“This hotel is a nice vacation from life,” Lourdes says quietly. “It can be great—you’ll see.” She starts down the hallway again. “Just keep off Kenneth’s radar,” she adds. “Make sure your brother does too. He likes to keep things in order. And if they’re not . . .” She trails off, and I’m confused how a concierge can have so much power over an entire establishment.
“You can report him if he’s harassing you,” I say, thinking of stories where employees banded together to sue big corporations. “You can report him to management—”
“He is the management,” Lourdes says, spinning to face me. “Kenneth is the authority at the Ruby, and he can do as he wishes. I’ve tried everything possible, Audrey. I’m only telling you this now because I like you. And if you stay here, I want you to be prepared.”
“Prepared?” I ask. My arm continues to hurt, and I rub at it absently, wondering if the concierge means to hurt me. “Wait,” I say. “If I stay? Like . . . beyond my reservation? As a job? I don’t think my father would go for it either way. He has other plans for my summer.” My heart sinks as I think about my grandmother’s attic.
Lourdes’s shoulders sag, as if she can read my thoughts. “See,” she says, “this is why we never talk about life outside the hotel. Good or bad, it affects us.” She turns to point down the hallway toward a room. “That’s me,” she says. “I’ll grab the bottle and be right out.”
I nod, rubbing my forearm. Lourdes disappears inside the room, and I lean against the wall, alone. Above me there is a clunk, something heavy hitting the floor, and I look up. In the silence that follows, my thoughts turn to my brother.
I haven’t seen Daniel in a while. He must be around because Catherine would be at the party. Unless he decided to go with her. Would Daniel go without telling me?
Lourdes’s door opens and she walks out, a pill bottle in one hand and a glass of water in the other. As she approaches, I shrug apologetically.
“To be honest,” I say, “I don’t think I need a muscle relaxer.”
“You look miserable,” she responds. “You don’t have to put on a brave face for me. I know you’re tough.” She rattles the bottle to entice me.
I hold up my uninjured arm, and Lourdes shakes a pill onto my palm. It’s tiny, and I examine it for a moment, trying to figure out exactly what it is.
“Flexeril,” she says, reading the label. “But really, it’s a mental thing. If you think it’s helping, then it will. Here”—she hands me the entire bottle—“in case you need another dose.”
I examine the bottle myself, seeing it’s over five years old. Still, I’m not sure how much fun I’ll be later if this pain gets worse. I shove the bottle into my pocket. “Well,” I say. “Hope this doesn’t kill me.” I toss the pill into my mouth, and Lourdes hands me the water to wash it down. The minute I pull the glass from my mouth, I feel slightly better. A placebo effect.
“Thank you,” I say, giving her back the glass. She sets it on the floor, off to the side, and then walks with me back down the hall. “I’ll put you in the regular elevator this time,” she says with a smile. “I know you’re not a fan of the other one.” She pushes the button when we get there, and while we wait, she laughs suddenly and leans against the wall.
“God,” she says. “I’ve had too much to drink. You must think I’m a crazy person, talking about ghosts and pills. Please disregard everything I’ve said tonight. Wait,” she says, holding up her finger. “There was one other thing—is Daniel staying on the thirteenth floor with you?”
“No. Both he and my dad are on the sixth. Why?”
“Just curious,” she says. When I continue to stare at her questioningly, she lifts one shoulder. “I’m in housekeeping. I wanted to know where to send the best stuff. You ruined the surprise.”
“Hope I still get some chocolates.” The elevator doors open and I step inside. Lourdes touches her forehead like maybe she really did have too much to drink.
“I have an early day tomorrow,” she says. “But I’m glad you came out with me tonight. You forgive me for scaring you, right?” She scrunches up her nose, not sure of the answer.
“Totally,” I say sincerely. “It was fun. Even though I hate being scared.”
“We only did it because we like you.” She smiles, looking relieved. “Promise. And if you stay awake for Eli, the party in the ballroom can go on until three or four. I doubt he’ll leave before then. He’ll find you when he’s done socializing.”
The doors start to close, but I put out my hand to stop them. “Does Elias like the parties?” I ask Lourdes. “He doesn’t seem to.”
“Maybe once upon a time,” she says. “But nothing lasts forever. Except the Ruby.”