He was beginning to enjoy being undercover. Christian was used to people hovering around him and trying to speak to him. To counter this, he had learned to walk in fast, long strides so that only the most persistent person would keep up with him. It was not that he did not enjoy speaking to his staff, because he did. The problem was that the managers who hovered around him usually had nothing important to discuss; it was more about sucking up, which Christian detested. Can I get you anything Mr. Del Mar? Are you comfortable Mr. Del Mar? It was exhausting.
If there had been a computer in the maintenance office, it would have been easier to look up the problem on a larger computer screen than on his phone. He thought of borrowing Raina’s computer, then quickly dismissed that idea. A maintenance man would not ask the hotel manager if he could borrow her computer. Besides, she would know that he had been researching a repair problem that he ought to know how to fix.
It would also appear too forward. Christian deposited his tool box on the desk and went to the shelf high on the wall. He picked out what appeared to be a manual and hoped it would have the information he required.
Half an hour later, with the information logged in his brain, Christian returned to Room 83, confident that he knew what the problem was. Time was running out and he took long strides, crossing his fingers that no guests had checked in. He knocked slightly on the door just in case and pushed it open when there was no response.
He worked fast, placing the cistern cover on the floor and proceeding to disassemble the toilet flushing mechanism. Just as he finished and replaced the cistern, Christian heard muffled voices. He quickly repacked his tools and left the bedroom.
The middle-aged couple standing in the middle of their room jumped back when they saw him.
“Good afternoon Sir, Madam. I’m very sorry about that, I must have frightened you,” Christian said smoothly.
The lady, who had greying hair, laughed nervously.
“That’s alright. Is there a problem in the bathroom?” she said.
“Nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Enjoy your stay; you’ll like it here,” Christian said.
“Yes, we’ve been here before. The service is quite good,” The man said in a dull, flat tone.
“Well, if anything is not up to standard, feel free to speak to the manager. She’s a wonderful lady by the name of Raina; she’ll be glad to help.”
With that, Christian waved them goodbye and left. The door was slightly ajar and when he pushed it open, he saw Raina standing there. She was smiling at him in that wholesome, girl-next-door-who-just-happens-to-be-a-total-goddess way that got his blood racing.
“Thank you for that. If you meant it, that is,” she said.
“I meant every word. You’re a wonderful boss,” Christian said, his eyes hovering on her mouth. And she was, too, he meant that. He had seen the kind way she interacted with staff and the manner in which they were fiercely loyal to her in return.
But, God, she was sexy, Christian thought, taking in the figure hugging skirt that fell slightly above her knees. His mouth turned dry.
She seemed to sense the direction of his thoughts, because she shifted about as though suddenly uncomfortable.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Christian said, though he wished he could linger a while more.
“See you tomorrow,” Raina said in a soft voice.
Christian was looking forward to the following day. He was slotted to paint a stained wall in the kitchen, which would give him an opportunity to see how the kitchen worked. It was said that the kitchen was the engine of a hotel, and Christian believed that to be true. If the chefs and the cooks were happy, the effects were felt throughout the rest of the hotel.
As he returned to the office to wrap up the day, Christian thought back to his encounter with Raina. He would have given anything to read her mind. Did she find him remotely attractive? Her demeanor remained the same all the way through their encounter; friendly but distant and professional.
5
Raina was ashamed of herself, but she couldn’t seem to control her actions. She knew that Christopher was due to leave for home in a couple of minutes. She knew she shouldn’t do what she was about to do.…
She walked down the hallway, lingering to speak to a few guests and when she estimated that Christopher would be leaving, she walked purposefully to the security room.
“Is there a problem Ms. Raina?” one of the security guards manning the control room asked.
“No, none at all. I just like to look around and it’s much easier from up here.” Raina said, feeling her face grow hot.
“I know what you mean. Take your time, ma’am.” he said.
Just as she had thought, she was in time to catch Christopher as he strode out of the elevator, past the lobby and out the main door. She admired his easy stride and the way even cheaply cut clothes sat on him. Kelly had been right about the way his jeans hugged his ass and his shirt clung to him like a second skin. Unable to tear her eyes away, Raina shifted her eyes to the street camera. Christopher even stood out among a street full of people.
He towered over most people and seemed to glide through the crowd, as though the bustle of people going by had no effect on him. She waited for him to get into a car but he kept walking on until the camera lost sight of him. Raina only knew that she had let out a sigh when the security man glanced sharply at her.
She smiled at him and excused herself. Christopher fascinated her as no man had in a long time. She liked the way he worked, with a zeal that most people lacked. Most of all, she loved his kind eyes and the way his eyebrows turned up when he had a question. She knew that she was setting herself up for trouble.
And yeah, he was smoking hot. There was that too. Her lips turned up in a wry smile.
What if, as Kelly had said, Christopher liked her best friend? Feeling guilty but doing it anyway, Raina strode past her office and went to Kelly’s. She was buried in a pile of some sheets she was folding and Raina was about to turn away, thinking better of her visit, when Kelly spotted her and called out to her.
“Hey, not so fast. Come in, I need a break.” Kelly said with a yawn.
“You look buried in work,” Raina commented. “Literally.”
Kelly scoffed. “Just the usual. Getting my staff organized for tomorrow. Janelle called in sick and you know what that does to the schedule.”
Raina made sympathetic noises. She knew too well the tasks involved in keeping the rooms of a big hotel like the Del Mar sparkling. After all, she had started out as a maid, before being promoted to assistant housekeeper and then, like Kelly, to the head housekeeper. It seemed like eons ago.
“I haven’t seen Pervy Roger in the last couple of days, have you?” Raina said.
“He was here this morning.” Kelly said and made a face. “He had a host of complaints which I must say are without basis. The Del Mar has the cleanest rooms of any hotel I know.” she said with feeling.
“Hey, don’t let Rog get to you. You know he gets his kicks from harassing the junior staff.”
Kelly sighed. “I know; it’s just that sometimes it gets to me. I love my job and I really don’t want to lose it.”
“You won’t.” Raina promised. “You’re a wonderful head housekeeper. This place runs like clockwork, and it’s all because of you.”