As I went to sit back at my desk, Caleb popped his head in. “Hey! Would you like to join us for lunch?”
“That’s kind of you, but I think you should enjoy this with your father,” I replied politely. “He is really proud of you.”Coming in between a father-son moment, no, thank you.This moment belonged to them.
“Okay. We’ll work on the presentation and contract when I’m back.” He smiled and left.
While eatinga salad and soup at my desk, I researched the airline. I called Elle’s cousin George, who filled in the gaps I needed. I was deep in notes when Caleb texted to say he wasn’t returning after lunch.
I rolled my eyes.So much for the transformation.
Being proactive, I called to set up meetings with the managers. “Hi, Elizabeth. Caleb and I would like to set up a meeting with you tomorrow to discuss some changes.”
“Hey. Yes, I know. He already called and informed me.”
“Oh. Okay.” I bit my lip. “I think he forgot to tell me.”
The phone call to Will and Priya ended up being the same; he had already scheduled a meeting with them.
Confusion bled into irritation. “Well, thanks for telling me,” I muttered to myself.
Wondering when he had found the time to call the three of them since they had only just had their meeting before lunch, my brow wrinkled.
He’d taken the rest of the day off. He’d set up meetings but hadn’t bothered telling me. He’s got all these new ideas and suggestions, which his father is now so proud of.
He’s trying to get rid of me.
Alarm bells began to ring in my brain.He wants to run this hotel all by himself. This was his plan all along.All the signs were present; I had just missed them. The change in his attitude, him working in different departments, and him suddenly getting along with the staff and getting them all on his side. And then there was his friendly ‘let’s-get-to-know-each-other’ act at Greg’s house. He had finally proved himself to his father, and now I was no longer of any use to him. He wanted me gone.
Even without concrete proof, I felt it in my bones. My time here was ending. It was Caleb’s hotel, after all.Prepare for the next step, Nyah!
I tossed the rest of my lunch and left early.
Sleep came in fragments that night. Eventually, I drifted off after whispering a prayer—for clarity, for strength, for a miracle.
16
CALEB
Iarrived at work before Amy the next morning, armed with coffee and pastries for both her and Nyah.
After lunch with my father the day before, I’d spent the rest of the afternoon working from home, researching the airline contract, refining ideas, proving—to myself as much as anyone—that this wasn’t a phase.
Nyah was bound to be impressed. Or at least, I hoped she would be.
I paced in my office, shifting my weight from foot to foot, listening for the click of her heels in the corridor. When I heard them, my pulse jumped. I waited a beat—maybe two—then stepped into her office. “Can we start now if you’re not too busy?”
Her stare stopped me cold.
“Good morning to you, too,” she said, head cocked to one side. “Sure.”
Something was off.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
She nodded without looking at me.
Unease crept in as I smiled too widely and gestured toward my office. “Do you mind coming in here? I’ve got everythingset up.”
She followed, clutching her laptop like a shield.
