Well, thanks to everyone who let me know the chapters weren't loading. Evidently it was a Fanfiction wide problem...at least it's fixed now.
Hermione came in late the next morning because there was a big conference going on in the business suite and she knew she would need to stay late. Ginny was already in, as she quite often came in to help with big events. The reception area was very busy and there was a definite buzz to the hotel this morning.
"Good Morning, Miss Granger, " Victoria, one of the head receptionists greeted her boss.
"Good Morning, Victoria," Hermione glanced around. "It's very busy then? Has everything gone okay?"
"Yes - it's all running smoothly. The first presentation starts in fifteen minutes, so I expect it will calm down a little then."
"I'll come down when they break for lunch and show my face," Hermione offered. She always did this if there was a big booking. "Have I got any messages?"
"Well, the whole 12th floor were having decor problems. Nearly all the rooms rang to complain."
"Decor problems?"
"They couldn't change their decor and evidently when neighbouring rooms changed theirs it affected the whole floor."
"Shall I go up?"
"No - Everett is sorting it out, I just thought you should know." Everett Stone was the Facilities Manager. He tended to lend his hand to anything and he was indispensible to Hermione.
"Anything else?"
"Mrs Calvert called - she was upset that she couldn't have the Penthouse next week..."
"I'll ring her myself and offer her one of the other suites."
"Very good," Victoria nodded. "Oh and Mr Malfoy left this for you." She passed Hermione a piece of folded parchment. "He was down here for quite a long while this morning, talking to everyone. He seems really nice."
Hermione took the note from Victoria. "Well, it makes sense for you all to get to know him as he is staying long term. Thanks, Victoria, I'll see you later."
She walked into her office and sat down heavily. She loved her job but sometimes it was very full on. She stared at the note Victoria had given her which had 'Miss Granger' written on it in Draco's handwriting. His writing was ornate, with lots of loops. She slipped off her jacket, feeling hot in her office and opened the note.
Miss Granger,
I need to see you as soon as you're in. Please come straight to the Penthouse, I'll wait for you.
I didn't know the General Manager could afford to do part time hours?
Mr Malfoy - Penthouse Suite.
Hermione rolled her eyes. He had a cheek! Part time hours! She worked 60 hours a week! And what was so urgent he had to see her straight away? She was going to have a long and busy day - she didn't need Draco whinging about something inconsequential. And why did she have to come up to him?
She stood up, deciding to get it over with. Yesterday evening had been fun. Draco , Theo and Blaise were charming and amusing and Hermione had enjoyed herself buy maybe she needed to stick to her original decision to stick to just business, if Draco was going to expect her to be at his beck and call.
She used her wand to access the Penthouse suite button in the elevator but still rang the bell before opening the doors. When the doors did slide open, Draco was leaning against the wall.
"About time too!" he said and started back across the apartment.
"Excuse me?" Hermione followed him, as the lift doors closed behind her.
"I asked for you to come straight here, " Draco said, nonchalantly. He opened the fridge and retrieved a soft drink can. "Would you like a drink?"
"No, thank you."
"Tea? Coffee?"
"No, nothing thank you," Hermione answered him. "I was given your note about ten minutes ago which was when I arrived. Apart from visiting my office I came straight here."
"Why were you late?"
Hermione stared at him. "I wasn't late!" She couldn't keep the annoyed tone from her voice. "I don't start early when we have a big business booking." She shook her head. "Why am I explaining myself to you?"
"Because I'm your most important guest."
"If you say so."
Draco stopped pouring his drink and glanced up at her. "Do I detect an attitude from the Hotel's General Manager?"
Hermione nodded her head, without hesitation. "Yes, you do. I will do everything I can to help you during your stay here, but I do not and will not answer to you." She folded her arms across her chest. "What is it you wanted to see me about?"
Draco's face slowly stretched into a grin. He twisted his lips and then lifted his glass, as if doing a toast. "Bravo! Great speech! I told you I like feisty."
Hermione sighed, already exhausted by this conversation. "You asked me to come and see you?" she prompted him again.
"Yes, I did," Draco came around the counter, grabbed her arm and pulled her over to the far corner, where a small table was. He picked up a leaflet and handed it to her. "You need to stop using Blakes for your press advertising. They're unprofessional and Blake himself is a slime ball. He overcharges and does what he wants rather than what the customer wants."
"Well, at least we agree on all those things then," Hermione said.
"So, why are you using him?"
"We've always used them - to be honest I just haven't the time to look into finding someone else."
"You should make the time - it's a waste of money," Draco pointed at the leaflet. "I'll do it for free while I'm in the Penthouse and after that I'll make you an offer you can't refuse."
"You'll promise to never show your face here ever again?" Hermione made sure that her tone sounded hopeful. She kept her face straight, her voice innocent and she didn't look directly at him. She watched him out of the corner of her eye and tried not to smile at her own joke.
"Very amusing, I'm sure," Draco said. She glanced over at him.
"Who says I don't mean it?"
"You don't mean it," Draco answered, confidently. "I meant, I'll make you an advertising offer you can't refuse," Draco's face broke into a grin, "but good comeback. Not sure it's fitting for the General Manager to insult the guests that way..."
"That was Hermione insulting Draco," Hermione answered. She gave him a grin that he would have been proud of and he twisted his lips. The buzzer sounded and Draco went over to open the lift doors. A young women, dressed in a business suit, carrying a briefcase stepped out.
"Good morning, Mr Malfoy."
"Good morning, Abigail."
"I've brought all the papers you asked for and I have the list of applicants for the position."
"Great. I'll be with you in a few minutes," Draco glanced over to Hermione. "This is Hermione Granger, the hotel's General Manager. Hermione, this is Abigail Pacer, my P.A."
Abigail and Hermione met in the middle and shook hands.
"Please to meet you, Miss Granger."
"You too," Hermione said.
"The hotel uses Blakes for their advertising," Draco said to Abigail. "I've just been explaining to Hermione that we can sort something out for her that will be more than competitive."
"Oh yes," Abigail nodded. She looked at Hermione and smiled but Hermione felt a little uncomfortable. Abigail's smile didn't reach her eyes. "I can bring some of our advertising brochures and packages next time I come. I'm sure you'll prefer them to Blakes."
"That would be helpful," Hermione answered. "I'd be interested to have a look."
"Of course," Abigail was being perfectly polite but frosty. She turned to Draco. "What package would you be looking at offering?" she asked him. She asked this in a conspiratory tone, like when parents talk about something in front of their children. It made Hermione's hackles rise.
"Oh, Hermione can chose whatever she wants. We won't restrict her to our normal packages," Draco answered and Hermione wanted to poke her tongue out and go ha!
"I see," Abigail's tone conveyed disapproval. "If I start with Package C then? We can then add and deduct items as required."
"Yes - C would be a good starting point."
"I'll quote Miss Granger the new deal prices." Abigail looked over at Hermione. "I think you'll find we're very competitive. Mr Malfoy prices all the packages himself so we offer the best price without the need to negotiate."
Hermione stared at the young women and wanted to say - Mr Malfoy does indeed offer competitive prices. Free of charge for the next 9 months is very competitive. She had a feeling that Abigail wouldn't be expecting this piece of news and decided to let Draco break it to his ice queen of a P.A.
"Don't worry about costing it," Draco instructed. "I'll sort that out with Hermione."
Abigail's perfect eyebrows raised slightly and she glanced to Hermione and then back again. "It's not a problem, Mr Malfoy," she gushed. Hermione didn't like the way she said Mr Malfoy. "You needn't bother yourself with it any further. I'm sure Miss Granger will be more than happy to deal with me. I'm sure she understands how busy you are, running such a large establishment herself."
Hermione thoughts weren't pleasant but she kept her face impassive.
Draco glanced over at Abigail who smiled at him. "Well, I'm doing Hermione a special deal so if you can just show her the options without the pricing, that would be fine."
Abigail looked slightly taken aback. She was obviously used to Draco depending on her when she offered. "I see - what shall I enter onto the system?"
"Just enter the normal prices and I'll override them."
Abigail turned to Hermione. "When would be convenient to go through it with you?"
"Oh - I'll have to check my diary. Can I get back to you later?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, that's fine." Abigail turned to Draco. "If you've nearly finished with Miss Granger, I'll set the documents out on the table ready for you." Abigail walked over to the large table and began undoing her briefcase.
Hermione wanted to growl at this women, who's overly efficient, brusque and dismissive attitude was infuriating her. Why would she be like this? They'd met for less than five minutes? Abigail's next question, spoken from across the room, suddenly made everything clear.
"Unless you'd like to do this at the restaurant like last week? I can see if they have a free table?"
This last sentence was asked to Draco but Hermione knew it was entirely for her benefit. Obviously, Abigail had a thing for her rich, handsome boss. Hermione couldn't decide, from her brief time in Abigail's company, whether this was one sided or if Draco's and Abigail's relationship was more than a working one. Knowing Draco's reputation, she wouldn't be surprised, yet at the same time something about his demeanour didn't make that seem the case.
Hermione made a spur of the moment decision and, acting completely out of character, she stepped closer to Draco and spoke quietly yet still making sure it was loud enough for Abigail to hear.
"I didn't know you had a meeting. I was going to suggest we had lunch together in the hotel restaurant."
She saw Abigail turn slightly in their direction from her place at the table. Draco, seemingly oblivious to the atmosphere, stared at Hermione, his eyebrow's showing his surprise at her invitation.
"Well, it would just be rude to refuse that invitation," he said. "Abigail and I can keep the meeting short. Would an hour from now be convenient?"
Hermione nodded. "Of course - I'll let Garath know that we need a table," she said. She looked over at Abigail and then back to Draco. "A table for two?" she asked, trying to convey her question without actually asking it. She was sure Draco wouldn't want her to invite Abigail but she felt awkward not asking, despite her dislike for the women.
Draco's eyes followed Hermione's across the room and then back again. "Oh...yes a table for two will be fine."
"Good," Hermione said. "I'll meet you down there in an hour." She looked across the room to Abigail who was still laying out papers. "It was nice to meet you Abigail, I'll let you know when we can meet again to discuss the advertising."
"Yes, thanks..." Abigail nodded. Her face was flushed and Hermione knew she didn't like what had just happened. Again, it wasn't in Hermione's nature to be malicious, but as she went down in the lift she couldn't help but feel that she'd just won a small battle.
It wasn't until she reached her office that she remembered the hundred other things she needed to do today. She didn't have time to have lunch! What had she been thinking? Glancing at the time, she realised the business conference would be breaking for lunch now and she needed to go down to speak to them for a few minutes.
Sighing, she folded the papers away on her desk and slipped her jacket back on. Now she was going to be running behind all day but she supposed it served her right for being vindictive.
Hope you're still liking the flow. As I said previously, this is going to be a fluff filled story - I'm enjoying writing something less challenging for a change and I like this Draco - he's fun to write. I just hope you all enjoy it as much as my other stories. x