The Lotus

Chapter 6

Jasmine POV

I awake with a plan in my head. I am going to start cleaning the front desk manager's apartment. Why did I not ever think to ask for it? I mean I have been his manager since that woman left. I could’ve been here instead of all alone in my apartment.

Chanel and Bauer are snoring loudly. I have got to make sure either I move today or Bauer goes somewhere else. Something has got to give. I love Chanel but sometimes she is just too much for me to handle. Polar opposites I guess.

I go to the front desk. Walker is working. I walk back to the desk clerks' area. I ignore him. I go into the back office to get the keys to the housekeeper's office to retrieve some cleaning supplies. I walk back up to him and smile. I know he thinks I am about to give him my answer. Not right now. I need to think.

“I need the key to the apartment. I thought I would start cleaning it,” I say.

He looks disappointed like he thought I was coming to see him.

“Yeah, let me get it for you. It is in my office. I am telling you it is a mess. It is not that big, but you will have plenty of space for just you,” he says.

He leaves the desk for a moment to retrieve the key. I look out the window next to our desk. The rain is coming down hard. It is already starting to flood the parking lot. I wonder how bad this will get.

Walker comes back with the key. He places the key in my hand and closes my hand around it. “It is yours for as long as you need it,” he says.

“Thank you. I do appreciate you allowing me to use it,” I say.

“No problem. I can make Bauer help you get anything you need from your apartment when the rain clears up,” he says.

“That would be great. If he does not mind,” I say.

I turn to leave.

“Wait,” he says.

I stop. “What is it, Walker,” I ask.

“Dinner with me tonight?” he asks.

“Sure,” I say.

Probably not the best idea right now. I am going to do it anyway. I can behave myself and it will give me the opportunity to turn down his offer. I cannot be whatever it is he is looking for. Not now. I am still a married woman.

I leave the office and make my way to the elevator. I hit the button and wait patiently. The elevator dings. I start to step in and Bauer steps out.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“I am going to start cleaning the clerk's apartment. Walker said I could use it until I figure things out,” I say.

“Want some help,” he offers.

Why in the hell would Bauer want to help me? What the hell. At least I will have someone to talk to. I know Chanel will not be getting up for a while.

“Sure,” I hand him the housekeeping key.

“What is this?” he asks.

“You can start by going to the housekeeping office and getting me a cart. It is in room 212,” I say.

“You got it. I have to talk to Walker real quick and I will be right up to help with supplies,” he says.

“Thanks,” I say.

I step onto the elevator and hit the button for floor three. The clerk's apartment is on the third floor. There are no rooms on the third floor. Just the apartment and supplies. It better not be creepy up there. My luck it is haunted.

The elevator dings on three. I step off. I hope it not as bad as he says it is, but I will be stuck here a few days so I can work on it. Surely I can get it to go enough to sleep in even if it is not perfect.

I walk down the hall to the apartment. It is not as creepy as I remember but still creepy. Maybe it is the quiet that makes it creepy. I look up and notice the camera on the hall. Hi Walker. I know you are watching.

I open the door and walk it. There is not anything wrong with this place. It is dusty and needs a good deep clean but other than that I could move in tomorrow.

I hear Bauer coming up the hall singing something. There went the quiet I thought was creepy.

“Hey. Woah! Who cleaned? This place was a mess when I left it,” he says.

“What do you mean when you left? You were staying here?” I ask.

“Yeah, when I left wife number two or three maybe it was wife number four. I do not know but I did wreck it,” he says.

“Well, all it needs is a deep cleaning and I can move in,” I say.

Bauer pushes the housekeeping cart in. “Why don’t you get one of the housekeepers to clean this up?” he asks.

I scowl at him. “Really Bauer. They have enough to do without cleaning up this for me,” I bark at him.

“Sorry, I thought we could go grab a bottle and hit the roof,” he says.

“Bauer, life is not one big party,” I scold him.

Did I know he was staying here? I may have just blocked it out of my brain. He can be so damn annoying. He causes so much trouble ever where he goes I cannot believe I would forget that.

“What do you want me to do, you know, besides stand here and look sexy,” he asks?

I smile at him. “You know what you can clean the bathroom,” I suggest.

His devilish smile fades to a frown like I just told him there was no more ice cream. “Really, Jasmine. You are going to do me like that?” he asks sadly.

Bauer is not that bad. He is annoying and loud and very very nerve-racking but he is the only one up here helping me. Bauer is like having a child in a grown-a*s man's body. He should help me there is no telling how many times I got him out of some bull he started in the hotel or in life in general.

Bauer reluctantly goes into the bathroom and starts cleaning. I hear the water running and him spraying cleaner. He is singing and scrubbing. At least it would be nice and clean. It might take me a minute on the rest. I need to focus on the kitchen and bedroom. The rest I can do a little every night until I get it all done.

I go into the kitchen and begin to check the cabinets and refrigerator for anything gross left behind. It is all empty. The cabinets need liners. We may have something in maintenance I can use for now. I climb up onto the cabinet to check the top cabinets.

I hear Bauer coming back. “Nice a*s,” he jokes.

I lose my balance and fall. Bauer catches me. As I land in his arms Walker walks in. He takes one look at me in his little brother's arms, he growls and walks back out. How this must look?

“Thank you, but please put me down,” I say.

Bauer gently puts me down. He is smiling like he just won first prize at the county fair. “Hmmm, seems big brother is a little jealous of his pet,” he says.

“What are you talking about it? You are being ridiculous,” I scold him.

“Yeah well, did you see the look on his face? The same look he had when he caught with his prom date,” he says.

I smack him on the arm. “Bauer! You are a pig!” I holler at him.

He smiles at me when I hit him. “I may be a pig but the big brother has got the hots for his favorite employee. Honestly, I think it is hilarious. Mr. Straight and narrow. This is great,” he laughs amusing only himself.

“Shut up and go clean something,” I bark at him.

Damn. This is an easy explanation, but I am not chasing after him. I will explain it at dinner tonight. I have too much to do right now.