Red Roses

C H A P T E R 2

MELANIE

My eyebrow is raised.

I barely know the guy. He could be a serial killer.

"Melanie ?" He questions through the phone. "I know I'm being forward but I am tired of calling your office phone. I want to call you directly. And you might get fired for speaking to friends during office hours."

Friend ?

"Uh.. okay." I take the risk and give him my number. He wouldn't kill me through the phone. He wouldn't try. He also doesn't sound like a guy who would go around looking for random girls like me to kill. That just sounds absurd.

"Cool. So I'll call or text you ?"

"Uh.. okay ?"

Now, now it's awkward.

"Well, bye then." He awkwardly dismisses.

"Bye." I drop the phone on it's hook.

After the awkward encounter with Bryan on the phone, work continues for me.

"Miss Stryker." Mr Osborne greets when he reaches my desk.

I smile politely at him as I nod. "Afternoon, Mr Osbo- I mean John." I correct myself.

He has always told me to call him John even though I think that that is way too inappropriate for me to address my boss by his first name but he likes it. He says he feels more connected to his employees. Such a nice old man.

"I see you are still the hard working woman I had hired a year ago. I really appreciate your hard work and dedication Miss Stryker. It's very plausible."

"Thank you, Si- John." I haven't grasped onto the first name bases with my boss.

He chuckles and nods as he heads to the elevators.

I wonder where he is going. He doesn't own a office in this building. He prefers working at home.

It's none of your business, my conscience states. I mentally roll my eyes.

The rest of the day consists of more work. Paper work, people who are either booking in or checking out and phone call reservations or people calling from their rooms to request certain items.

"Ehm." Someone clears their throat.

I look up and I am greeted by ocean blue eyes with long dark hair falling slightly on top of them. The lean and tall figure smiles flaunting pure white teeth. "Hello."

I blink.

"Uh.. Hello. I mean welcome to Red Roses, how may I help you ?"

"A room."

"Do you have any reservations ?"

"Yes."

I wait. He doesn't reply.

"Under what, sir ?"

"Please, call me Bryan. The reservations are under Wellington." I pause.

"Just per say, uh.. have you been calling the hotel this past day and today ?" I sound so weird. Asking a stranger if they were the Bryan who called me. Bryan is not the only guy who has the name Bryan. This guy must think I'm crazy. Before he can answer, I stop him. "Sorry, you must think that I am crazy. I'm busy asking you inappropriate questions. Sorry. I will check the data base for your name. It shouldn't take long." I ramble as a blush creeps up unto my cheeks. Stupid Melanie.

"Should not."

"Huh?"

"I told you that shouldn't is unprofessional." He smirks. Oh.