One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The morning after covering Kayla’s night shift, Doris nearly overslept. She rushed to the hotel, only to be greeted by a commotion in the lobby. Her younger brother, Rupert, was making a scene, his voice echoing throughout the space.

“Where’s Dori Get her out here. I need to see her he demanded.

A small crowd had already gathered, their curiosity piqued by the outburst.

Lola wasn’t having it. Her tone was sharp as she said, “This is a hotel, not your living room. We’re trying to work here. If you want to make a fuss, take it outside. Otherwise, I’ll call security.

Lola knew a fair bit about Doris’s family dynamics. She particularly disliked how Doris’s parents spoiled Rupert while neglecting Doris, a fact that only deepened her disdain for him.

Doris hurried forward, grabbing Rupert’s arm in an attempt to diffuse the situation. “Rupert, whatever it is, let’s talk outside. okay?

But Rupert wasn’t about to back down. He yanked his arm free, his expression full of contempt. “No. We’ll talk right here. Doris, you’re so selfish.

“Mom wanted to book this hotel for me, thinking you work here and it’d be good to support your business.

“And yet, you had the audacity to convince her to go for some cheap hotel, claiming it was to save money for my wedding.”

He continued, each word dripping with anger, “We’re talking about tens of thousands of dollars–chump change. It’s not even your money, so who do you think you are, making decisions for us? I’ve always been Mom and Dad’s favorite, and you just can’t stand it.

“You’re jealous of the way they treat me. That’s why you don’t want Mom booking Hampstone Hotel. You want to see me humiliated in front of Claudia’s family, don’t you?”

Rupert let out a derisive laugh. “You’re bitter because you got dumped. That’s why you can’t stand anyone else being happy and tried to sabotage my relationship. You vile, spiteful wretch. No wonder Mr. Watson left you. If I were him, I wouldn’t want you either.

Rupert’s tirade flowed with unabashed venom, each word like a dagger aimed straight at Doris’s heart. And yet, under the curious gazes of passersby, Doris stood there, silent and composed, as if the insults weren’t meant for her at all.

Lola, on the other hand, was fuming. She couldn’t stand by and let Rupert tear Doris down like this. She opened her mouth to speak, but Doris quickly caught her arm, and the silent plea in her eyes stopped Lola from doing so.

Doris knew Lola’s fiery temper and her unwavering loyalty as a friend, but this wasn’t the time. As the front desk manager, Lola couldn’t afford to say anything unprofessional in front of guests at work.

If word got back to upper management, it could lead to disciplinary action, Doris couldn’t let her best friend take that risk on her behalf.

But Lola wasn’t one to care about consequences when her best friend was being mistreated. She folded her arms and glared at Rupert, her voice dripping with disdain.

“Rupert, do you even hear yourself? Doris works hard and earns her own living. What about you? All you do is leech off your parents. What exactly are you so proud of?”

She stepped closer. “If you’ve got so much to say, how about paying for the hotel yourself? I might actually respect you then. But using your parents hard–earned money? That’s nothing to brag about.

“Honestly, no woman in her right mind would wanna marry a man like you.”

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Chapter 12

do you think you are? What gives you the right to butt into our business?” Rupert sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “Mom and Dad are willing

fault Doris can’t get them to cough up for her. If they want to give her money, that’s

with pride. Both Lola and Doris knew better than to waste their breath arguing with someone like him. Reasoning with Rupert was like trying to teach a brick

muttered with

are you done? Doris’s voice cut through the air, ice–cold and steady. “If you’ve

deal with you.” He brandished the threat of their father, Jimmy, like a weapon,

to the security staff. “Please

voice. “I’m here to make a reservation. If you dare kick

at the name tag pinned to her crisp uniform. “Front Desk Manager, Lola Bates, huh? I’ll make sure you regret

a calm

knew it. After all, she came from a wealthy family herself. Losing

Just you wait. Where’s your manager? I’m filing a formal complaint. Ill make sure they know how rude you were, how you humiliated

her expression blank as she watched him rant like

Her voice was firm, her patience hanging by a thread. She

spot outside that she let go, stepping back with

yanked his arm free, glaring at her. “Don’t touch

spreading across her hand, Doris warned, “Rupert, you can stir up whatever drama you want between us, but if you even think about targeting my coworkers or my friends. I

“Oh, really? You’re going to make me regret it? Worry about yourself first. You’re the one who got kicked out of the house for disobeying Mom and Dad. And now you have the nerve to

me?”

years, the weight of their favoritism shielding

want to come back

expenses for the alcohol, cigarettes, and beverages. yourself. If you

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Ca

his voice dropping to a sinister whisper, But if you refuse I’ll make sure Ezad punishes you

He genuinely believed he had

with ley disdain. She had no intention of playing the fool and letting herself be taken

the one who’s messed up this family’s reputation, dragging us down like the

he raised his hand, aiming to slap Doris across the face.

connect, a shadow loomed over them, and Doris felt a rush of air as someone intervened. A strong hand caught Rupert’s wrist mid–swing and twisted it sharply behind his

so forcefully he couldn’t budge. “Who are you?” Rupert managed through gritted teeth, his face contorted in pain as he craned his neck to look at

she saw Lewis standing there, calm but radiating an aura of quiet menace.

Lewis demanded, his voice low and unyielding,

don’t owe her anything,” Rupert growled, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his discomfort.