Chapter Four

Pulling up outside of the Hotel, your mouth hangs ajar when you see how tall and high maintenance it looked.

"Wow. This hotel is beautiful." You mumble, unbuckling your seat belt as you attempt get out of the car.

"Wait," Camila whispers, placing her hand over top of your own. "are you sure about this? We can still make your flight."

Sighing, you caress Camila's check before placing a quick sweet kiss on her plump lips. "I'm not losing you. Not yet."

"Not ever." Camila corrects before exiting the car as you did.

The both of you then make your way into the hotel only to be met with a bunch of familiar faces from your school as well as others from across the country.

"Damn, this really is legit." Camila says as she catches a glimpse of the different ethnicities and students that flooded the lobby.

"Yeah. It kinda makes me wonder what the point of this is."

Just as you were about to drag Camila towards the front counter, you remember one important detail. "Shit!" You exclaim, pulling out your phone.

"What? What's wrong?" Camila asks in concern.

"Normani's waiting at the airport for me." You sigh stressfully, waiting for her to pick up your call.

After two rings, Normani answers your call. "Where are you?" She asks in an irritated tone.

"Don't get on the plane. Turn around, wait at the entrance and Camila will come get you."

"What? Why would I do that?" Normani replies as she scans her eyes over each face at the airport.

"Because. Plans have changed. Just do what I say and I'll explain later. Love you, bye." You ramble before ending the call and tucking your phone in your pocket.

"Babe," You sigh, looking up at Camila who seemed to be admiring the hotel's aesthetic.

"Yes?" She replies, turning her attention to you.

"I need you to go pick Normani up from the airport and try not to crash." You say, pecking her cheek.

"Okay, I'll call you when we're here." Camila says before leaving you inside the hotel alone.

Wiping your sweaty palms against your jeans, you make your way passed the reception and into the area with a bunch of students.

In the distance you could see a sign that said "Hotel Management Course." Just as you were about to take a closer look, you almost crash into an employee.

"Sorry," The guy replies, holding a rose gold tray in his hands.

"It's okay." You reply before watching him race into the restaurant area.

"Make your way through here, it's about to start." You hear someone say.

Following the crowd of people, you take a seat in a large room that was accompanied by a small platform.

"Welcome." A man in his late 20's says through the microphone. "My name is Mark Andrews and I'll be your host today. Let's get right into the introduction,"

As the man spoke, your eyes scan the various students who seemed to have their full attention towards Mark. Just looking at the amount of people here, you guessed there were around 50 or more.

"today will determine whether Hotel Management is for you or not. You will go through a brief introduction course, kind of like a test. If you pass, you and 5 others will get to work here for the next four weeks. Everyone with me so far?" Mark asks before receiving nods from all the students. "Excellent. You'll be split in groups of 10 where you will then do different activities to test your management skills. I'm sorry to say this but you will not be out in a group with your friends. Remember, first step of being a managing is to be able to work well in a team of strangers."

Biting your lip, you sat on the edge of your chair as Mark starts to read your names. You weren't the best at making friends. Ally was different, she spoke to you and made you feel comfortable with her. You believed that was due to her friendly personality.

"and Y/n Apa." Mark finishes.

Looking up, you get out of your seat before making way too the front.

"Great everyone is here. Your group is actually quite lucky. You'll be observed by Miss Jauregui - The hotel manager. No pressure." Mark jokes earning chuckles from a couple students.

You however did not find the statement even the slightest bit amusing. You were too in shock by what you had just heard.

"Jauregui?" You mumble, looking around the room to see if you could spot the Cuban.

"This way." You hear a familiar voice say.

Whipping your head towards the entry path, you see Lauren standing in front of you wearing a pencil skirt with heels and a blazer. You hate to admit it but she made you drool.

Gulping, you watch as Lauren looks towards you with a smile. "Follow me." She says before leading your group to the kitchen.

"For your first activity," Lauren begins as you trail behind her.

You wanted to pay attention to what she was saying but her ass and the skirt was too distracting. Shaking your head, you felt guilty since you and Camila had a thing going on.

"which will test to see how well you can run a kitchen. Everyone with me so far?" Lauren asks, looking towards you knowing you weren't paying attention. "Y/n?" She hums innocently.

"Hm?" You hum back, looking up with your bottom lip between your teeth.

"Were you paying attention? Do you I need to repeat the instructions?" Lauren says, linking her fingers together.

"Ah nope. No. I'm good. Im ready- I mean, yeah. Whenever you're ready." You stammer, trying to play the situation off, cool.

"Good," she mumbles before turning her back to you. "Now that we're caught up to speed. One by one, you will roam the kitchen and point out mistakes the employees make. Don't be afraid to yell or even," Lauren pauses her sentence as she turns around before making eye contact with you. "scream if you need to." She says holding a strong and oddly intimate stare.

Blinking your eyes vigorously, you clear your throat as you try to get rid of your dirty thoughts.

"Y/n," Lauren says, making you look up at her. "why don't you go first?"

"Me?" You say, not being able to control your tone that had gone up a few octaves due to your nervousness.

"Yes, you. Unless you're feeling nervous? We haven't even started, do you need to take a break?" Lauren teases in which your group chuckles lowly.

Huffing, you clench your fists as your mood changes from nervous to annoyed in a matter of seconds. "No." You growl.

"Good," Lauren smirks. "the kitchen's all yours." She adds, stepping aside.

Rolling your eyes, you walk throughout the kitchen with your arms crossed over your chest. You made sure to keep your posture straight and your facial expression professional.

The image of Lauren on the first day you met her, you took mental notes of her behaviour. Head up, one foot in front of the other with an emotionless expression. You needed to be intimidating if you wanted to be respected.

As you were walking passed a woman, you could see her put a rose gold tray on a cart that was full of silver trays. "Hey!" You call, stopping the woman from leaving. "What do you think you're doing?" You ask, in a serious tone.

"Taking these meals to the customers?" The woman replies in confusion.

"Not this one," You state, taking the lid off of the rose gold tray. "this goes to the customers in the restaurant not the ones in their rooms. Put it where it belongs." You order, slamming the lid back on the tray.

"Yes, ma'm. Sorry, ma'm." The woman says before scurrying away.

Smirking, you saw your hips over to Lauren and smile at her cheekily.

"Impressive." She states.

"You're damn right."