Chapter Eight

With a gladdened heart, Lila and Maya set off to meet the unknown caller. Their destination was the Luxe Hotel Group, located in the heart of Manhattan, New York.

As they drove through the bustling streets of New York, their minds were filled with anticipation and anxiety. They were about to come face-to-face with the man who could potentially save or shatter their dreams.

Upon reaching the towering skyscraper that housed the Luxe Hotel Group, they took a moment to gather their thoughts before stepping inside. 

The grandeur of the Luxe Hotel Group was overwhelming. The marble floors gleamed under the chandeliers' light, and the air was filled with a subtle scent of lavender. They exchanged a glance, their hearts pounding in unison, as they approached the reception desk.

The receptionist, a woman with a warm smile, greeted them. "You must be Lila and Maya. Mr. Thompson has been expecting you. He's in the penthouse suite."

The elevator ride to the penthouse suite felt like an eternity. As the doors opened, they were greeted by a panoramic view of Manhattan's skyline. There, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, was Mr. Thompson.

"Hey, so you're the one we've been gabbing with on the blower?" Maya asked, her words flowing with the rhythm of the city. 

Mr. Thompson shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Nah, that was Mr. Luxe you were talking to. I'm just his P.A., name's Thompson."

Maya's eyes widened in surprise, "Can we meet Mr. Luxe now?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

"Mr. Luxe is currently in a meeting. He'll be available shortly," Mr Thompson said.

Maya, although anxious, nodded at Lila's words and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. Lila gave her an encouraging smile, her eyes conveying a silent message of support.

As they waited for Mr. Luxe, they couldn't help but marvel at the opulence of the penthouse suite. The panoramic view of Manhattan's skyline was breathtaking, and the hustle and bustle of the city below seemed almost peaceful from this height.

While they waited, Mr. Thompson led them to the Skyline Lounge, a plush waiting area with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city. The lounge was filled with the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of fine china, creating a soothing ambiance.

Soon, the doors of the meeting room swung open and the board members began to file out, their faces reflecting the intensity of the discussion they had just concluded. All except for one - Mr. Luxe.

Mr. Thompson excused himself and went back into the meeting room to inform Mr. Luxe about Lila and Maya's arrival. On hearing this, Mr Luxe made his way out of the meeting room and made his way through another door that led to his personal office, as he went he said

"Go, let them come see me at my office"

Returning to the Skyline Lounge, Mr Thompson gestured for Lila and Maya to follow him. "Mr. Luxe will see you now," he announced, his voice echoing slightly in the vast space of the lounge.

With a mix of excitement and nervousness, Lila and Maya rose from their seats. Lila quickly adjusted her shirt, making sure it was properly buttoned and presentable. 

Maya, on the other hand, tugged at the hem of her short, skimpy skirt, trying to make it appear a bit more modest. They were about to meet the boss of the prestigious Luxe Hotel Group, and they wanted to make sure they looked their best. 

The anticipation was palpable as they followed Mr. Thompson towards Mr. Luxe's office.

As they reached the entrance of the office, Mr. Thompson swung the door open, gesturing for them to enter. Lila took a deep breath, steadying her nerves, while Maya, visibly shaking, bumped into Lila with her ample backside in an attempt to lighten the mood.

They stepped into the office, their eyes taking in the grandeur of the room. "Good day, sir," they greeted in unison, their voices echoing slightly in the large space.

"Good day," came the reply from behind a large mahogany desk. "Please, have a seat." The voice was deep and authoritative, commanding respect.

"I've heard a lot about you two," he began, his voice deep and resonant. "I'm intrigued by your proposal and I'm eager to hear more about it. So, tell me, what can you bring to the Luxe Hotel Group?"

Lila and Maya exchanged a glance before turning their attention back to Mr. Luxe. This was their moment, their chance to convince him of their worth. They had come this far and they were not about to back down now.

Without lifting their gaze to meet his, they obediently took their seats, their hearts pounding in their chests.

The silence in the room was deafening, only broken by the soft hum of the city outside. They could hear their own heartbeats, loud and clear, as they sat in their chairs, their eyes still lowered.

Finally, gathering her courage, Lila lifted her gaze to meet Mr. Luxe's.

As Lila's gaze met Mr. Luxe's, a wave of recognition washed over her. The man sitting across from her was Ethan Luxe, the same man who had left her at the altar six years ago. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks, rendering her speechless.

Mr. Luxe continued speaking, oblivious to Lila's internal turmoil. His words were a distant hum in Lila's ears as she grappled with the shock of the situation. It was only when he addressed her directly, asking about potential issues with their partnership, that she snapped back to reality.

"Ms. Lila, so I hope partnering won't cause me any issues whatsoever?" he repeated, his gaze steady on her.

Lila sat there, frozen, unable to respond. It was Maya who finally broke the silence, tapping Lila and asking, "Hey, are you still here?"

She cleared her throat, forcing a smile onto her face. "Yes, I'm here," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. She was doing her best to hide the shock that was coursing through her veins.

Meanwhile, Mr. Luxe's gaze had become more intense. He was studying Lila, his eyes lingering on the birthmark under her arm and the slight scar under her ear - distinct features that stirred something in his memory. He squinted slightly, as if trying to bring a distant memory into focus.

There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes, but he couldn't quite place where he knew her from. 

The room was filled with an unspoken tension as both Lila and Mr. Luxe grappled with the ghosts of their pasts.