Chapter 9: A Surprising Twist
As they reached the elevator, the receptionist held up a glossy black metal card to the panel and pressed the button for the topmost floor. David glanced at her in surprise.
The top floor? Wouldn’t that be where the most expensive and luxurious suites are? Is the under-construction room there?
Seeing his surprise, the receptionist gave him a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry; the room should be comfortable enough, even if it’s not fully furnished yet,” she assured him as the elevator glided smoothly upwards.
Once the elevator doors opened, they stepped out into a richly carpeted hallway, lined with exotic plants and modern abstract paintings. David couldn’t help but admire the tasteful decor and the serene tranquility that seemed to envelop the entire floor.
The receptionist stopped in front of a grand, imposing door and turned towards David. Emblazoned on the door in gold lettering was “Suite No. 8.”
“This is it,” she said, unlocking the door and pushing it open.
David stepped into the room, his breath hitching in his throat at the sight that greeted him.
This was no ordinary room. It was a suite; not just any regular suite, but the epitome of luxury. Tall, floor-to-ceiling windows provided a panoramic view of the city below, bathing the room in soft, natural light. One of the rooms was blocked off, presumably for the remodeling, but the rest of the suite looked completely finished. There weren’t any furnishings other than a king-sized bed, a coffee table, and a few armchairs, but the few pieces that were there were clearly high-end, their elegant designs speaking of refined taste and quality craftsmanship. Everything screamed extravagance and comfort.
David felt completely out of place. This was beyond magnificent compared to the small, cramped room he had been used to.
Seeing his astonishment, the receptionist chuckled nervously.
“I know it’s a bit bare,” she acknowledged, sounding strangely apologetic. “Like I said before, it’s currently being remodeled to include some additional amenities. But, until the remodeling work resumes, it’s all yours.”
David was stunned. He was expecting a bare, half-constructed room, not a near-complete luxury suite. He turned to thank the receptionist, but she simply waved him off.
“It’s the least we could do,” she said with a warm smile. “You’re our guest and we want you to feel comfortable. Please take this key card; it’ll allow you to access your room and any floor in the hotel.”
As he thanked the receptionist and watched her leave, David took a moment to take in his new surroundings. The suite was huge, and he was unaccustomed to such elegance.
This can’t be normal.
He was incredibly grateful to have a place to stay and to be treated so kindly, but something definitely seemed…off. David found it hard to believe that any normal person could afford such a suite and even harder to believe that an upscale hotel would offer up such a room for free, even if it was under construction.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
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