Chapter 7: Isn't That Reason Enough?

The suite door closed quietly behind the hotel manager. After one last respectful bow, he had disappeared down the corridor without making a sound.

Emily remained where she stood, looking around the enormous living room. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city was beginning to glow beneath the setting sun. Gold and orange light spilled across the furniture, making the room look even more beautiful than before.

"Are you really sure I can stay here?" she asked.

"Of course." Alexander smiled. "The security here is excellent. For tonight, I want you to put everything else aside and get some rest."

Emily nodded, but the question troubling her refused to disappear.

"Um... Alexander?"

"Yes?"

She gathered her courage. "Why are you doing all this for me?"

He looked at her without speaking.

"I'm just a waitress at a little café. Why would you go to so much trouble for someone like me?"

She knew how that sounded. Yet after everything he had done—the hospital, the car, this magnificent suite—she couldn't stop wondering what she had done to deserve his kindness.

Alexander seemed to consider his answer. Then a small smile appeared on his face.

"Would it be a good enough reason if I said I couldn't bear the thought of never drinking coffee you made again?"

Emily blinked. Then, despite herself, she laughed.

"That's your reason?"

"It's an important one to me."

He offered no further explanation.

Was he teasing her? Or did he truly mean it? His gentle expression gave nothing away.

But for the first time since the phone call, Emily felt herself relax a little. The laugh had surprised her. She hadn't thought she would be able to laugh at all today.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"Just concentrate on resting tonight."

A knock sounded at the door.

"Excuse me."

The hotel manager returned, pushing a cart laden with food.

"I understand you haven't had anything to eat, ma'am, so we've prepared something light."

He arranged sandwiches and a bowl of warm soup on the table. The comforting smell reminded Emily that she'd barely eaten all day. Her stomach felt hollow, although she still wasn't sure she could swallow a bite.

"Thank you," Alexander said.

The manager smiled. "If you need anything at all, please contact me directly."

After another deep bow, he left them alone.

Emily glanced at Alexander.

"Um... is it normal for the hotel manager to take care of guests personally?"

Alexander gave a quiet laugh. "I've been coming here for years."

"Oh. I see."

She decided not to ask anything else. Too much had happened in a single day. Perhaps Alexander simply knew a remarkable number of people. At the moment, that was the easiest explanation to accept.

She turned toward the food, hoping a little soup might settle her nerves.

Then her phone began to vibrate against the table.

Bzzzz. Bzzzz.

Emily froze.

Ryan's name glowed on the screen.

"You don't have to answer," Alexander said calmly.

She stared until the call finally ended. For one brief second, the room was silent again.

Then a message arrived.

With trembling fingers, Emily opened it.

Ryan: You called the damn cops on me?!

Another notification appeared.

Ryan: And that freak at the café isn't getting away with this either.

Then a third.

Ryan: Emily, you're going to pay for this.

The blood drained from her face.

Her fingers went numb, and the phone slipped from her hand.