Before making my way out to my car, I admired more oversized furniture surrounding an electric fireplace and plasma screen T.V. I made a mental note to thank my Grandpa profusely—again—next time I talked to him. Not that I wanted to be there anymore than I had before, but at least now I had a beautiful place to return home to after work.
For the next couple of hours I unloaded my clothes, toiletries, showered and changed. Next to my dresser was a full-length mirror that I was already in love with. I examined my brown pencil skirt and white collared sleeveless button up before slipping on my white heels. The outfit was lightweight and perfect for the muggy weather that day. After pulling my hair into a high ponytail I was ready to go.
My phone had been charging all morning and when I turned it on there was about a dozen voicemails from my Grandma. Whoops. I knew there was something I was supposed to do before I went to bed. The messages ranged from a simple: “Is everything okay” to “Danielle Elise Hamilton! How dare you ignore your Grandmother!” With a sigh, I gave her a call back but luck was on my side when her voicemail picked up.
“Gram it’s me, sorry I didn’t get back to you last night. The drive in was fine I was just really tired when I got home so I forgot to call. I’m on my way into the Inn to meet with my new assistant and check things out. After that I’m heading to the grocery store so feel free to call whenever you have a chance. Love you.”
The drive to Hamilton Inn brought back a million different feelings. For half a second, I was nostalgic about the familiar ride, but not long afterward came the familiar sensation of dread. The place was a home to staff and guests, along with even more wonderful memories. People had been tying the knot, throwing parties and falling in love on my Grandparent’s beloved property for years. To me, the place was nothing but a prison. I’d always been second to their stupid business. One birthday, my Grandmother had given me a two-dollar Hallmark card but had dropped thousands of dollars that same week on new furniture for the Inn.
It wasn’t just me that Gram had ignored. She’d given equally indifferent treatment to my mother too. We were nothing more than the family she wanted kept in the shadows. As a result, I couldn’t help but wonder if my mother had purposely run the Inn into the ground. Either way, it still infuriated me, as it was the reason I’d been forced back to this hellhole.
When the Inn came into view, the admiration was impossible to deny. The property was beautiful with Okame Cherry Trees lining the pathway and drive at the entrance. It was a quaint little find that my Grandparents had turned into an elegant establishment. From the outside, the main building resembled an old Southern estate with a wraparound porch, wide windows and tall white columns. Over the years they’d added on more bedrooms, a dining room and most recently, a grand banquet hall to house the growing number of events held here. In the distance was also the brand new horse stable. I wished had been there while I was growing up. That might have made my childhood a little better—maybe.
The aromatic Okame trees delighted my senses making it all the more difficult for me to dislike the Inn. I already hated that my breath was taken away by the sheer beauty of the place. Forcing myself, to look through objective eyes the charming perfection was impossible to deny. After making my way inside, the first thing capturing my attention was the large wooden desk with the deep crimson contrast wall adding a brilliant pop of color to the lobby. Standing behind the desk, was a woman that looked to be a little older than me with soft brown hair pulled away from her pale skin. Her hazel eyes lit up as I walked in, though she looked overworked and exhausted. This had to be the woman I was there to see.
“Bailey?” With a smile I approached the desk. She flashed a smile back and came around the desk, to shake my hand. Bailey stood a few inches taller than me, and was clad in a black business coat and pencil skirt. I could practically feel