One year, one love by Aurora Miller

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The morning after covering Kayla’s night shift, Doris nearly overslept. She rushed to the hotel, only to be greeted

by a commotion in the lobby. Her younger brother, Rupert, was making a scene, his voice echoing throughout

the space.

“Where's Dori Get her out here. | need to see her he demanded.

A small crowd had already gathered, their curiosity piqued by the outburst.

Lola wasn’t having it. Her tone was sharp as she said, “This is a hotel, not your living room. We're trying to work

here. If you want to make a fuss, take it outside. Otherwise, I'll call security.

Lola knew a fair bit about Doris’s family dynamics. She particularly disliked how Doris’s parents spoiled Rupert

while neglecting Doris, a fact that only deepened her disdain for him.

Doris hurried forward, grabbing Rupert's arm in an attempt to diffuse the situation. “Rupert, whatever it is, let's

talk outside. okay?

But Rupert wasn’t about to back down. He yanked his arm free, his expression full of contempt. “No. We'll talk

right here. Doris, you're so selfish.

“Mom wanted to book this hotel for me, thinking you work here and it'd be good to support your business.

“And yet, you had the audacity to convince her to go for scheap hotel, claiming it was to save money for my

wedding.”

He continued, each word dripping with anger, “We're talking about tens of thousands of dollars-chump change.

It’s not even your money, so who do you think you are, making decisions for us? I've always been Mom and

Dad's favorite, and you just can’t stand it.

“You're jealous of the way they treat me. That's why you don’t want Mom booking Hampstone Hotel. You want to

seehumiliated in front of Claudia’s family, don’t you?”

Rupert let out a derisive laugh. “You're bitter because you got dumped. That's why you can’t stand anyone else

being happy and tried to sabotage my relationship. You vile, spiteful wretch. No wonder Mr. Watson left you. If |

were him, | wouldn't want you either.

Rupert's tirade flowed with unabashed venom, each word like a dagger aimed straight at Doris’s heart. And yet,

under the curious gazes of passersby, Doris stood there, silent and composed, as if the insults weren't meant for

her at all.

Lola, on the other hand, was fuming. She couldn't stand by and let Rupert tear Doris down like this. She opened

her mouth to speak, but Doris quickly caught her arm, and the silent plea in her eyes stopped Lola from doing

so.

Doris knew Lola’s fiery temper and her unwavering loyalty as a friend, but this wasn’t the time. As the front desk

manager, Lola couldn't afford to say anything unprofessional in front of guests at work.

If word got back to upper management, it could lead to disciplinary action, Doris couldn't let her best friend take

that risk on her behalf.

But Lola wasn’t one to care about consequences when her best friend was being mistreated. She folded her arms

and glared at Rupert, her voice dripping with disdain.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

“Rupert, do you even hear yourself? Doris works hard and earns her own living. What about you? All you do is

leech off your parents. What exactly are you so proud of?”

She stepped closer. “If you've got so much to say, how about paying for the hotel yourself? | might actually

respect you then. But using your parents hard-earned money? That's nothing to brag about.

“Honestly, no woman in her right mind would wanna marry a man like you.”

1/4

13:05 Wed, 26 Feb EFA.

Chapter 12

“Who the hell do you think you are? What gives you the right to butt into our business?” Rupert sneered, his

voice dripping with disdain. “Mom and Dad are willing to spend money on me, so what? None of your damn

business.

“Why don’t you mind your own? And anyway, it’s not my fault Doris can’t get them to cough up for her. If they

want to give her money, that’s up to them. | wouldn't care.”

Rupert's shamelessness was astonishing-what others might find embarrassing, he flaunted with pride. Both Lola

and Doris knew better than to waste their breath arguing with someone like him. Reasoning with Rupert was like

trying to teach a brick wall how to think.

Utterly insufferable. Lola muttered with a sigh of frustration.

“Rupert, are you done? Doris’s voice cut through the air, ice-cold and steady. “If you've got nothing else to say,

then piss off.”

Rupert's eyes flared with indignation. “You're tellingto piss off? Fine. Just wait. FIl tell Dad, and he’ll deal with

you.” He brandished the threat of their father, Jimmy, like a weapon, his tone laced with petty vengeance.

Without missing a beat, Lola turned to the security staff. “Please escort this troublemaker out of the hotel.”

The security team immediately approached Rupert, who, seeing the imminent threat, raised his voice. “I'm here

to make a reservation. If you dare kickout, I'll file a complaint. And you...

He leaned closer to Lola, squinting at the ntag pinned to her crisp uniform. “Front Desk Manager, Lola Bates,

huh? I'll make sure you regret this.”

“Be my guest, Lola replied with a calm smile, her poise unwavering.

She wasn’t the least bit intimidated by his threats. Maintaining a professional demeanor around someone like

Rupert was pointless, and Lola knew it. After all, she cfrom a wealthy family herself. Losing her job would

hardly spell disaster-at worst, she'd fall back on her inheritance.

Rupert's attempt at intimidation fizzled, leaving him visibly deflated. Still, he wasn’t about to let it go. “Fine. Just

you wait. Where's your manager? I'm filing a formal complaint. Ill make sure they know how rude you were, how

you humiliatedwith that arrogant attitude...

Lola didn’t bother responding, her expression blank as she watched him rant like a clown.

Finally, Doris had had enough. “Cwith me. Her voice was firm, her patience hanging by a thread. She

grabbed Rupert's arm and practically dragged him out of the hotel, her grip as unyielding as her resolve.

It wasn’t until they'd reached a quieter spot outside that she let go, stepping back with a deliberate exhale.

Rupert slapped her hand and yanked his arm free, glaring at her. “Don’t touch me.

Ignoring the sting spreading across her hand, Doris warned, “Rupert, you can stir up whatever you want

between us, but if you even think about targeting my coworkers or my friends. | promise I'll make you regret it.”

Rupert snorted, his face twisting into an arrogant sneer, “Oh, really? You're going to makeregret it? Worry

about yourself first. You're the one who got kicked out of the house for disobeying Mom and Dad. And now you

have the nerve to lecture

me?”

He stood there, puffed up with the entitlement their parents had fed him for years, the weight of their favoritism

shielding him from any sense of accountability though he had spent years bullying Doris.

Rupert's tone was dripping with arrogance as he ordered, “Doris, if you ever want to cback to our family,

you'll do exactly as | say.

“Book a few tables at your hotel, reserve ten rooms, and cover all the expenses for the alcohol, cigarettes, and

beverages. yourself. If you listen, | might consider putting in a good word for you with Dad. He only listens to me

anyway.

2/4

Chapter 12

Ca

He cried, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper, But if you refuse I'll make sure Ezad punishes you and makes

you

The song confidence on his face made Doric’s iromachi chiarn. He genuinely believed he had her backed into a

corner.

“Rupert, are you out of your damn mind? Or just plain stupid Doris shot back, her tone laced with ley disdain.

She had no intention of playing the fool and letting herself be taken for a sucker.

Rupert's composune cracked. His face darkened with rage as he spat, “You think you're so tough huh? You're the

one who's messed up this family’s reputation, dragging us down like the useless dead weight you are. Why don’t

you just kill yourself?”

With that, he raised his hand, aiming to slap Doris across the face.

Before his hand could connect, a shadow loomed over them, and Doris felt a rush of air as someone intervened.

A strong hand caught Rupert's wrist mid-swing and twisted it sharply behind his back, locking it in place.

Rupert froze, a pained gasp escaping his lips as his arm was pinned so forcefully he couldn't budge. “Who are

you?” Rupert managed through gritted teeth, his face contorted in pain as he craned his neck to look at the man

restraining him.

Doris’s eyes widened in shock and relief as she saw Lewis standing there, calm but radiating an aura of quiet

menace. For a fleeting moment, be looked almost otherworldly-like a guardian angel descending to rescue her

from this nightmare.

“Apologize,” Lewis demanded, his voice low and unyielding, the sharp edge of command unmistakable.

“Apologize? For what? | don’t owe her anything,” Rupert growled, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his

discomfort. Tm calling the cops.

“Go ahead. Lewis said, his tone cool and almost taunting. “Let's see if the cops arrest me... or you.” His grip

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

tightened, cliciting an audible crack from Rupert's wrist.

Rupert's cry of agony rang out,

w and unrestrained. Doris, standing nearby, couldn't help but feel a small spark of satisfaction flicker in her

chest. Watching Rupert writhe and scream, she thought, Serves him right.

“Apologize,” Lewis ordered, his tone slow and deliberate, each syllable sharpened by his barely contained fury.

Rupert's face twisted in pain, his wrist feeling like it might snap any second. Beads of cold sweat gathered on his

forehead and trickled down his neck as panic flashed across his features.

“...I'm sorry,” Rupert stammered, the words spilling out in a frantic attempt to relieve the crushing grip on his

arm.

Lewis wasn’t impressed. His gloomy eyes glinted with menace as he leaned closer, his voice dropping a

dangerous octave. “To whom are you apologizing? Try again.”

Rupert flinched at the command and followed Lewis's pointed gaze to Doris, who stood silently, her expression

as cold and sharp as a winter wind.

Resentment bubbled under Rupert's skin, but he knew he had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he reluctantly

muttered. “Doris... I'm sorry. | was wrong

Doris didn’t speak. She simply stared at him, her icy demeanor enough to send a shiver down anyone’s spine.

She knew full well that Rupert didn’t actually think he was in the wrong.

The only reason he was backing down was because the situation wasn’t in his favor. He didn’t stand a chance

against Lewis and had no choice but to temporarily swallow his pride.

Lewis, however, wasn’t one to let things slide. His voice, laced with quiet threat, cut through the tension like a

blade. “If | ever see you picking on Doris again, you'll lose more than just your dignity-you’ll lose that arm of

yours.”

3/4

Wed, 26 Feb

Chapter 12

“Alright. Lunderstand” Rupert nodded rapidly, his voice trembling as he scrambled to agree

Only then did Lewis release him, the force of his grip leaving Rupert stumbling back a few steps. Lewis's voice

cracked like a whip. “Now get lost.”

Rupert didn’t need to be told twice. He staggered backward, his fear evident in every awkward step he took to

put distane between himself and Lewis. Once he was far enough away, his cowardly bravado returned

“Doris, don’t think having a man protect you makes you special. Mom and Dad will take my side and you'll regret

this Unless you plan to stay away from hforever,” he spat, his parting words dripping with venom before he

turned tail and bolted.

His retreat was nothing short of pathetic-his threats hollow and his ego bruised. Doris watched him fee with a

cold. detached gaze, her shoulders relaxing just slightly as his figure disappeared.

She then turned her attention to Lewis. “Why are you here?” she asked.

4/4

[S]