The Age of Love (Book #1)

1. Vice-President

June of 2018

"Table 12 outside, chap chap!" Erica yelled.

"Got it, got it, got it." Madison hushed, serving the British guests their cups of tea.

Four years had gone by since Madison's life changed drastically, from a large city apartment, to a mid-class far from town townhouse apartment. She was finishing her third year in Hotel Management, which turned out to be quite an exciting course, making her thank the lord everyday for being rejected in Law school.

She couldn't live in a court room much less closed in an office. Madison started her internship at the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel, as a waitress in the bar and it was the best.

She loved circulating the hotel facilities and helping out new customers. Everyday was a new person, a new experience and a new event.

yes, events.

The Sheraton had many of them.

The hustle and bustle of the five star hotel was something she was deeply fond of, not to mention the kind co-workers of the hotel. The cooks were her favorite, specially Miro, a young Angolan cook with the nicest smile.

Oddly enough The Sheraton didn't ask much from employees, besides professionalism, friendly smiles and dedication. Which made life pretty easy.

Although there was one rule strictly applied to every member of the staff: Never Date Customers.

Not a problem.

"Well that was the last, it's almost my time." Madison said, leaning on the wooden counter, watching customers leave one by one.

She barely noticed when a single customer walked in, wearing a high-end dark blue suit, sitting on the leather couch next to her. Madison was too busy looking at the landscape outside the bar.

"I'll take this one." Stelio, one of the most experienced waiters in the room, said, "Mr.Theo likes gin and tonic and the girl still doesn't know how to mix."

"Maddie watch him work." Erica called her.

Madison observed Stelio mixing the cocktail and serving to whom they called "Mr.Usual Charmer". She shrugged, never seen the man before in her life.

Stelio's shift ended and it was up to her to clean Mr.Theo's table.

"May I?" she asked reaching for the empty glass.

"Yes please." He replied kindly, his voice was much softer than what she originally imagined, ignoring the fact that he locked his eyes on her.

"Are you from South Africa Madison? " he asked.

She nodded and smiled, the amount of times per day she was asked that.

"I couldn't help but noticing your facial features, you don't look like the usual south african girls, forgive my ignorance." He said in a husky voice.

"I am." She smiled "My mom is half-asian, there's a bit of english in me and of course, portuguese."

His eyes were shinning in pure amusement.

"Where are you from?" She started making small talk.

Why was she anyway? That wasn't in the job description.

"My name is Theodore, I'm from Tokyo."

Madison finished cleaning his table and headed back to the counter, ignoring Erica's puzzled look at her.

"What did Mr.charmer want with you?"

"Just asking where I'm from. Who is he Erica?" She was suddenly curious, now looking closely, he was indeed charming, actually quite beautiful. Madison never did resist a man in a suit.

"Careful babe, that man is not to mess around."

"Why? Is he an outlaw or something?" she laughed.

"Industry titan Theodore Han, countless construction projects in Tokyo and South Africa, big fish money, honey."

Erica's description echoed in her mind for the next half an hour. Men like that were naturally charming and polite, maybe his small talk earlier was pure courtesy.

I mean - she thought - Why else would he speak to me? A waitress slash college student.

But the occasional chattering went on.

"Busy day?"

"How much more time until your shift is over?"

"Just about now." She answered quickly.

Once Madison was done, she walked inside saying goodbye to her co-workers, but she caught him calling her discreetly. In doubt, Madison pointed to the guy next to her.

"No, you." he muttered.

Madison approached Mr.Charmer, he handed a small golden business card to her, she quickly hid in her pocket, she wasn't supposed to accept.

"Contact me."

Madison nodded and left the bar, feeling his eyes on her as she walked out, she could see through the glass doors he didn't look away, not even once.

The gush of fresh air at 4 pm was a delight.

Finally out of the building, she held his card up reading it.

Theodore J. Han

Vice-President of Obayashi Corporation.

Holy fuck.