A Different Side The meeting finally came to an end after what felt like hours.
The new recruits slowly began leaving the conference room while managers gathered their documents and prepared to guide everyone through the hotel.
Aurora Grand was even more impressive up close.
The massive glass windows overlooked the city, elegant chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and every corner of the hotel seemed carefully designed to give guests the feeling that they had stepped into another world.
A manager named Mr.
Anderson led the group through the halls.
“I know this is a big adjustment for everyone,” he explained.
“But remember, this is only temporary.
The purpose of this program is to help you understand every aspect of the hospitality industry.” Ava listened carefully.
She actually liked that.
The idea of learning more about the industry excited her.
Even if she hated the fact that she wasn’t flying.
Beside her, Mia suddenly burst into laughter.
Ava looked at her.
“What?” Mia tried to hold back her laughter and failed.
“I still can’t believe you did that.” Ava immediately knew what she meant.
The conference room.
The shout.
The embarrassing moment.
Her face heated up.
“Mia, please.” “No, seriously.” Mia wiped an imaginary tear from her eye.
“What kind of person gets excited about working?” Ava frowned.
“A person who likes their job?” “Normal people pretend to be calm.” “I was happy.” “You screamed.” “I was surprised.” “You screamed.” Ava sighed.
“Can you stop reminding me?” “Never.” Despite the embarrassment, Ava knew one thing.
She wasn’t embarrassed about loving what she did.
She loved hospitality.
She loved creating experiences.
That part of herself would never change.
Mia nudged her shoulder.
“Also…” Ava immediately became suspicious.
“What?” Mia lowered her voice.
“Ethan Hawthorne.” Ava groaned.
“Again?” “Listen.” “No.” “You didn’t even hear me.” “I don’t need to.” Mia smiled.
“I saw him up close today.” Ava looked at her.
“Good for you!” “He’s even better looking in person.” Ava rolled her eyes.
“You sound ridiculous.” “I sound correct.” “Mia.” “I’, just saying, you two would look good together.” Ava stopped walking.
“What?” Mia shrugged innocently.
“I can already imagine it.” “Imagine what?” “You and Mr.
Billionaire walking around this hotel, holding hands.” Ava stared at her.
“We don’t even know each other.” “Details.” “Mia.” “Fine.
I wish you both a very happy marriage.” Ava looked horrified.
“We have never even had a conversation.
“Yet.” “There is no yet.” Mia only smiled.
Ava shook her head.
Her friend was impossible.
– Meanwhile, Ethan remained in the conference room.
Most of the managers had already ;eft.
Only he and Lucas remained.
The silence lasted for exactly five seconds.
Then Ethan spoke.
“Why is she here?” Lucas looked up from his phone.
“Who?” Ethan gave him a look.
“Lucas immediately looked away.
“Interesting.” “What?” “You know exactly who.” “I don’t.” “You selected the transfers.” Lucas shrugged.
“So?” “So why the hell is Ava Carter here?” A pause.
A very suspicious pause.
Then Lucas smiled.
“Oh.” Lucas leaned back.
“You’re finally admitting you remember her name.” Ethan ignored that.
“Lucas.” His brother laughed.
“Okay, okay.” He raised his hands in surrender.
“Maybe I had a small influence.” “I knew it.” “Before you get angry-” “I am already angry.” Lucas sighed dramatically.
“I was helping.” “Helping?” “Yes.” “How exactly?” Lucas looked completely serious.
“Helping my stone-cold brother find a girlfriend.” Ethan stared at him.
Then slowly blinked.
“Are you insane?” “Possibly.” Ethan shook his head.
“This is not a joke.” “I know.” Lucas’s expression softened slightly.
Because the truth was…
Ethan had never been serous about anyone.
Ever.
He had dated.
Of course he had.
Women were always interested in Ethan Hawthorne.
His money.
His name.
His appearance.
But Ethan never stayed.
Never cared enough to.
Everything had always felt temporary.
A passing interest.
Nothing worth more than a night together in a hotel.
Until now.
And that was exactly why Lucas found it interesting.
Because for the first time…
His brother had actually noticed someone.
“You don’t even realize it,” Lucas said quietly.
Ethan frowned.
“Realize what?” “That you actually paid attention to her.” Ethan didn’t answer.
Because annoyingly…
Lucas was right.
– The next morning, Ava stood outside Ethan’s office door.
And suddenly, she forgot how doors worked.
She stared at the handle.
Then took a deep breath.
This was ridiculous.
She had greeted thousands of passengers.
Why was entering one man’s office making her nervous?
Finally, she knocked.
“Come in.” Ava slowly stepped inside.
Ethan was standing near his desk, looking through some documents.
She straightened immediately.
“Good morning, Mr.
Hawthorne.” Silence.
Ava waited.
And waited.
Nothing.
Her smile slowly disappeared.
Did he not hear her?
Or he was ignoring her?
Ava looked down.
She knew she was being dramatic.
But still…
A simple good morning would have been nice.
She stood there quietly, feeling slightly offended.
Meanwhile, Ethan had already picked up another file.
“We’re going to the restaurant this morning.” Ava looked up.
He continued.
“I want to review the menu, food preparation, and presentation.
There are changes I want to make, and I need your help organizing the process.” Ava blinked.
He was talking as if she hadn’t been standing there silently waiting.
A small pout formed on her lips.
She looked down.
Rude.
She didn’t notice Ethan stop speaking.
“Ava?” No response.
He turned around.
She was staring at the floor.
“Ethan?” Still nothing.
His eyebrows lifted slightly.
Then he tried again.
“Ava Carter.” Her head immediately lifted.
“Yes?” “I asked if you had any experience with guest preferences and menu planning.” “Oh.” Her embarrassment returned.
“Sorry.
Yes.
I do.” Ethan watched her for a moment.
Interesting.
She was professional.
Confident.
Yet somehow easily flustered.
“What would you suggest for a hotel breakfast menu?” Ava thought carefully.
Then answered.
“I think it should feel luxurious but still comfortable.” Ethan listened.
“For mornings, guests usually want something that gives them energy but doesn’t feel too heavy.
Maybe fresh fruits options, healthy pastries, high-quality coffee, different types of eggs, and something that feels unique to the hotel.” She continued.
“People remember small details.
Presentation matters.
Even a simple breakfast can feel special if it looks and tastes thoughtful.” For the first time that morning, Ethan looked genuinely interested.
“Let’s go.” – The moment they entered the restaurant kitchen, Ethan’s expression changed.
The organization was terrible.
Staff moved around without communication.
Ingredients were misplaced.
The preparation area was messy.
This was not Aurora Grand standard.
Not even close.
“What is this?” The room immediately went silent.
The staff turned.
Ethan’s voice remained calm.
Which somehow made it worse.
“Everyone leave the kitchen.” Nobody argued.
Within minutes, the kitchen was empty.
Ava stood quietly, watching him.
Then Ethan rolled up his sleeves.
And started cleaning.
She blinked.
“Mr.
Hawthorne?” “If we want people to respect this place, we have to respect it ourselves first.” Something about that answer stayed with her.
After a moment, Ava quietly picked up a cloth.
And joined him.
At first, they worked in silence.
Then slowly…
They found a rhythm.
He moved.
She understood.
She prepared what he needed before he asked.
She organized things naturally.
And for some reason…
It worked.
Ethan had worked with countless professionals.
Managers.
Executives.
Experts.
But he had never worked with someone who made the process feel so effortless.
Even when Ava made mistakes.
Like accidentally dropping an entire tray of napkins.
Or almost walking into a cabinet because she was too focused.
They weren’t frustrating mistakes.
They were funny ones.
And somehow, Ethan found himself laughing.
Actually laughing.
By the time they finished, the kitchen looked completely different.
Ava looked around proudly.
“We did it.” Ethan looked at her.
A genuine smile appeared.
“Yes.” And for some reason…
That simple moment felt different.
– That evening, Ava fell onto her bed the second she got home.
Mia looked over from her own bed.
“You’re alive.” “Barely.” “So?” Ava sighed.
“My day was exhausting.” “That sounds terrible.” “It wasn’t.” Mia immediately smiled.
“Oh?” Ava realized too late.
She had started smiling.
Mia sat up.
“Wait.” “What?” “You smiled.” “No, I didn’t.” “You did.” Ava looked away.
Mia narrowed her eyes.
“I have known you for years.” “Mia…” “I have never seen you this happy talking about work.” Ava opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Because she couldn’t deny it.
She had enjoyed today.
More than she expected.
And somewhere in the back of her mind…
She was already looking forward to tomorrow.