Lisa frowned and Lester continued, “It is the Boss's method to check the staff's hard work and unfortunately, they failed. Now, we will bring new staff members who will put their life at risk to help others. Just like you did today. You proved yourself that you are indeed truly devoted to your job.”

After praising Lisa, Lester thought maybe his boss would be happy now. But instead, Augustus sneered at him and asked rudely, “Are you done.?”

Lester hesitated and nodded his head down.

“You can leave first, Lester.” He barked those words and Lester left the room without taking a single glance.

By seeing she is alone with him. Lisa also said in a calming tone. “I should leave too.” And turned around.

“I’ll walk you out.” Augustus' voice came from behind.

In the living room, she bent down to pick her heels which she threw off while entering.

Augustus took a great look at her ass.

Lisa turned and caught him staring. She asked annoyingly, “What are you looking at.?”

Augustus came back to his senses and said, “Can’t tell a person who exercises daily is not even able to climb the stairs without heels.?”

“How did you know I exercise daily.? Lisa frowned.

“Well, you have a good physique. Just guessing..” Augustus said in a mocking way so that she doesn’t doubt him.

Lisa was stunned. She put on her heels, ran out of the room as fast as she could.

Augustus looked at her back and smiled.

When she was out of his sight. He shouted, “Lester, I want all the information about Lisa Mathew before I go to bed.”

Lester came out from the corner and said, “Yes boss.”

By the time Lisa reached her home, she was exhausted. She took a quick shower and ate dinner peacefully.

After she was full, she lay down on her bed and thought about what happened today with her. This new owner is really weird. Instead of thanking, he was scolding her and even checking out her ass shamefully. Such a pervert..!

After tossing on the bed for half an hour she couldn’t sleep. And finally, she did what she always vowed to not do.

She went to her closet and took out her husband’s shirt. She used to sniff it and wrap it around her body so she could feel her husband’s presence with her.

It’s been six months, every night she sleeps like this. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t fall asleep without hugging it.

...

Colosseum Hotel.

In the Presidential suite, Augustus was looking at a thin file. After a while, he opened it.

On the first page, there was the birth certificate of Lisa Mathew. Her wedding picture and Her family photo. Lisa, Husband, Son. Finally, there was a picture of her Facebook account: Lisa Mathew.

He switched on his laptop and searched for her. He found her and clicked on her profile.

There was a beautiful picture on the desktop in black and white. He scrolled through her photos and saw her picture with her husband. There was a spark in her eyes, and her smile was so wide.

Today the Lisa he met and the Lisa in the picture both looked like two different people. He somehow got heartache by thinking this.

She was married when she was sixteen. She had a son at the age of 17 and became a widow at the age of 23. So young and facing so many hardships. He felt pity for her.

Then, he saw her videos of singing cover songs and playing guitar. Her voice was so mesmerizing.

He heard her songs and felt she is a multi-talented woman. Her last post was in April, with the caption of a song named “Rewrite The Stars”# “Loved to sing this song but couldn’t find a partner. I wish I could sing this one day wholeheartedly.” With heart and sad face emojis.

“Hmmm.. Rewrite the stars.” He said while tapping his chin.

...

The next day, Lisa woke up and went jogging as usual at the Villa Ada Park. Augustus was already sipping his coffee when she entered. And as usual, she started jogging ignoring people around her.

Sipping coffee in his tracksuit, with the shine of sun on him. He looked like a divine creature. Every woman was attracted to him but the one he always wanted to see him. She ignored him so easily.

Last night, when he saw her husband. He didn’t have any good physique or sharp face like him. He was just an ordinary man and yet she looked at him so affectionately. And as for him, she didn’t even have a proper look at him.

Maybe she is blind, or she is a soul-lover. A person who doesn’t pay attention to their looks but their behavior towards another human being.

God..! It’s going to be tough for me. A soul-lover seriously..? Augustus sighed lightly.

...

Colosseum Hotel.

When Lisa entered the lobby, she didn’t see anybody from the old staff.

In just one night, the whole staff had been fired and new staff had been hired. When she was in a daze, there was a gentle tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a beautiful young lady with sharp features, black shoulder-length hair neatly braided behind. Asked gently, “Are you Miss Lisa Mathew from old staff.?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“Hello, I am Anna from The Pacific Hotel.” She said, extending her hand to shake. Lisa took it with a smile on her face. “Nice to see you, Anna.”

“We all have been ordered to shift here to work. I am the new receptionist now.” Anna explained.

“What.?” Lisa exclaimed.

Just when Lisa was confused, the phone rang. Anna answered the phone.

Lisa kept staring at her blankly. If she is the new receptionist then what about her.? I can’t lose this job please God have mercy on me. She prayed silently.

Anna hung up and informed her, “Miss Lisa, President has called you in his suite.”

She nodded and headed to the elevator. All the time she was just thinking about what he’s going to say.? Is he going to fire her too.?

She took a deep breath and knocked at the door. The door was opened by Lester. He greeted Lisa politely and he was wearing his same black suit. Lisa greeted him back.

After that, Lisa entered the living room and greeted Augustus in the most mannered way. “Good Morning, Mr. Augustus Carlos.”

Augustus was looking at the window glass. He turned around and greeted her, “Good Morning, Lisa.”

Today he is wearing a silver-colored suit, he looked extremely gorgeous but Lisa as usual didn’t look at him instead she was looking down at her hands.

Augustus' mood instantly changed. From happy to being irritated by this stupid woman. However, he remained calm and asked, “Have you met the new staff.?”

“No, Not yet. Except for Anna.” She answered.

“Okay, I want you to meet all the staff and start supervising them as soon as you can,” Augustus said in a commanding tone.

“Supervising.? Me.?” Lisa asked confusingly.

“Yes. You..! I am making you the new manager of this hotel. I am turning this hotel into a 7-star hotel. It will take quite some time. By that time, you will learn and experience everything as a Manager.” Augustus explained.

“Me? Manager? Is this reward for what happened yesterday?” Lisa asked straightly.

“Well, kind of as you say,” August replied coldly.

“Errr...” Lisa was hesitating to say something.

Augustus was annoyed seeing her hesitating and said, “What? Speak.!”

“Can’t you bring old staff back.? They have been working for more than five years. Don’t you think it’s unfair.?” Lisa spoke after thinking for a while.

“What.? Did you just call me unfair.?” August said loudly.

“No..No. I don’t dare to.” Lisa immediately explained.

“I didn’t call you here to negotiate. I have offered you a job if you want it. Fine. If you don’t then please Get Out. Don’t waste my time.” He said angrily.

“I needed the job. Mr. Augustus.” Lisa said in a low voice.

“Good. Go back and start it from today.” Augustus ordered.

“Okay,” Lisa nodded and turned to leave.

Just as she was going to leave. Augustus sneered and said sarcastically, “Lisa, didn’t someone teach you manners to thank your Boss.?”

Lisa froze and turned around. “Thank you, Boss,” she said while faking a smile and clenching her fist.

Augustus looked at her and said coldly. “Good girl. Next time I won’t ask, remember.”

There was a strict warning in his tone. Lisa felt chills all over her body. She nodded to him and left hurriedly.

Augustus felt proud. At last, he has scared her. Good, she shouldn’t be using her sharp mouth in front of me, If I scared her a little. He thought, stretched his arms, and relaxed in his chair.

Just then his mobile phone rang showing the word “Mom”

Augustus looked at the screen and there was displeasure on his face. Still, he picked the phone and answered, “Yes Mom.”

“Where are you? Why didn’t you go home for the last two days? I told you to sign the deal and leave it. Why have you not left yet?”

The voice from the other end of the phone was anxious and furiously sharp. It was his mother Rheena Carlos, She is a strong and powerful woman, who never needed support from a man.

But as usual, she has some own sexual desires. Her husband was older than her so gradually after some time, she started dating some beautiful handsome man behind her husband’s back.

Her one serious relationship was with her husband’s first cousin Monte Carlos. He was a young, charming bachelor.

One day, her husband caught her with him in bed. He couldn’t take it and passed away.

Augustus, who was deeply in love with his father, couldn't take his sudden death and felt sick. After months of treatment, he finally recovered. But his heart was filled with hatred for his mother and Monte Carlos.

Rheena Carlos took over everything very gracefully and kept working hard to establish her hotel business stronger. But no matter how strong she gets, she could never accept her son’s hatred for her.

So, one day she clarified things with her son. His one and only demand were to not Remarry with anyone in the future. He hated it if he thinks someone else as his father.

Her mother agreed with a heavy heart. But she is a businesswoman and she always thinks of her benefit too. As usual, she accepted his condition and put one of her conditions.

Her condition was for him to marry her sister’s daughter Giovanna in the future. He agreed.

At the age of 22, when he decided to take over the hotel business, His mother made him sign an agreement. According to this, His mother got 52% shares and he got 48%.

In any case, if he didn’t marry Giovanna. He had to quit those shares and transfer them to Giovanna. In short, if he backed out from this deal. He wouldn’t be left with a single penny in the future.

Since that day, he had signed an agreement. He got engaged to Giovanna. He tried but he never got attracted towards her.

Meanwhile, he started taking anti-stress pills and had slept with half of the women of Rome, Italy.

Until one day, he saw Lisa Brown in that park. And he felt something warm in his heart and she worked as an antidote for him.

Every morning, he used to see her and all his stress immediately went away. In the last 3 months, he hadn’t swallowed a single pill, and these last two days he has been smiling which is making Lester worry to think if his Boss is in his senses these days?

“Mom, I have been thinking of upgrading this hotel,” Augustus replied calmly.

“What?” She frowned.

“I’ll send you all the details later. I got to go.” Augustus hung the call before she could react.

Two days before, His mother had sent him to sign the deal and left. After that, she was planning to Re-built this hotel into an A-grade restaurant. But now, her son wants to upgrade it. It’s the first time he has made his own decision.

Before taking any decision he always asked for her advice but this time he didn’t bother to mention it to her. Rheena Carlos is a cunning woman, she can sense something has changed. What is going on?

...

At lunchtime, Lisa and Anna went together for lunch. Anna praised Lisa for helping the President yesterday. While Lisa rolled her eyes without showing any interest to talk about the President.

Lisa was really grateful that she got the Manager post but at the same time, she was worried. She has to be very careful because she’s totally inexperienced. She just kept thinking about her son Simon, once she got settled and got her son’s custody. She will be able to live in peace.

No matter how weird Mr. Augustus is, but this time truly he has become an angel for me. I would never disappoint him, Lisa thought to herself.

Anna nudged her arm and asked, “What are you thinking? Are you thinking of giving the new staff a treat?” She asked with a mocking smile.

Lisa smiled and said, “Today is my first day and you’re asking for a treat. At least wait for my first pay-cheque. What if I get kicked out of my job before a month.?”

“What? You must be joking.. our President has picked you as our Manager. He won’t kick you out easily.” Anna said teasingly and laughed. “What if you become his girlfriend?” She said excitedly.

Lisa was shocked at her words and said, “I would love to strike myself by lightning rather than be his girlfriend.”

“What? You’re not serious right?” Anna gasped.

“Yes. I am very serious.” She folded her hands over her chest and said in a serious tone.

“What? Are you?”

Before Anna could react, These words came from behind them. Both Anna and Lisa turned around and were stunned to see Augustus standing behind.

His expressions were very ugly and his eyes were bloody red. He clenched his hands into fists and turned around without waiting for her reply. Lester followed behind.

Lisa looked at his back nervously and she felt she should explain to him her perspective before it gets ugly. After all, this job is the last hope to get her son’s custody.

She ran after him. He left the hotel and got into his car, while Lester held the door for him. Just when he was closing the door someone held his arm strongly.

“Miss Lisa,” Lester said shyly.

“I need to explain what happened now to Mr. Augustus,” Lisa said while catching her breath.

Lester looked at her, then her hand holding his arm, and then inside the car the death glare of Augustus on his arm. He immediately shook his hand out of her grip. She also realized it was not appropriate so she stepped back.

Lester opened the car door. Augustus didn’t come out and said coldly, “Speak.”

“Mr. Augustus what I said just now It didn’t mean to hurt you.?” Lisa said carefully.

“Well, why do you think I’m hurt? Who are you to me? Huh..?” Augustus sneered.

“That’s right. I am nobody compares to you.” She said politely.

“Really.? You think that much low of yourself. Then how can you be able to fulfill your duty as Manager? If you think so lowly of yourself?” August said displeasingly.

“No... I didn’t mean like this actually...” Lisa tried to explain but hesitated.

“Speak fast. I’m getting late.” Augustus said annoyingly.

Lisa took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and said, “I’m a widow, Mr. Augustus. A bachelor like you don’t deserve a widow like me as your girlfriend.”

After that Lisa turned around, embarrassed by her confession. It’s her fate that her husband died, but in people’s eyes, it’s a curse for women. She has not told anyone at Hotel about her husband’s sudden death because She doesn’t want people to gossip about her. But she didn’t know why today she confessed it in front of Augustus... Why?

...

In the Car

“Bachelor.?” Augustus chuckled.

Lester was driving the car and he didn’t dare to look at his Boss.

“Lester, if I see you again touching her. I swear I will cut your hands.” Augustus warned him.

Lester held the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turned white and his face turned pale of fear. He nodded to his boss, eyes fixing on the road.

No matter what he did. His Boss always got angry with him. If he’s being a gentleman what’s wrong with it.? According to him, this woman has become very important for Boss.

One second he was so angry and just now he is humming a song. Should I take him to the hospital? Thought Lester scratching his forehead.

After nearly three hours of driving. Lester finally stopped the car in front of a villa in the center of the city. This villa was not very big, but the wall was very high, about the height of the Second floor.

They could only see the black bricks, green tiles, and a vermilion door outside. People could see nothing from outside, except a large sycamore tree stretched out of the wall.

Moreover, there was a security spot less than 50 meters away from the villa. There was a house, a police car. And a soldier guarding outside.

Lester went forward and rang the doorbell. Soon, a young nanny in her twenties opened the door.

When she saw Lester and Augustus, she immediately opened the door respectfully and greeted them.

Augustus asked Lester to bring the documents from the car and went inside.

Walking into the villa, there was a big hallway. The style of the hallway was Italian, and even the shoe rack was made of precious mahogany. You could also tell that the vase on the cabinet in the hallway was an antique.

After changing the shoes, Augustus entered the living room. The furniture in the living room was all made of precious mahogany, ponderous, and solemn. Under the decorations of porcelain, jade, calligraphy, and painting. It seemed like the mansion of a royal family.

On the lounge chair sat a middle-aged woman in glamorous clothes. She was well maintained, her skin was tender and white, her eyebrows were thin and curved, her makeup was a little heavy, probably in order to hide some tiny lines on her face. Her eyes were sharp and fierce.

Rheena Carlos looked at Augustus and sneered, “You’re late..!”

“There was traffic on the road,” Augustus said while sitting on the sofa.

Rheena looked at him sharply and then pointed at the nanny to serve him tea and cakes.

Augustus took a piece of cake and started eating. Since he was a kid, he has loved eating cakes, especially chocolate ones. He ate with his hands and made his face dirty like a small kid.

His mother’s sharp eyes soften instantly by looking at the way he is devouring the cake. She took out the tissue and wiped his face neatly.

“You’re still acting like a child, Augustus.” She sighed while smiling at him.

“I love cakes, Mom.” He said grumpily.

She sat back on her chair and asked, “So, what’s going on? Why did you suddenly decide to upgrade the Colosseum Hotel?”

Augustus sat straight and said in a business tone, “Well, the location of that hotel is good for tourism, besides I am thinking of changing its name to “The Grand Hotel Of Carlos”. I have already contacted the designer teams for the sketches of the new model and also contacted the construction team to start the work as soon as possible.”

“But that building is not enough for this project. You need more space to make it Grand.” Rheena Carlos said from her point of view.

“I know, I am already in talks with other builders. They have agreed to sell their buildings to me. After that, I am thinking of joining all three buildings in one, a pedestrian walking space that connected three of them together and also made an underground parking area. I am also building up my office there. From now on, I will work from “The Grand Hotel Of Carlos.” So what do you say, Mom? Any advice?”

He told her his plan confidently.

“Huh... Advice.?? Since when did you decide to plan the project without my approval.?” She asked bitterly, raising an eyebrow.

It’s been 10 years since Augustus joined the hotel business. In those last years, he had never planned anything before asking her approval and now he is sitting here with a fully planned project for his new office. It’s a bit unrealistic for her to believe.

Just when she was waiting for him to explain Lester knocked and put a file on the table. Then turned around, greeted her, and left without saying a word.

Augustus calmly said, “Mom, these are the documents of approval to sign. I have already made it. If you want to read it and change something please let me know. I want this project to start as soon as possible.”

“Why are you so eager.?” She couldn’t help but ask him.

“I am 32 Mom. Give me some freedom to make my own decision.” Augustus said annoyingly.

“Giovanna wants to meet you.”  Rheena Carlos said changing the topic.

“Any special reason?” Augustus asked sarcastically.

“Your fiancé doesn’t need to find reasons to meet you.” She replied straightly.

“Well, I am very busy on this project right now. Until we start work I don’t think I will be able to spend some time with her.” Augustus said this intentionally so his mom couldn’t avoid signing the approval papers today.

After thinking for a while, Rheena thought this project is indeed well planned by him and it’s his first own project so why not let him give it a chance.

“Ok then, I will sign it right now and you will go to dinner with her tonight.” She offered him.

“Done.!” Augustus agreed happily.

After that Rheena Carlos signed the documents without reading them and Augustus took the file. He bid goodbye to his mother and left.

...

In The Car

Lester asked, “Where are we heading, boss?”

Augustus thought for a moment and then replied, “Let’s go home and ahh.. invite Giovanna to have dinner with me at my place.”

Lester nodded. “Okay, Boss.” Both sat in silence until they reached their destination.

...

The next day, As per ritual Lisa and Augustus came to the park. Lisa jogged while Augustus followed her and watched her.

Just as Lisa entered the hotel, Anna greeted her and told her, “Ma’am Lisa, President has arranged a board meeting today. As you are New General Manager you’re invited to attend it.”

Lisa nodded and asked the time of the meeting.

“ eleven o'clock,” Anna replied.

Lisa looked at the watch on her wrist, there is still one hour left in the meeting.

...

At 10:55 Lisa entered the meeting hall and was surprised to see too many people in there. Everybody was talking just as she entered. Everyone looked at her in unison. She got nervous after all she doesn’t know anyone here. She was a stranger and an inexperienced employee. She smiled and lowered her head nervously.

Just then a handsome man approached her stretching his strong arm to her. “Hi, Cristian Silas.” He said with a bright and charming smile.

Lisa looked up at him, the man was wearing a navy blue shirt with matching pants and a tie. His sleeves have rolled up and she can see his vein popping out on his arms. Lisa shook her hand with him. “Lisa Mathew”

While shaking his hand the door of the hall suddenly wide opened by Lester and Augustus walked in accompanied by a woman who was holding some thick files.

Lisa looked at Augustus and then the woman behind. Augustus looked at her, then the man beside her, and then Finally their locked hands. Lisa felt nervous and retreated her hand immediately.

Everyone stood and greeted him. “Good Morning President.”

He greeted back, “Good Morning everyone.” He went to the center of the table and said “Everybody, have a seat.”

Then he sat on his chair and everyone followed.

Lisa was looking where to sit just then Cristian gestured her to sit beside him. She felt warm by his gesture and sat beside him.

Just then, she looked at the man in the center. He was wearing a black suit today and so was she, what a coincidence.!

Today, he was wearing gold-rimmed glasses and he looked very serious and focused. Just as she was studying him he looked up and met her gaze. She felt panicked and lowered her head but her face became instantly red by being caught.

Augustus cleared his throat and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen. The reason for today's meeting is to inform you all about new plans for this hotel. We are upgrading this hotel and my friend Miss Bella Mario is going to design this hotel.” He gestured at his right hand and a cute, tiny woman with red hair stood from the chair greeting everyone politely.

Then Augustus said, “And I want you all to meet our New General Manager, Miss Lisa Mathew.” He pointed at her. She nodded at everyone politely.

“This project is going to be called “The Grand Hotel Of Carlos ``. I hope everyone here works hard and makes it grand for real. Now, we should discuss it briefly..”

For the whole two hours, they all were busy discussing ideas. Cristian kept turning around to look at Lisa whenever he suggested something. Lisa feels he’s trying to make her comfortable as she is new to all of this.

It was lunch hour already when the meeting finished. Everyone was heading out. Lisa also took this opportunity and tried to sneak out. However, when she was heading towards the door. A voice called out her name.

She turned around and saw Lester approaching her. “Miss Lisa. There is something the Boss needs to talk about.”

Lisa nodded and stood at the corner waiting for people to go out. Lester stands beside her, maintaining his distance and keeping his hands folded behind. He kept saying in his mind “No Physical Touch, No Physical Touch.”

Augustus was busy in discussion with Bella. The way they both were talking, they looked very close and Bella kept touching his shoulder and squeezing his palms sometimes. He didn’t mind at all.

By seeing this cheerful sight of them, Lisa felt a bit uncomfortable.

Lester saw her being uncomfortable. To cheer her up he said in a low voice, “Nice suit, Miss Lisa.”

Lisa looked down at herself and replied shyly, “Thanks, Lester. By the way, we both are wearing the same color. Looks like we are going to hunt someone.”

“Hunt someone?” Lester asked confusingly.

Lisa said in a manly voice, “James Bond” making her hand in a gun and pointing at Lester.

Lester was stunned by her action and then both laughed loudly. At that moment, the voice of something breaking came.

Bang..!

Both turned and looked at the glass on the ground shattered into pieces and looked up at Augustus.

“Oops..! It slipped.” Augustus said innocently.

At that moment, Lisa hurriedly walked over to him. The creaking sound of her sandals stepping onto the glass pieces could be heard in the hall.

“Are you fine.?” Lisa asked while approaching him.

Augustus thought of something and yelled in pain. “Ouch.. my hand hurts.”

Lisa took his hand immediately and checked if there was any cut. Then she asked in concern. “There is no cut. Did your veins get stretched? Where does it hurt? Tell me?” She rubbed his hand.

Augustus pointed at his fingers indicating the pain. Lisa gently massaged his hand to lose the veins.