Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
She laughed, “Ms. Watson’s blushing!”
Gavin spent the entire morning at the hotel. Since he’d acquired the hotel for Britney’s sake, he wouldn’t be investing too much energy into running it personally.
After Gavin left, Chris approached Britney with a cheerful grin.
He said, “Ms. Watson, we’re all counting on you now. Put in a good word for us with Mr. Yates, will you?”
Britney looked startled and quickly replied, “Chris, you’re giving me too much credit.”
Chris continued, “Ms. Watson, I can tell Mr. Yates has feelings for you. You should seize this opportunity-he’s way better than that loser ex-boyfriend of yours.”
Britney pressed her lips together slightly. She knew Gavin was a good man. But being good now didn’t guarantee he’d stay that way forever.
Once upon a time, Soren had been good, too. She’d never imagined Soren could have such a despicable side. But reality had given her a harsh wake-up call.
Chris knew when to stop pushing and left it at that.
At six o’clock that evening, Chris appeared at the front desk again.
He said, “Ms. Watson, we have a new hotel policy-no employee overtime allowed. So from now on, you leave when your shift ends it’s already six, so you can clock out now.”
Britney stared at Chris in shock. The front desk was swamped with work, she couldn’t leave.
Chris continued, “Oh, and Ms. Watson, hotel management has decided to promote you to Director of Housekeeping. We’ll announce it at tomorrow morning’s meeting.”
Britney was speechless.
Her colleague said, “Congratulations, Ms. Watson!”
“Yes, congratulations!”
“Congratulations, Ms. Watson!”
Chris smiled, “Ms. Watson, time to go home.”
It wasn’t until Britney reached the locker room and changed out of her uniform that it finally hit her-this was Gavin’s doing. Even if he hadn’t personally arranged her promotion, they were doing this because of him.
Britney let out a soft sigh. Apparently, getting a promotion was just a matter of someone saying the word.
Britney walked through the hotel’s employee entrance and instinctively glanced toward the spot where Gavin usually parked. He’d picked her up without fail, rain or shine, for months. But now the space sat empty.
She couldn’t quite name the feeling that washed over her, like something hollow had opened inside her chest.
She started walking toward her old neighborhood, then stopped after a few steps. She didn’t live there anymore.
Britney turned and headed to the luxury complex across from the hotel instead. The facial recognition system let her through the gates, and she thought the landscaping was impressive.
She easily found her building and stood at the front door, punching in the code. The rich aroma of home-cooked food hit her as the door swung open.
Britney froze. She looked up to see Gavin sitting on the couch.
Hearing her come in, Gavin glanced up, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You’re home.”
“Yeah.” Britney nodded, stepping inside and pulling slippers from the shoe cabinet.
“Mrs. Yates, you are home!” A woman in her fifties emerged from the kitchen with a bright smile. “Dinner’s almost ady. Please have a seat and relax.”
“I’m not-
Britney started to correct her, but the housekeeper had already disappeared into the kitchen.
The dining table was set with four dishes that looked and smelled incredible.
Gavin set down his book and said, “Go wash up. Time to eat.”
“Okay.” Britney nodded, still feeling dazed.
Standing at the sink, she felt completely overwhelmed. It seemed like she was being kept as Gavin’s mistress,
After washing her hands, Britney returned to find the housekeeper placing the final dish-a steaming soup-on the table.
Lue, 19 Aug
“Please enjoy your meal, Mi. Yates, Mrs. Yates. I’ll head home now. Jo ve announcement, she untied her apron and lek.
The kitchen had been cleaned spotless, and now the vast ouse Richa only Britney
Seeing Britney sitting motionless, Gavin spoke up. “Not hungry? Or is the food not to wor
“I’m just “Britney paused, searching for the right word. “A little dated.”
Gavin chuckled softly, “What’s got you dazed?”
Britney looked at him in silence. ‘Why am I dazed? Because I suddenly got promoted. Because I came here is this waiting for me, and the staff had prepared this incredible dinner!
It all felt too good to be real. But she knew with absolute certainty that it was real.
And it was all because of the man sitting across from her.
Britney picked up her fork, cut a steak, and took a bite. Only then did she speak slowly. “You’re the one who got me promete
Gavin didn’t hide anything from her. “I originally wanted to make you the boss right away, but they suggested I promote you gradually so you could adjust to everything step by step.”
Britney’s eyes went wide. “You wanted to make me the boss?”
Gavin smiled, “I only bought this hotel so you wouldn’t have to answer to anyone there.”
Britney stared at him in complete disbelief. He’d actually bought the hotel because of her. It was absolutely insane. The place had to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Gavin placed a piece of chicken wing on her plate. “Try this. Hazel’s really talented in the kitchen.”
Hazel was a chef Gavin had poached from another restaurant at considerable expense.
Britney was too skinny-she needed proper meals to build herself up.
Britney’s grip tightened around her fork. “Gavin, you don’t need to do all this for me.”
“I want to,” Gavin replied simply.
Britney bit her lip. “But I can’t give you anything back right now.”
“Then I’ll wait until you can.”
Britney fell silent, her expression unreadable. After a long pause, she finally spoke, “Gavin, that day might never come.”
She refused to make the same mistake twice. As long as she didn’t fall in love again, didn’t trust anyone with her heart, she wouldn’t get hurt.
Gavin studied her face intently, then glanced at the chicken wings in her bowl instead of responding. “Eat first. It’s getting cold.”
Britney lowered her eyes and continued eating.
They finished their meal in silence.
Just as Britney set down her fork, satisfied and full, Gavin spoke up again, “Britney, I’ve never been in a relationship before, so I don’t know how to pursue someone. If I’m doing anything wrong, just tell me.”
Britney shook her head. “No, you’re perfect.”
Gavin really was perfect-so perfect that she was starting to waver. But it had only been three months since the last betrayal. She couldn’t be that foolish again.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Gavin’s lips. ‘Am I?’ he thought, ‘If I’m doing so great, why does she keep rejecting me? Whatever. Like Cam said, I need more patience. Take things slow.’
After dinner, Gavin told Britney not to worry about cleaning up since Hazel would handle it tomorrow, then left.
But Britney couldn’t stand the thought of dirty dishes and forks sitting out all night. She washed everything and put it away.
Hazel arrived the next day just as Britney was getting ready to leave.
When Hazel saw the clean dishes, she looked distressed. “Ma’am, who washed these?”
“I did,” Britney replied.
“Oh no, ma’am! You can’t do that anymore! I’m getting paid way too much to just sit around doing nothing. I’d feel terrible about it.
Britney was speechless.
Hazel added, “Ma’am, promise me you won’t lift a finger next time, okay?”
Britney nodded helplessly. “Alright.”
