Kate spent the afternoon exploring the city and ended up at the cafe, where she waited for Alegra to finish her shift. She ordered herself an espresso and took a table towards the back, the last thing she needed was to be seen by Raphael now, in all her sweaty glory. Alegra had finished her shift and joined her soon after. Kate asked how her first day went, then quickly filled her in on the embarrassing events of this morning. Alegra, of course, thought it was all a hilarious twist of fate and just what she needed to hear after a chaotic first shift.
Kate was dead set on convincing Alegra she didn’t like Raphael, but she was having a hard enough time convincing herself. She wasn’t fooling anyone, least of all Alegra.
“So, are you still going to be looking for a roommate now you’re working?” Kate asked, in an effort to change the subject.
“Why? Are you interested?
“Ha! Just curious. I haven't got much to do, if you like I can print some flyers up on the hotel printer tonight?”
“No, that’s okay Kate, I still feel bad about using up all of Mario’s toner last week printing my resumes.”
“Alegra, it’s fine! It was worth it, wasn’t it? Besides, Raphael was printing a huge stack of flyers this morning and Mario didn’t seem to care. Come on, I’ve got nothing better to do! Pleeease?”
“Fine, but no one weird or too young.”
“Yes! Now would you like that written verbatim or should I sugar coat it just a little?”
They both burst out laughing, even though Kate had asked the question semi-seriously. If it was left up to Alegra, she would have likely written exactly what she was thinking and posted flyers all over the city that read: Spanish Female seeks roommate. Older, non-weirdo.
Kate was yet to tell Alegra she was thinking of staying on and didn’t want to make it too obvious that she may be interested. It was a rather small two-bedroom apartment, and she wasn't sure if it would be a good idea. They had only known each other a few short weeks after all, even though it sure felt like a lot longer than that to Kate.
After enjoying her espresso and a quick catch up with Alegra, Kate said goodbye and headed back to the hotel. She was exhausted from her walk but wasn't all that hungry, so she picked up a slice of cream covered sponge cake from Mama Lina’s on her way back.
When she arrived at the hotel lobby, Kate saw Mario still standing at the front desk looking a little weary, it was rather late and he would normally be in the dining room enjoying his dinner by now. She took the opportunity to ask if it was possible to use the printer later tonight, to which he smiled and nodded. Kate thanked him and turned to head upstairs but felt something wasn't right.
"Is everything okay Mario?" She asked, concerned.
"Oh Signora Kate, so sweet for you to ask but is nothing, just very long day."
"Oh okay, are you waiting for a late check-in to arrive?"
"No, no late check-in, I get letter from bank today. It saying they will take the hotel if I cannot pay 14000 Euro in next two months. I know this day it was coming but, I am still not prepared."
Kate had planned to call Nina as soon as she was upstairs, but couldn't leave Mario alone after what he had just told her. She asked him if he was comfortable enough to share what had happened and of course, Mario told her everything. Unfortunately, it seemed he had taken out a loan last year to improve the hotel, but business didn't improve along with it and he was struggling to cover the repayments.
Poor Mario was going to lose everything and it didn't help that he was such a kind-hearted person. In the few short weeks she had been at the hotel, she had witnessed Mario wave off many a freebie for his guests, free wifi, on the go breakfasts, printing services, whoops. Kate suddenly felt a pang of guilt, she hadn't even been paying for the wifi and she knew for a fact it wasn't included, Mario had just given her the password on her first day. She had had some trouble getting the roaming feature to work on her phone and had continued to use the wifi since, double whoops.
Kate assured Mario she would do everything she could to help him, starting by going into the bank with him tomorrow. She had no idea what she was doing, the laws here were very different from back home but she had to do something. He looked a little relieved and agreed to try and get some sleep tonight. Kate thanked him for allowing her to use the printer later, she headed upstairs to call Nina and enjoy the soppy mess that was once a delicious cream covered sponge.
“Hey Nin, sorry I totally forgot to check the time! Is it late? Kate said, through a mouthful of cream.
“Ah not quite, it’s like six am but don’t even worry about it, I’ve been waiting for you to call.”
Here we go, Kate thought.
“Kate, I don’t know if you’ve spoken to Tony yet but I overheard him on the phone to Elise yesterday, they’ve booked a date for the wedding and it’s in 3 weeks!”
“Woah, what? Why doesn’t it surprise me? When I spoke to Ryan, he acted like he had no choice but to propose to her, I’m betting my mother has something to do with this. How Elise plans to organise everything in such a short time I’ll never know, good luck to them. Anyway, I wanted to get your thoughts on something. I’m thinking of staying here a little longer, only if my father’s up for staying on at the office. What do you think, does he seem happy?”
“Are you kidding me, Kate? Stay, we’ve got this. Tony seems to be enjoying taking over all your pro bono cases more than his older clients. I suspect it has something to do with Mrs Oldman paying him in blueberry pies. I think he’s enjoying the time away from home, to be honest, and I’m guessing you are too?”
“Yeah, I’ve been mulling it over a while and besides I don’t really want to be back a week before the wedding. I didn’t have much of a plan, to be honest, but the old man who owns the hotel has just been threatened with repossession and I don't want to leave without at least trying to help him out. Know much about Italian banking laws by any chance?"
“Ah, no not really Kate, but I feel for the poor guy. I'll do some digging around."
"That would be amazing. Anyway, how is everything going with you?”
"Really great, I met someone last week at the bank of all places. He’s sweet and funny, we’re going out again tomorrow so we’ll see where it goes, I don’t want to get my hopes up. I haven’t heard you mention any hot Italian guys, you must be beating them off with a broom!”
“Ha! It’s the exact opposite trust me. Nin, I have to get going I promised a friend I’d help her out with something and I need to get back downstairs to use the printer. Good luck with your date tomorrow though, let me know how it goes!”
Kate ended the call and typed up a makeshift ad on her phone. She included Alegra’s contact information below it and headed downstairs to print off a few copies. She still wasn’t sure if staying with Alegra was a good idea and now that she had promised Mario her help, perhaps staying at the hotel was for the best.