Chapter 6 Red roses

• Romanian airspace, year 2025.
• Vlad:
• I gaze at the view from the jet window, the fluffy white clouds really don't matter to me. Business is better than ever, the Hotel has gained a six-star status, I have closed several deals in the last few days that will bring me great benefits, yes, my two-year tour of the Slavic countries has been profitable. However, I am...restless. And I know very well why.
• —The girl accepted our offer. Her resume is impressive, she graduated with honors from Cornell University, has work experience in the field even before graduating, and brought glowing references from the managers of the two hotels she worked for in the U.S.- Olenka comments, surprised.
• —Did you think I'd hire just anyone?
• —Of course not. It's just that I was surprised by your sudden decision to change the Hotel Manager for a stranger, but after doing a more exhaustive investigation on the girl I understood that she is not just anyone... she is an Amíntoros, and the last of that prestigious family to boot. She’s even distantly related to our Mégas.
• I turn to look at her and her eyes widen theatrically.
• —You've outdone yourself this time, Vlad. How did you know about the her to begin with?
• —I have my sources, Olenka. Don't stick your upturned, Russian nose into what's none of your business. Now tell me... has she arrived yet?
• She looks at me disdainfully and frowns.
• —Do you have a more...personal interest in her, Vlad? That's why you've been unbearable for weeks, isn’t it?
• —Olenka...- I growl.
• —Okay, okay, I won't stick my nose in. The new Manager of Dracùl Haus has been in office for a month
• now and, by the way, the staff loves her.
• — We'll be landing soon. As soon as we get to Bucharest order a dozen red roses.
• She raises an eyebrow and smirks.
• —
• As you wish, my lord.
• Eleni:
• He arrives today. All the hotel employees are visibly nervous. Truth is that Vlad Tepes causes fear wherever he goes. The infamous Count Dracula is not only the historical pride of the Romanian nation, he is also a businessman, hotel owner and member of the Council of Twelve.
• Here at Dracùl Haus, the staff is made up primarily of
• vampires, who ensure a twenty-four-hour, seven-day-a-week service. The few humans hired, serve fundamentally as doormen, to facilitate the entrance of guests who visit us for the first time, buttons, to facilitate access to the rooms for the same guests and in other small tasks.
• According to the hotel gossips, (which are many) this is the first time that a human takes the position of
• Manager, at first they believed that it was due to some kind of favor that Mr. Tepes had been forced to pay with the concession but when my last name was discussed throughout the hotel, the gossip abruptly ceased. My family name is well known and respected even in this country, apparently.
• My work in the hotel is not exhaustive at all, the place manages itself, it’s like
• clock work, my job consists more in the quick and effective resolution of small conflicts or crises that may arise, a clogged bathroom, a dripping stopcock, a stain on a tablecloth, among other trifles. It can be said that I’m more of a glorified event planner than a manager.
• I’ve seen the owner only once in my life and the few minutes we were together was enough for me to know
• that he is a cold, driven man, who pursues his goals with chilling determination.
• That time in the Philipides mansion in Athens I hit his elbow with the tray he was carrying, I was walked with my mind in the tenth cloud, thinking stupid things, as always, and I’m convinced that the crash hurt him because I heard him utter a
• groan. To this day the memory of the murderous look he gave me makes my hair stand on end. Surely he didn't want to appear weak before me (a simple human) and that's why he continued on his way as if nothing had happened.
• The roof of the Hotel Dracùl Haus has a heliport and we have just been informed that Mr. Tepes's entourage
• landed five minutes ago. As they have explained to me, it is customary for all the staff to meet and welcome him every time he returns from one of his tours, that is why we are here, all lined up in our uniforms and standing in the receiving area, expectantly.
• The elevator opens and a stunning blonde steps out of it, she's almost eight feet
• tall and she's also wearing dizzying heels. She dresses completely in black and wears her shiny golden hair cut short in a bobb style. She smiles broadly and scans the gatherred staff members, advancing and addressing each one by name, exchanging greetings and courtesies. Behind her comes our boss.
• Of course, despite the years that have passed, he remains exactly the same as the last time I saw him. He is not very tall, I would say that we measure more or less the same, however, he is corpulent and muscular. His face is thin, with pronounced cheekbones. His expression is stern and distant. He wears his black hair slicked back. Hmmm, he cut it off, four years ago he wore it long and tied up in a bun. I'd say he looks in his late thirties, almost
• forty. Dressed completely in black too, shirt and pants. His shoes are shiny black. He wears a huge ring on the ring finger of his right hand. A ring with the engraving of a dragon.
• The blonde arrives before me and stops, she looks me up and down, smiling broadly. Mr. Tepes joins her and they both watch
• me in silence for a few minutes.
• —Sir, allow me to introduce you to Miss Eleni Amíntoros. - Announces the blonde pointing in my direction. - She has held the position of Manager for the last month, with quite flattering results.
• I step forward and nod slowly but I don't smile, in circumstances like these
• it's best to keep a serious countenance.
• —The young lady and I already know each other, years ago I had the privilege of meeting her for the first time in the home of our Mégas in Athens.- he whispers
• I’m frozen. I had no idea that my unfortunate run-in with him would have left
• such a vivid memory , it's been four years, after all.
• The man examines me slowly, running his eyes over my entire body, making me uncomfortable, but I stand my ground. As he observes me, I also judge his face, the most remarkable thing about him are his large, light green eyes surrounded by bushy black eyebrows that give him a menacing appearance and
• by impossibly long eyelashes, his gaze is deep and penetrating. His lower lip is prominent, giving him a certain air of stubbornness.
• Snaps his fingers and one of his bodyguards approaches, carrying a box. Mr. Tepes points tin my direction and the man hands the box to me. Inside I find a dozen perfect, beautiful
• and scented red roses. They are my favorites! My eyes widen and I look at him in surprise.
• — We officially welcome you at Dracùl Haus, Miss Amíntoros. We wish you the best of luck.- says the blonde.
• —Thank you.- I answer perplexed.
• Mr. Tepes walks past us, the blonde gives me one last look, and waltzes away following him. Why this uncomfortable feeling runs up and down my spine?