Chapter 5 - THE PRICE OF HOME
The aftermath of the gala was a quiet, clean sweep. Within two hours, the grand ballroom was empty, the white orchids cleared away, and the three hundred wealthy guests sent home with enough gossip to last a lifetime.
Cole sat on the bottom step of the side service entrance, the very same concrete step where he had found Lily Delgado forty-eight hours earlier. His tuxedo jacket was unbuttoned, his tie loose around his neck. He looked out at the rain falling over the alleyway, the cold January air biting at his skin, but for the first time in an entire year, he didn't feel lonely.
The heavy metal service door clicked open behind him.
Maria Delgado walked out, wearing her heavy winter coat, holding Lily by the hand. She had her small canvas duffel bag over her shoulder—all of her personal belongings packed inside. She stopped when she saw Cole sitting on the step.
"Mr. Merritt," Maria said, her voice trembling, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "I... I came to give you my badge. I’m so sorry for what Lily did. She doesn't understand about galas or important people. She just... she remembers everything she sees."
Cole stood up, turning to face her. He didn't look like a billionaire CEO. He looked like the boy who grew up in the boiler room.
"Maria," Cole said softly, walking over to them. He knelt down on the damp concrete, his eyes level with Lily’s. The little girl was looking at him with a tentative, shy smile, still clutching her blue rabbit. "Lily, do you know what you did tonight?"
Lily shook her head, her dark curls bouncing. "Did I do a bad thing?"
"No," Cole said, a genuine, brilliant smile breaking across his face as he reached out and gently tapped her nose. "You did the bravest thing anyone in that room has ever done. You told the truth when everyone else was too afraid to look."
He stood back up, looking at Maria, who was staring at him with a mixture of confusion and hope.
"You're not losing your job, Maria," Cole said, his voice absolute. "In fact, the position of Guest Services Director just opened up today. Douglas Penn was let go this morning for violating the core principles of this company. The position pays eighty-five thousand a year, comes with full healthcare benefits for you and Lily, and an apartment in our North Side residential complex."
Maria’s duffel bag slipped from her hand, hitting the floor with a soft thud. She covered her mouth with both hands, a flood of hot tears spilling over her eyelids. "Mr. Merritt... I... I don't know what to say. I don't have a degree in hospitality—"
"My father didn't have a degree either," Cole said, his eyes shining with a deep, unyielding warmth. "He had a heart. He knew that the people are the hotel. You have that, Maria. You raised a daughter who knows how to see a human being in a crowd of legs. That’s exactly the kind of leadership this hotel needs."
He reached down, picking up Maria’s duffel bag with one hand, and extended his other hand toward Lily.
"Come on," Cole smiled. "Gus’s diner is still open three blocks from here. I think Bunny deserves a plate of pancakes for testifying."
May you like
Lily’s eyes widened with delight, her tiny hand sliding perfectly into Cole’s large palm. "With strawberries?"
"With extra strawberries," Cole promised.
