Chapter 5
I’d been sitting here nervous as hell, praying that I didn’t get into any trouble for leaving that note for Legacy.
It was only a little pick-me-up affirmation, but still, I had never done no shit like that before.
It wasn’t even in me to move like that, but I just felt bad after hearing him so upset.
And I swear, when he started yelling, that shit had daggers shooting through my chest. Not because I was scared of him, but because I could hear the stresses of life in his voice.
I didn’t even expect to see him that morning since four people had called off from work, so I had to step in and help out.
I didn’t want things so far behind that we wouldn’t be able to catch up.
If the rooms weren’t ready, our guests wouldn’t be able to check in on time.
That was a bad look, and in the end, it would fall back on me.
So, when I was needed, I was there. I’d always told myself that even though I had this position, I wasn’t bigger than the program.
On two separate occasions had I overheard Legacy yelling at someone on the phone which seemed so out of character for him.
One day, I was passing by the gym and once again he was in a heated argument on his earpiece.
He was so on edge, and it sounded like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders with no one around to ease the load.
I knew that feeling all too well; walking around like everything was fine when it’s really not.
I just wanted to give him a little encouragement, something small that might make a difference, even if it was just for a moment.
So, when he went downstairs on the service elevator, I went into his suite to “clean” and make his bed.
Since I knew that he was working out, I figured that he wouldn’t be back for at least an hour.
Still, my heart was in my ass beating fast as hell, like I was doing something I had no business doing.
I grabbed my notebook off the cart, I always kept it with me while on the floor doing room inspections because I liked jotting things down and making notes of the inspection.
I used the same book at home to write down my private thoughts.
I absolutely loved it, and when I used it up, I’d get another one.
Even though I was nervous, I wanted to give him a little encouragement.
So, I wrote him a small note of affirmation.
I had no business being in his bag, nor should I have even cared that much.
Now I was sitting at home, staring at my phone like The Luxe was about to call and tell me that I was fired.
Like security had pulled the cameras and caught me slipping or Legacy Porter himself was about to pop up and ask me why the hell was I in his personal things.
“Mommy, why you keep looking like that?” Tahanii asked, peeking at me over her tablet.
“Like what?”
“Like you stole something and you about to go to jail. If you did, I’m not going with you.
The cops can take me to Aunt Jaz’s house.
I’m too young to be that stressed and a criminal.
” She shrugged, clearly letting me know her ass ain’t no rider.
This little girl was a damn mess, and she hung around her aunt Jaz too much because she sounded just like her.
Me and Jaz had been friends since high school.
We went to separate schools since Jaz went to a private school and I was in public.
She was two years younger than me, but when she wasn’t being petty, she was just as mature.
Being an orphan, I didn’t know who my parents were since I was given up when I was a baby.
It’s crazy because I grew up feeling like nobody wanted me.
When I had my daughter, I promised myself and her, that I would always love and protect her because I never wanted her to feel like I had.
I think that’s why I had such a hard time, so afraid of rejection that I couldn’t live my life and find love.
I guess that’s also why I was so in love with the idea of love.
I dreamed and thought about the shit so much that it was heartbreaking at times.
I watched the girls on TikTok boasting about their relationships and wanted that for myself.
Eventually, anyway. After finally calming my nerves and realizing that no one was coming to cart my ass off to jail, I was able to relax.
I spent the rest of the night journaling and thinking about the road that lay ahead for me.
I received a call from the concierge, letting me know we were finally able to go into Legacy’s suite.
The moment I walked in, everything looked normal.
His place stayed spotless, and honestly, I appreciated that because it made my job easier and quicker.
Nothing was out of place; he had everything organized and smelling good.
I wondered if his home smelled like his suite too.
I made my way into his bedroom, stripping the sheets from the bed when my eyes landed on his wallet sitting open on the nightstand.
I tried so hard not to look, but the curiosity was killing me.
His picture on his driver’s license on the flap part caught my attention, anyway.
When I noticed that we shared the same birthday, I just knew that it had to be some sort of fate.
I mean, really, what were the odds? Then his driver’s license photo—my God even in that little ass picture he was fine as hell.
The type of fine that just didn’t make any kind of sense.
I remember talking to him one day and he told me that he was in town for an art show, so I made a comment about his wife being proud of him and he said he wasn’t married.
Nor did he have a girlfriend. How, was my only silent question.
I instantly looked away from his wallet, trying to focus on my work.
I started straightening up the room again, fluffing pillows, making the bed tighter than before, but my mind kept drifting back to that ID.
Back to him. To the way his voice sounded when he was upset.
To the stress I heard buried underneath all that anger.
I knew it probably sounded weird. Crazy even.
But I swear my intentions weren’t bad. I wasn’t trying to be creepy or disrespectful.
I just… I didn’t want to forget his face.
This man did something to me, but I would never approach him in that way.
I was too shy to ever do that, and I wouldn’t be able to take the rejection.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I pulled out my phone, and quickly snapped a picture of his license.
The second the flash-less click went off, guilt punched me right in the damn head.
I hurried up and finished cleaning the suite and damn near tripping over my own feet rushing out of the penthouse.
“Fuck, Forever,” I whispered to myself once the elevator doors closed. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Once I was back in my office and changed back into my business attire, I decided to walk outside to get some fresh air.
I never really took breaks, but I needed this one.
I was a little under the weather today. It was a beautiful day, and just as I took a seat on the bench, Mr. Porter was walking up to enter the hotel.
“Hey. I see you out here getting some of this sun,” he said, taking a seat beside me on the bench.
The second he sat down, my nerves were all over the place. I was trembling so bad, and I prayed he didn’t notice it.
“Y—Yeah… yes. I needed a little break,” I said softly, forcing a smile while keeping my eyes straight ahead. I couldn’t pull myself to look in his direction.
He chuckled. “It’s good to take breaks. I’m glad I ran into you. Do you know who all has been in my room?” He asked, and my damn chest almost caved in.
“The only people that have access to your suite are housekeeping and your concierge,” I answered, trying my best not to sound nervous.
“Yeah, I talked to him already. He told me I should speak with housekeeping management if I had any concerns. And I know you’re the manager so that’s why I asked.” He paused before looking directly at me. “Can you tell me who cleans my room? I know y’all have assigned staff.”
“Is there something wrong? Normally, we don’t give out employee information for security reasons. But if something is missing or if there’s an issue with the cleaning, we’ll definitely address it.”
“Nah,” he said quickly, shaking his head.
“Nothing’s missing. Honestly, whoever cleans my penthouse has been doing an amazing job but okay.
I appreciate you. It was nice seeing you.
” He smiled. Hearing him say that sounded so final.
“Enjoy your day,” he told me before standing up from the bench and heading inside the hotel entrance.
The second he disappeared through those glass doors, I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.
“Oh shit,” I whispered. “It’s gotta be that affirmation note I left in his messenger bag.”
Embarrassment washed over me so hard I wanted to cry.
I shouldn’t have done that shit, and now I felt even worse for taking a picture of his driver’s license.
I snatched my water bottle off the bench and hurried back inside the hotel.
For the rest of the day, I stayed locked away in my office, trying to distract myself by working on preparations for an upcoming conference I had to attend in Philadelphia.
However, my mind drifted right back to Legacy like always.
My office phone rang just as I finished responding to an email about the conference.
I rubbed my temples before reaching over and pressing the button.
“This is Ms. More.”
“Hey, Ms. More, it’s Eric from VIP guest services.”
“Hey, Eric. What’s up?”
“Mr. Porter checked out about ten minutes ago.” The moment he said Legacy’s last name, my stomach did flips.
“Oh… okay,” I replied, trying to sound unaffected by what he said.
“He left something at the front desk.”
“He left something?” I repeated.
“Yes, an envelope. He specifically said it was for the housekeeper that’s been cleaning his penthouse.” Every nerve in my body was activated, and my skin felt like it was crawling.
“What?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“He told me to make sure housekeeping management received it personally,” Eric continued. “Since you’re over the department, I figured I’d call you to come grab it.” For a second, I couldn’t even respond. My mind immediately started racing.
Did he know? Was this about the damn note? Did he somehow figure out I was the one cleaning his suite? I had so many questions running through my mind.
“Ms. More, are you there?” Eric called out after a few seconds of silence.
“Uhhh…yes. I’m coming over now.” I quickly hung up the phone and stared off into space. “What the hell did you get yourself into?” I whispered.
I finally pushed away from my desk and made my way downstairs toward the VIP Registration. Once I walked inside, Eric noticed me approaching and smiled before reaching beneath the counter.
“He said to make sure this got to the right person,” Eric said, handing me a thick cream-colored envelope.
“Okay, thanks. Did he say anything else?” I questioned.
“No. He just thanked us and checked out.”
I smiled, taking the envelope and walking away.
When I made it back to my office, I wasted no time opening the envelope since it was for me.
There was no note, just cash and lots of it.
I pulled it out and started counting all of the hundred-dollar bills.
Five thousand! That man really left a five-thousand-dollar tip!
Even though the money excited me because I could use it, I decided to keep a thousand for myself and put the other four thousand in Tahanii’s savings account.
Saving was very important for me, and the money would help secure her future.
Glancing at the time on my computer, I figured I’d leave early since I wasn’t feeling well.
Today was one of my rough days; I had them from time to time, and the best thing for me to do was rest.