The conference room on the 31st floor was filled with polished executives, their attention fixed on the tall man at the head of the table.
Alex Walton tapped once on the sleek remote, and the large screen behind him changed slides. "We're not just selling rooms—we're selling an experience," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "That means speed, comfort, and seamless transitions—for both our guests and our staff."
The room nodded in agreement, though a few tried to hide their awe behind measured expressions. Alex always spoke with purpose, every word carefully chosen, every movement refined.
"For starters," he continued, "our mobile check-in system needs to be optimized. Guests shouldn't have to wait in line at all. And housekeeping should be able to report maintenance issues in real time—no more paper logs or delays."
One of the department heads cleared his throat. "And for the staff?"
Alex gave a small nod. "We can't give the best to our guests if our employees are running on empty. Upgrade the staff lounge. Include proper meal options, private rest areas, better shift coordination. A happy team is a productive team."
The meeting lasted a full hour, but no one left distracted or disengaged. By the end, they weren't just convinced—they were inspired.
Afterward, Alex walked through the corridors of the hotel like he belonged there. Because he did.
Down at the canteen, he stopped in to check the staff food service. He inspected the cleanliness, greeted the chef by name, and reviewed the weekly menu. It wasn't about micromanagement—it was about precision. He believed even the smallest detail could change someone's entire impression of the Walton name.
Later, he glanced over the amenity reports—free high-speed Wi-Fi, an exclusive gym, a luxury spa, and the rooftop private pool with skyline views. The hotel had all the right offerings, but Alex wanted more than "right."
He wanted flawless.
As he strolled past the spa hallway, a few staff members greeted him with respectful nods. His return smile was brief, his demeanor warm—but distant.
There was a quiet intensity about Alex Walton. A man of logic and elegance, his presence made people straighten their backs and weigh their words twice. Everything from the perfect crease of his navy suit to the immaculate watch on his wrist hinted at excellence—and demanded it in return.
Pausing briefly, Alex caught his reflection in the glass door. He straightened his tie, adjusted his cuffs, and gave himself a quick, confident nod.
101 aura points for being so cool today, he thought, the faintest hint of a smirk touching his lips.
No one noticed.
He stepped out of the executive hallway, footsteps quiet but purposeful. Just as the elevator doors slid open for him, the lobby doors behind him parted with a soft hiss.
Luna A'velair walked in, holding her folder close to her chest, her lavender scarf fluttering lightly behind her. Her wide brown eyes took in the glittering marble floors, the high ceilings, and the quiet hum of polished professionalism.
Before she could get lost in the grandeur, she spotted the front desk and asked for her contact. A moment later, she was escorted toward the HR office.
Inside, Giena—the hotel's bright-eyed HR supervisor—was seated behind her desk, fanning herself with a laminated handbook.
"Holy deadlines," she muttered under her breath. "I swear Kim Han's going to combust one of these days. Why did I have to stand next to her while she was giving the boss the tour…"
She grabbed her water bottle and took a long sip, muttering, "I need a raise. And air-conditioning."
Just then, her desk phone buzzed. The assistant from reception announced the arrival of a candidate.
"Right. Show her in!" Giena quickly stood, smoothed her blouse, and tried to look like she hadn't just been dramatically melting.
Luna entered with a soft smile. "Good morning," she said politely. "I'm Luna A'velair, 23 years old—here for the Guest Relations Officer (GRO) interview."
Giena gave her a warm smile, motioning toward the chair. "Hi, Luna. I'm Giena, the HR supervisor. Please, take a seat. You're a bit early—impressive already."
Luna nodded and passed over a neatly organized folder. "Here are my documents and resume."
Giena accepted them with a grateful nod and began skimming. "Let's see… degree in hotel management, graduated recently… part-time hospitality experience…" Her eyebrows lifted. "Nice. You've actually worked while studying. That's not easy."
Luna smiled a little, "It was exhausting, but I loved every bit of it."
"Good. You'll fit in, then. We value people who aren't afraid of a little chaos," Giena chuckled. "Especially on Mondays. Or when Mr. Walton is in the building."
Luna blinked. "Mr. Walton?"
Giena leaned forward with a mischievous gleam. "CEO. The Alex Walton. He just had a meeting with the execs upstairs. Kim Han—the Hotel Manager—was showing him around like her life depended on it. I've never seen her look that stressed and that polished at the same time."
Unaware that she had unknowingly passed him in the lobby, Luna gave a nervous smile. "I'll try not to mess up, then."
Giena laughed lightly. "Relax. He doesn't bite. Much." Then, switching back to her professional tone, she added, "It was a pleasure meeting you today, Luna. We'll get back to you within a week once we complete our selection process. Kindly wait for our update."
Luna nodded eagerly. "Thank you! Please do inform me—I'll do my very best."
As she exited the hotel, a soft breeze brushed past her. Clutching her bag tightly, Luna walked away with hopeful steps, her heart full of dreams—for a job, for stability, and for the life she longed to build.