The Reluctant Heiress (A Christian Romance Novel)

Part 31 : The Unexpected

Wednesday evening. Celebration Dinner.

After the Home for the Homeless event, except for the encounter with the man, Telly thought everything went well. She congratulated Diane and the team who was so delighted at her remarks. No major issues, and the best of all, they were dominating the social media since lunch time, as the project intended to. She scrolled over her Instagram and other social media profiles, and she saw how #heartofhoteldelavi and pictures of the event had been flooding the internet. She even had some friends message her and even her friends in New York commenting on her profile.

That evening was also the celebration dinner she promised to the junior officers of the company. And the next night would be for the Executive Committee.  They all went to Old Town Grill, her new favorite hang out place, thanks to Diva. The officers would swap to ensure that not all managers are gone at the same time. There were a total of ten of them, including Dan from HR, Marie from Finance, Mrs. Robinson from Housekeeping, and others from purchasing, operations, maintenance and security departments. 

"Welcome to Old Town Grill and Bar," said Diva as she met them at the front. It would be easy to point out that she owns the place, from her commanding presence to her elegant outfit from head to toe: black dress, gold pumps and huge jewelries everywhere, which made her blonde her stand out. 

"Thank you girl for accommodating us here," Telly said as they kissed cheek to cheek and exchanged pleasantries.

"Anytime girl!" she replied and she herself ushered them to their private room.

"Well, our special for tonight is ribs, but we also have other entree as you can see on the menu," Diva proudly said. "Here is Mandy, she'll be your server for tonight. If you've got questions, just holler."

"Thank you!" Telly shouted to her as she walked away. "Guys, order whatever entree, drinks and dessert you want." Telly was so happy to be finally brushing elbows with her staff, disclosing a little bit of herself outside the meeting room in the hotel. It was a bit liberating. 

Mrs. Robinson was seating across from her, and like her normal self, she was like the mother of all these youngens. But she kept a calculated move, and kept looking at the menu and to Telly and back down to the menu again. Not that she was not comfortable, but this was the first time she was having this close proximity to the CEO. And Telly was seated between Dan and Marie.

Telly could see Mrs. Robinson glancing at her from the corner of her eye. "Mrs. Robinson, how long have you been working in the hotel?" she asked to break the ice.

She smiled, a bit shocked at the attention. "Oh, wow, maybe 10 or 12 years, I lost count," she smiled. And then she looked back again on the menu.

"That's really great! We need people with dedication and commitment. Thank you," Telly commented to which Mrs. Robinson answered by nodding back to her.

Everyone gave their orders, and while they were waiting, Telly made sure that she made contact with each one of them. She asked about their families, asked about how long they've been in the hotel and what are some of their best memories. The stories halted a bit when the food came. The smell of ribs, steak, tenderloin, mashed potatoes, casseroles had mixed up in the room and everyone seemed to be having a good time, specially Telly.

And then, about the time they were done with dinner, the unexpected happen. 

She got a call from Greg who was staying longer at the hotel because the junior officers were with her. "Telly, are you sitting down?"

"Yes, why?"

"There's fire in the hotel, which I think started from the office, and it is quickly moving to the east side," Greg said in monotone trying to be calm. "We called 911 and they will be here soon."

"The guests? Are they evacuated?"

As soon as she mentioned that, everyone stopped talking, as they listened intently. "Yes, nobody is harmed. They were the priority. Good thing Don and Diane are here so I had help doing executive decisions."

"We'll be there," she hung the phone. 

"Guys, our hotel is on fire!" Everyone was in shock. "We have to go back now." She needed to keep her calm. Why is this happening when all my junior officers are out? Did I make a mistake? Could it have been prevented if we didn't go out? Thoughts were running through her mind.

********************

When they arrived at the entrance of Hotel de Lavi, she could not believe what she was seeing.  They could see the huge fire engulfing the east side and smoke billowing everywhere as the firemen tried to put out the fire. 

She ran to the parking lot where the guests were and talked to each one of them, ensuring that they were ok. They were not fully booked that evening, so only about eight rooms were occupied. There she saw Don, Diane and Greg talking to other guests as well.

"What happened?" was her first question to Don, Diane and Greg.

"We also don't know, it happened so fast," Don replied. "We were doing our rounds on the west side when the fire alarm went off. It ate up our office, and maybe two to three rooms nearby."

"Our office? My office?" she remembered her one and only picture with her mom and dad." As she watched her hotel eaten up, she didn't know what to feel. She just stood there frozen up for almost thirty minutes, watching until the last bit of fire was quenched.

The police came as well, and cordoned off the affected area for investigation, and opened the rest and allowed them to come back in.

All the officers helped the guests go back to their rooms, while the affected ones were ushered to the empty rooms. Everyone was rushing and doing many things at the same time. After making sure each one of the guests are settled in, that was the only time Telly and the rest of the team was able to slow down and relax. 

"Guys, if it's not your shift, go home and get some good rest," Telly told them. "Thank you for all that you did for all these guests. And for those who are staying, please, continue to take care of our guests. Thank you so much to you all!"

"Can we say a prayer?" Mrs. Robinson asked.

"Yes please," was all Telly could muster to say. And with that, Mrs. Robinson let them to a pleading to God the Father to help them through this dark times. "In Jesus name we pray, Amen."

Mrs. Robinson approached Telly and squeezed her hand, "Don't worry Telly, we'll get through this." 

Exactly the words she needed and she hugged her tight. "I needed that! Thank you so much!"

&&&&&&& Author's Notes&&&&&&&&&&&

Have you experienced tragedies like this? May this Word comfort you.

Psalm 46:1-7

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."