Chapter 88: Arrangements in Place
Normally, a villa manager wasn't supposed to have so much freedom when serving a high-profile guest. It was clear to everyone that her relationship with the mysterious guest in Room 7777, Mr. Kassadin, was more than professional.
About two weeks ago, the news of Sonya handing in her resignation spread like wildfire among the staff. People began to speculate about what Kassadin might have promised Sonya to make her quit her well-paying job. They found it hard to believe she would willingly walk away from such a stable position unless he had cast some sort of spell over her.
But what they couldn't deny was the obvious shift in Sonya's demeanor. She was noticeably happier with each passing day.
Today, as she stepped out of the Elite Hotel, smiling and dressed casually, some of her former colleagues couldn't help but feel a bit envious. Mr. Kassadin had given her a level of freedom they could only dream of—not to mention, the financial security that seemed to come with it. After all, staying in a luxurious suite for months was something only the ultra-wealthy could afford.
Though their envy was palpable, deep down, many of them didn't want Sonya to succeed. They just couldn't help but wish that they were the ones in her position, instead of her.
Before leaving, Sonya turned to the hotel, bowing deeply as a sign of respect. Despite the challenges, it was within the Elite Hotel's cutthroat environment that she had honed her skills. It was here that she learned the expertise needed to eventually meet someone like Kassadin, someone who would appreciate her abilities and give her the chance to change her life forever.
"Let's go, Mr. Kassadin. I'll drive you there," Sonya said with a smile as she pulled out her car keys from her bag.
Harvey gave a nod of approval and followed her into the car.
"I've already arranged things," she explained while driving. "We've got a boat that makes trips to the island three times a day—morning, afternoon, and evening. The island is remote, so beyond those trips, coming and going won't be easy. That's why we've also built a small airstrip for emergencies."
"You may not need the boats or the airstrip, but they'll be useful for others in the future, particularly for bringing in food supplies. As for hiring chefs, I suggest a rotation system, like we had at the hotel. This will keep the menu varied and ensure high-quality meals."
Sonya spoke with the confidence of someone who had planned every detail meticulously. Harvey listened closely, knowing that her thoroughness would only make the island's operations run more smoothly.
"I already have some candidates in mind, but I thought it would be best if you made the final decision regarding their salaries," Sonya added, her eyes on the road.
Harvey considered this for a moment. "Do you have a list?" he asked.
Without missing a beat, Sonya pressed a button on her dashboard, and a holographic projection appeared in front of Harvey. It displayed the profiles of several chefs, complete with their photos, past employment history, specializations, and salary expectations.
Each candidate had been carefully vetted. Harvey scanned the profiles, thinking about the island's future. Currently, it was just him and Sonya, but as more Void followers were drawn to the island, things would get busier. However, after the initial training, most wouldn't stay long-term.
A rotation of about 40 chefs seemed reasonable, especially given that a high-quality meal was integral to the Void's evolution process. Saving on such a fundamental aspect wasn't worth it. The highest weekly wage on the list was around 21,000 credits, which would come to about 80,000 credits per month for all 40 chefs—if he was feeling generous. Even if he opted to save a bit, he could still manage with a payroll of around 40,000 per month.
As Harvey selected the chefs, a soft chime echoed, confirming his choices. Sonya, though focused on driving, could hear the notifications. She smiled to herself, pleased that Harvey wasn't one to skimp when it came to the quality of his meals. It was exactly as she had anticipated.
While Sonya had taken care of the logistics, she knew that everything ultimately depended on Harvey's satisfaction. Still, it was clear that her approach had passed the test so far.
Though Harvey's wealth seemed boundless, Sonya understood the importance of making the island self-sustaining. With its considerable size, they could easily dedicate part of the land to agriculture and livestock. And the fishing rights she had secured for the surrounding waters would also come in handy.
She hadn't mentioned it outright, but with a training area planned for the Void disciples, it was obvious that they'd need more than just meditation—they'd need physical nourishment too. Allowing them to fish for their meals would serve a dual purpose.
Sonya, now officially part of Harvey's operation, was ready to focus on her growth. In just one month, she had undergone three evolutionary phases. She could already feel the increased strength and stamina coursing through her body.
She was no longer just a manager—she was evolving. Soon enough, she would be able to help manage the Void Church on Xandar even when Harvey wasn't there. To do that, she needed to keep growing, both in power and in wisdom.