Chapter 2

Chapter 2.

I let the fury and agony take me on my walk. Where I was going, I still didn’t know. Suddenly I noticed the Plaza Hotel in front of eyes, it was a place I had dreamed of staying at ever since I saw Home Alone as a child. Owen always said that it was too expensive. What did not make sense, is that he would stay at the Waldorf, which was just as vintage and just as expensive as the Plaza. I took deep breaths, cleared my eyes of my tears, put a smile on my face and walked inside the hotel.

I walked up to the concierge. I inquired about a hotel room. The price was astronomical. What Owen did not know is my families heritage, and generational wealth. He did not know I was a LaFluer descendant. I still had ties with that wealth. Not all of it, most is still overseas. My father was a international banker and very successful. When I graduated college, he set me up with a settlement. I have had to use the funds periodically. I used some to buy my townhouse. I have some in savings incase I ever need to travel to Europe again. My parents do not know this. They do not want me returning to see my grandmother.

 I pulled out emergency card with measured wealth on it. I spoke with the concierge. Her name was Autumn. I remember seeing her in college. I guess her hopes of becoming a philosophy scholar did not pan out if she’s working at a hotel. Some people foolishly choose their degrees to no end. We smiled at each other, conversed as she checked me in, finding me a suitable suite. She always was a bitch. She tried to give me a cheap room thinking I did not have the funds to cover the cost as I told her I work in conversation at the museum. I made her run the card; she was annoyed and looked at me like I was poor. When the card cleared with approval, she looked shocked.

“My Fiancé is an attorney” I said hiding the pain in my voice. I didn’t want her or anyone to know of my families money. She used to throw herself at Owen or anyone who was rich trying to climb the social ladder. She stared at me for a moment. She looked impressed. Then commented about how it makes sense.

“What makes sense” I asked

“You only have money because you’re marrying rich, who else would want to marry “plain jane”. She said with a laugh, I gripped my teeth at her burn.

“Says the woman who studied Philosophy and is now working at a hotel, at least I have a promising career.” I said with a cold voice that left her speechless.

“Well, if Owen is your fiancé’ then, it explains your tears, did you finally just now realize he’s been cheating on you?” I turned to face her with rage. She had a smug look on her face. She’s no better than him.

“Can’t tell you how much I enjoyed his company while we were in college. I was wondering when he would dump a sad excuse like you and find a woman that would satisfy him. Your pathetic “I want to wait until marriage” is so boring and not modern. Men have sexual needs that pathetic little virgins like you will never understand.” She said as she walked towards me.

“I warned his been several times, and so did Denise, that little bestie of yours”, so did Katrina your roommate. Several of us took turns relishing in his sexual prowess. You were too blind and too much of a virgin prude to see what was happening right in front of you for years. Whoever he found to replace you, as got to be better than even me cause he said I was the best. That’s why he fucked me longest.” She said in a sultry whisper right to my face.

“How long” I said in a cold voice that did not sound like me.

“Since Sophomore year of college, the others were during freshman year. I almost thought he would finally leave you for me.” She said in a sad tone.

“He didn’t though did he” I said with a sneer.

“No, no matter how much I talked him about it. He kept insisting there was something special about you that he couldn’t let go of. As if there’s anything important about a pathetic nobody like you” she said in disdain with a laugh.

“Manager!” I said in a threatening voice, I am done with her.

“What do you think you’re going to do” she said in a haughty tone.

“Manager! I screamed.

After everything she just said. After this humiliation, she’s going to learn who I am. My father is partner in this hotel. He contributes on the board. I don’t get any free treatment. My father won’t allow it but, that doesn’t mean that she’s going to drag me through the mud like this.

“What is the issue?” A manager appeared from a different hallway in the hotel. He had a scowl on his face as he asked. Suddenly, upon looking at me he goes white as paper.

“Ms. De Cheney! What can I do? What is wrong?” he starts pleading. He’s an older fellow; he looks a bit familiar. He may know my father.

“Sir, you should hire staff that are most acceptable to the position you give them.” I said in anger

“What has she done?” he man asked looking at Autumn. She just stood in shock that he was working with me.

“Clive, she’s a cheap charlatan, she’s trying to con her way into the hotel. I was only checking her in and making sure this card is not a fake. She admitted she stole the card. She claims her fiancé is a lawyer and gave her the card. I know this woman, she does not have to money to pay for a stay here. She’s a cheap, poor homeless person. I am protecting to hotels status.” She said with a flirty smile. The manager slaps her. I was not expecting that to happen.

“do you think I am a fool!” he seethes. “Do have no clue about anything” he says with gritted teeth. “If you know her, you’d know who she is, who her father is.” He says in a panic tone.

She looks at me with confusion. “Owen always said she was a homeless girl who attended university on charity” she said in confusion.

“HE SAID WHAT?!” I screeched. I couldn’t stop myself.

“Please Ms. De Cheney, forgive this woman, please.”

“Fire her or my father will hear about this!” I screeched at them.

She laughed. “what is your broke ass father going to do? He’s probably a drunk.” She said with a haughty laugh.

“I only came in her to book a hotel room. I have had a long and emotional day. I did not want to be at home. I wanted to be alone. She has harassed me, ridiculed me, and taunted me. I am going through emotional issues with my Fiance. She revealed that she had been cheating with him behind my back for years while we were in college, not only that but she rubbed it in my face about how much better of a woman she is than me because, I chose to try and wait for marriage. She stole my boyfriend and bragged about it. What kind of white trash do you have working in this place?” I said. I felt so angered I felt flames on my face.

“Autumn! You’re fired!” He yelled.

“I did nothing!” she screamed.

“Badgering and humiliating guests. Not to mention everything that she just filed complaint about. I had no idea we were employing such a trashy person. We thought when we hired someone with a respectable reputation. Her father is one of the hotels finest patrons and sponsors. I will not have him closing us down because of your impudence. You’re done! Get out NOW!.” He yelled at her. She was staring at me horrified, with tears streaming down her face.

‘Why would Owen say that if he knows my father is wealthy?’ I questioned to myself. ‘What are you up to Owen?’ I couldn’t shake a bad feeling with all the revelations that happened today.  I took my room key, and into the Plaza Hotel and laid in the king-size bedroom, willing myself not to break again. A woman can only live through so much heartache.