CHAPTER 28 (BOOK 2)

Kate catched a glimpsed at the hall where the forum would takes place minutes before guests starts arriving. It wasn't the biggest event that she had handle since being promoted to supervisor. She had fair share of hosting bigger events like being one of the accommodations for NBA Summer games or the ASEAN conference attended by South East Leaders and some first world leaders like the Russian President, the Canadian President and the US President.

Yet, this event is special to her. Not only because it had all of her footprints but because it will be an avenue for her to honor her former mentor who would be among the guests.

"Ask all staff to get ready." Kate instructed her secretary. "I want all to be at the lobby in five. minutes," as they were on the way from the hall to the lobby.

Kate showed a smile. "Welcome! I hope you would enjoy the night." She greeted the media crew from different companies who would be covering the event. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask Jen here." She glanced at her secretary.

"We heard that you have a last minute special guest who would be comin'..." One of the reporter stated.

"Ah!... Yes. We weren't able to inform you beforehand since the guest didn't want to be pre-exposed. You know how it is with rich and famous." Kate winked.

"Of course!" Another reported agreed.

"Shame of me. I forgot to ask. I hope you like your snacks? As always, I've ask them to prepare a special table for you."

They smiled at her statement. Kate has been liked not only by guests but also with people she had worked with. Her meticulous standard sees the importance of those people who are working hand in hand to make any event that they were hosting successful. She has always believe that treating the media well is not only establishing good rapor but building a trust that would be beneficial for her and the company in the long run.

"Excuse me for a moment. I have to go. The guests will soon be arriving. Again, I hope you enjoy your stay. I have asked Jen something extra for you to take home tonight." She lightly smiled at them.

Kate started to walk at the entrance to welcome the incoming shareholders of the company who were first to arrive.

"As expected, you did a great job again tonight Kate." Mrs. O'Dell happily remarked.

Mrs. O'Dell was the one who Kate replaced as supervisor. Now retired, she was invited as she would be among those who would be receiving an award of recognition from the Philippine Association of Hotel Management (PAHM) for her excellence as the PAHM requested that it would be done during this forum on the commemorative celebration of the anniversary of the company at the same time a breakthrough after receiving various recognition from different awarding bodies in the past year.

"Thank you ma'am!" Kate responded.

"You really train a great apprentice, Mrs. O'Dell." One of the shareholders praised.

"Well... it was all her hard work." Mrs. O'Dell pointed out.

Mrs. O'Dell was the one who handpicked Kate when she graduated. She selected her among the many applicants and immediately trained her the X's and Y's of International Hotel Management Standards as she saw from first impression the kind of employee, Kate, would be.

"I heard you have successfully invited him." Mrs. O'Dell whispered at Kate.

Kate simply smiled.

Mrs. O'Dell wasn't only Kate's former boss and mentor but have a special bond. They didn't only talk about work but as well as almost everything including her relationship. Mrs. O'Dell became her second mother at work and in the city and vice versa, Mrs. O'Dell treats her like a daughter she never had.

Kate glanced at her phone as she received a text message.

"I have to go. He's about to enter the premises." Kate informed Mrs. O'Dell.

"I hope to meet him later and give him an earful talk."

Kate simply nodded and approached Gladys, the CEO of the company, to inform her that the special guest is about to arrive.

***

From a distance, Kate could already see the convoy of the special guest. After seeing the Monaco flags on the car, she remembered the night Jeremy accompanied her to their university via convoy from the consulate. It was a day she could never forget since it was also the day that she noticed how far he was from commoners.

"Your highness, this is Mrs. Gladys Ratcliff, the CEO of our company." Kate introduced.

"Thank you for accepting our invitation your Highness!" Mrs. Ratcliff expressed.

"It's an honor." Jeremy said after turning his glance quickly towards Kate.

As they were walking towards the Hall, Mrs. Ratcliff couldn't control herself from being a fanaticand since she was a fan of his when he was still among the top celebrities in the country.

Noticing that her boss was bombarding Jeremy with a lot of questions, among them were private, Kate suddenly interrupted, "Your highness, the Philippine Association on Hotel Management are requesting that right after your speech, you would be presenting the awards to at least three awardees of excellence."

"No problem at all. Just inform me on what I should do. You would be accompanying me right?"

Before Kate could even answer, "I'll be accompanying you, your Highness." Mrs. Ratcliff said.

Jeremy suddenly stopped and glanced at Kate who gave her a confirmatory looks. "Okay then. I don't need to worry about it then."

As Jeremy was about to enter the hall, a voice ask the guest to stand u and welcome him. The guests oblige and gave a round of applause.

As they were nearing their table, Jeremy noticed that Kate was nowhere to be found. He, then, whispered to Tobby who walked out of the hall to find Kate.

***

"How's he doing?" Kate asked Tobby who accompanied Abby and her at the lobby.

"He's actually looking for you." Tobby said.

"Let him be flocked by the others for a moment." Abby smirked.

"I'm actually worried for him today."

"What do you mean?" Kate worriedly asked.

"Well! I have prepared all of his schedules and I didn't know that you invited him here and he hasn't have a break since this morning." Tobby glance at Kate looking at her expression. "You might be aware that this morning, he had an appointment with the government. But right after it, he went to a certain association, a charity and played with children." He paused for a moment. "He hasn't eaten anything decent yet."

"What? Is he killing himself?" Abby shockingly stated.

"If only I known that he accepted your invitation, I should have move his afternoon appointment."

Kate, forgetting she was with Abby and Tobby, started walking back to the hall.

"Look at that. She instantly forgot about us." Abby pointed.

"Let them be." Tobby glanced at his surrounding. "So this is where you work. Where's your office?"

'Why do you want to know?"

"Nothing!' He held his both hands up as if indicating his innocence. 'By the way, where are having dinner. I'm starving."

As Abby started walking, Tobby asked, "Where we going?"

"You're starving right? Just walk."

Tobby obediently followed.

***

Back at the hall, Kate slide a slice of blueberry cheesecake in front of Jeremy. "It's not good for you to drink without any food, your Highness." Kate commented.

Jeremy glanced at her and smiled.

Jeremy who was listening to stories of the shareholders whom he sat with showed a note he had written using his phone to Kate. Help me out.

After reading, Kate flashed a smile and then interrupted one of the shareholders sitting with Jeremy, "Excuse me, I have to discuss some thing with His Highness regarding the flow of the program."

Upon hearing Kate's words, Jeremy added, "If you don't mind.." He stood up, "...I'll be back."

"Oh sure! Take your time your Highness." Mrs. Ratcliff responded.

As they walked away from his table, Jeremy uttered, "Thank you!"

Before she could response, they bumped into Mrs. O'Dell.

Kate whispered to Jeremy that she will be introducing him first to someone.

"Your Highness, this is Mrs. O'Dell, my mentor and former boss." Kate introduced.

"Uh-huh! So I'm finally meeting the handsome prince of Monaco." Mrs. O'Dell uttered.

"It's great to meet you as well." Jeremy responded.

"So... let me be frank with you, your Highness. I hope Kate would cry again this time."

Shocked from the words of Mrs. O'Dell, Jeremy glanced at Kate who suddenly grab Mrs. O'Dell's hand.

"She's just kidding with you." Kate tried to redirect.

"I can't promise this time but I do so hope too if not, at the very least, it will be tears of joy." Jeremy answered.

Mrs. O'Dell smiled. "I was right. You're really a good man as Kate said."

"Excuse us for a moment. We just have to discuss something." Kate apologetically said.

As they restarted walking away, Jeremy kept on staring at Kate.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kate asked.

"Well... Mrs..."

When Kate noticed that he forgot the name, she completed it, "Mrs. O'Dell."

"Right, Mrs. O'Dell. Does she know?"

Kate nodded. "She knew what happened."

"I see." Jeremy changed the topic. "Where are we going?"

"Well... I promised other people that they will have a chance to talk with you as well." Kate said as they walked back to the hotel lobby.

"I see." Jeremy enunciated as he saw from a distance the group of media where they are directed.

"As promise, I present to you the special guest for the night." She introduced Jeremy to them as flashes of camera and video recorder started.

Reporters then started Jeremy series of questions. Most of them about his view on the hotel industry of Monaco which is internationally known.

Right after the interview, Jeremy teasingly said, "You sold me out now. You owe me big time."

"Okay! Okay! Guilty as charge." She laughed. "What do you want?"

Jeremy didn't answer immediately. It was a chance he has to take advantage. "Hmmm. I'll tell you after the forum. Give me time to think about it. Okay?" He smiled.

"Okay! Okay!" She gave in.