Her absence disconcerted me for a second. I pushed the wrong elevator button, but I made a quick joke about it and continued the tour. I showed them the sample rooms that had been prepared, then brought them back to the conference room where Nyah sat waiting patiently.
“Any questions?” I asked.
Ms. Fiorni asked about the percentage of taxes that would be charged.
“Fifteen percent,” I replied, “which is the standard.”
We had anticipated this question.
Ms. Brody skimmed over the package in front of her and then asked, “How much allowance should we give the crew at this destination?”
Heat rose in my neck and face, but I didn’t flinch.
Nyah slid a piece of paper toward me.
I looked at it. “Ninety dollars per day,” I said.
“Are you sure?” Ms. Brody asked, peering at me over the rim of her glasses.
Without batting an eyelid, Nyah said, “Yes, we are.”
“Very well then,” Ms. Brody said. “That was not a typical question we ask, but I thought I’d ask it anyway.” She smiled impishly. “This is great.” She tapped the package in front of her. “Ms. Fiorni and I will head back to our rooms, and we will let you know our decision by the end of the day.”
After they left, my father turned to Nyah. “Why didn’t you brief Caleb about the allowance before?” He took in a deep breath and held it. “Thank God he managed to answer confidently.” He excusedhimself, saying he would go for lunch and meet us later for a further debrief.
I followed Nyah out into the corridor after lunch, the words still lodged in my chest. “Why didn’t you let me tell him that it was you who gave me that figure?” I blurted, unable to hold it in any longer.
“It doesn’t matter who said what,” she replied, stopping abruptly and turning to face me. “The important thing is that the presentation went very well. You did an amazing job, and I’ve got a good feeling about this.”
Her certainty grounded me.
“By the way,” I asked, my voice softer now, “how did you come up with ninety dollars per day?”
She explained that it was the reason she had left the room. She’d run back to her office to scan through the email from Elle’s cousin, which included a breakdown of the allowances crews received while on layovers in Vancouver. With a quick calculation, she had written it down and slipped it to me.
I smiled. “Thank you… for your quick thinking. And for having my back.”
We reached my office just as Amy appeared at the door. “Ms. Brody is waiting inside.”
Nyah and Amy stayed behind as I stepped in. I saw them clasp hands outside the glass wall, their anticipation mirroring the tight coil of nerves in my chest.
I sat across from Ms. Brody, forcing myself to stay still.
“Caleb,” she said, adjusting her glasses, “I just wanted to let you know that although I still have to send it officially, Ms. Fiorni and I have reached a decision.”
My pulse thudded loudly in my ears.
“We’ve decided…” she paused deliberately, “…to choose your hotel for the airline.”
Relief exploded through me. I drew in the deepest breath I had taken all day and stood, suddenly taller. “That’s wonderful, Ms. Brody,” I said. “I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed with our partnership. Thank you so much for letting me know in advance.”
“I’ll send you an official email with the contractattached in an hour,” she replied. “Congratulations. We’re looking forward to doing business with you.”
As soon as she left, my father walked in with Nyah and Amy right behind him. I barely got the words out before my father pulled me into a tight embrace.
“I’m so proud of you, son,” he said, his voice thick. “I’m so proud of you.” He held my shoulders, his chest lifted as if he needed the world to see it. “You’ve made me so happy. I can’t wait to see you at dinner tonight.”
Nyah and Amy quietly stepped back outside, giving us the space we needed. When the door closed, the reality of what I had done truly hit home.
