing and advertising. I just got a great idea and I need to work it out with Manny.
“Heeeeeelllllllloooooouuuuu!” I yell through his headphones, while he’s singing along.
“Billie Jean is not my lover...”
No, Manny, not you too! Everyone is conspiring to remind me of Michael.
“MANNY, PICK UP YOUR EARS, WE GOT WORK TO DO!” I yell again, and he drops the Discman and his headphones.
“Wha...what? What’s happened, Nooki?”
“I said we got work to do. I got this idea and you’re gonna help me.”
He stops the music and sits up. I grab my coffee, pour two little saccharine drops in it and start explaining.
“We need a website for the hotel. With a nice presentation, nice photos and all the contact data we have so people can book directly to us. These travel agencies are no good. They complain that they get a low fee from our bookings, so they will never promote us properly. What do you say? Could you help me with the technical part and the design?”
Manny grins widely.
“Of course I can, maatje! Wow, this sounds exciting!”
“Let me talk to mama. But I’m sure she will agree.”
My mom is just getting back from the city and she has such a huge grin on her face as if she won the lottery or something.
“Morning, mom! What’s up?”
“Nooki, our season is saved! We’re saved! Oh, you won’t believe what’s happened!”
“Well, I’m sure you’re gonna tell me all about it!”
“A group of business people from America has booked the entire hotel for a teambuilding for an entire month!!! And they paid everything in advance, down to the last dollar!”
I nearly reel back in shock. Wow! That’s the biggest piece of luck we’ve ever had!
“Mama, that’s really something! But...but how? How did they find out about us?”
“Oh, who cares? They did, that’s important.”
“Which one of the travel agencies gets the fee?”
“No fee. Darling, they contacted ME directly, through a secretary. She called here, asked about availability, booked the whole hotel for these people and told me to check with the bank and confirm when I got the money. I’ve just come from the bank, and they paid huge....I mean they want everything – all inclusive meals, drinks....It’s absolutely unbelievable! I even talked to that lady secretary, said that maybe they paid too much – you know I’m an honest woman. But she verified the amount with me over the phone and said that it’s OK, they want to cover for any extra things they may need here.”
I frown. Something sounds too good to be true here. I try to tune out mom’s bubbling enthusiasm and think things out. Some business people from America call our hotel out of the blue and pay more than we’re charging to have the entire place for a month...Suddenly, the truth hits me like a blinding sun.
“Mom....there is no group of business people...”
“Dear, they already paid!”
“I tell you, there is no group of business people...there’s only one guy. And the only type of teambuilding he’s interested in is with me!”
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Behind The Mask
FanfictionShe doesn't care that he is the King of Pop. He doesn't care that she keeps rejecting him. Because behind the mask there are feelings hidden, stifled, condemned to be left without expression. But nobody can wear a mask forever...can they?
