Noah looked up at the sky-high building in front of him. The soon-to-be Delacroix Hotel. One of hopefully many branches in the United Nations. He had made sure the hotel matched the traditional standards of the previous Delacroix hotels and also carried the charismatic appeal for the rich and posh societies in LA. If all goes well the hotel will soon be frequented by celebrities, actors, businessmen, etc.

"The hotel will fully be completed within a month," said the man on site.

Noah nodded at him. " I would require an exact date to plan the opening night. You can discuss that with Johnston and he will let me know."

"Of course sir," he said

"May I say that the hotel is already the talk of the town sir. Everyone is full of praise about your rapid success," he said.

"Really laying it on thick, huh," Noah said under his breath.

"Pardon, sir?" he said.

"Nothing. Make sure everything happens according to schedule and as I said Johnston will be in contact," he said and walked towards his car.

"Back to the office, Jeff," he said to the driver. Noah sighed as the car drove away. Every time an employee tries to bootlick him, he gets flashbacks from 5 years ago when he himself was waiting on somebody to notice him. To give him a chance. They think this business was served on a silver platter to him. On the contrary, he had nothing. His french relatives got whatever they previously had and they made sure he had just a corner office at the main branch. The initial days were overwhelming but somehow everything just fell into place. He pitched ideas of expanding the hotels to the US and had seven out of ten votes in support of the idea. The opposing votes were obviously Darrell and his associates but he need not care for that. Now he was very close to reaching his goals but unfortunately, the hound of heathens, as he liked to call them, were coming together in the evening for the so-called 'reunion'. It was an innocent attempt from aunt Maria's side to extend an olive branch in hopes to reconcile the differences between him and them. Out of respect for his aunt, he agreed.

Noah walked towards the elevator nodding at all the greetings he was receiving from the employees along the way. He pressed the button to his office and his phone pinged. He glanced at the text. It was from aunt Maria.

I'm looking over the arrangements. Please try to make it home in time.

He sighed and typed an affirmation back to Maria. His last encounter with them at the funeral was vile and he knew that there will be no miracle in regards to their animosity this time either. He exits the elevator and walks towards his office.

"Good morning, Mr. Delacroix," said Taylor.

"Good morning, Taylor." he greeted back entering the room with Taylor following inside.

"Should I get your coffee, sir?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you." Taylor nodded as he went over to get it.

Noah took a look at his schedule for the day as Taylor came over and placed his coffee on the desk. He also extended some documents that required Noah's signature and a few files that he had wanted earlier.

"This needs to be delivered to Mr. Dunphy along with Anderson's file which I had kept in this drawer," he said as he opened the first drawer. He found what he was looking for and gave it to Taylor. His eyes then fell on a white envelope in the same drawer. It was unopened and had 'To my son Noah' written with cursive on it. It was the same letter that aunt Maria had given to him before his father's funeral. He cleared his throat, ignoring the unpleasant feelings trying to rise up. Taylor still stood there waiting for further instructions.

"That would be all for now, Taylor," he said dismissing him.

He never had the urge to open and read it. So he took the envelope and kept it inside his coat pocket as he planned to keep it away from his sight, at the estate, locked inside a drawer.

####

"And the chocolate mousse cake is gluten-free?" Maria asked the chef.

"Yes, madam." the chef answered. Maria nodded dismissing him. Maria looked at the list on hand and went through all the checkpoints. The chef had prepared everything according to the instructions and maintained all the dietary restrictions of the guests. The entire staff moved around the estate making sure everything was on point. From personalized scents in the room, to bedding preferences. Every minuscule detail was decided by Maria in hopes to make them feel at home.

She thought if they are pleased with their stay maybe there is a chance to avoid the impending disagreement. Or if she is lucky there will be none! But that was too far away from their reach especially with the recent stunt Darrell had tried to pull off. She had promised her late brother that she would try her best to protect Noah. Louis was no amature. He predicted the backlash of his decision and so entrusted Maria to guide his son through this.

She checked the time on her wristwatch. "Where is Noah?" she muttered under her breath. He did say he will be back early.

"Would you like something to drink, madam?" asked Aria, noticing the thin line of sweat on her employer's forehead.

Maria looked at her. "Oui. That would be great," she said smiling. She sat down as Aria got her a glass of chilled water. Maria took it gratefully and sighed as she drank it.

"All will be well, madam. Please don't worry," said Aria trying to calm the anxious nerves of madam Perrier.

"I pray that your words come true, dear," she said. "I have done everything I can." she took another sip and she saw Noah walking towards them.

"Oh finally. You are here," she exclaimed.

He bent down and kissed her cheeks. "Apologies for the delay, auntie. Traffic in Los Angeles is brutal as always."

"Good evening, Mr. Delacroix," said Aria, greeting him.

"Good evening, Miss Diaz," he said back with a smile.

Aria and Noah had amicable interactions throughout the week but she never let it go past greetings. Somehow she feared Gretchen was on their tail and might go on again about getting close to Mr. Delacroix. She wanted to work in peace and that meant maintaining good relations with her fellow workers. Not that Mr. Delacroix had made any advances from his side but it didn't hurt to stay extra careful.

Aria glanced at the floor-to-ceiling windows and saw the gates of the estate being opened. Soon a few cars were pulling up the driveway.

"They are here," said Maria as she stood up. She took her nephew's arm and rubbed her palm on it as a silent gesture indicating, it is time.   

A/N: Hi my beautiful friends. There you are chapter 8. Hold on for the next chapter. It's gonna be a ride.

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