Episode 7

Prince released a sigh when he heard Cassi crying again.

He saw his mother sleeping and she looked tired because she was handling the heavier workload. He had to step out at times to deal with a myriad of matters pending for months, so she stayed with the baby and Taylor would come over too.

Not wanting to awaken her, he took Cassi in his arms and walked a little. He cradled her gently, stroking her back in hopes she would fall asleep. He was tired too. It had been only two months since she was born and it seemed with each passing day, she grew more irritable. When she stopped crying, he sat in an armchair, exhaling deeply.

He continued to gently rock her in his arms and watched as her eyes closed. Her tiny hands were clenched as usual, and he smiled at how adorable she looked. She had his skin tone, but sometimes he imagined she might inherit Maiston's hue. And though she did not have his skin color—a detail that would be impossible to hide from the Alpha—she did have a sizeable birthmark on her neck that stood out from her natural skin tone.

He ran his finger over it because on Maiston's skin, it had looked prettier. Realizing he was smiling, he shook his head to dispel odd and foolish thoughts.

He remained seated, admiring her in her blue Stitch pajamas from the movie Lilo & Stitch. She looked lovely and sweet.

"What would have been the point in getting mad at you?" he asked, even though he knew he wouldn't get an answer. "You're too cute for someone to do something like that. Forgive me if at some point I entertained the mistaken notion that the best thing would have been to erase you."

He caressed her cheek as she slept, and if he had felt alone before, now he felt he had company.

"I'm working hard for you. Right now, I'm preparing something special that will launch in about five months. Not to boast, but I believe it will be my best work unquestionably tailored for ages one to ten."

Not wanting to go to bed knowing his mother was there and sometimes slept very little to give him peace, he made himself comfortable in the large sofa, placing the baby against the backrest. He took a blanket; he wasn't cold but didn't want her to catch a chill. He covered her well and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Mom was always good to me and gave me much love and security, so I intend to do the same for you. You may not have a father, but you have your Uncle Taylor who adores you."

He smiled because Taylor would sometimes forget everything to spend time with the baby, holding her for countless hours. He had learned nursery rhymes, lullabies and had even bought a stroller. He was doing all that he could to be chosen as the godfather, eager to boast to his friends that he was the best of all.

"When you get older, you might ask me questions, so I'll practice telling you something nice, not the sad reality of what happened. The truth is, I haven't heard about him and I don't want to ask. I haven't been out much, so I've never run into him, but all it takes is switching on the TV or picking up a magazine to see him."

He sighed as he didn't like that. He was making an effort not to see or hear anything about him, even though it was hard given how famous he was. He imagined how perfect it would be if his memory could be erased to avoid bad moments, as it saddened him despite his reluctance. Most of the day he kept busy and didn't have time to think, but then night would come and memories would haunt him, consuming him with sadness and heartache. He was tired of crying and even more so of crying over someone not worth his tears.

Just as Maiston was starting a new life with someone else, he too should be doing exactly the same.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to keep from crying, because after a year had passed, you're supposed to turn the page and begin something new, better, more beautiful, more exciting. He wiped his cheeks and repeatedly told himself not to cry anymore over a foolish and idiotic Alpha.

He regretted not doing the same so Maiston could have seen with his own eyes what it felt like, but it wasn't that way. Maybe he liked order, having everything clean, and giving orders to others, but he could never imagine hurting those he cared for and esteemed.

"I hope that as time goes on, many things change. That I change enough to appear brave to you so you're not scared of not having a father. I know that having a mother and a father is fundamental for a child, but I'll try to fill both roles. I promise, Cassi."

He closed his eyes, feeling sleepy, and let it overtake him.

He didn't know how long he'd been asleep, but when he woke up, Cassi wasn't by his side. He sat up quickly to see Taylor with the baby, feeding her from a bottle while talking to her as people do with babies.

He sighed and watched them. Maybe he wasn't her father, but he was glad to have Taylor there. He stood up and walked to the kitchen to see his mother preparing something. He had to start work at nine, and it was seven, so he didn't have much time to shower and eat simultaneously.

He greeted his mother with a kiss on the cheek and headed to the bathroom to shower. He spent a few minutes under the cold water, then got out to dress. His brown hair was longer than a year ago, so it was challenging to style as it was getting tiring.

After getting dressed, he headed out because he had things to do at the hotel that bore his name.

He knew how those Delta hotels of Maiston operated from the inside, so he feared nothing. He knew the concierge and many of the maids there. It was still in operation, but there was much to oversee, verify, arrange, and alter.

He liked everything about the hotel but wanted to make some modifications to make it more colorful, appear newer, and attract more people.

"Hello, young Hammer, good morning."

"No, please, I no longer use that surname," he said, referring to his married name shared with Maiston. "Just call me Prince, or you can address me as Boss."

The man nodded with a smile.

"I've come to get an update on the operation. I need to know how many employees there are and their shifts. Also, how many rooms are for couples and how many are singles."

"Do you plan to make some arrangements? Mr. Maiston told us to brace ourselves because the place was going bankrupt in less than two years."

Prince chuckled amusedly.

"Mr. Maiston knows nothing. I'm sure that if anyone's going to go bankrupt, it'll be him. Let's have a tour of the place, I've been here a few times, but I don't remember much."

"With pleasure," the man said, gesturing for him to lead the way.

There weren't many people around at the moment, but the brunette encountered some here and there. They didn't seem very pleased by their expressions, and that's what he wanted to change. Maiston put a lot of money into his hotels, everyone knew that, but it was always the same and they hadn't been renovated in years.

They walked for a while as the man explained everything because he was the eldest and most qualified there. Also, the General Manager hadn't shown up knowing that he would be visiting, so Prince needed him to assume the role.

The man looked at him for a few seconds, a bit uncertain.

"But, you know Mr. Jim..."

"Mr. Jim's just a lapdog for Maiston. Don't worry, I'll take care of removing him from that position."

He had spoken with Jim enough times to know how to handle him, despite Jim being Maiston's best friend.

"In my new hotel, I need committed people who truly need the job. Jim has enough money to burn; losing the job won't matter to him. Had he wanted to, he would have been present and not left you in charge, don't you think, Andres?"

The man knew there was some truth in his words. He said nothing but nodded. He had a husband and two young children he wanted to provide for, so he never missed work, not even when sick.

"The next step is to change the hotel's name because it's awful, tasteless, and uninspired. I want people to leave with a huge smile, just like when they purchase my clothes."

"What name do you have in mind, young Prince?"

"Oh\, I've been considering many fascinating and slightly mysterious options. But now that I know Maiston has said that about the hotel going bankrupt\, I'm thinking *Oasis* sounds good."

"Like an exotic, paradise-like name, right?"

Prince nodded, smiling.

"And it will go perfectly with the new design inside. I've estimated the costs and remodeling time, so we expect to reopen in about eight months."

"What kind of makeover will it be?"

"I'm planning to change the wall colors. I want scarlet red, lots of exotic paintings, mirrors everywhere, a wild scent, spacious rooms with jacuzzis, and more…"

The man listened intently as the brunette spoke, realizing that instead of a hotel, Prince was talking about transforming it all into a love hotel.

He wasn't unfamiliar with such places, yet with every feature the brunette mentioned, it became clear that Prince was holding nothing back and was determined to turn the venue into the most exotic, steamy, and sensual spot around, hence the chosen name.

He remained silent, understanding that Prince sold a lot of sexy attire and provocative lingerie, but he had never imagined that such tastes would surround him so completely and so quickly.

His only thought was his Omega partner would most certainly disapprove of his work at a place like that.

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