Chapter 2
ROMEO
‘Oh, my God! Are you that actor from those sexy films?’ Cindy, one of the new hotel guests, called out as she rushed over to where I was standing by the hotel’s main swimming pool.
She had arrived later than scheduled last night and one of my colleagues had checked her in, so this was the first time we had met in person.
‘No.’ I plastered on a smile. It did not matter that she could not remember his name. I already knew who she was referring to. ‘I am your Love Alchemist, Romeo. I will explain everything when the official welcome briefing begins in ten minutes.’
‘But you look just like him!’ She wound a strand of her long dark hair around her fingers. ‘You’re tall, dark and so sexy .’
She licked her lips then rested her hand on my bicep.
Merda.
I quickly stepped back, causing her hand to drop. And when I scanned the daybeds on the opposite side of the pool I saw her partner, Giles, glaring at me.
This was not good. Naturally, Giles was not happy to see her flirting with me and the management would not be either.
This was not the first time someone had said that I looked like the actor Michele Morrone.
I was flattered. Although I had not seen his films, he was a handsome guy, so it was a compliment.
But all I wanted was to do my job and help the couples that had been matched to fall in love.
And when the guests started to become overfamiliar , it usually led to trouble.
But it was important to keep our guests happy, so I had to find a way to communicate that I was not interested, without upsetting Cindy, which I knew from experience would not be easy.
‘ Grazie .’ I widened my fake smile. ‘Would you and Giles like to dine inside or outside of the restaurant this evening?’ I said, hoping the swift subject change would help.
‘I dunno. So, is he like related to you, or something?’ she said, not taking the hint. ‘I swear he could be your twin. You’ve got the same jet-black short wavy hair, gorgeous olive skin, beautiful beard and your body …’ She bit her lip. ‘Your muscles, arms and chest are like… wow .’
‘I am very sure that we are not related. Is there anything else that you and Giles would like to make your stay here at the Love Hotel more comfortable? I can check if we have availability in the spa for a couples massage?’
‘Will you be doing the massage?’ She tilted her head flirtatiously.
‘No, it is a lesson, for you to learn how to give a massage to your partner and vice versa.’
‘What if I’d prefer you to do it?’ She touched my arm and I stepped back again. I had hoped that changing the subject and moving away would communicate that touching me was not okay, without offending her, but it looked like the subtle approach was not working.
‘Cindy, I am flattered by your compliments, but like I said, I am your Love Alchemist. My job is to bring matches like you and Giles together. I do not get involved with guests. Those are the rules.’
‘Rules are boring. I’m sure you can make an exception…’ She winked.
‘No,’ I said firmly. ‘So if there’s nothing else that I can do to help you and Giles to bond as a couple, then I must finish preparing for the induction.’
Her face turned to thunder. I knew she was not happy that I had turned her down, but I was not about to jeopardise my job for a guest.
Especially when I was already treading on thin ice.
* * *
After the induction was finished, I walked down to the beach. Sinking my feet in the soft white sand and watching the crystal-clear waters always calmed me. If I had time later, I would love to go for a swim in the sea. It was one of my favourite things to do.
Just as I was about to continue further down the shore, my phone buzzed. It was a message from my boss, Victoria. She wanted to see me.
Something told me this would not be good.
I knocked on the door.
‘Come in. Sit,’ Victoria said, pushing her black-rimmed glasses further up the bridge of her nose and running a hand through her short dark hair.
‘You wanted to see me?’ I asked.
‘Yes. We’ve had a complaint.’
‘From who?’
‘Giles Ashcroft. Said you’ve been flirting with his match, Cindy.’
I squeezed my eyes shut with frustration. I knew this would happen.
‘That is not true.’ I shook my head. ‘ She was flirting with me . She touched my arm. Twice . I told her that I was not interested and my job was to bring her and Giles together.’
Victoria rested her finger on her chin and paused, considering her response.
‘I want to believe you, Romeo, but it isn’t the first time we’ve had a complaint like this. Last month that guest Rochelle’s partner also said you were being flirtatious. And then there was the incident with Harriet…’
‘You know what happened with that.’ I ground my jaw. ‘That was not my fault.’
‘All I’m saying is that this puts me in a difficult position. I want to support you. You are an excellent Love Alchemist.’
‘ Grazie .’
‘But ensuring our guests’ satisfaction is paramount. I can’t exactly call Giles a liar or tell him that his match is a shameless flirt. Honestly, who gets matched with their Mr Right and then starts trying it on with someone else?’
‘It is frustrating,’ I said diplomatically.
‘Management have relaxed the rules about single employees dating, but the rules about getting involved with guests are still very clear. It’s an absolute no-go.
It doesn’t look good if guests pay to come to the hotel to be set up with their match and then one of the staff steals them away.
This kind of thing causes guests to start ranting online, demanding refunds, and slagging off the hotel.
We have to make it clear that our only focus is our guests’ happiness.
They need to know that this isn’t a pick-up joint for our Romance Rockstars. ’
Romance Rockstars was the hotel’s name for its staff. Everyone who worked here had unconventional job titles. Victoria was a ‘Love Empress’ who was the person in charge of all of the Love Alchemists like me, who were basically guest relations managers who helped to bring the couples together.
‘I take my job very seriously. I would never get involved with a guest. If they become overfamiliar, I always try to be polite, but firm. Giles saw her flirting and misunderstood.’
‘Okay. I’ll speak to them. And if she makes you uncomfortable again, let me know. Your safety is also important. You don’t come to work to get harassed. But please be careful. I defended you before, but if you have another incident like that, I can’t promise your job will be safe. Are we clear?’
‘Understood.’ I blew out a frustrated breath.
I knew she was in a difficult position and like Victoria, I did not understand why guests would invest time and money coming here to find their perfect match then risk it all by flirting with me.
What did they expect? That I would jeopardise my job at one of the most prestigious hotels in Italy for a quick fuck? It was not worth it.
I enjoyed playing a role in the guests’ happiness, but flings or relationships were not for me. Especially not right now.
In less than two months, the management would start accepting applications for Romance Rockstars who wanted to apply to work at their new resort in California.
From what I had heard, it was going to be the biggest and most luxurious Love Hotel created. Successful applicants from their existing resorts would have their flights and accommodation paid for and the company would arrange our working visas and all of the paperwork.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
For years I had wanted to travel to the US. And my dream almost became a reality, but then my whole world came crashing down.
Now that I had been given a second chance, I would not allow anything or anyone to stand in the way of my goal again.
And I definitely would not risk it all for a one-night stand with a guest.
As I thought about Cindy, I shook my head. I never understood why women who had a good man were willing to throw it all away just to have some ‘fun’.
My chest tightened as memories of that day came flooding back…
No. I could not think about that. It was too painful.
‘Was that everything?’ I stood up.
‘For now,’ Victoria said. ‘But remember what I said. Be careful.’
I nodded, then left her office.
I just had to find a way to be firmer. Perhaps wearing a T-shirt with ‘My Name Is Not Michele’ might help.
Victoria was right. I could not afford any more trouble.
If a guest tried flirting again, I would make my position clear.
My liaisons with guests would always be strictly professional.
Zero exceptions.