The New Guest
Chapter two
Alex
I make my way down the twisting halls of Keystone Manor, heading to the front lobby where Kayla and I will greet our newest arrival any time now.
This is a massive house, and if I were still alive, I’d be almost out of breath by the time I get to the lobby.
The house predates the foundation of the United States by a few years and looks it.
Tucked away in the southern range of the Adirondack Mountains in New York, it doesn’t get much more remote than this.
I’m surprised we get any visitors at all.
No one knows this place is out here, and it looks almost untouched by time.
A Victorian spirit would be right at home here.
The halls are dark and moody, lit only by candelabras.
The rooms aren’t much better. Elaborate dark wallpaper covers the walls, and vintage oriental rugs adorn the floors of every room.
But I love it, which is great because I’m stuck here, possibly forever.
The identity of the owner has always been well-guarded.
The only thing I have is a name. Covington.
All I know is that they bought this place five years ago and decided to turn it into a hotel.
As far as I know, they haven’t visited once in the three years I’ve worked here, and efforts to find them online have been futile.
I like to imagine they’re something cool, like an oil baron, or royalty. Who else could afford a twenty-eight bedroom mansion sitting on over twenty acres of land, with six cabins sprinkled around the property?
Maybe a lot of people, I don’t know.
I spot Kayla standing behind the reception desk as I enter the lobby, which alone is the size of a normal house.
She’s at the computer trying to look busy, but I can tell she’s bored.
We only have three guests right now, so there’s not much to be done.
I’m not sure how this place is still in business, or why.
Behind her, a small TV is playing one of the local news stations, the volume so low I can barely hear. Thank god for subtitles.
“Hey Kayla, room fourteen is going to need extra towels,” I say as I walk up to her.
She doesn’t respond to me anymore, but talking to her is second nature and makes me feel like I still have a place here.
“Bob and Martha are getting freaky again, and I don’t think they’re aware they left the door open. ”
She continues to stare at her computer, fingers clacking away at the keyboard. The front door suddenly opens and she looks up, suddenly flustered.
“H-Hi Mr. Covington. What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you tonight,” she stammers.
Covington. Oh my god, is this the owner of the manor?
I quickly turn towards the door and gasp when I see Mr. I’m definitely not old enough to own a manor Covington walk through the door.
Hmm. Maybe a son? He closes his umbrella and sticks it in a rack by the front door before shaking out his long, shoulder length, wavy brown hair with a hand and walking up to the front desk. When had it started raining?
Standing there like a snack on very long legs, he starts unbuttoning his peacoat. Even damp from the rain, he’s one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen. He looks like he could be in his mid-twenties, just a few years older than my twenty if I had to guess.
I watch him closely as he sets his coat down and leans his forearms on front desk, no doubt expecting Kayla to take it and hang it up behind the desk. Outwardly he looks calm, but the way he moves betrays the tension in his body. Suddenly I want to know everything about this boy.
“Good evening, Kayla. And please, call me Jake. As I’ve told you many times.
” He says it with a sharp smile that I’m not quite sure is friendly.
He’s wearing a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to just under his elbows, revealing lean but muscled forearms. Damn nice. I’m practically drooling.
“Is my room available?” he asks.
“Yep, room three has been untouched, as requested.” Did her voice just go up an octave? She slides the key over to him, and he pockets it.
“Perfect.”
“Is everything okay? Normally you call ahead. Not that I’m complaining. Or anything. I was just surprised to see you.” She bites her lip and practically bats her lashes at him. Good lord, the woman could not be more obvious.
“Long story. Has anyone called tonight? My father?” He taps his fingers on the desk nervously. Why is he so nervous?
“No, it’s been quiet. We have a guest due to check in any time now, but that’s it.”
“That was my reservation. Sorry about that, I didn’t want my father to know I was coming up here.”
“Oh okay, no worries. Do I need to move the car for you?”
“I took a taxi. Can you do me a favor?” He runs a hand through his hair again.
“Of course,” she whispers, almost breathless.
“If my father comes looking for me, can you tell him I’m not here?”
She nods enthusiastically. “I can do that for you.”
“Thanks.” He gives her a small smile and heads towards the west wing. I watch him leave, appreciating the way his jeans hug his body. I look over at Kayla, who’s doing the same. She has a faint blush on her cheeks and if she could hear me, I’d tease her about it.
Jake’s a hottie, there’s no denying that. About six feet tall, with piercing blue eyes that complement pale skin. I guess Jake isn’t a fan of long walks on the beach. He looks like a sexy vampire. A lean but strong vampire that could toss me around the room with ease.
I lean an elbow on the desk and lay my head in my hand. “I get it Kayla,” I say. She’s back to clacking away on her keyboard. I’m still watching Kayla work when the new cleaning lady walks up, apparently done with her cleaning for the day.
“Hi, Frankie. Everything done?” Kayla asks.
“Yep. Do you still need me for next week?” Frankie asks. Oh, this bitch is coming for my job. You’re dead idiot, you can’t clean, I remind myself.
“Now listen here Frankie, there’s only room for one cleaner at this hotel and that clearly isn’t–” I start to say but Kayla cuts me off.
“I think so,” she says with a frown. “Alex ghosted me, so I’ll need you on call for at least the next week, if you’re available.”
“I’m available. Text me when you need me!” the competition says as she walks out the door.
I look back at Kayla with a glare. “I ghosted you?” I say, indignant. “I bet you think you’re funny, huh? Anyway, I’m out of here. I’m going to see if Jake left his door open.”
***
Jake unfortunately did not leave his door open.
I stand outside for a minute, listening to his muffled voice through the door.
He must be on the phone with someone. I can’t make out what he’s saying, but he sounds distressed.
As much as I want to sneak into his room, I don’t.
Sometime later, he steps out into the hallway, frown on his face.
He runs a hand through his hair, and I follow as he walks down the hall of the west wing and through the lobby.
“Damn your long legs, Jake,” I say as I struggle to keep up with him.
Kayla looks up from the computer. “Mr. Covington! Is there anything I can do for you?” she asks, biting her bottom lip.
Without missing a step he says, “No, Kayla, I’m fine. Just family drama.” He keeps walking, not sparing her a glance. Kayla focuses her attention back on the computer, his dismissal clearly stinging.
“You’re supposed to let them down gently, you know,” I tell him as we walk into the kitchen.
It’s just as massive as the rest of the house, and definitely the most up to date room.
A chef would probably love this kitchen; it’s a shame it’s almost never used.
In another life, this hotel would be a bustling getaway for travelers, and we’d have a live in chef to cook amazing meals for them.
I spot the clock on the far wall. 10 o’clock.
“It’s a bit late for dinner.” He pours himself a glass of water and sits down on a chair at the massive island, dropping his head into his hands with a groan.
He looks so worn down that I want to comfort him.
I’d give anything for him to be able to see me right now.
I’m not the best at platitudes, but I give a mean hug, and he could definitely use one.
“Get it together,” he tells himself. I slide my hand along the counter but stop just short of trying to touch him. I would give anything to be able to comfort him, but he wouldn’t feel it anyway.
Just then Kayla walks in and interrupts us. Feigning shock, she says, “Oh, Mr. Covington. I didn’t realize you were in here. I was just getting a snack. Did you want to split a bag of popcorn? I can never eat the whole thing.” She tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.
“He’s not going to Netflix and chill with you Kayla, relax.” I chide her and her obvious flirtation.
He looks up at her. “Sure. And my name is Jake.”
She bobs her head as she heads to the pantry. I wonder if ghost possession is a real thing. I could possess Kayla, and then I’d be able to talk to Jake. Touch him, if he wanted.
I let my mind wander to the logistics of that scenario while Kayla works. Jake doesn’t say anything else, and Kayla doesn’t push him.
Once she’s done making the popcorn, sprinkling it with a healthy dose of salt, she hands a bowl to Jake.
“There you go! I hope you like it.”
“Thank you, Kayla.” He takes the bowl with an appreciative smile. “You didn’t have to do this for me.”
“It’s no trouble. Jake.” I swear she blushes a little as she says his name. “This is just about the only thing I know how to cook.”
He laughs at that. “Well, you’re ahead of me, at least.”
“So, is everything okay? Anything I can do?” she asks.
He shakes his head. “It will be,” he says simply. She doesn’t press him further.
We all sit in a comfortable silence as they finish their snack. They’d make a cute couple, I think with disgust.
“I think I’m going to retire for the night. I appreciate the snack,” Jake tells her. With that, he walks off, clearly wanting to be alone.
“You’re welcome, Jake!” she calls after him.
As much as I want to follow again, I give him his privacy. Whatever he’s working through, he doesn’t need me hanging around gawking. Not that he can see me. Kayla and I both sigh.
***
The next night another guest arrives at Keystone. I didn’t realize we were expecting anyone else. We’re popping off, I guess.
I study the guy as he crosses the lobby. He walks in like he owns the place, not smiling as he stalks up to the front desk. He’s huge and covered in tattoos. Jagged lines, faded ink. They look like prison tats.
“Is Jacob here?” he asks in a thick Russian accent, and it almost sounds like a demand.
I’ve seen enough movies to know that this guy is trouble, and I’m wondering how Jake is involved with him.
He seems more like the kind of guy to get down and dirty with politicians or businessmen, not what looks like Russian mafia.
Kayla tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, looking nervous. “Andrei! I wasn’t expecting you. He’s in his room…”
“Give me key,” he demands and holds his hand out expectantly. She looks around the room, biting her lip. She knows better than to give out keys to guest occupied rooms.
“I can’t just—” she starts to say, but is cut off when he smacks the desk with his palm.
“I do not have time for this. Please give me key so I can check on him. He left the house very upset earlier.”
She grabs a spare from behind her and sets it down on the desk. Something about this guy tells me he doesn’t know how to take no for an answer.
“Thank you. We have lots to talk about. Nasty business with his father. You know how it is,” he says as he pockets the key.
Kayla nods. “Have a good night. Tell Jake to call down here if he needs anything. It’s a 24-hour phone line,” she says with a forced smile, but as soon as he turns his back to walk away, she scowls at him.
“Dick,” she mutters under her breath.
Andrei must be Jake’s boyfriend, I decide. She wouldn’t give him Jake’s room key if they weren’t together, right? And he’s headed to his room to catch up. I gasp. “Are you jealous, Kayla? Wishing you were him right now?” I tease, but she doesn’t answer.
Of course someone like Jake would already be taken.
Jake is obviously into bad boys. I could be a bad boy.
My mind wanders as I let myself imagine their illicit love affair.
Clearly, they have to hide their relationship from disapproving parents, and the manor is the only place they can be together safely. How romantic!
I want to follow him to Jake’s room and see what they get up to, but I don’t. I can’t be a creep, I remind myself. Jake deserves his privacy, and I won’t intrude on it. I won’t.
Eventually, Kayla shuts the computer down and heads back to her office for the night, where a small bedroom is attached. Free room and board is a perk of the job, though I use the term lightly. The room is a shoebox, but who can complain?
I stand there for a while, staring into the distance.
There really isn’t much for a ghost to do at this time of night.
I wander the halls for a bit, popping into a few rooms to make sure the bedding is tidy and the surfaces are dust free.
After begrudgingly admitting that everything looks clean, I settle in a room in the east wing.
Far away from Jake. I miss my job. It was a responsibility I took very seriously and I enjoyed doing it.
Now I have to trust that some other random cleaner will live up to the standards I set.
I wish I could pick up a book or turn on the TV.
The worst time of day is the nighttime hours when everyone is asleep.
There’s nothing to do but observe, and I quickly realized that watching people sleep was super creepy.
I lean against the headboard and cradle my chin in my hands, staring at a crack in the wall as I lose track of time thinking about Jake.