Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
KAIZLEIGH
Xavier pulled up underneath the covered entrance of the Stylez Grand Stay before hopping out to open my door.
"You want me to wait, Mrs. Stylez?" he asked.
"Nah. I'll call you when I'm ready."
"Yes, ma'am."
The second I stepped inside, the cool air hit my face.
Lord...It felt good in here.
The lobby was busy as usual. Bellmen were loading luggage onto carts, guests were checking in, and somebody's little boy was running across the marble floor with his mama chasing right behind him.
I smiled to myself.
Some things never changed.
"Mrs. Stylez!"
I turned around.
"Tia."
She hurried over with an iPad tucked under her arm.
"You just missed the brunch crowd."
"I figured."
"Everything been smooth today."
I nodded.
"Good."
"How your morning been?"
I smiled.
"It started rough."
Her face dropped.
"You alright?"
"I'm okay."
She knew better than to ask anything else.
Everybody at the hotel knew me and Billion had been trying for a baby. They also knew when to mind their business.
I looked around the lobby.
"No complaints?"
She looked down at her iPad.
"One."
"What happened?"
"Guest in fourteen-oh-eight said housekeeping skipped his room."
"They did?"
She shook her head.
"No. He had his Do Not Disturb sign on the door."
I laughed.
"So he wanted us to magically know he changed his mind?"
She laughed too.
"Basically."
"Comp him breakfast and keep it moving."
"You got it."
We started walking through the lobby together.
I smiled at employees as we passed.
"Morning, Mrs. Stylez."
"Morning."
"Hey, Mrs. Stylez."
"How your mama doing?"
"She finally back home."
"Oh good. Tell her I said hello."
"I will."
Tia looked over at me.
"I don't know how you remember everybody."
I shrugged.
"They're the reason people keep coming back."
Before she could answer, something caught my eye.
A housekeeper was trying to wrestle one of those heavy mattresses by herself.
"No..."
I started walking that way. The closer I got, the more I noticed…
She was pregnant.
"Baby..."
She jumped when she heard my voice.
"Oh...Mrs. Stylez."
I looked from her to the mattress.
"Why you moving this?"
She looked over at another housekeeper.
"We was trying to hurry up before check-in."
I looked at Tia.
"Who assigned this room?"
Tia frowned.
"I'll find out."
I looked back at the young woman.
"How far along are you?"
"Twenty-two weeks."
I smiled.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
She rubbed her stomach.
"I can still do my job."
"I know you can."
I smiled back.
"But you ain't gotta prove nothing to me,” I assured her.
Her eyes got a little watery.
"I don't want nobody thinking I'm using my pregnancy."
"Ain't nobody thinking that."
I gently took the mattress out of her hands.
"Go help fold towels."
She looked unsure.
"Mrs. Stylez..."
"I wasn't asking."
A little smile spread across her face.
"Yes, ma'am."
She walked away.
I looked over at Tia.
"Make sure she ain't lifting nothing heavier than a pillow for the rest of her shift."
Tia nodded.
"I got you."
I stood there watching the young woman disappear around the corner.
Without even thinking my hand drifted down to my own stomach; still and empty. I quickly dropped my hand before anybody noticed.
"C'mon," I said quietly.
"We still got inspections to do."
Tia fell in step beside me as we continued down the hallway.
"Your one o'clock just got here," she said, glancing down at her iPad.
I frowned.
"My one o'clock?"
"Mr. Donovan Pierce."
"Oh."
I remembered.
"He finally decided to come."
Tia laughed.
"After rescheduling three times."
"Figures."
We turned the corner toward the executive offices. The second I stepped onto the floor, people started moving a little faster not because they were scared of me but because they took pride in what they did.
That's exactly how Billion wanted it. Nobody should panic when ownership walked in.If they were doing their job...They had nothing to worry about.
I pushed open the conference room doors. Three men in tailored suits immediately stood up.
"Mrs. Stylez."
"Afternoon, gentlemen."
I shook each of their hands before taking a seat across from them.
"So..."
I folded my hands on the table.
"What can Stylez Hospitality do for you?"
The oldest man cleared his throat.
"We're interested in bringing one of your hotels to Charlotte."
I smiled.
"You and everybody else."
That got a few laughs around the table. He slid a folder toward me.
"We believe this location would be perfect."
I opened it. It was a beautiful property, great location but wrong owners.
I closed the folder.
"The Bennett family isn't selling."
His smile faded.
"We're aware."
"So why are we discussing it?"
He leaned forward.
"Because if anybody can convince them...it’s the Stylez,” he smiled.
I smiled politely.
"Then you don't know my husband."
The room got quiet.
"Billion has one rule."
I leaned back in my chair.
"If somebody tells him no..."
I shrugged.
"...he respects it."
One of the younger investors looked surprised.
"I figured billionaires just bought whatever they wanted."
I smiled.
"A lot of them do."
I stood up and slid the folder back across the table.
"We're just not one of those families."
The oldest gentleman nodded slowly.
"I respect that."
"So do I."
I buttoned my blazer.
"If the Bennetts ever decide to sell, we'll gladly have another conversation."
"And until then?"
"Until then..."
I smiled.
"I suggest we stop wasting each other's time."
A few of them laughed as they gathered their papers.
As they made their way out, Tia leaned over.
"You just turned down a deal worth millions."
I watched the elevator doors close behind them.
"It wasn't our deal to make."
She looked at me for a second.
"I think that's why people trust the Stylez."
I smiled to myself.
"My father-in-law says money don't make your name."
She waited.
"Your decisions do."
Before Tia could answer, my phone buzzed.
MY HUSBAND.
I answered with a smile.
"You miss me already?"
"I got a question."
"Shoot."
"You busy around six?"
"I don't think so."
"Good."
"Why?"
"I made us dinner reservations."
I laughed.
"Billion..."
"What?"
"You know Miss Lorraine already cooking."
"I know."
"So now she gone fuss because we ain't eating."
"I'll take that ass whooping."
I couldn't help but laugh.
"You really don't care, do you?"
"Not when it comes to my wife."
I shook my head.
"You so spoiled."
"Nah."
His voice softened.
"I'm just making up for a rough week."
For a second...I forgot about the miscarriages. The doctor's appointments. The empty nursery. Everything.
Because somehow...My husband always knew exactly when I needed him most.
"I'll be there," I said quietly.
"I know."
After we hung up, I stood there staring at my phone for another second before slipping it back into my purse.
"Tia."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Clear my schedule after four."
She smiled.
"Date night?"
I smiled back.
"Something like that."
I was ready for everything to be over with at this point.