The walk to my car seals the deal—I can’t think in here. Not with the palm trees swaying in the wind. How can a woman fix her life over Christmas without mistletoe, snow globes, and stringed lights? It would be dope to have a little snow too. I might have to sneak onto one of the sets for that.
I cross the street to the expensive parking garage and climb in my clunker of a car. Then it hits me. I left my laptop, planner, and my platter.
Urgh.
I want to drop and have a two-year-old tantrum. Kicking and screaming, this isn’t fair. But no one cares in Hollywood.
I toss my tree in the passenger seat and drag back to the building I’m beginning to hate. But ever the professional, I plaster a smile on my face the moment my hand touches the handle.
No matter how pissed I am, I can’t lose this job because I can’t afford to live in L.A. And if I can’t afford to live in L.A., I’ll have to go home to Raleigh with nothing.
There’s nothing worse than the hotshot that leaves town with a full scholarship and lands a gig at a big Hollywood studio only to return worse off than when she left.
No, thank you. I’ll pass on that story.
It's time to find my Plan B, and I know just the person to call.
Chapter 2
Times Square spans in front of me. I grip the sides of my head, rubbing at my temples. A slight ache hums, making the figures, dates, people, and the tasks feel more chaotic than I’d like. I lean back. The starting line for the month-long conference is less than a week away. And I haven't hit the point of full confidence in our staff, particularly in the areas of food, beverage, and entertainment.
Christmas in New York City is superior to most cities in the world. People travel from around the world to spend their holidays here. This means the city population swells, limiting the accessibility to most of our popular tourist attractions. But I want our guests to get the full NYC experience. So, I had the bright idea of bringing the city to The Wellington
—international cuisine, street food vendors, live music, crafts, shows. You name it, and all of it'll take place under this roof during December. Now to ensure my team doesn't break at the seams doing it. Hence, me moving back into my penthouse suite.
I courted the International Business Consulting Firm conference for three years. Landing this event will solidify The Wellington as the hotel in New York. We’ve increased the team. Expanded the kitchen. And I’m available around the clock.
“Mr. Wellington, the team is ready,” Merrilyn says.
I nod. “Reprint the itinerary for the first week and have the department managers summon their leads.”
I save the final revisions. We have an issue with how to transition the conference-goers in and out of sessions since we'll have our usual guests here for the holidays. It seems the best solution is to reach out to Pierce Jansen since he owns the building next door. He's a great mentor and was a close friend of my father’s.
I reach for the phone to call him.
“Now, sir?”
“Yes, every single one. Reschedule for this afternoon if it’s needed and tell them it’s with pay. I need everyone in the same room for two hours.” I scan my calendar. Time is a precious commodity. “Actually, I’ll meet with them now and schedule this meeting on Friday at three.”
I hate rescheduling meetings, but I hate wasting people’s time more.
“Yes, sir. And your mother’s on line one?” Merrilyn collects the documents. “I’ll take care of these and tell the others.”
“Thanks. I’ll be ten minutes late.” I pick up the phone. “Hello, Mother.”
“Hello dear, what’s this I hear about you not joining us? Since when is our family Christmas holiday optional?”
“Everything is negotiable, Mother. And I told you The Wellington is hosting an international conference this month.”
“What does that have to do with our family holiday?”
"It means there's no holiday for me this year. However, I'll forward my gifts and video in on family meals."
“Video?”
“Yes, Mother, video.” I glance at my watch.
“Your father always made family a priority, Carson. Christmas, every year. Family vacations, every other year. It’s all I ask.”
That’s a stretch, but I don’t have time to debate. “Mother, I know, and this can’t be helped.”
“You have a full staff. Can’t you fly here and video in with them when needed?”
"No. This is how I ran my business, mother. How about this? What if I fly out and join you for the New Year's Eve gathering?"
Mother’s used to getting her way. My father spoiled her, and I’ve helped considerably since his passing. But in this season of my life and business, The Wellington is my priority.
“I’d turn it over if it were possible, but I must remain on the premises. Please send my apologies to the others and keep your eyes out for your Christmas gift.”
“What is it?”
“You’ll have to wait. But I’m certain it will make up for my absence.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“I am.” I stand. “Mom, I have to run. The team’s waiting for me.”
“Okay, son. Oh, and Carson, don't forget to bring a date, or you'll have to kiss Jewelly at the top of the new year."
“Oh no, you better keep your cotton ball to yourself.”
Jewelly is her spoiled Pomeranian, a gift I gave her. And I'm adding to her fur family this year. Mother hates being in the house alone, and it seems puppies keep her from asking about more grandchildren.
“Did you hear him, Jewelly?” She says on the other end with a laugh.
Jewelly barks.
“Don’t work too hard. Your father had a thriving business and a vibrant personal life.”
“Yes, Mother. Love you.”
We hang up, and I stare at the phone. Father died five years ago, leaving me this place. I was straight out of grad school and cocky. Ready to take on the world and keep my father's name alive. It took years for our regulars to trust the vision I have for the place.
We've always been family focus, and I want to welcome entrepreneurs with hybrid business structures. Particularly those traveling the world and thriving in digital workspaces. The infrastructure of business has changed, and The Wellington is changing with it while excelling in the luxury, five-star experience.
Now it's time to take it to the next level with this conference because I want The Wellington to give the same five-star experience to conference-goers.
I overhauled the place to achieve a balance of traditional and modern influences. That’s why I walk the halls, speak to customers, and spend most evenings in our lounge to mingle with our guests. This is their home away from home.
We have high-tech conference rooms with digital wipe boards and virtual attendance options for business clientele while providing the best New York has to offer.
Guests chose us because of our prime location in the heart of New York City. We’re miles from Broadway, Carnegie Hall, the Rockefeller Center, and our front entrance faces Times Square. We have two restaurants, a lounge, and a piano bar for entertainment.
This is the place to be, and soon the international business market will see us as an ideal conference center. It starts this month, and the two-hundred-plus guests attending from around the world.