Unlucky Encounters

I don't know what to do. I may skip the welcome dinner party and stay in my suite. But when I think of the dishes they will serve tonight, I want to take advantage of the opportunity to try these world-class dishes!

I wished Camilla were here to help me dress up. If only I knew what awaited me here, I should shop for decent clothes that would fit this grandeur hotel.

But Camilla just phoned me and told me to bring my passport and drive to the airport. Everything just happened too fast. Now I am lost.

Living in the countryside, I don't need fancy clothes like evening gowns and party dresses. I only need jeans, shorts-short, t-shirts, boots, and a jacket.

I never thought that one day, I would get to experience a splendid once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

Although I expected one before when George and I planned our honeymoon trip, however, everything was just my dream now.

"Ah. I should not recall the past." It's not a matter of the past, but the present, to celebrate life even if I am alone now. I shook my head as I consoled myself, concealing the sadness in my eyes. I tilted my head to the side to lighten the weight of my heart.

And the best thing to do is to put the past behind me. All I should bear in mind is positivity, nothing else, and I will keep convincing myself until the pain disappears.

However, a part of me is mocking me, and she is right. If only it were easy to do the things that came into my mind. But the reality was screaming out loud.

It was easier said than done!

Then I should start tonight. It is time for me to bury the past completely.

"Alright! I will attend the welcome dinner party! I should not drown myself in the pain that is supposed to be long gone. Since the blessings approached me and fell on my lap, I should enjoy it until it lasts!"

Dwelling on my heartbreak would mend nothing. My only choice is to take one step forward, and then another step further, and so on.

Life is designed that way, and I should start embracing it.

"OK! I can do this!" I comforted myself.

When I caught my reflection in the mirror across from me, the girl staring back was full of confidence. I beamed when I saw a flicker of braveness in her eyes. I can say that I love the girl staring back at me. She is full of confidence.

So I got up from the sofa and walked toward the mirror. It was unusual for me to stare at myself this long, and it felt weird.

I never used the mirror in my house that much since I don't do any rituals, such as using many skincare products every day, especially at night.

When it comes to that, I am a sluggish person. I only used sunflower oil and a good brand of sunscreen. But I was forced to use some moisturizer because Camilla kept stocking my dresser with unfamiliar products.

"Now let's see…." I continue to scan my reflection. At least I wear brand-new jeans and pair them with an off-shoulder white blouse. With the clothes I am wearing, I don't look that peasant. However, I wore converse shoes. I need to change them into flat shoes to look a little classy.

"Make me proud." I could hear a part of me cheering. "Then, I better contact Jerry to drive me to the mall or a certain couture house to check on their party dress. I think I don't need an evening gown. Just a knee-length dress."

After I made up my mind to attend the welcome party, I browsed through my phone and Googled what dress I should wear for a grand dinner party. All the dresses looked glamorous and expensive. Scrolling through the results, I was in a daze, staring at my screen.

I can't afford any of them. Moreover, I am not comfortable wearing something like this!

"I need to look for cheaper dresses." Thus, I got my phone and continued searching for a store that sells affordable dinner party dresses when the telephone in my suite rang.

I wonder who it was. No one knew I was here but Camilla.

Thinking that finally, this woman remembered to contact me, I hurried over to the table in the corner and picked up the telephone receiver.

"Hello?" My voice was excited, but disappointment poured over me.

"Hello, Miss Palermo? This is Jim from Front Desk."

When Jim spoke from the other line.

I immediately recognized his voice. So I was disappointed it wasn't Camilla. That woman made me worried sick.

"Hi, Jim! What's up?"

"I would like to ask you, Miss, if you have already filled out the form I gave you earlier. I need it before the day ends today. The Legal Department needs them ASAP to process the documents."

"Oh, that! I'm glad you remind me about it. It slipped into my mind. I will fill them up fast! I think you can get them after half an hour. Is that OK?"

"Of course, Miss. I will get the documents in thirty minutes."

"Thank you, Jim."

"You are very welcome, Miss Palermo."

Finally, Jim hung up the call. I hurried to get the documents in my bedroom and looked for a pen. The study room has everything that I need.

I took the chair behind the desk and reviewed the insurance policy. After that, I filled out the form with my basic information. I am glad that the hotel had a brilliant concept and that they were thinking about the safety of their guests upon staying in this city.

Empire Dragon Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. It was already impressive how grand this hotel is, but its precautions are on top of the universe.

Thirty minutes later, the doorbell in my hotel room rang. I opened the door and smiled at Jim. "Come in."

I let Jim enter the room, then handed him the brown envelope. Jim scanned the documents with a solemn expression.

"Did I fill it out correctly?" I wondered.

"Hmm... all is good." Jim smiled. "I will bring them to the Legal Department now. There will be an email sent to you as your copy. By the way, Miss Palermo. Here—are the vouchers for this year's anniversary raffle winners. There are explanations and instructions in the booklet on how to redeem them from our store partners. And this—"

Before I could recover from the shock, when Jim handed me several vouchers, he gave me a red card. I creased my forehead and queried. "What is this for?"

"This is a debit card worth 20,000 dollars, Miss Palermo. You can spend them while having a tour around Mainland City." Jim smiled as he explained this.

"Seriously?" I was in disbelief, and I could not help yelling at Jim. After returning to my senses, I was too embarrassed when I acted like I was too poor and had never owned this much.

Well, I reacted exaggeratedly because I converted the amount into my country's exchange rate, and the amount astounded me.

Camilla mentioned none of this, so I was like an idiot who got shocked every time the hotel staff offered me something. But to think that Camilla might not know about this because if she ever does, I know she would not miss this opportunity.

She is somewhat materialistic. But her family could afford to buy her nice things. Besides, I prefer simple clothes, so I never try to dress up, mainly because George never complains about my wardrobe.

Somehow, I wondered if George would fall in love with me wearing those sexy clothes.

Ugh. I just swore to myself to forget George. But his face kept popping into my head.

"You need to move on, girl…."

"Is something wrong, Miss Palermo?"

"Hm? Ah, no problem!" I forgot Jim was still here. My cheeks turned pink, so I squeezed a smile out of embarrassment. "Oh, I actually have. Regarding the itinerary booklet. There is a welcome party tonight."

"Yes, Miss Palermo."

"Well, I don't have a dress to wear. So I'd like to go to a mall."

"Then, it's perfect, Miss! You have a voucher from Anna Collection. You can use it to pick out your dress. I will notify Jerry to prepare your car right away!"

Before I could say anything, Jim had already exited my suite. I want to tell him that Jerry should not bring the limousine! I am OK with an average car, so I chase after him.

But as I ran outside, I bumped into someone. When our bodies collided, I was defeated by his strength. I just realized that my bottom hit the floor and felt so hurt. I cried. 'Ouch...'

"What are you doing?"

I was comforting myself when I heard a growl above my head. I looked up, and my view filled with the face of a handsome man. However, his eyes were throwing daggers at me. I saw the disgust and resentment in them. He was dusting his suit impatiently, acting as if a germ had touched him.

I just finished taking a shower! Thinking about how he assumed I was dirty, I would like to fume in a rage. How dares this man?

I was about to explode when a baritone voice spoke behind the handsome man, and my jaw dropped to the floor when another gorgeous man appeared in my line of sight.

"What's wrong, George?"

The man who had just arrived asked the person I had bumped into. The person name George frowned.

"I could not believe that this hotel was rated ten stars. I wonder why they allow such a person from the zoo. Humph. Let's go, Rowan."

I felt a chill when the man glared at me before he left with the gorgeous man named Rowan.

But then, my ears buzzed after I processed his words, and it was too late for my reaction.

'What did he say!? Did I look like a monkey? How dare he insult me!' I was fuming inside when I recalled something. This George guy is the one I crossed earlier at the door.

'Gosh! How unlucky for me to cross such rude people just because they were from a wealthy family!'

I want to go home in an instant!