Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“Ah that. The Corinthian was actually acquired by my grandfather back in the day, so you could say that I’ve been in the hotel business since I was a kid, actually. Yes, it’s true. I was about ten when I started working as a busboy for Gramps.”
“Really?” Tanya asks, perplexed. “Well, was it actually work or was it just one of those things where he let you pretend to work to make you happy? You know, like how some kids enjoy playing pretend?”
I groan with laughter.
“No, I worked. It was real. I was basically going to school during the day, but then after school, I’d get started in the kitchens scrubbing pots and taking out the trash. Gramps kept me busy, that’s for sure. But it wasn’t just in the kitchens. I also worked as a bellhop, a doorman, as janitorial staff, and even as an accountant for the hotel. Yep, he basically had me rotating through a variety of positions so that I got to know the Corinthian in and out.” Then I smile. “And if I didn’t do a good job, I got a pay cut,” I add sardonically.
Tanya blinks with surprise.
“No way! But your grandfather must have been violating child labor laws, right?”
I laugh, shrugging my shoulders a little. “Maybe, but nothing was going to stop old Jett Thompson from putting his grandson to work. Nobody really cares either, if it’s the grandson of the owner, and it was clear that Gramps doted on me, even if he was strict. Well, that’s what he always said.”
“Wow,” Tanya murmurs, eyes wide. “That’s a little…”
“Insane?” I quip. “Well, that’s Jett for you. To be honest, you have to be a little insane to be in this business because it takes a streak of craziness to survive. But at his very core, Jett Thompson was a good man. He took care of both his family and staff, and mentored hundreds of employees. Jett was a pillar of society.”
Tanya nods slowly.
“And your father? Was he in the hotel business too?”
I shake my head.
“No, the hotel jumped generations because my dad was never interested in the Corinthian. So when Gramps passed away, the hotel was left to me. My dad was fine with it though. He’s only ever wanted to be an artist, so he keeps busy doing that.”
Tanya nods thoughtfully.
“So when did you inherit?” she asks slowly.
I nod.
“When I was twenty-one.”
She gasps.
“Holy cow. I can’t imagine inheriting a huge business at that age,” she murmurs, wide-eyed. “I mean, I’m only twenty right now, and I’m nowhere close to being a businessperson. I’m just a wardrobe assistant, as you know,” she says with a shy smile.
“Yeah, but everyone has a different path in life, and you have to remember that my grandfather had been training me for this moment since I was ten. So I actually had over a decade of experience by the time I assumed the helm,” I state. “But yeah, it was a lot of pressure. I became a CEO at a very young age, and it isn’t an easy job by any means. But I’ve grown to enjoy it much more than I thought possible. In fact, about five years ago now, I oversaw a total renovation of the Corinthian, and boy, did I get my ass kicked. It was tough, but I came out a stronger man.”
Tanya quirks her head at me then.
“But why did you decide to renovate?”
I shrug.
“It was getting old. Things were getting shabby, and you see how guys like Dane have done up the Merovingian,” I say, gesturing with one hand to the luxurious restaurant. “You’ve got to keep pace with the competition in order to survive on the Strip, so I set a goal, and fortunately, I achieved it. Again, the renovation took years off my life, but it was worth it.”
Tanya nods.
“Well, I’m sure you don’t need to hear it from me, but I’ll say it anyways. You did an amazing job because the Corinthian is definitely a destination in Vegas, and I’ve heard a lot of people saying that it’s the place to be on the Strip.”
“Thank you,” I grin. “You know how to charm a hotel operator’s heart.”
Tanya giggles and nods, while eating a bite of chocolate cake.
“Of course. But if I may offer a minor critique? Or a suggestion? If you’d rather not hear it, it’s totally fine,” she rushes. “I mean, I’m just a nobody, so my opinion doesn’t matter.”
A frown creases my brow as I slide a big hand over her small one.
“No, your opinion matters, sweetheart. Very much, in fact, so shoot. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
The beautiful brunette takes a deep breath.
“Okay well, I think you should change the floor layout so that it’s less maze-like. I mean, people get lost wandering the main floor sometimes.”