I was at my desk going through some edits for one of many upcoming articles including a building renovation and a few other articles. I sat back, rubbing my eyes when I heard my stomach growl. I looked at the clock, seeing it was almost three but I was almost finished with these and I knew I could leave soon as I was finished. 'Just once, I would love to have the big story but when will that ever happen' I thought as I finished the last few edits and sent them back.
"Summers! Big boss wants to see you" Marc told me before adding "New story and you're the only one it hasn't been presented to. Don't know why everyone has turned it down." I nodded and after puttin my chair back; I hurried up the stairs and knocked on the boss' office door even thought it was slightly ajar.
"You wanted to see me Mr. Marshall" I asked as he looked up.
"Summers, thank you for coming up. Have a seat please" he replied with a smile. I closed the door and took a seat in the chair in front of his desk. He was quiet a moment before he told me "Charlotte, I know how long you've been wanting a story of your own and I think I've got the one."
"I'm listening" I answered, listening with curiousity.
"Have you heard of a place called the Hotel Cortez" he asked.
"Only that many of gone in and have never been heard from again. Does that have to do with why everyone is turning it down" I asked in reply. He nodded slowly and with that, he began to tell me what little he could.
After he was finished; I thought a moment and replied "I will do it. Nothing beats a good, gory murder mystery and a creepy hotel. I'll go start right away."
"Perfect, deliver on this and you will be out of Editing permanently. That's a promise" Mr. Marshall told me.
"I give my word that this will be my best" I answered, getting up.
"I'm sure it will and good luck" he told me as I left and hurried down the stairs.
I finally clocked out for the day after grabbing my purse and tablet. This was a chance for me to both eat and start finding out what I could. Finally, I came to the diner two blocks away.
Once there, I took a booth in the corner and opened up my tablet to start on my research. I only stopped long enough to place my order. I made little notes of interesting things about the hotel and stopped a moment when my food arrived. As I ater, I was still reading and I came across a picture of a cold eyes gentleman, dressed in 1920's clothes. He had a cane and a bowler hat. The caption below the photo showed the man's name to be James Patrick March, the first owner and founder of the Hotel Cortez.
As I gazed upon his picture; it felt like he was staring right back, going into the depths of my soul and I got a dark, almost guilty feeling. It made me feel like I was about to be killed. I quickly shut off my tablet and put it away so that I could eat. Little did I know that the darkest part of my path would be forced from the depths that I had buried it in. I could only pray that this story wouldn't literally be the death of me.
Danica's P.O.V
In an upstairs room of a large photography studio, I was draped across a lounge chair in a bikini that showed more than I was usually willing to show. The photographer, Oliver looked up and commented "Do relax Miss Travers. Why are you so uptight? You need to look like you're having fun."
"I specifically said that near nude shots are out of my comfort zone. I only acceped the job becasue of how much I know I'll be getting paid. I'm a model, not a prostitute. There is a difference" I seethed but took a deep breath and tried to relax. I closed my eyes a moment to calm down.
"You are not nearly nude for crying out loud. If it's that bad then go put on the red suit" Oliver told me.
"No, that's alright, I'm fine now" I replied, having calmed a bit. He nodded and resumed the shoot. I posed again and I couldn't help but think 'Sometimes I feel more like a piece of meat than a person.'
After awhile; I got up and told Oliver "You know if this job wasn't paying so much, I wouldn't be doing it. You are about the only photographer that is such a problem" and with that, I started back toward the dressing room.
I was about to disappear into my dressing room when I heard a voice call "Miss Travers." I stopped and smiled, turning to see Will Drake.
"Mr. Drake; I told you when we first worked together to please call me Danica" I told him with a slight chuckle.
He chuckles too and finally asked "Of course Danica and I have a business offer for you. Have you had lunch yet?"
"I was about to. Are you offering to take me to lunch because if you are, I'd be delighted" I replied, my smile fully returning.
"Yes I am Danica, my treat" he answers with a smile and and he looks at Oliver. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I stole you away for an hour or so" he added.
"Not at all Mr. Drake. Please be my guest. Maybe some fresh air will help relax Miss Travers" Oliver answered, turning off the lights.
Will nodded and replied "Thank you" before turning to me and said "I shall wait right here for you Danica."
"I'll be just a minute" I told him and disappeared into my dressing room to change into my normal clothes. I finally came back and we left the studio, agreeing on Italian for lunch. "So glad to be out of there" I commented.
"I imagine you must be. How any model stands to be around him, I will never understand" Will agreed as we got in my car and took off.
"I don't mind jobs that take me out of my comfort zone a little bit. What I do mind is being treated like a piece of meat" I told him as I finally parked. We got out and headed in, getting a seat right away.
After a moment; Will finally said "I have a fashion show coming up at the Hotel Cortez for fashion week and I am hoping you will be my star."
"I would love to. I know it's a little below class for me to ask but" and I paused a moment before asking "How much?"
"Double what this shoot is offering" Will told me.
That thrilled me a little and replied "Yes, oh a thousand times yes. Oh, you have no idea how happy my Ma will be when I tell her. They're struggling at home right now and this will make it so that my little brother, Owen can play football next year and my little sister, Tammy can go to Washington D.C with her debate team."
"Of course Danica and you shall have first choice on clothes and a private dressing room for the show" Will told me.
"Thank you Will from the bottom of my heart" I answered.
"It is I who should be thanking you my dear friend" he replied with a smile.
We placed our orders and then talked about what was going on in our lives and he told me he was moving into the Hotel Cortez with Lachlan. I also offered to help with Lachlan once in awhile. We ate and enjoyed our time, not knowing what the day would bring later.