Night had already wrapped itself around the Grand Meridian Hotel when Jason Asher's car glided into its elegant circular driveway. Eliana and her father, Frank, stepped out into the soft glow of the entrance lights. The hotel's towering glass walls shimmered like a giant lantern against the dark sky.
They followed Jason inside, Eliana clutching her father's thin arm as they walked. Her sneakers squeaked on the polished marble floor with every step. Beside her, Frank moved at a weary pace, shoulders hunched, his faded simple sweater looking painfully out of place amidst the gleaming tiles and golden chandeliers. But Eliana didn't care. All she wanted was to get him upstairs and let him rest.
Jason strode ahead, his tailored jacket pristine, his blonde hair catching the light like a halo. He flashed a charming smile at the concierge, a young woman who blushed under his gaze. "I need a suite for my fiancée's father," he said smoothly, sliding his black credit card across the counter. "One week, top-tier. Make it comfortable."
Eliana's honey-brown eyes widened, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Jason, you don't have to do this," she whispered, her voice trembling as she squeezed his arm. "This place… it's too much."
Jason turned to her, his hazel eyes softening for a moment, though a flicker of impatience danced beneath the surface. "Eli, don't worry about it," he said, his tone warm but clipped. "Your dad needs a place to rest. I've got this."
Frank, his voice hoarse from a lingering cough, reached out a trembling hand. "Son, I… I don't know how to thank you. You're a saint for takin' care of my girl like this."
Jason forced a smile, his jaw tightening. "It's nothing, Frank. Let's get you settled." He gestured to a bellhop, who scurried over to take Frank's little bag containing his clothes. As the elderly man was led toward the elevator, Eliana threw her arms around Jason, burying her face in his chest. The faint scent of whiskey clung to his shirt, but she didn't notice, too overwhelmed by relief.
"You're my hero," she murmured, her voice muffled against him. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Jason patted her back, his smile strained. "Yeah, yeah, let's just get through this, okay?" In his mind, a storm brewed. This is getting messy, he thought. She's my fiancée, but this… this is too much. People are going to talk.
*******
Across town, in the sleek, modern offices of Wallen Properties, Sarai Monroe sat poised in a leather chair, her crimson manicured nails tapping rhythmically on the shiny mahogany desk. Her nice hair was swept into a high bun as always, and her emerald eyes glinted with almost concealed venom. The office smelled of expensive coffee and ambition, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the city skyline. Across from her sat Mrs. Eleanor Vance, the stern-faced manager of Wallen Properties, her silver hair pulled into a tight chignon. At fifty-two, Eleanor carried herself with the authority of someone who'd spent decades curating exclusivity.
Sarai leaned forward, her voice smooth as butter but laced with malice. "Mrs. Vance, I'm sure you've noticed the… decline in the hostel's reputation lately," she began, her lips curling into a sympathetic smile. "I hate to say it, but Eliana Bennett is at the center of it."
Eleanor's brow furrowed, her pen pausing over a notepad. "Miss Monroe, what exactly are you talking about?"
Sarai sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "It's just… tragic, really. Ever since Mr. Holloway's passing, Eliana's lost everything. She can barely afford a decent meal this days, let alone the hostel's fees. And then—oh, this is the worst part—she tried to sneak her father, a former garbage collector, into the property. Can you imagine? The other residents are appalled. They're saying the hostel is letting in just anybody now."
Eleanor's lips thinned, her eyes narrowing. "That's a serious accusation, Miss Monroe. Miss Bennett has been a resident for years, and Mr. Holloway was quite fond of her."
"Was," Sarai said pointedly, leaning closer. "But he's gone, and Eliana's no longer under his protection. People are talking, Mrs. Vance. They're saying the hostel's standards are slipping. If you don't act, the reputation you've worked so hard to build could crumble."
Eleanor tapped her pen against the desk, her expression hard to read. After a long pause, she nodded. "I'll look into this immediately. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, Miss Monroe."
Sarai's smile was triumphant, though she masked it with a look of concern. "Of course, Mrs. Vance. I just want what's best for the hostel." As she rose, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor, a single thought burned in her mind: Eliana, you're so done.
Three days later, Eliana stood in the hostel's lush courtyard, her phone pressed to her ear, her heart plummeting with every word from the Wallen Properties representative. The voice on the other end was cold, professional, and unrelenting. "Miss Bennett, your presence has disrupted the property's value and caused complaints from other residents. You're required to vacate the premises within two days. Your remaining payments will be refunded, but you are not to return."
Eliana's knees buckled, and she sank onto a stone bench, the phone slipping from her hand. The courtyard, with its blooming roses and trickling fountain, felt like a cruel mockery of her unraveling life. Why is this happening? she thought, her mind spiraling. First Papa, now this? What did I do wrong?
She stumbled back to her room, her vision blurred with tears. The hostel's hallways, once a symbol of the stability Kenneth Holloway had gifted her, now felt like a maze closing in. She collapsed onto the plush sofa in the shared living room, her sobs echoing off the high ceilings. Sarai, who'd been lounging with a fashion magazine, looked up, her green eyes widening in feigned shock.
"Eliana, oh my God, what's wrong?" Sarai rushed to her side, pulling Eliana into her arms. "Baby, talk to me!"
Eliana clung to her, her voice breaking. "They're kicking me out, Sarai. Wallen Properties called. They said I'm… I'm damaging the hostel's reputation. They want me gone in two days. I don't understand! I've always paid on time, I've never caused trouble—"
Sarai stroked her hair, her voice dripping with false warmth. "Oh, honey, that's awful! How could they do this to you? You're practically family here." She tilted Eliana's chin up, meeting her tear-streaked gaze. "Don't worry, okay? We'll figure this out. I'm here for you."
Eliana managed a weak smile, her trust in Sarai unwavering despite the chaos. "Thank you, Sarai. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Sarai's lips twitched, her smile masking the triumph surging through her. Perfect, she thought. She's breaking, just like I wanted.
That evening, the living room was bathed in the soft light of a crystal chandelier, its light catching the gold accents of the furniture. Eliana sat curled on the sofa, her face buried in Sarai's lap, her sobs quieter now but no less raw. Sarai, in a silk blouse and tailored trousers, played the role of devoted friend, her fingers gently combing through Eliana's curls.
The front door swung open, and Jason strode in, his eyes scanning the scene. His gym-toned frame filled the doorway, his blonde hair slightly tousled from the evening breeze. "What the hell's going on?" he demanded, his voice sharp with irritation.
Eliana lifted her head, her eyes red and swollen. She rushed to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Jason, they're kicking me out," she choked out, her voice trembling. "Wallen Properties called today. They said I'm ruining the hostel's reputation, that I have to leave in two days. I don't know what to do!"
Jason froze, his arms stiff around her. In his mind, a war raged. This is a disaster, he thought. If anyone finds out my fiancée's being tossed out like trash, it'll be all over the country club. I'll be a laughingstock. But as he looked into Eliana's tear-filled eyes, something unexpected stirred—a pang of affection he hadn't felt in months. Damn it, why can't I just cut her loose from my life?
Forcing a smile, he cupped her face. "Eli, don't worry about it. We'll figure this out. You're not alone, okay?"
Eliana sniffled, nodding. "Okay. I just… I feel so lost."
Sarai watched from the sofa, her arms crossed, her expression angry. Jason's gaze flicked to her, then back to Eliana. Suddenly, his face lit up, as if struck by a brilliant idea. "Wait a second," he said, his voice brightening. "Why don't you come live with me? My home has plenty of room. You'll be safe there, Eli. No more worrying about hostels or payments."
Eliana's eyes widened, a flicker of hope breaking through her despair. "Jason, are you serious? You'd do that for me?"
"Of course," he said, his smile widening, though his mind screamed, What am I doing?
Sarai's mouth dropped open, her green eyes blazing with shock and fury. Live with him? she thought, her nails digging into her palms. No, this wasn't the plan! She forced a laugh, her voice tight. "Wow, Jason, that's… so generous. Eliana, you're so lucky to have him."
Eliana turned to Sarai, her face glowing with gratitude. "I know. I don't deserve him."
Sarai's smile was brittle, her mind racing. Oh, Eliana, she thought. You're going to regret this. As Jason pulled Eliana into another embrace, Sarai's eyes narrowed, the shadow of her next move already forming.