Chapter 227: Becoming Accustomed
"If Mr. Tony Stark is also from the Void Sect," Lalatina asked, "then I wonder if you've heard of Senior Sonia?"
"Of course. Miss Sonia is the administrator of the Void Sect," Tony replied. "Before I came here, I asked her for some recommendations. She suggested I choose based on my taste, so here I am." He ended with a note of dissatisfaction about the apparent lack of hospitality from the hotel staff.
"I hope you won't take offense at what I'm about to say," Lalatina said, a polite smile on her face. "The reason they haven't been particularly welcoming is because of your attire. Most guests here are billionaires or powerful figures, and they typically arrive in luxury vehicles or starships."
"Your clothing seems more suited to a less developed planet, which is why they haven't shown much enthusiasm," she explained with a light laugh.
Tony chuckled at her honesty. "So how did you end up striking up a conversation with me?"
"You're quite handsome, Mr. Stark," she said with a grin. "Providing the highest level of service to our guests is the motto of the Elite Hotel."
"Looks like all the women from the Elite Hotel know how to flatter," Tony replied, enjoying the compliment despite knowing it was a standard courtesy.
"I'm just speaking the truth," Lalatina said. "I was surprised to see the renowned Tony Stark looking so youthful like you're barely in your twenties. Truly impressive!"
"Impressive, huh? It's been a while since I've heard that term," Tony said, smiling.
"Why do you say that?" Lalatina asked, intrigued by his reaction.
Just then, the elevator doors opened.
"Nothing, just that I appreciate your kind words. Feel free to keep them coming," Tony replied, deflecting further explanation.
Seeing that he didn't want to delve deeper, Lalatina smoothly transitioned to another topic. "By the way, what are the working hours for the Elite Hotel? Is there anything I, as a guest, should be aware of?" Tony asked.
As they entered villa number 6666, Tony noticed its classical design matched Lalatina's poised and elegant demeanor, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
"Our working hours are 24/7. You can call on me at any time," Lalatina said. "As for our services, aside from not providing intimate companionship, we'll do our utmost to fulfill any requests you may have."
"24/7? Don't you ever get a break?" Tony asked, surprised at the relentless schedule.
"It may sound extreme," Lalatina replied, "but our guests' rest is when we rest. It's just how it works here."
"I think I understand why Miss Sonia is so efficient," Tony remarked. "In such a high-pressure environment, it's hard not to become skilled."
"While I appreciate your praise," Lalatina said, "Sonia is an exception. Before she retired and left with Mr. Kassadin, she worked here for ten years, consistently ranking as the top villa manager. Her capabilities are unmatched and set a standard for us."
Hearing this, Tony could believe that Harvey must have valued Sonia's skills greatly to appoint her as a housekeeper. Finding someone with such a proven track record was undoubtedly a wise choice.
"Mr. Stark, I'll prepare a drink for you. Is there anything specific you'd like?" Lalatina asked with a smile.
"I'm looking for beautiful women; can you help me with that?" Tony replied casually, revealing his true intentions.
"Of course, you don't need to feel embarrassed about that. It's only natural to appreciate beauty," Lalatina said, unfazed. "I have a list of available companions for you to review. All the names and images match perfectly."
She tapped her wrist, and a projection appeared, displaying a list of women with their names, races, identities, personalities, and physical attributes clearly outlined.
"Looks like Sonia didn't lie to me. I've hit the jackpot," Tony said, impressed by the array of beautiful women displayed before him. While he often engaged in casual relationships on Earth, in Xandar, he preferred to first understand the various women available.
"Mechanical shapeshifters?" he mused. "They can change personalities and styles? There's some research value there. I should bring Banner and the others over; they need to experience the allure of different cultures."
As he scrolled through the extensive list featuring women from various planets, Tony couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.
Lalatina, observing his reactions, remained unfazed by the bold statements from the male guests. Having worked for over five years, she had long since grown accustomed to such encounters.