The First Day

Jackson stood near the entrance of the hotel watching a woman who was standing at the receptionist. It was her first day after a week of training. Her training was shortened under chairwoman instruction. He knew the woman was special when even Blake warned him to not make his move on her.

"Welcome to Black Lotus Hotel. I am Marissa, may I help you madam." A smile carved on her lips the moment she greeted the woman who came with a clear angry face. She was nervous, but she tried to hide it by acting professionally, like she was taught. Being a secretary or receptionist, it was not much different dealing with customers.

"I need my husband's room number." The woman was frowning all over her face.

Already got a bad feeling about the situation, she acted calm and asked, "May I get your husband's name madam?"

"Christopher…" She put her hands on the counter, then looking straight, meeting Marissa's eyes, "Christopher Martin."

Hearing the name, Marissa gulped instantly. That was the name of the customer who had just checked in about ten minutes ago. That was not the problem, the problem was, he came with another woman. Secretly taking a deep breath she said, "Let me check first madam." She looked down, typing something on the keyboard while her mind was trying to find a way to solve the problem.

The woman tapped her fingers on the counter while her eyes were sharply looking at Marissa. "Marissa?"

"Yes madam." Marissa lifted her chin, quickly responded when her name was being called by the woman.

"Don't even think of lying or saying something like our hotel privacy didn't allow bla bla bla…" The woman smirked, "That is all bullshit. I saw him earlier so you better tell me the room's number."

Marissa couldn't hide the nervousness on her face. Her face was pale. "Do you want me to call his room and tell him that you are here madam? So, he can come-"

"And do you think I am here asking you about his room number just to announce to him about my arrival?" The woman laughed sarcastically. "Are you dumb?! Call your manager right now!"

Her voice echoed loudly making everyone turn their attention to the receptionist counter.

"I'm sorry madam. I didn't mean that way but yes, our policies didn't allow us to give out any information to just anyone." Marissa was panicked and she tried her best to inform the woman about their policies.

"Just anyone you said?" The woman's glare was cutting through Marissa. "I…am…not…just anyone!" She poked his finger on Marissa's chest on every word she said.

Marissa breathed hard in realising her mistake. "I apologised madam. That was not my intention."

"Then what is it?!" The woman asked and landed a hard slap on the left side of Marissa's head.

Staggered, Marissa tried to maintain her composure. She fixed her hair that she didn't even know was messed up or not. 'Calm down…calm down…' Her trembled lips and shaky eyes were enough to show the embarrassment that she bared at the moment.

Her colleague, Jane, at her side quickly checked on her. She was quiet earlier when she thought Marissa could handle it but the matter had gone big. "I'm sorry madam but if I could help you in this matter-"

"I don't want anyone to help anymore! I said…call your manager right now!" The woman shouted again, filling the whole hotel lobby with her voice.

Jackson who at first decided to watch from afar heading to the counter. He was slowly coming from the back of the woman and asked, "May I help you madam?"

"No! MANAGER!" The mad woman repeated the word to Jackson. She didn't want to hear anything anymore.

"I am the director of the hotel. Jackson Smith." He pulled out a name card and handed it out to the woman. "And may I know your name madam?"

The woman was still frowning but it gradually faded as she heard Jackson's position. She was glaring at both Marissa and Jane at the front before answering Jackson's question, "Nicole…" She paused and continued, "The owner of StyleWithUs."

"Ah Madam Nicole, shall we head to my office room?" Jackson suggested while his brain was running to recall their list of VIP's members.

"No." Nicole answered short. She fixed her decision to make sure his husband's cheating was revealed at that time. "I am sure, with your position you can handle this in a better way." She crossed his arms, "Now, can you give me his room's number or you can follow me to his room. I promise you I won't create chaos here."

Jackson looked down on the floor, 'How could you say you won't create chaos when you already did the deed.' He said in his heart.

"Let's talk in my office madam. We could both find a win-win situation in this matter." Jackson gave her a professional smile, even though inside, she had already received a full bucket of cursing.

"I won't leave here until you promise me that you can give me what I want." She said and suddenly rummaged through her handbag and took out her sunglasses. Wearing the sunglasses, she walked sassily to the couch that was prepared there for the customers.

Jackson followed, "As I told you earlier madam, I can help you with this matter if you help us too."

Nicole crossed her legs and shook them arrogantly. "You know, at first I am not that mad." She pulled down her sunglasses, "But that woman, annoyingly poking on my feelings." She pointed to Marissa and smirked when Marissa was looking back.

Jackson turned back shortly trying to calm himself. This type of rich people was the hardest to deal with. They thought they could use their money just to satisfy their anger. The anger that they directed to the wrong person. "I understand your anger madam, but this is the first day for that staff and there might be some deficiencies in managing such matters."

"That was a bad excuse. No matter if you are new or already experienced, that was not the way she should answer to the customer." Her hand was moving along while she was talking. She was going to make sure Marissa would be fired on the spot.

"I apologise once again on behalf of my staff." He bowed slightly.

Nicole leaned to the back and put her handbag at her side, "I will go back right now instead of insisting on getting my husband's room number if…if you fire her right now."