Esmeralda’s Point Of View.
After checking my eyes from the mirror again, I just added some white powder and got down to my truck. I was a little bothered by my wicked sister's teasing of my bulging sore eyes and so I checked it myself. I'm glad they became much better compared to the last days where I needed to wear sunglasses as they are quite catching people's attention.
Entering the entrance door, our few left workers greeted me and I smiled as I returned their good mornings back. After father died, many of his business partners left without a word and never came back. While the old workers retired as well. They claim they will really miss him everyday if they stay here longer. Understanding their longing, I allowed them to go and rest.
The losses were undeniably big as if they had followed their boss in his tomb. But the lodge is still functioning and that's what matters. And as for the solution, it's time for me to begin my journey.
Drawing near the half smiling worker. "Aloe, please post all the fascinating pictures of our last guest's picture to the site. Make sure to spread them properly and nicely." I ordered humbly. She responded with a yes and a nod.
I didn't waste time and walked up to my new office room as well.
I must make sure to start with doing it- my mouth unconsciously shouted upon I opened the door revealing my brother sitting leisurely at father's chair.
"What are you doing here?!"
It doesn't take a mirror for me to know my expression as I'm totally sure all of my senses are frowning.
Great. My morning has been ruined.
He composed his posture and faked a cough before sarcastically asking. "Am I not allowed to visit my father's office?" He even elaborated the word ‘my father’ as if putting another meaning behind it.
I just rolled my eyes and looked away from him. "No one said that." I asserted, dragging my feet inside while roaming around to see what needs to be cleaned. It's been weeks since this room has had its cleanup.
"Anyways, the guests must all leave today. We have a millionaire in our service. They paid twice the amount of this lodge's earnings in 2 weeks. So you should serve them with respect." As he stated his sentences, I began to doubt my senses.
If I'm hearing it right, my stupid brother is telling me to shoo all of our costumers just for some millionaire out there?! I must calm down before my anger will worsen.
"Ezra, what are you talking about?" I firmly inquired as I walked towards him. Not wasting the chance to shoot daggers into his eyes.
He, on the other side, is wasting the chance to see my fiery eyes as he immediately turned and stared at the window. "The payment is more than you know, Esmeralda. They doubled it. And if you're realising perfectly, you now don't need to be busy for they are only 3. You should be more grateful I was here yesterday to accept the offer." He explained clearly and proudly, making my blood boil more!
Did my brother have his brain drained by the alcohol he's always drinking?!
Coming closer to the table and placing my fisted hand in front of him. I started expressing my anger. "You accepted, without my permission, the offer of reserving our lodge for merely 3 people?! Brother where on Earth did you leave your brain to?! Even if they are paying twice, thrice, or even 10th times, it doesn't matter! Brother, we aren't that desperate for money for you to accept such a thing! Why didn't you even ask me in the first place anyway?!" I could barely breathe as I finished my exclaiming sentences.
I tried to clench my chest many times as it hardly catches air, making my throat dry and suffocated. I feel lost now that I am coming back to my reality. How can he do this without letting us decide? More importantly, me? Father gave his whole trust to me as the new manager of this lodge. Why does he need to always take everything that's given to me?
I stopped my indignant thoughts as he finally turned his attention to me. Yet with a nonchalant demeanour as if he can't see my resentful condition.
"Esmeralda, did you forget the purpose of this lodge? If that is so, then let me remind you. It is to make money. So stop your childish acts and get ready to meet them." His aloof words are like pierce pricking my body, how can he state such purpose if he didn't even know how to accomplish it in a better way?
"Brother, how can you state such words without even–" I was still rampantly questioning him when I was interrupted.
"Ma'am and sir, the guests have arrived." The slight shout information is making my brother stand but I still didn't turn my head away from him.
I didn't wait for any moment of thoughts and commands. "Send them off!"
My brother glared at me before storming out to probably defy my orders. And I was about to grab his arm as I still acquired settlement yet as if he sensed my plan, he doubled his fast pace. However, I am not some weak woman who gives up easily so I run after him. I am wearing quite high heels and a fitted emerald dress below the knee, with a long blazer which I just removed as I feel it's heaviness is making me slow.
After which I was able to grab his black coat making him almost trip but was able to stand straight. My corner of eyes are seeing blurry people watching, either guests or workers but I care less. We need to settle this problem right now, right here!
"Brother, I will give a big no! You know we are supposed to make this lodge popular, not to make it lonely with some millionaire people as if they own this land. I mean what are we even going to do? Give them all our attention and serve them like they are royalty and this is their palace? And you're saying in two whole weeks? Brother, please tell them it's a misunderstanding. If you don't want me to force out your authority here." I ended up with that conclusion as a threat which made me calm down. I know he wouldn't want to loss author-
I immediately tensed up as his expression drastically changed and his fist was clenching rigidly showing his knuckles out. His iris dilated like a wild animal.
All of my anger now was covered with fear as my head forcefully brings back the fragments of my memories the first time I saw this expression of his when I was still a teenager. I tried to find my voice and whisper-speak to explain but I was thunderstruck.
"I-I didn't mean–"
"Shut the f*ck up, Esme–" Was all he was rampantly shouting while about to punch his hand on me when it completely made a halt just in the blink of my eyes. I intended to shut them longer as I covered myself into my trembling hands and waited but neither a poke nor punch reached my face.