CHAPTER 6

June 12, 2015

"Dad, is that not the lady from yesterday at the airplane?" Mavis pointed at Lea and her friends who were on their way to the Palace's restaurant.

Since Marco was still in a business meeting, Landon wanted to make sure that the hotel was in order especially Abby was hosting an event. He has great trust with Mr. Connolly and the staff; yet, he couldn't just forget the promise that he, together with Theresa and Marco made while planning for the hotel. They vowed that they would be involved with the hotel management not only as owners but also as an image for the staff and the guest. Moreover, it was the season where hotels in Myrtle Beach were fully booked and were busy with hosting variety of events.

It should only be for a few minutes just for the staff to sense his presence. But it became a longer visit at the hotel as Mavis woke up early and wanted to tag along with his dad. When Mavis found out that Landon would be going to the Palace, he was desperately pleading to bring him along.

Without hesitation, Landon gave in. He knew that the Palace was already a second home to Mavis. He grew up playing with the staff at the different facilities and rooms of the hotel. He used to visit the Palace often whenever Theresa came for the weekly assessment of the hotel staff. He may be young but he knew more names of the staff than his dad.

"Hello there little one!" Mr. Connolly greeted Mavis.

Upon seeing who it was, Mavis ran towards Mr. Connolly and hugged him tight. Just like his father, Mavis became also close with Mr. Connolly. He also grew up with the hotel environment as his second home. Among the staff, it was Mr. Connolly who usually spends more time babysitting Mavis. Yet, Mr. Connolly didn't see it as an obligation to Landon and Theresa as one of their employees but rather a privilege since he didn't have his own family or a son to cherish. He was busy managing the hotel of Landon's father in Manhattan. For him, he couldn't see his life outside the four walls of a hotel. He was contented with what he had and raising Landon to be a man as his own son. Now, he found himself raising another child, whom he could consider his grandchild with Landon.

As Landon and Mr. Connolly were discussing some concerns of the day, they noticed that Mavis was way ahead of them to the restaurant. He was hurry like a lion catching his prey. Landon didn't mind it at all. He thought that maybe Mavis was just in a hurry to grab some of the signature pastries of the restaurant, which Landon created. Yet, they were surprised when they reached the doors of the restaurant. Mavis wasn't at the bread corner. Rather, he was talking with a group of guests near the left corner of the restaurant.

Mavis stood near Lea who was seated with her friends. He just stared at her as his eyes were filled with curiosity. Recognizing him, "Hey buddy! Aren't you the one from the park yesterday?" Julie asked.

Mavis nodded while sitting at the empty chair near Lea. They didn't mind him grabbing a seat and joining them. They actually find him cute.

"It seems he has an eye on you," Maggie remarked to Lea.

Lea smiled at Mavis. "Do you want anything to eat?"

"You should try the bannock bread. It's my favorite," Mavis suggested after seeing what they had on their table.

"Okay then. Would you want some as well?" Ryan asked and volunteered to get some at the bread corner.

"Lady, are you married?" Mavis suddenly asked Lea.

His question surprised everyone at the table. Some of them were trying to hold their laughter seeing the surprised reaction of Lea. From it they found him more adorable by his unpredictability.

"I am not but..."

"Then wouldn't you mind seeing my father?" Mavis interrupted.

They were caught off guard again by his way of questioning. It wasn't a joke coming from a child. They saw in his expression that he was damn serious on his question.

"I couldn't," Lea slowly answered.

"Why not? Don't you like my father? He's good-looking. Well, I'm more attractive than him but he's a great guy." Mavis tried to enumerate his father's essence.

"I'm attracted to him!" Julie barged in.

"Julie!" All of them reprimanded her.

"Well, you see. It's not that simple. Your father has your mom even let's say..." Lea glanced at the ladies and back to Mavis tenderly, "...we like your father, still it's improper for us to steal him from you and your mother," she clarified the situation.

"My Mom just passed away last month," Mavis sadly informed.

Though his tone changed slightly, Lea noticed that he's psychological growth is beyond his age. He was so composed as if he was like a teenager talking about a death of a relative. She didn't know what she was feeling. Was it an amazement or sympathy? Somehow, her mind couldn't comprehend what she noticed. It was as if it was beyond her.

Lea could reply from what she heard from him. Everyone was shock by what he told them except for Shira. "He's telling the truth. His mother died last month due to illness. Rumor has it that his father seems to be trying to find his steps again after losing his wife," Shira elaborated.

Wait, what? He's a widow now?" Julie asked.

"Yeah!"

"And where on earth did you get that information?" Maggie tried to scrutinize Shira for not telling them sooner.

"Well, last night, I asked one of staff about him." Shira showed a small beamed. "Before that, I tried to search for him on the Internet since his father looks familiar and I was right. Six years ago, I saw an article in a magazine describing him as one of the most sought after bachelor in the country. But he married on the same year."

"Hey guys, what did I miss?" Ryan interrupted as he just came back with a plate of bread and some other pastries. He placed the plate on the table and sat back on his chair.

Lea grabbed a piece of bannock bread and offered some to Mavis who happily accepted it and took a bite. When he noticed that they were all looking at him, he smiled and said, "This is my favorite bread here. My dad used to bake them."

"Oh! So your dad is not only the owner but also the chef of the hotel?" Julie inquiringly asked.

Mavis nodded while taking another bite.

He's actually a renowned chef in the culinary world. He won some international awards as a novice chef and made a name for himself," Shira informed.

"Well done Shira! You really did your homework on him but forget to inform us afterwards," Maggie ironically expressed.

Lea just smiled. Such case wasn't the first time. Shira was the trivial type in their group. She's fond of celebrities and other trending topics on the Internet. Sometimes her personality clashes with Julie but often than not their differences harmonize and bind their group together, creating a balance of yin and yang among them.

Here he comes." Julie smiled as she stared at Landon who just entered the restaurant and was on his way to their table.

"Hey Dad, look!" Mavis raised his hand showing a piece of the bannock bread.

Landon knew what Mavis tried to point out. He used to bake bannock bread for him and Theresa every morning. It was one of the signature bread that is being served in the restaurant. Yet, Landon couldn't find the inspiration to bake more so to cook even a meal after losing his wife.

Upon reaching them, Landon immediately apologized, "I'm sorry! I hoped he didn't cause any trouble.

"Not at all. He was a good boy," Ryan said.

"So how was your first day here in Myrtle? I'm optimistic that you're enjoying your stay." He smiled at them.

"We are. By the way, thank you again for your help yesterday," Lea expressed.

"No problem!"

"Dad, aren't we going to Maria later? Can they come? Please!" Mavis pleaded.

Villa Maria is a local restaurant that Landon and his friends used to dine at every Thursday. It showcases some of the southern cultures in the area and prides itself as the best smokehouse in Myrtle. Villa Maria was among the many places that Landon and Theresa have filled with fond memories. Among the memories was the time when Marco, Landon and Theresa agreed to invest in owning a hotel at Myrtle Beach.

"Oh well... It would be great but..." He turned his glance to them. "Are you free tonight? Would you join us for dinner?"

Before anyone could react, Julie instantly agreed, "We'd love to!"

"Great then." Landon smiled at them and turned his attention to Mr. Connolly. "Could you take care of their ride later then?"

"Yes sir!"

"Then it's settled. We'll see you later," he contentedly said.

"Yes!" Mavis joyously shouted.

It wasn't the first time that Mavis invited guests to their Thursday's dinner. Whenever he felt the kindness of the guests that he would talk with, he would surely invite them. Landon was used to it. Mr. Connolly was used to it. They knew where he was coming from. He learned it with Theresa who used to invite some guests who wasn't able to reserve a table at the restaurant for dinner.

The MTL Palace wasn't only a three star hotel; it's also famous for it's buffet dinner, which Landon started and was proud of. Guests and other visitors have difficult time reserving a table since it was always fully booked. In a short span of time, their restaurant has received multiple gourmet awards in Myrtle Beach and in South Carolina.

"What's the commotion going on here?" Abby interrupted as she just arrived from the event hall.

"Aunt Abby!" Mavis stood up and embraced Abby.

"Oh if it isn't my favorite boy, Mavis! Have you been a good boy lately?" Abby asked.

Mavis just nodded after releasing his arms around her. "You would also be joining us, Auntie, right?" he asked.

Not knowing what to say, she looked at Landon for additional information.

We'll be going to Villa Maria later together with Mavis' new friends." He glanced at Lea and her friends indicating to Abby that they're Mavis' new friends.

"Aren't you the guests who took my suite room yesterday?" She smiled.

Lea and her friends just looked at each other not knowing what Abby was talking about.

"I was the one who gave them. Besides, you got the King's suite, which is much bigger," Landon corrected her.

Realizing that their room was supposed to be Abby's room, Lea apologized, "We're sorry! We didn't know that it was already booked for you."

"Don't be. If it wasn't for you, my clients wouldn't have the King's room." She winked at them.

"Anyway, please excuse us. We'll just talk about something. Enjoy your breakfast!" After giving instruction to Mavis to behave, Landon, Abby and Mr. Connolly walked away and sat on another table while leaving Mavis to them.

When there was already a distance between them, "Julie!" Lea cautiously said.

"What? It would be a great experience. As a saying goes, 'Eat like the locals do.'"

"Julie has a point," Maggie seconded.

"Besides, it was offered. She didn't demand it," Ryan agreed.

Lea knew she was outnumbered. Whatever she would say, she knew it would be meaningless now. She just turned her attention to Mavis who was enjoying himself with the other pastries that Ryan got with Bannock bread.

On another table not far from them, "Mavis, like you, also seen the similarity of Theresa with one of them." Abby glanced from Landon to Lea's table.

"What do you mean?" Landon already knew what she was talking about. Yet, he didn't want her to know that even Mavis mistook her as his mother at the Family Kingdom the other day. Theresa was an exceptional woman, her looks may be ordinary but her heart is one of a kind. The aura that people saw in her was as pure as a snow. From afar, she was recognizable by many due to her one of a kind radiance that kept on attracting people especially when she smiled at them.

"The lady next to Mavis. She looks like her, Theresa. Don't tell me, you don't see it?"

Landon just nodded. "So are you free tonight?" Landon asked trying to change the topic.

"We'll see. Would Enrico and Alfonso be available tonight?"

"Speaking of Enrico, have you seen him?"

"He was here early this morning. Like usual, he delivered the flowers personally."

Both Landon and Abby smiled as they thought of Enrico's dedication with his business. It may be an inherited business but all his friends knew that he loves flowers and he loves what he does in the shop.

"I would ask him then at the shop for tonight's dinner."

"Then I would be the one to tell Alfonso and reserve the spot at Maria," Abby offered.