3

 .

She simply looked at Hatem, listening attentively to what he was saying, without the name meaning anything to her.

She had never heard of him before.

Nouran leaned slightly toward her and whispered,

“Do you really not know who he is?”

Fayrouz looked at her in confusion.

“No. I’ve never heard that name before.”

Nouran’s eyes widened in disbelief, but she had no chance to say anything more, as Hatem resumed speaking.

“I want everyone to understand that this visit is extremely important to the hotel. Therefore, I will not tolerate any negligence.”

He then turned toward the reception staff.

“Reception, you will be the first people to deal with him. I want to make sure all the reservation details are ready and that the check-in process doesn’t take too long. Several people will be accompanying him, so I want everything necessary prepared before they arrive.”

The receptionists nodded.

“And I want you to deal with them with the utmost calm and respect. No personal questions, no side conversations, and no one should act overly familiar. You represent this hotel from the very first moment.”

His gaze then shifted toward the security department.

“Security, I want all the hotel’s entrances and exits inspected thoroughly. Make sure the route leading to the suite is clear of any congestion. I also want the floors where they’ll be staying monitored, but without making the guests feel like they’re being watched.”

He paused for a moment before adding sternly,

“And I don’t want a crowd of employees gathering at the entrance just to catch a glimpse of them. Everyone stays at their assigned post.”

His eyes moved toward the restaurant staff.

“As for the restaurant, I want their private table prepared well before dinner. Review the requested dishes and make sure the kitchen is ready for any additional orders.”

He then looked at one of the supervisors.

“And I want the management to oversee the matter personally. I don’t want a single complaint from the restaurant reaching me.”

He moved on to the maintenance department.

“Maintenance, I want the elevators, air-conditioning units, water supply, and electricity in the floor where the guest will be staying inspected. Check everything, even the things that may seem insignificant. I don’t want us discovering a malfunction after he arrives.”

He then turned toward one of the supervisors.

“And I want a report on that before they arrive.”

He stepped forward slightly, and finally, his eyes settled on the group of housekeepers responsible for room service.

Fayrouz stopped fidgeting with her fingers and raised her head toward him.

Hatem said,

“As for room service, you are the most important department when it comes to the suite.”

The women exchanged glances.

He continued,

“The suite where Mr. Al-Morshedy will be staying must be completely ready before he arrives. I want the rooms cleaned from beginning to end, not merely given a quick tidying.”

Then he began listing the instructions one after another.

“Change all the bed linens completely. Check the pillows and covers. Polish every surface and piece of glass, and clean the bathrooms thoroughly. The towels must be fresh and neatly arranged, and all personal-care amenities must be complete.”

He added,

“Check the wardrobes and drawers, and make sure none of the cleaning supplies are left inside the room. Inspect the floors, curtains, windows, and every corner of the suite.”

Fayrouz listened carefully, committing every instruction to memory.

She knew very well that her job left no room for negligence.

Cleaning a room, as far as she was concerned, was never as simple as running a cloth over the surfaces and making the bed. There were countless details that had to be taken into consideration, especially when it came to a private suite.

Hatem continued,

“Once you’re finished, the supervisor will conduct the first inspection. Then you and Nouran will go back and inspect it yourselves.”

He raised his hand, pointing toward the two of them.

“I want both of you to make sure everything is in order before handing over the suite. If you find anything missing, it must be dealt with immediately.”

Fayrouz nodded.

“Understood.”

Hatem looked at her for a moment before saying,

“And I don’t want anyone approaching the suite after you’ve finished unless they have clear authorization. Once the guest arrives, your assignment there is over.”

“Understood.”

Hatem returned to his place and took a deep breath before saying,

“You have only two hours. I don’t want excuses, and I don’t want to hear the words, ‘We didn’t notice.’”

The meeting ended shortly afterward, and everyone hurried away toward their respective departments.

Fayrouz left with Nouran and headed toward the supply room designated for room service.

The corridors had already begun to change.

Maintenance workers moved between the floors, receptionists kept checking their phones, restaurant employees carried various pieces of equipment from one place to another, while the housekeepers hurried between the rooms with their carts.

Nouran spoke as she walked beside her.

“Looks like the entire hotel is going to be turned upside down because of this man.”

Fayrouz smiled as she picked up a stack of clean towels and placed them inside the cart.

“Maybe he’s important to them.”

“And you don’t care to find out who he is?”

Fayrouz lifted her eyes toward her.

“Why would I need to know anything about a man whose room I’m going to clean, only to never see him again?”

Nouran laughed.

“Who knows? Maybe you will see him.”

Fayrouz shook her head and returned to her work.

“I don’t think so.”

She had no idea that the man whose name she had never even heard before...

would not be merely a passing guest who entered the hotel and then left.

And that, long afterward, she would remember this particular day...