Page 67 of Hibiscus Heights

A red carpet stretched beneath the Majestic Hotel’s porte-cochère, where photographers were planning their angles. Flowering trees and opulent floral arrangements delivered earlier lined the area.

“Do we have photos of this entry yet?” she asked. They needed to commemorate every detail.

“The photographer has been working in the ballroom,” Maileah replied. “This area is next on her list.”

Everyone on Ryan’s team and the staff had pitched in to ensure the event’s success. The adrenaline level was running high, with everyone on guard against any disaster that might strike.

Ryan had engaged a local meteorologist to monitor the weather after strong monsoon gusts and rain had disrupted a VIP event the previous year. Knox ensured the backup generators were standing by, while Chef Gianna added extra staff and triple-checked every appliance in the kitchen. Whitley spent the last week preparing staff members to cater to VIP guests. Tonight, everyone was a VIP.

Deb also found another local artist whose artwork she acquired as a replacement. Every contingency plan had worked out.

Next to Deb, a smartly attired bell captain polished a bronze plaque that gleamed in the late afternoon sunshine. The Majestic Hotel, 1889.

Deb turned to him. “Everything looks spotless, Ethan. Thanks for helping us rearrange the hibiscus trees.” The red and white flowers complemented the hotel’s exterior color scheme.

The bell captain puffed out his chest with pride. “We know how important first impressions are. Few people outside of the hotel know this, but some of the first things Mr. Ryan did when he gained control of the hotel were to supply new uniforms for us here at the front and fill this entryway with flowering plants.”

“This hotel means a lot to him.” Deb hadn’t heard that particular story, but there were many others.

Ryan’s former business partner had invested little into the hotel while withdrawing as much cash as he could get away with. Though Ryan had worked in the upper echelons of finance and investments, he was a humble man at heart. For him, the hotel wasn’t just an investment; it was personal.

Standing beside her, Maileah tapped a pencil on her clipboard, which held a checklist. “Is there anything else you can think of?”

“This area looks ready now,” Deb replied. “Your marketing and event team has done an amazing job. Let’s do a final check of the ballroom before we change for the party.”

“We’ll have to hurry,” Maileah said, tapping her pencil again.

Deb touched her hand, quieting Maileah’s nervous action. “We have plenty of time. The makeup artist and hair stylist haven’t arrived yet.”

“Which room will we be in?”

Deb hesitated. “We’ll meet in room 418 in about an hour.”

Maileah looked at her in disbelief. “You took that room?”

“The hotel is sold out. We needed a place to change, and that room was the only one still available. Everything we brought will be waiting for us there.”

“Isn’t that the one Knox’s crew had trouble with?” Maileah lowered her voice to a whisper. “The one that’s haunted?”

Deb darted a glance around to see if they’d been overheard. “People like to imagine things. We’ll be fine. We’re together.”

Since they all planned to work today in preparation, Deb suggested that Maileah, Junie, and April bring their evening wear for the party to the hotel. She engaged her hairdresser and a local makeup artist to pamper them. Tonight, there would be photography, and Deb wanted her colleagues to look their best.

Whitley had given her the only room available. The men would use the spacious lounge in the executive offices, but that room was adjacent to Ryan’s office and adjoined the men’s restrooms.

In contrast, the old secretarial facilities designed for women were cramped and dimly lit.

They still were. The executive offices were last on the list for renovation due to funds required elsewhere.

Deb and Maileah walked through the hotel, conducting a final inspection of the corridors, terraces, patios, and other common areas. Artwork and photography chronicled the hotel’s history, adding warmth and personality.

The photographs made Deb think of Grant, though she tried not to think about how right his arms around her felt.

He would be here tonight with his family. Deb wasn’t sure which way tonight would go. For that matter, did she need to torture herself just to be friends with Grant? If it weren’t for the boys, she would cut off this lunacy.

At the cafe, Deb spoke to Kelsey, who would be serving this evening, and in the Library Bar, she said hello to the bartender, Maxine. Everyone was in high spirits, anticipating the evening ahead.

At the entry to the ballroom, Deb paused. The overall effect was one of relaxed beachside elegance. The focus was on quality and natural beauty with an abundance of fresh flowers, driftwood, and other treasures of the sea. The food and service would be impeccable. This was the new Majestic Hotel, a resort where anyone could relax and recharge.

---