Tangled Love

~ Chapter Ten ~

When Casey made it to Le’Murs we were already seated and discussing the answers we gave at the first conference. We all seemed to be okay with what has already been disclosed. As soon as we were all comfortable, I pulled out my phone to check my email. When I saw a new email message from Kelsey Jones, a smile instantly grew on my face, and I opened the email to read it.

‘Dear Senior Communication Student, Congratulations you have been selected by Dr. Piper to attend a round table discussion with Kindra Hall and Ty Bennett, two of the keynote speakers presenting at The Art of Storytelling Communications Conference on Saturday morning at 10:00 am. This email is to inform you that I will be your guide, my name is Kelsey Jones, and it is requested that you meet me at the greeter station in front of Breakout room A at 9:30 am. Dr. Piper would like for you to bring a note pad and ink pen as well as a recording device to assist in your engagement in the discussion. You may also bring a bottle of water or a small coffee, but food is not allowed. I look forward to meeting you and as expected please be on time. Congratulations again, I’ll see you Saturday Morning 9:30 am sharply. If you have changed your mind about this special opportunity, please email Dr. Piper promptly so another student can be selected in your place. Sincerely, Kelsey Jones.’

“What’s got you so excited over there?” Kory asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I requested to meet with the keynote speakers Kindra Hall and Ty Bennett and I just received the email saying I have been selected for a round table discussion and it has given me all the instructions needed to be present.” I said in an exciting tone and my dad chuckled.

“You have always been smitten with Kindra Hall, I’m glad you are finally getting the opportunity to meet with her. Congratulation’s son, that’s great news.” My dad said and I was going to tell him that my guide is the girl of my interest, but I decided to leave that little known fact to myself.

“What time is the round table discussion?” Kory asked and I looked up at him.

“Saturday morning at 10:00 am but I have to meet the guide at 9:30 am. That means we may need to catch a red eye on Friday. Can you search flights that would have us land on Saturday morning around 5:00 am but no later than 7:30 am? I can’t be late missing the guide.” I said with a big smile and Kory nodded.

We all ordered our lunch and to say the food was delicious would be an understatement. The food was f*****g amazing. It didn’t take us long to eat and we had almost an hour before we needed to meet with the next group of press, so we sat in the restaurant discussing the ideas I brought up to my father as incentives to keep our guest at the hotel’s happy and desiring to come back. Kory and Casey both loved the intern program and wanted to know if their compensation structure would change but I couldn’t do that to them. Dad and I agreed to keep them both as salary employees instead of stipend interns. Casey also loved the Military Salute Program, she said it would be a great way to welcome some of the Armed Forces members to our communities and back home for some. It made sense to me that she would love that program since her daughter’s father is military and by extension so is she and her daughter.

Our discussion concluded fifteen minutes before the press group was scheduled to be done with their tour, so we walked over to the conference room to greet them as they arrived back from their tour. Unlike the first press conference, when the reporters arrived and settled down, Casey first played the forty-five second commercial then introduced my father who filled them in with the questions and answers from the first press conference, I guess so we don’t waste time answering the first groups questions again. After my dad filled them in Casey opened the floor for questions and I was surprised at how many questions were directed at my personal life.

“Hi, Michelle Ross with the Travel Magazine. Elias, are you courting anyone? Married? I know your father disclosed you are in your undergrad program at Cornell University and you have been accepted into several MBA programs but haven’t selected one yet, that would make you the youngest and might I add sexiest hospitality COO in the industry this side of the nation.” The reporter Michelle asked and I saw Casey about to move to the next question but I wanted to put it out there that I have an interest so I raised my right hand to signal Casey to leave it alone.

“Hello Michelle, this press conference is to promote the awareness of our newest boutique hotel brand but if that is a question that would help your readers to come check us out then I will simply answer it by saying I’m not currently on the market.” I said confidently.

“Follow up question, do you mind disclosing the name of your girlfriend, spouse, love interest?” Michell asked and I chuckled.

“Not at this time, next question please.” I said and saw a small pout form on her lips which made me laugh on the inside.

“Bill Morse, National Geographic. Earnest you must be extremely proud of your son. I’m just wondering why now? This is the first time you have brought him into the forefront. He’s been studying the hospitality industry for almost four years. Why did you decide now to incorporate him into the business and give him his own hotel chain?” The reporter Bill asked, and my father stepped to the podium.

“He is of age now and it is just time. I have built a legacy who better to leave it to when the time comes.” My dad said and Bill nodded.

“Carson Bell, ABC News West. Follow up to Bill’s question. Is there a health concern that is causing this action now? Rumors have been circulating that you may be sick and battling a terminal illness. Is there any truth to these rumors?” The reporter Carson asked with a slight bit of hesitation, and I looked at my dad.

“I am in perfect health, there is no truth to those rumors.” Dad said confidently and looked at me then at Casey.

“Two more questions, Lisa you can go next, Tori you can go after her.” Casey said and both ladies nodded.

“Lisa Meddleton, New York Times. I believe I have all my questions answered regarding the hotel but Elias, isn’t there a huge communications conference at Cornell University this weekend? Will you not be in attendance?” The reporter Lisa asked, and I smiled.

“Yes Lisa, Cornell University is putting on it’s Annual Communications conference this weekend. This year’s theme is ‘The Art of Storytelling’. Three of the biggest names in Communications accepted the invitation to be keynote speakers and yes to answer your question if I will be in attendance. Yes, I will be in attendance, and I have been invited to a roundtable discussion with two of the three speakers, Ty Bennett and Kindra Hall. I’m super excited about the invitation.” I said with a smile, and she smiled back.

“Tori Smith, Vogue Magazine. Elias, rumor has it that you are number one in your class, and you are expected to deliver the commencement speech at your graduation. How does someone so young and with so much potential stay out of the press when their father stays in the press constantly? Why are we just now meeting the Heir to the Jordan Dynasty Hotel Group today and not four years ago?” The reporter Tori asked, and I smiled.

“Hello Tori, honestly when I was younger, paparazzi used to follow me everywhere and I asked my pops, I’m sorry my father to make them go away and he did. He transferred me into private school, and he left me home when there were major groundbreakings or press conferences like this. I guess I can say my father shielded me from the ruthless nature of your kind. When I turned fifteen, I told my father that I would follow in his footsteps and go to college for my passion communications and his passion hospitality. I guess that is why now in some perspective.” I said confidently looking at her then I turned and smiled at my dad while mouthing thank you.

When we concluded the press conference, Dad insisted that we all go out for dinner or check out one of the fine dining restaurants at the Hotel. We were all okay with staying at the hotel to grab dinner, so we did. We ate at Gordan Ramsey’s Chill restaurant. It is the only five-star restaurant by the famous chef in Washington. The food was superb!