Grand Hotel (A Geek An Angel)

by J. A. JACKSON

  Jean Baptiste rolled his eyes. “Look Katrina, go find Clare Palling, and see if there is anything she needs for you to do,” he said waiving his hand.

  “Fine, I’m out of here,” Katrina shouted, doing as she was told and slamming the exit door behind her.

  Jean turned and faced Louis. “All right Louis. I understand your view without being told. But my wife, well now she needs to hear the words. So make this clear,” he said rubbing his brow. “Am I to understand the amount of money I donated here tonight will not make any difference in my daughter being crowned queen?”

  “For once Jean we are on the same page,” Louis said remaining calm.

  Jean Baptiste turned to his wife. “Do you hear the man dear? He can’t make it any clearer than that.”

  “Jean, you don’t think I’m a simpleton do you? I heard the man loud and clear,” Pauline said.

  Jean paced as if deep in thought.

  Pauline glanced up at Louis. She hesitated for a slight moment. “Louis, I thought this year the Queen Pageant was going to be rated by which girl brought in the most money.”

  Louis raised his brow. “No Pauline, this issue was voted down at the event planning meeting. You remember? You raised it.”

  Pauline shrugged and waived her hand “As I recall, the vote wasn’t final on the issue.”

  Louis shrugged. “If you don’t believe me ask Nate Trent. He’s the committee chairperson and he is one of the pageant judges.”

  Pauline stared back a t Louis with a frown marring her brow. “Yes…Yes…Yes he is. I’d forgotten.”

  Suddenly Jean Baptiste abruptly stopped pacing. He had a thought. He turned and stared at his wife with wide eyes. “Damn Pauline, I hope this isn’t some kind of mess you’re cooking up in that scheming mind of yours. Look, I thought you and I agreed to pull Katrina out of the competition, if it wasn’t going to be judged by who raised the most money, period.”

  Pauline reached down and opened her purse. She pulled out her compact and checked her makeup. “I agreed to do what makes Katrina happy. Not bringing disgrace to our family by asking for our donation back.”

  Jean shook his head. “But what if Katrina loses? Have you thought of that Pauline?”

  “Oh Jean, how can you say such a thing?” Pauline asked.

  Nervously Jean stuffed his hands into his pockets. “This is crazy Pauline. Let’s just take our money and our daughter and just go home.”

  Mother Kahina Laveau was a skilled negotiator. She tilted her head coquettishly. “Jean, if you cannot afford to make a donation to this worthy cause, perhaps you should ask for your money back. If you can’t afford it, you can’t afford it,” she said flashing him a big smile.

  Jean clenched his hand into a fist. “The Baptiste family is not destitute!”

  Pauline whirled around. “Now see what you’ve done Jean. You’ve got people thinking we’re poor. Not to mention, we do not want to anger Mother Laveau or her daughter Miss Mackey, the famous clairvoyant.”

  Jean Baptiste frowned. “Fine, I’m going home Pauline. I don’t want any parts of this,” he said abruptly turning to leave.

  Pauline watched her husband slam the door behind him. She turned and stared between Mother Kahina Laveau and Louis. She opened her mouth closed it and then gave them a look of commiseration. “Oh never mind,” she said somberly turning to leave.

  Mother Kahina Laveau hooked her finger and signaled Louis to come over.

  Louis strolled over and stood next to Mother Kahina Laveau. She leaned in close and whispered.

  “Well Louis, let the games begin.”

  Chapter 19

  Sparkling Eyes

  Rogmar Womack thought Celica Baptiste was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. The romantic garden room was the perfect place to slow dance.

  Rog smiled softly. “I should let you have a rest. I’ve been dancing with you for almost an hour,” he said. “I’m sure you must be tired of me by now.”

  Celica smiled back at him ruefully. “I was hoping to dance with you for another hour. I’m having a good time.”

  Rog gave her an envious look. “But what about your friends? Especially that tall fellow I saw you with earlier. He must be wondering what’s happened to you.”

  Celica giggled and let Rog take her arm. They walked a few steps. “Is that your way of telling me your feet hurt? Anyway, don’t look so jealous. That was just my employer you saw me with earlier.”

  A moment later, they took a seat.

  “You’re staring at me again Rog.”

  Rog grinned wide, staring back at her. “You know, you’re beautiful. I mean really beautiful. Did you know that your eyes sparkle like diamonds? At first I thought it was just the romantic lighting in here. But now I’m sure it your eyes.”

  A shiver ran down her spine. She felt like she had waited for Rog all her life.

  They sat in silence.

  Finally Rog broke the ice. “Celica, I’m so glad you suggested we come and dance in the garden. It is so romantic here.”

  “And thank you for agreeing to come and dance with me. I feel like I’ve known you forever,” she said, staring at his chest.

  The gold buttons on his uniform shined in the romantic light. She wondered what he looked like with his jacket off. Celica stared again at his chest. She caught him looking. “Ah, I was just thinking, I’m so thirsty.”

  “Would you like for me to get you a drink?”

  “No, I would like for you to kiss me,” Celica smiled.

  “I was hoping you asked. He leaned over and softly kissed her lips.

  She inhaled his aftershave. She knew the brand. It was as American as American could be. It was Old Spice. It smelled wonderful on him. She shivered from the goose bumps it gave her.

  The kiss was light. Then the kiss erupted hard and passionate.

  Abruptly Celica pulled away. “Oh! I just had an idea.”

  Her eyes sparkled brightly.

  Rog began hesitantly. “You are doing that sparkle thing again with your eyes,” he smiled softly. “What is it? Do you want me to go and get some good seats so that we can see the Royal Pageant together, huh?”

  Celica looked directly at him and said, “No. I was thinking that maybe you’d like to go up to my room and have a drink…..But,” she said as her voice trailed off thinking it had been a bad idea.

  “Why Miss Celica, you intend to ask me up to your room, have your way with me and then run off and leave me, don’t you?”

  Celica hung her head feeling rejected.

  Rog laughed and then pushed back a strand of her hair lightly. “Don’t worry Celica. I’ve wanted to sleep with you from the moment I saw you too, if that’s any conciliation.”

  Her eyes challenged his. “Rog, just so you know, I’m not a shy little flower and I’m not a damaged human being. But I do like sex.”

  Rog reached out a large hand. He touched the side of her face gently and then let his hand trace down and cupped her breast. His voice was barely a whisper. “And I love having sex in as many positions as possible. And don’t worry I have a pocket full of condoms.”

  Celica giggled and took his hand in hers. She pulled him along toward the elevators.

  Chapter 20

  Smug arrogance

  After that disastrous meeting with Jean and Louis, Pauline left the office and started to walk. She walked down the long corridor past the bar.

  She looked into the bar but didn’t see anyone she knew. She didn’t see Ming Mondragon and that was who she’d hoped to find.

  She continued walking to the back of the hotel past the coffee shop. The area was deserted. The quietness helped clear her thoughts.

  Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her.

  “Mother, I thought that was you. Well, what happened in there? Is daddy asking for his money back?”

  Startled, Pauline almost jumped out of her skin. Where did you come from Katrina?” she asked but didn’t wait for a response. “You’re still in the pagea
nt. I’m sure that is what you really wanted to ask about.”

  Katrina diverted her eyes. “I…I I was talking with Jorge when I saw you walk past.”

  Pauline flashed a knowing smile. She’d look in the bar before she walked past hoping to spot Ming. “Come again Katrina.”

  Katrina felt a trickle of alarm at her mother’s stare. “Okay Mother, I saw you when you walked past the bar. I was sitting in the back, behind the plant trellis.”

  Pauline nodded. “Just as I thought,” she said. “I thought I saw you sitting back in the corner. Have you seen Ming Mondragon? I can’t seem to find her anywhere.”

  Katrina bit her lip. “No mother, I haven’t seen Ming. Now can we focus on me here? Tell me what happened. Will I be crowned Queen of the Royal Queen Pageant tonight based on Daddy’s donation?”

  “No,” Pauline regarded her with concern. “You have to earn the title. The judges will decide who is crowned Queen.”

  “Judges? What judges?”

  Pauline waved her hand. “Oh you know. The same ones that sit on the panel every year. Nate Trent and a couple others,” she hesitated.

  Katrina’s thoughts raced. Being crowned Queen was too important to leave it up to chance. She stared back at her mother. The only things she thought were important were her expensively dyed bleached blond hair and keeping her great figure in va-va-voom condition. She didn’t understand her need to win the queen title.

  Katrina clenched her fist by her side as she stood there trying to think of what to do. For a long time she’d felt her mother was just jealous of her. Now that she had stood and watched mother standing idling by not taking her being crowned this year’s queen seriously, she knew it was true. The thought made her angry. She’d show her this time. She would take control. This time would be different. She felt rage. She clenched her fist tighter.

  Reluctantly Katrina shook her head and took a step back. Not sure why. The last thing she’d ever do was hit her mother. Her father Jean would have a fit if she did. She knew her father loved her mother strongly. Her thoughts churned. There was still time. The main Royal pageant wouldn’t take place for at least a couple of hours. There was still hope for her. She would make sure that crown was hers.

  “Who holds the official judge title mother? Who has the position of power?”

  “Position of power,” Pauline laughed out. “Position of power my ass. I’m not sure if there is such a thing. The only thing I ever thought Nate was good for was standing by grinning like an idiot. But he is the official judge. His vote decides the winner.”

  Katrina laughed back nervously. She didn’t want her mother to suspect a thing. “But Dad has way more power than Nate will ever have, right?”

  Pauline thought she detected something in her daughter’s voice. She studied her face and thought she detected a trace of smug arrogance. She hoped Katrina wasn’t thinking of doing anything stupid. She prayed her daughter wasn’t that stupid. Maybe it was her imagination. She took her daughters hand. “Yes, you know that’s true,” she shrugged. “But I guess Nate is probably second in power to your father and first in power on the pageant committee,” she took a deep breath. “My goodness Katrina you made me laugh so hard it made me thirsty. Come on, let’s go and have a glass of punch.”

  Katrina hesitated deep in her thoughts.

  “Baby girl, a penny for your thoughts, winning isn’t everything they claim it to be,” Pauline said with a hint of caution in her voice.

  Katrina stole a peek at her mother. “Gosh Mom,” she yawned, hiding her true feelings. “I’m feeling so harried. I think I’ll go up to my room and relax before the Royal Queen Pageant starts.”

  “Darling, you do look a little tired. You go on up and I’ll come up and check on you.”

  “Oh no Mother,” Katrina nervously exclaimed. “I need you to go and make sure my cheering squad is in order.”

  Hesitantly, Pearl took a step back. “Yeah, sure baby, mommy can do that. I’ll make sure I have your cheering squad all in order,” her eyes searched hers. “If that’s what you really want me to do.”

  Katrina reached out and hugged her mother briefly. Her expression hid her true motives. “Yes mother, that’s what I want. I need you to make sure Ming and the girls are all there as my cheering squad. Go and find seats for everyone or something,” she said dismissing her, as she abruptly walked away.

  Chapter 21

  The Womanizer, Blame it on alcohol

  Minutes later Pauline settled into a chair at the bar. With one hand she clasped her glass and then brought the straw to her lips. The drink felt good going down.

  She stared back at the ceiling to floor mirror in front of her. It reflected back the corridor leading to the main hallway back toward the front of the hotel.

  It didn’t take long for Pauline to focus her eyes on the two men standing under a huge elaborate Spanish Revivalist painting on the wall.

  She glanced back intently. They wore uniforms with gold buttons and black arm slashes. She looked again and saw the letters MP on their arms.

  Then a thought struck her. She wondered if they were looking for one of the young men present at the event.

  Pauline hadn’t turned the thought over in her mind when she heard someone call her name.

  “Pauline?” a woman’s delicate voice asked, taking the seat next to her.

  “Pearl, what are you doing here?”

  “I just needed a moment to myself,” Pearl shrugged her shoulders taking a seat beside her. “I was backstage with Mother Kahina Laveau, but the loud chatter of children trying to talk over each other was getting on my nerves. How Mother Laveau can stand it I’ll never know. And you?”

  “My nerves were on edge too. But for different reasons.”

  Pearl’s eyes grew thoughtful. “Say, what’s that you’re drinking? It looks mighty thirst quenching.”

  “It is,” Pauline swallowed hard and waived her hand. “Darn, I forgot what it is called,” she took the final sip, swallowed hard and then put the empty glass back on the counter.

  Pauline then paused a moment. She rubbed her brow as if she was trying to remember.

  “Say Bartender, my friend Pearl will have one of these,” she said lifting her drink. “What’s it called again?” she asked but didn’t wait for him to answer. “Oh never mind, and bring me another one too.”

  Minutes later, the bartender walked over with their drinks.

  “Bartender, what’s this drink called again,” Pauline asked as he placed her drink in front of her.

  “Madam, the drink is called a Sloe Gin Fizz,” the bartender said.

  “Well, ain’t that a cute name,” Pauline smiled.

  She nodded and lifted her glass up and Pearl took the hint.

  Pauline and Pearl clinked glasses together.

  Pearl took a sip from her straw. “Gosh this is good, thanks for suggesting it.”

  “No problem,” Pauline nodded.

  “Say Pauline, do you have some sort of man trouble?” Pearl curiously asked.

  “Not exactly. My trouble is called daughter trouble. And she thinks mommy is stupid.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, you see my daughter wants to be Queen but she doesn’t understand. Mommy and Daddy can’t buy her everything.”

  Pearl nodded her head in understanding.

  All at once Pauline raised her brow. “What about you Pearl? Do you have man trouble?” she gently asked.

  Pearl nodded her head. “No…No… I’m afraid not,” she lied hoping Pauline didn’t notice.

  “That’s too bad. Man trouble is the most sinful and sensually stimulating trouble to have,” she said raising a mock toast.

  Pearl took a big swig on her straw. Before she could answer, a man emerged in the doorway of the bar. Her eyes glanced up toward the tall man as recognition hit.

  “Don’t look now Pauline, but I believe you’ve just summoned up yourself some stimulating man trouble. There’s your husband Jean Baptiste,” Pearl said w
ith a nod.

  “Huh?” Pauline turned around in her seat. She smiled softly, slanting her eyes to focus.

  Her eyes beheld Jean Baptiste staring back at her lovingly.

  “Pauline, please come dance with me,” Jean Baptiste’s deep voice tenderly sliced the air. “There’s a romantic garden area on the second floor and it made me think of you.”

  “I thought you left Jean. I’m so glad you didn’t,” she murmured, smiling wide. “Oh yes, I will come and dance with you. Yes I will!” Pauline repeated, as she rushed over making her way to him.

  Pearl watched Pauline and Jean Baptiste leaving arm in arm. “Damn that lucky bitch, Jean loves her very much,” she murmured under her breath.

  “Envious are we Pearl? I can see Louis leaving you alone all the time is starting to take a toll?”

  Pearl clenched her teeth. “Monty! Where did you come from? You really shouldn’t eavesdrop on other people’s conversations.”

  “For your information I wasn’t eavesdropping. I was sitting beside the two of you unnoticed, the whole time,” he said, finishing off his drink and waiving for the bartender.

  Silence fell.

  The bartender rushed over and quickly gave him a fresh drink.

  Monty picked up his glass and sipped. Finally he broke the ice. His grin was easy like a triumphant man who’d just won a god medal. “Let me tell you about yourself Pearl. You married young. Too young,” he paused. “Before you had a chance to experience life,” his gaze held hers. It promised everything. “You’re a woman that needs to be loved. You’re starved for it. I won’t be a fake liar with you, Pearl. I want to go to bed with you, not only because I know I’ve fallen madly in love with you, but because your body is starving for attention. It’s calling out to me,” he licked his lips. “I bet you’ve never slept with anyone but your husband Louis, have you?”

  Pearl’s eyes narrowed. She hadn’t expected his directness. “You’ve got some nerve Monty.”

  Monty touched her arm as he looked into her eyes. “Why, because I believe every woman has the right, in her life-time, to experience the best hot wicked sex she’s ever had,” he paused to let his words set in.