The Paying Guests Novels & Stories

And they sure as hell don’t call up lone rogues like me for help. Still, money’s money, and rent was due yesterday. I was slouched in my usual booth at Gray’s Diner, half-finished coffee in hand, phone screen glowing while the old ceiling fan tried its best to cool the heat off my neck. The place was dead quiet except for someone arguing over the phone in the back and the soft buzz of neon lights that made everyone look a little more tired than they were. I read the message again, squinting. “Locate pendant. No questions. Payment upfront.”

Sophie shouted, her voice desperate as she watched her guests slip away. But her pleas fell on deaf ears. A woman from the group I had brought into the hall stepped forward, her voice cutting through Sophie’s frantic cries. “I have the proof of payment. I rented this hall, not you,” she said confidently, holding up her phone for everyone to see. Sophie’s panic grew. She ran after the remaining guests, trying to stop them, trying to salvage what was left of her ruined party. “Wait! Please don’t go! Stay!” she begged, but it was too late. One by one, they all walked out, leaving her standing there, defeated. Her dream party had crumbled in front of her eyes.

"They're the best in the world." The moment we step inside, a middle-aged woman behind the counter lights up. "Sophia! It's been a while." Her eyes land on me, curious but warm. Sophia gestures toward me. "This is Anastasia, our guest." The woman’s smile widens. "Oh, in that case, no need to pay today." Sophia tries to argue, but the woman waves her off, already packing up the éclairs. When we’re about to leave, she hands Sophia another small bag. "For Rose," she says firmly. "And don't even try to pay for this. It's for our Rose, and you know better than to argue."

Katie informed him. “No misters, young lady—just Pye,” said the old man, sipping his coffee. He winked. “Happy to have you. You’re the only paying guest in the whole place.” He lifted the cup toward her, his face all creased and wrinkly. “See you in the funnies.”

After eating the hot pot, Baldric Miles had a phone, so he left first. He took the assistant out to pay, but the staff there said: "Miss Jenner delivered the deposit first, deducted, you don't need to pay." Baldric Miles gets his card back. He hesitated for a moment before nodding, "Okay." She firmly invites guests to dinner. Definitely don't let him charge. Carrying his assistant, he turned down the stairs, just as two cars were entering the parking lot, including a black Hummer with the windows down, Edward Mitchell put his hand on the window sill.

I noticed that they were all heading for the door and no one paid, I furrowed my brows, "wait.. we didn't pay.." Tawny laughed and walked next to me since my sister was busy with Nash, "um.. actually Paris paid for all this a long time ago.. we are not running away with their money.." I nodded my head understanding, "thank God. I can't afford to have a criminal record.. or even see you wash dishes there coz we didn't pay. I can already see it front page..." I lifted both my hands up and made a rectangle with my fingers, "The lioness digs in dishes coz she went broke.." She laughed, "God you're an idiot.. that's horrible journalism.."

In the corridor outside the venue. When the woman in red passed by, she frowned at the commotion and asked, "What's the matter?" The General Manager of the hotel explained, “A group of poor students came here for dinner and couldn’t pay the bill. They’re now causing a scene.” Chelsea Greene frowned slightly and said, "Did you call the police?" "No, because there is one of them who can afford to pay the bill, and they are forcing her to pay."

On the lower floors. “This is no error Anna! Stop being a snobby bitch and give Miss Smith her room.” Upon hearing Brad`s reply, I could not help but release a small laugh, it seemed I was not the only one who hated her attitude. “Bu…but who is paying for it? Usually only A list celebrities, CEO`s and important people like ministers, stay in there. She does not look like either one.” Anna then responded while looking a bit taken back. “Two words…Mr. Payne.” I was shocked as Anna quickly dropped the iPhone making it crash into the floor with the screen breaking into pieces upon impact.

His dark eyes grow in slits. "I said I'm sorry, I don't think you're going to be fired though." "You are such a...! Just- Just stay over there in your corner and i'll stay in mine." "O-okay." I stalk over to the other side of the hallway and look at the ground, not trying to make eye-contact with Coldren again. It was probably something I said, I'm always doing something wrong. ---------------------------------------------------------- The guests finally arrive and the big mansion is swarmed with people of all class. I see some co-workers who are well off enough to afford going, and some big names. I see David sometimes, luring guests into different rooms, talking to people about marketing d

I leaned back in the lounge chair that had been placed right before the one-way floor-to-ceiling window, leisurely sipping at my afternoon tea while quietly watching Callum kneel in the hot sun. He was a bit of a clean freak, so he must be feeling incredibly uncomfortable after wearing the same clothes for over a week now. He was filthy and stinky— a fitting combination for him. At last, Callum couldn't stand it anymore. Bad news from his company kept piling on, so if he didn't think of something soon, he really would go bankrupt. Body swaying from the starvation, he took a plank of wood that had nails embedded in it and dropped to his knees on it in one forceful motion.