This was my second entry for the Meet the Mate Contest, which I hadn't posted before because I was hoping to expand it. That seems very unlikely at this point, so I'm going ahead and posting it anyway. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it! (:
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The author does not own any publicly recognizable characters herein. No copyright infringement is intended.
Exasperated, Bella tosses her purse on the hotel's reception counter before crossing her arms and leaning forward. Glaring at the associate opposite her, she says, "I'd like to speak with the manager."
The blonde receptionist offers Bella a strained smile. "Is there a problem, miss?" she asks in a heavy accent.
Bella exhales, rolling her eyes. There was a problem all right, but having gotten the wrong suite was just one of the many things making her day disastrous.
This trip was supposed to be perfect, Bella thinks. Everything was supposed to run smoothly.
"I'm sorry, miss, but if you do not tell me what's the matter, I cannot help you, okay?" the receptionist tells her monotonously.
"What a bitch," Bella mutters, shaking her head.
The blonde narrows her eyes. "Excuse me?" she quips. "What did you say?"
For a second, Bella feels chagrined, causing her to say, "I want to go to the beach."
The receptionist doesn't look convinced, yet she tells Bella, "Is that the problem? Why do you need the manager, then?"
"That's obviously not my problem," Bella retorts. "I need the manager because there's a mistake with my reservation."
"And correcting it is part of my job," the blonde reasons.
"Listen," Bella sighs, "I don't want to be rude—"any more than I already have been, she mentally adds, "—so, I'd really prefer to speak to someone from management."
"I don't understand," the receptionist argues, shaking her head. "I can help you, but you don't want my help?"
Bella counts to ten, taking deep breaths to try to dissipate her frustration. As she threads her fingers in her long mane, she briefly closes her eyes and exhales once more. When she's about to speak again, Bella's interrupted by a man's appealing voice behind her.
"Is there a problem?" he asks.
Bella turns then, facing the handsome man who just spoke. For a second, Bella's at a loss for words—a result of his stunning features—so she simply stares at him. Quickly recovering, Bella nods.
"There's been a mistake with my reservation, so I've been trying to get someone from management to speak with me, yet it's been to no avail. This receptionist has told me she can help me, but I need someone a bit more trustworthy since the last person to help me screwed up my reservation more than it already was."
"I'm very sorry to hear that, miss, but please don't fret any longer. I'm Eduardo Cuellar—General Manager of the Rosarito Beach Hotel," he says, extending his hand to her. "I'll gladly help you with your problem."
"Thank you," Bella exhales with relief, shaking his extended hand. "I'm Isabella Swan, by the way; nice to meet you."
Eduardo flashes Bella a dazzling smile. "Likewise," he says, releasing her hand. Then, he rounds the reception desk and begins using the attendant's computer while asking her, "Tania, why didn't you call me?"
"¡Eduardo, yo podía ayudarla, pero ella no quiso!" Tania counters, explaining she could've resolved the problem yet Bella didn't allow it.
Eduardo sighs, frustrated. "How many times have I told you to refrain from speaking Spanish when a customer might not know the language? It's rude and disrespectful."
Tania rolls her eyes at Eduardo yet addresses Bella when she says, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Bella replies with a shrug.
Eduardo doesn't seem fazed by Tania's behavior as he searches Bella's reservation information on their booking management-system. When it's available, he asks Tania to search for another receptionist named Irina.
"Why?" Tania whines.
"Just go," Eduardo orders.
Wordlessly, Tania storms off, as Bella looks on amused. Bella had never seen such a rude customer representative before.
"I'm sorry you had to deal with that," Eduardo tells Bella. "Well, all of this misunderstanding, really."
Slumping her shoulders, Bella exhales. "I'm sorry for making such a big deal out of this, but I've just had the worst day."
"Is that so?"
Bella nods. "My airline lost my luggage, and to make matters worse, customs won't give me my cat unless a Mexican vet examines her and provides a certificate stating she's healthy—which I already did in Seattle before coming here."
"I'm pretty sure what they only wanted was money," Eduardo explains, shaking his head. "Unfortunately, that's the way things work around here."
"God, I'm such an idiot," Bella groans. "Why didn't I think of that?"
Eduardo offers her a polite smile. "They would have ripped you off, you know."
Bella returns his smile. "You think?"
"I'm sure," Eduardo replies. "Now, let's get back to your reservation, okay?"
"Okay."
"So, you originally made your reservation for the Pacifico Tower, correct?"
"Yes."
"And when you came in to register, you changed it to the Playas Tower?"
"No," Bella objects. "The first receptionist I spoke to said my room wasn't available yet—she mentioned something about a late check-out—so she offered me another room. I didn't want to be picky, so I readily agreed, but I asked her to switch my room to the Coronado Tower. Then, when I went to what was supposed to be my room, it was occupied."
"I see," Eduardo sighs. "So, Irina didn't tell you she'd booked you in the Playas Tower?"
"No. If she had, I would have cancelled my reservation. No offense, but those suites just don't appeal to me."
"And that is totally understandable, Miss Swan. The problem here is Irina should have explained that the only master suites available are in the Playas Tower. But don't worry; I've fixed this. So, you'll be getting your room in the Pacifico Tower just as you'd requested."
Bella's face lights up. "Really?"
"Yes." Eduardo nods. "It won't be available until 5:00 p.m. this evening—"
"Until 5'clock?" Bella interjects.
"Correct, but don't worry. On behalf of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, I'd like for you to accept a full-day treatment at our very own Casa Playa Spa. That way, you'll be pampered while you wait."
"Oh, wow, I… I don't know what to say."
"Please accept, Miss Swan," Eduardo beseeches. "I'd love to make it up to you for all the trouble we've put you through."
Bella flushes as she looks down. She doesn't want to accept because the offer feels extravagant, yet she also doesn't have anywhere else to go. However, she finally agrees because she doesn't want Eduardo to feel bad.
When she gazes at Eduardo again, she nods. "Okay; I'll take it."
Eduardo grins. "I promise you're going to love it," he says, delighted.
"I'm sure I will," Bella chuckles.
"Oh, and another thing: would you give me your flight information? I know someone at the airport who can help me pull some strings to get your belongings here quicker. All I have to do is make a call."
"You'd do that for me?" Bella asks, astonished.
"Yes." Eduardo nods, gazing intensely into her eyes. "It would be my pleasure, actually."
Blushing once more, Bella nods, too. "All right, but I'm not really worried about my luggage; Luna, my kitten, is my priority."
"I figured," he explains. "But don't worry. We'll have her here sooner than you think."