Five Star Attraction

by Jacquelin Thomas

  “Robert never stopped loving your grandmother, Ari.”

  “How do you know that?” Ari inquired, surprised by her words. He knew that she was telling the truth because of what Robert had written to his father.

  “He talked about her often during the last months of his life,” Natasha replied. “Letting her leave with his child was the hardest decision he had ever made, according to Robert.”

  “He wrote as much in his letter to my father,” Ari said. “I can’t help but wonder if he would’ve felt the same way if he’d had other children.”

  “I don’t know if you’ll ever find the answer to that question, Ari. However, I can tell you this. He loved his nieces and nephews like they were his own, but his feelings for them didn’t stop him from leaving the bulk of his estate to your father.”

  “I would have liked to have met him.”

  “Ari, Robert wanted to get to know all of you. He kept track of your father, but feared it was too late.” Natasha wiped her mouth on the end of her napkin. “There’s something I think you need to know. Robert went to see your grandmother before she died. She was in the hospital. He flew to be by her side as soon as he heard she was sick.”

  Ari was completely blown away by this information. His father’s reaction would be the same as his, but it was important for Malcolm to know just how much Robert had cared for his mother. “How did he find out?”

  “There was only one person who knew your grandmother’s secret,” Natasha began.

  “Had to be Aunt Lena. They were very close. My dad doesn’t know about any of this.”

  Natasha nodded. “I was in a meeting with Robert when she called to tell him about your grandmother. I had never seen him shed a tear until that day.”

  “Even when his wife died?”

  “He was stoic, but there were no tears. When your grandmother died, Robert returned to Georgia. He waited until everyone left the cemetery to say his final goodbye.” Natasha met his gaze. “He loved your grandmother until the very end. I’d like to think that a love like that survives death, and that they are finally together for eternity.”

  Ari was so quiet that Natasha could only assume he was thinking of his late wife. To end the silence, she asked, “So how did you end up in the hospitality industry? Did you want to follow in your father’s footsteps?”

  “When the new hotel was being built near my high school, everyone talked about the opportunity for jobs and how cool it would be to work there—even April.” Ari smiled. “I badgered them during construction, and they gave me a part-time job. I worked there until I left for college. I would return during breaks from school, and then full-time after graduation.”

  “So was it as cool as you thought?”

  He nodded. “I loved my job. I worked as a waiter. After graduating from college, I became the assistant food and beverage manager. I stayed with that company for another three years. I left because I wanted to work with my parents, but also because I was always number two and I wanted a step up.”

  “I’m sure they were thrilled,” Natasha murmured.

  Ari gave a short laugh. “Actually, my father asked me, ‘Why should I take you on?’”

  She was surprised. “What did you say?”

  “I was stumped, so I just responded, ‘Why wouldn’t you?’ He ended up making me a junior assistant reservations manager doing the graveyard shifts. I worked my way up to conferencing and banqueting manager within a year.”

  “Were you disappointed that he didn’t just give you a prestigious position from the beginning? You’re the owner’s son—that’s a perk, isn’t it?”

  “I don’t like the word ‘perk,’” Ari responded. “It’s sleazy. My father didn’t just give me a job. He interviewed me and I had to prove myself just as any other employee. The way I see it, Natasha, being Malcolm Alexander’s son is a privilege—not a perk.”

  “I think it’s really sweet you feel that way about your father.”

  “I was blessed with a wonderful set of parents.”

  Natasha took a sip of her water. “I feel the same way about my mom and dad. They have always been there for me and my siblings. If they had their way, I would still be in Phoenix.”

  “Is that where you grew up?”

  She nodded. “I miss home, but I love living in Los Angeles.”

  “This city is very different from what I’m used to,” Ari said. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to so much traffic.”

  “You will,” Natasha assured him. She was secretly thrilled that Ari seemed more at ease around her.

  Ari was enjoying his conversation with Natasha immensely.

  Natasha picked up her fork. “Tell me about your family, Ari.”

  “Let’s see, you’ve already met my father. He’s a good man and a wonderful role model to my siblings and me. He adores my mother.” Ari smiled. “He’s the type of man I want to become.”

  Natasha wiped her mouth with a linen napkin. “I can tell how much you admire him. I think it’s great to have someone like that in your life—especially boys. I’ve always believed boys should have a strong male figure in their lives to teach them how to be a man.”

  Ari agreed. “Then there’s my mother—she’s also a positive role model. She is what some people consider a steel magnolia—a woman who possesses a great sense of humor, intelligence and a quiet strength. People who don’t really know her often make the mistake of casting her as a fragile woman, but that soft voice of hers and genteel tone can cut through you like a knife if she feels her family is threatened in any way.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “She’s looking forward to meeting you, as well,” he told her.

  Natasha wiped her mouth with the edge of her napkin. “Okay, so what have you told her about me?”

  He grinned. “Just how you snubbed our experience in the hospitality industry.”

  “You didn’t…”

  Ari laughed. “It’s true.” His gray eyes widened in accusation. “You said yourself that we didn’t have enough experience to manage a chain of luxury spa resorts.”

  “I shouldn’t have been so judgmental.”

  “It’s okay,” Ari responded. “We like a challenge.”

  “I hope your mother doesn’t think too badly of me.”

  “She doesn’t,” Ari confirmed. “She just wants to meet you. After all, we hired you as our consultant.”

  “Are any of your other siblings going to work with you and your parents?”

  Ari gave a slight shrug. “Drayton is a CPA and he’s going to go into business for himself. Kellen and Zaire are still in graduate school, but she’s about to graduate. She wants to get into the management training program.”

  “Wonderful,” she responded. “It’s one of the best in the industry. I actually considered majoring in accounting when I was in college.”

  “I can see that in you.”

  She laughed. “Oh, really?”

  He broke into a grin. “Yes, you look like a numbers person.”

  “Do I?”

  Ari nodded.

  “So, what is Kellen studying?”

  “He’s completing his master’s in architectural engineering.”

  Natasha sipped her iced tea. “I can’t wait to meet all of them.”

  “What about you? Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “I have a brother and sister,” Natasha responded with a smile. “We’re triplets, actually.”

  “Are you identical? You and your sister?”

  She shook her head no. “Fraternal.”

  “Are you close?”

  Natasha broke into a smile. “We are. My sister was here in Los Angeles until six months ago. She’s getting married to her high-school sweetheart, so she’s back in Phoenix. My brother also lives in Phoenix.”

  “Have you ever been married?”

  She shrugged nonchalantly. “Yes, but it didn’t work out. We were going in two different directions.”

 
“Did it have anything to do with you being a career woman?” Ari inquired. “It doesn’t bother me, but I know some men can’t handle that.”

  “It was more that he didn’t want to be a husband or a father.”

  “You have a child?”

  Natasha smiled. “A little boy.”

  “How old is he?”

  “He’s six years old,” she answered. “Joshua is my pride and joy.”

  “I can tell,” Ari said. “Just the mention of his name puts a huge smile on your face. I think it’s wonderful. I have always wanted children.”

  “Being a parent is great. I love him more than my own life.”

  They talked all through dinner about parenting, sports and business.

  Natasha wiped her mouth on the edge of her napkin. “This was a good idea.”

  “What? Having dinner together?”

  She nodded. “I’ve learned quite a bit about you this evening.”

  Ari grinned. “Same here.”

  Natasha leaned forward and asked, “So, am I as bad as you thought?”

  “Not at all,” Ari confessed over the rapid beating of his heart. “I think you and I are going to be good friends.”

  “Until I get you on a basketball court,” she teased.

  “Okay, that just sounded like a challenge,” Ari responded. “Natasha, you don’t want to do that. I’m just saying.”

  There was a flurry of activity going on at the corporate office when Ari arrived the next morning.

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “Harold’s having his stuff moved,” came the reply of one of the executive assistants.

  Ari surveyed the boxes in the lobby. “He had this much to move?”

  The young woman shifted from one foot to the other. “I guess so.” She lowered her voice to a whisper and added, “Security arrived about forty-five minutes ago.”

  Ari read her name tag. “Thank you, Tammie.”

  She gave him a smile and then took off briskly down the hall.

  He had notified building security that Harold might try to take company files with him, and he wanted him detained.

  Harold confronted Ari. “How dare you summon security on me. I really hope that you don’t consider this some sort of victory, because it isn’t. I’m just not willing to stay on and watch this hotel lose its five-star rating.”

  Ari’s voice hardened. “Your uncle apparently lacked faith in your ability, Harold. Otherwise, I’m sure he wouldn’t have had any problems leaving the properties in your hands, wouldn’t you agree?”

  “He wasn’t in his right mind,” Harold uttered in a nasty tone. “The man was a raving lunatic right before he died.”

  “That’s not what we were told by his attorney,” Ari responded. “Robert DePaul was of sane mind when he changed his will.”

  “That snake will say anything for a handsome check. Oh, and nice touch—locking me out of my uncle’s house.”

  “The house belongs to my father. There is no reason for you to be there.”

  “If you and your family think you can do a better job than I did—”

  “Harold, a successful hotel requires people, product and performance,” Ari interjected. “My father will ensure that the hotels continue to meet and exceed guest expectations.”

  Harold stalked out of the lobby, fuming.

  His cell phone rang.

  It was Natasha.

  “How are things?” she inquired.

  Ari gave her a quick rundown of his conversation with Harold.

  “I’m so sorry you had to deal with all that,” Natasha said to Ari.

  He shrugged in nonchalance. “It doesn’t bother me. The man is bitter, and I guess I can understand why. He devoted his life to his uncle’s company, and now he’s left with nothing.”

  “He has the two million dollars Robert left him,” Natasha said. “This doesn’t include the money he inherited from his grandfather.

  “So, other than that, is everything going well?”

  “They are,” Ari answered. “As far as I can tell.”

  He was pretty sure that there were still a few spies for Harold on the payroll, but he was determined to flush them out.

  “Well, I just wanted to check in with you,” Natasha said. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

  “Great,” Ari responded, walking into the office Harold had vacated.

  After he hung up with Natasha, Ari set up a meeting with the head of security at the building. He wanted certain precautions in place.

  There was a knock on the door just as he ended the call. It was Tammie, one of the three executive assistants still remaining. She slipped into the office and stood until he gestured for her to sit down.

  “Mr. Alexander, I just wanted to inform you that I was the one who called Franklin this morning.”

  “You wanted him to let me know that Harold was packing up the office.”

  She met his gaze. “I felt you should know.”

  “You were right,” he told her. “Thank you.”

  Ari studied her face and then asked, “How are you related to Franklin?” She had the same deep-chocolate coloring and thick, naturally arched eyebrows as Franklin.

  She gasped in surprise.

  “You have his eyes and his nose,” Ari explained. “I have a good memory for faces.”

  “He’s my father.”

  “Did Robert know?”

  “Yes. He hired a detective to look for me and my mom after Franklin came to work for him. Before then, the last time I saw my father was when I was ten years old. He left home one day and never came back.” She spoke with light bitterness.

  “Tammie, I’m glad to have you on board.”

  “Mr. DePaul…Harold offered me a lot of money to keep an eye on you and your family. I turned him down because it wasn’t right, and because I am not motivated by money.”

  “I appreciate your honesty.”

  “Mr.…Harold did things that weren’t quite on the up-and-up around here. He and I didn’t really get along. He actually fired me when Mr. Robert got sick but was forced to keep me on by his brother, William. I’ve worked with William for the past year. He’s over in the supply management division. He has been in the hospital. He had a heart attack the week after Mr. Robert died. He’s at home recuperating.”

  “How is he doing?” Ari inquired.

  “Much better,” Tammie responded as she turned and walked toward the door. “You will need to hire an assistant. Kelly left with Harold.”

  Ari smiled at her. “Thank you, Tammie.”

  She paused a moment before opening the door. “William DePaul is nothing like his brother. The two of them didn’t get along, but I don’t know what William will decide. He respected his uncle greatly.”

  “Tammie, are you looking to stay where you are?”

  “I am very happy to have a job. William and I work well together, but if he decides to leave then I would like to work in accounting.” She gave a tiny smile. “I’m going to school at night to become an accountant.”

  “Really? I have a brother who will be opening up a firm in Los Angeles. We would hate to lose you, but I believe you would be an asset to him.”

  “That would be wonderful,” she gushed, then said, “I’d better get back to work.”

  Chuckling, Ari turned on the computer monitor.

  “The man had the nerve to send security to watch me as I packed up my property—my property,” Harold fussed. “I wasn’t even allowed to take my laptop.”

  “It belongs to the company, remember?”

  Harold gazed at her hard. “I am a DePaul.”

  Natasha was secretly impressed by the way Ari had handled Harold.

  “How is William?” Natasha asked, changing the subject.

  “He’s fine.”

  He began pacing the floor of her office. “I am not going to just let Malcolm Alexander and his spawn have my hotels without a fight,” he mumbled.

  “They are not your hotels,” Natas
ha pointed out.

  He sent her an angry glare.

  “As much as you don’t want to hear it, Harold, your uncle made his choice of successor.”

  “It is not that simple,” Harold argued. “Look, we have another chance. All you have to do is convince Malcolm to take the company public.”

  “I’m not sure he will consider—”

  He cut her off by saying, “You are his consultant. Natasha, all you have to do is get him to see that it’s the right decision and best for the company.”

  She knew he wanted the hotel group to go public so that he could buy up shares and force a hostile takeover. Natasha wasn’t sure she wanted to have any part of this.

  “I hope you will keep up your part of our agreement.”

  “I have kept my part of it,” she argued. “Harold, I can’t make Malcolm do anything—all I can do is offer suggestions. It’s his decision. He has the final say.”

  “If you want this money for those precious treatments for Joshua, you had better find a way to convince him.”

  Harold made his way to the door. “I’ll be in touch, Natasha. You remember what I’ve said.”

  His words left her shaken. What had she gotten herself into?

  Chapter 11

  “What was the redevelopment cost of the San Francisco property?” Ari asked. He was glad to have Natasha back. He had missed her.

  “I believe it was around twelve million dollars,” Natasha responded. “The facilities program includes one hundred unique rooms, an upscale eight-thousand-square-foot spa, six thousand square feet of retail space and an exclusive restaurant.”

  “The restaurant is an important component of that development,” Ari interjected.

  Natasha agreed. “It’s expected to gross two million.” She paused a moment, then said, “I owe you an apology.”

  “For what?”

  “I was wrong when I said you weren’t capable of managing this company. You are doing surprisingly well. I never should have doubted your abilities.”