Robert stands in front of Waylen’s desk and looks at a pink velvet box in Waylen’s hands.
“The hotel says they’re redecorating the restaurant now and they promised to have it finished by 6:00 PM. All the dishes will be in accordance with Mrs. Bamford’s preferences as well.”
Waylen opens the velvet box and contemplates the dazzling pink diamond ring.
“I checked with Mrs. Bamford’s assistant and she said that Mrs. Bamford has nothing on her schedule today.”
Waylen chews his lip and imagines Leilani wearing the ring. He barely registers what Robert says.
“And Dr. Meyer will be in important operations all day,” Robert adds.
Waylen glares at Robert, and the butler lowers his head. He didn’t want to bring up Charles, but he knows that his boss wants to know that the other man will be out of the way. Waylen would be enraged if Robert knew that Leilani was meeting Charles and didn’t say anything about it.
Waylen orders Robert to cancel his appointments for the afternoon and puts on a white custom-made silk shirt and a three-piece suit with dark black pinstripes. He slips the velvet box into the suit pocket. He’s going to surprise Leilani, and he can’t wait to see the look on her face.
At 4:50 Andrea gathers the financial statements into one folder, then walks to the presidential suite. She knocks on the door, and a middle-aged and balding man greets her. He ushers her to the sofa, and they both sit as he pursues the financial doc.u.ments.
“Although the hotel currently has a few difficulties, it’s truly a great prospect for development,” he says, “I’m curious—why would you want to sell when it’s poised for such growth?”
The wrinkles his forehead and gazes at her with curiosity. Leilani returns his gaze in a calm and professional manner.
“I’m not good at managing the hotel,” she says, “I want someone more experienced to take it over.”
“Why don’t you let Mr. Bamford take over the hotel?” the man asks.
“I’m sorry,” Leilani says, “I’d prefer not to disclose my reasons.”
The man squints at her, but he doesn’t push the issue.
“Dr. Meyer has already given me a good deal of information, but I wonder if he’s conveyed my sincerity?”
Leilani smiles and nods politely.
“Well then, since everything seems to be in order, I’m prepared to sign the contract,” the man says, “I do have one condition, though.”
Leilani glimpses a black and gold business card holder sitting on the edge of the table.
“Yes, of course,” she says, “What is it?”
“My boss wants to meet you.”
“Your boss wants to meet me?” Leilani asks, confused.
“Yes, he entrusted the acquisition to me, but he’d prefer to meet you in person as well,” the man said, “You needn’t worry, though. He’s satisfied to meet you here, and it shouldn’t take too much of your time.”
Leilani is willing to accept the strange condition. She knows it’s perfectly safe to meet this man at the hotel, though she doesn’t understand why he didn’t just meet her directly. She nods her consent, and the man stands up and leads her out of the suite.
Leilani is wearing a professional but formal dress. Though the cut is modest, it can’t disguise her curvy figure. She has already caught the man looking at her.
The staff in the hallway greets her with professional smiles and Leilani smiles back. She doesn’t want them to know she’s selling the hotel until the contract has been signed. The man leads her down the hall to the elevators and then across the lobby to the outdoor restaurant.
“Someone booked the whole restaurant today, and we’ve just finished preparing it for them,” Leilani explains.
Suddenly understanding dawns on her: the mysterious boss and the person who booked the restaurant must be the same person. A breeze blows through the cherry blossoms, and the fragrance fills the patio. Someone flicks a switch and strands of small, pink lights twinkle to life. The blossoms and lights sway and glitter in the breeze.
One table in the middle of the patio has been elaborately set with a white embroidered tablecloth, ornately carved silver candlesticks and crystal glasses. Cherry petals have fallen across the table. A familiar figure stands by the table with her back to Leilani. Shocked, Leilani stops walking—her heart hammers in her chest.
“Leonie?” Leilani blurts out.
Leonie turns slowly and dramatically like a villain in a movie.
She raises her delicately penciled eyebrows and smirks with self-satisfaction, “Did I surprise you?”
“Why are you here?” Leilani asks.
Leilani still can’t believe her eyes. Is Leonie the buyer? She completely trusted Charles to find a buyer, but she realizes that she should have asked more questions and been more involved. She can’t believe that the buyer is Leonie.
“Waylen gave the Zuri Hotel to you as a gift, and the first thing you do is try to sell it to the highest bidder,” Leonie says with disgust.
As Leonie speaks, she walks slowly toward Leilani crushing the fallen cherry blossoms underfoot.
“He gave it to me, and how I handle it is my business,” Leilani says cooly, “Apologies if that bothers you.”
“Of course it bothers me,” Leonie snaps, “I care deeply about the hotel—it was practically my sister’s dowry. Besides how will Waylen react when he knows you’re selling his gift?”
“You won’t tell him,” Leilani says calmly.
Leonie is now standing in front of Leilani. She smiles slightly.
“Why won’t I tell him?” she asks, “Waylen hates cheating and betrayal. How do you think he’ll respond if he knows you’ve betrayed him like this, hmm?”
The two women stand glaring at each other like two rivals ready to fight to the death. Despite the gentle and romantic atmosphere on the patio, the air around them is charged with animosity.
Unbidden, Leilani sees Waylen’s face in her mind. She imagines his ferocious expression and feels a small twinge of guilt. She quickly forces the feeling away and reminds herself that Leilani’s feelings have nothing to do with it.
He can’t know she’s selling the hotel because it will raise his suspicions and make it possible for him to discover her escape plan. If he finds out she’s trying to run away he’ll never let her go. Worse, he’ll hurt the people she cares about.
“Are you scared?” Leonie taunts.
Leilani takes a deep, steadying breath.
“What do you want, Leonie?”
“For starters, I want to know why you’re so scared?” Leonie smirks. She arches her neck haughtily and adds, “But I’m willing to keep this from Waylen—on one condition.”
Leonie pauses to savor her victory. She eagerly examines Leilani’s expression for signs of defeat, but is frustrated to find that Leilani remains calm. Her expression doesn’t betray any emotion.
“My condition is simple: I want you to be completely obedient to me and do whatever I ask you to do,” Leonie says.
“Do you still want me to have a baby with Waylen?” Leilani asks suspiciously.
“Of course not,” Leonie laughs.
Leonie brushes cherry petals from her shoulder, displaying a large pink diamond ring on her finger. Leilani examines the ring—the color perfectly matches Leonie’s dress.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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