Page 40 of Hotel Mallois

"I should start cleaning; I wouldn't want to lose my job," Jodie jokes and tries to get down from the marble counter. Katherine prevents her.

"The penthouse is spotless," says the blonde. "You won't do anything today, I want to discuss something withyou. Why don't you put on something comfortable and meet me on the terrace?"

Jodie accepts; besides being exhausted, it's true that Katherine's home doesn't have a speck of dust. Every day she's there, she makes an effort to clean it thoroughly, and her boss has the gratitude to keep it in the same state.

Twenty minutes later, and after a shower, Jodie comes out to the terrace and sits next to Katherine, who hands her a cinnamon tea she's grown to like lately. She takes a sip of the drink and signals Katherine to tell her about this important matter.

"What do you think about Blake Johnson for the position of head of cleaning services?"

Jodie doesn't have to think about it.

"I think she's perfect. When I started at the Mallois, we worked together for several months, she has a lot of experience, she's cordial with colleagues, and above all, she understands everyone's needs. Having her as a direct supervisor was wonderful."

Katherine nods and takes a sip of tea.

"Marjorie proposed changing the service structure, explaining that it wasn't necessary to have coordinators if she was at the helm and could direct everything," Katherine makes a face. "It was certainly a mistake on my part to accept it."

"If you're thinking about Blake, I think it would be a great choice," Jodie reaffirms, trying to keep Marjorie out of the conversation. That woman gives her the creeps.

"She's passed several of the filters we've considered for the new head of service. Lamir talked to her to know what she thought about a promotion, and she's more than willing. I just needed your opinion to confirm Blake is the right choice. Besides, I like the fact that she's younger than Marjorie, according to her file she just turned thirty-five, maybe that change will also be good among the staff, and they'll feel more comfortable dealing with someone who wasn't born in the Pleistocene."

Jodie smiles amused while imagining Marjorie turned into a dinosaur. But what she likes most is that Katherine involves her in these decisions because it only confirms that what they have is serious. She feels stupid again for acting that way about Annie's visit and opens her mouth to apologize again, but her boss beats her to it.

"Now that this matter is settled, I want to talk about the most important thing," says Katherine and puts her cup on the side table. "The Magnolis hotel needs to start pre-opening next week, which means having all staff hired so they can familiarize themselves with the facilities before the official opening in two months. We already have many contracts closed, and the heads of each service need to be at the hotel in a few days to coordinate everything. I'm missing a head chef, Jodie, and no matter how much I've thought about it, I don't see anyone more suitable than you for that position."

Jodie didn't expect that. Katherine raises her hand to stop her from speaking.

"I know what you're going to tell me, but you're an excellent cook and an incredible boss. I saw you direct a service without prior preparation that day in the private room. You have great ideas and your dishes are amazing, plus you already have experience. I want you for my hotel because that's your place and because I can't keep bearing to have my girl come to my house to clean instead of to see me. Don't get me wrong," says Katherine to explain herself well, "I don't care what you do for a living, but I'm presenting you with an opportunity that benefits us both, and I think you'll be happier there, in your kitchen."

Jodie's heart has been racing for so long that she would feel she could die of a heart attack if she weren't in the hotel with the most defibrillators in all of New York. It's a mix of happiness, fear, and excitement that makes her head fog up and unable to think clearly. Of course she would be happy in the Magnolis kitchen, being the one directing the service, innovating with dishes, returning to her place. She struggles to speak, and when she does, she lets out the silliest phrase she's said in her life.

"Can I think about it?"

Katherine repeats the gesture from earlier, tilts her head, and focuses her brightest blue on her.

"Do you really need to think about it?" she asks, knowing the answer. Because Jodie is dying to get back to a kitchen, but nerves are betraying her.

Jodie sheds uncertainty for a moment. Those eyes are loaded with spells.

"No, I don't need to think about it. I want to be the head chef of the Magnolis hotel," she says and knows that answer has been worth it. The most beautiful smile in the world spreads before her.

Epilogue

Two months later

"Oh my God, it's so late," Jodie says as they walk along the cobblestone path between the two gardens of the upscale residence where her mother now lives.

They visited her first thing in the morning, and although Amanda didn't recognize her daughter this time, the ordeal wasn't as terrible because she didn't have to go through it alone - Katherine held her hand throughout.

"We have plenty of time," Katherine responds to calm her.

They cross through the enormous entrance gate to the street and find Mike waiting with the back door open. Jodie practically dives inside, startling the chauffeur, who looks at his boss with a puzzled expression.

"Is someone chasing you?" he asks, alert as a hawk, his hand on his gun.

"Just nerves, I guess," Katherine answers with a laugh, "we're opening Magnolis to the public today, and she thinks she's late to the kitchen."

Mike relaxes and gets into the car after his boss.

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