Chapter 1
I was nervous. Today was the day of my job interview at the most famous hotel of all: the Venturi Oriental Hotel. Pure luxury and considered the top hotel in every city around the world. And I had the chance to become one of the assistant housekeepers—here, in New York City, right in Manhattan.
As I stood in the lobby, taking in the impressive architecture, I tried to gather my thoughts. The hotel was a masterpiece of glass and marble; everything glistened and shimmered in elegant light. The chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings resembled sparkling diamonds. It was as if I had stepped into another world—a world so far removed from the modest apartment where I lived.
My gaze fell on the front desk, where an elegant woman in an immaculate dark blue suit stood, smiling politely at the guests. I watched as she spoke to everyone efficiently yet charmingly, as if she were personally committed to ensuring that every guest had an unforgettable experience. That was exactly what would be expected of me if I got this job.
My heart raced as I spotted the elevator that would take me to the upper floor, where the job interview was to take place. I checked my outfit one last time in the mirror standing in a corner of the lobby. My simple yet elegant black dress seemed to fit this place perfectly. I had carefully pinned my hair up into a bun to look professional yet stylish. And my shoes—black pumps I’d bought specifically for this interview—suddenly felt too high and uncomfortable. But that didn’t matter now. There was no turning back.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 15th floor, where the HR department was located. The doors closed silently, and I watched the numbers on the display tick upward. With every passing second, my nervousness grew. I imagined myself working in one of those luxurious rooms I’d only ever seen in glossy magazines. What would it be like to take care of all the rich and famous guests staying at this hotel? I knew I had the necessary skills—I was meticulous, punctual, and had an eye for detail. But would that be enough? Would I be able to hold my own in this world?
The elevator stopped and the doors opened. I stepped out and found myself in yet another impressive hall, this time a bit smaller but just as elegant as the lobby downstairs. A large dark-wood desk dominated the room, and behind it sat a woman who greeted me with a professional smile.
“Miss Wood, I presume?” she asked, without taking her eyes off her computer screen.
“Yes, that’s right,” I replied, trying to make my voice sound calm and confident.
“Please have a seat; Miss Langdon will be with you shortly.”
I nodded and sat down in one of the chairs lined up against the wall. My hands were cold and clammy, and I forced myself to take a deep breath. It was strange how this environment could feel both calming and intimidating at the same time. Everything was so perfect, so immaculate, that I felt as though even the tiniest mistake would be noticed immediately.
Only a few minutes passed—though they felt like hours—before a tall woman with a sharp but not unfriendly face approached me. She wore a tailored suit that underscored her authority, and her footsteps echoed softly on the marble floor.
“Miss Wood? I’m Samantha Langdon, head of the housekeeping team. Please follow me.”
I stood up and followed her through a series of doors and hallways that grew increasingly luxurious the further we went. Finally, we reached a large office whose windows offered a breathtaking view of the New York skyline. She gestured to a chair in front of her desk and then sat down herself.
“So, Miss Wood,” she began, opening a folder, “I’ve reviewed your resume and am impressed by your experience so far. But why don’t you tell me a little more about yourself and why you believe you’re the right person for this position?”
I swallowed and tried to gather my thoughts. This was the moment I’d been preparing for—the moment when I had to show that I really wanted this job and deserved it.
“Well, Ms. Langdon,” I began, “I’ve worked at various hotels over the past five years, starting at a small bed-and-breakfast and most recently at a four-star hotel here in the city. I’ve taken on many different responsibilities there, from cleaning rooms to looking after guests. But the Venturi Oriental Hotel is, of course, in a league of its own. I applied for this position because I believe I’m ready to take the next step and further develop my skills in an environment like this.”
She nodded slightly and let me continue, which gave me a little more confidence.
“I’m very detail-oriented and have high standards for cleanliness and order. At the same time, I know how important it is to make guests feel welcome and to ensure their needs are the top priority. I think that with my experience so far and my dedication, I’d be a good fit for your team.”
Ms. Langdon leaned back slightly and studied me. I knew this was the decisive moment. My heart was pounding so loudly that I feared she might hear it.
“Those are very good qualities, Miss Wood,” she said finally. “But I have to be honest—we expect more than just good work here. We’re looking for people who are willing to go above and beyond, who deliver the highest quality even under pressure, and who always remain professional and friendly. Do you think you’re up to this challenge?”
“Yes, I do,” I replied without hesitation. I knew this was my only chance to show that I was the right person for the job.
“Good,” she said, “we’ll review your application carefully and get back to you in the next few days. Thank you for your time.”
I stood up, thanked her as well, and left the office with mixed feelings. As I made my way back to the lobby, I couldn’t stop thinking about how the interview had gone. Had I done enough? Had I been convincing enough?
When I finally left the hotel and breathed in the fresh city air, I felt both relieved and tense. Now it was out of my hands. I’d done my best and now had to hope that it would be enough to secure a place in this world—the world of the Venturi Oriental Hotel.
I took the New York subway back to Brooklyn, the neighborhood where my best friend Kimberly and I lived in a small fifth-floor apartment. It was one of those long rides where you spend your time watching the people around you and thinking about your own life. The subway was crowded as usual, a mix of commuters coming home from work and tourists eager to see the city. I leaned against the cold metal bar and stared out the window, even though there was nothing to see in the tunnels.
Kimberly and I had met back then at hotel management school. She had always been the more ambitious of the two of us. While I finished school and went straight into the workforce, Kimberly was still studying part-time because she wanted to move into management. She had big plans and dreamed of running her own hotel one day. I, on the other hand, was the workhorse—without a college degree, but with a tireless drive to prove myself on the job. We were both twenty-three years old and felt as though we had both feet firmly planted in life. Yet deep down, I felt a longing for more. I didn’t just want to be an employee somewhere; I wanted to be part of something bigger.
When the subway finally pulled into our station, I got off and set out on the short walk to our apartment. The streets of Brooklyn were bustling, and I enjoyed the cool evening breeze blowing in my face. Our apartment was in an older building that had its own charm, despite the creaky elevator we used every day. As I unlocked the door, I could already hear the familiar rustling of paper and the soft hum of Kim’s favorite music drifting from her room.
Kimberly was sitting with her books piled up around her, deeply engrossed in her notes. I smiled and went into the small kitchen to make two cups of coffee. A fresh bagel from the bakery around the corner rounded out our light breakfast. With the coffee and bagel in hand, I stepped into her room and set them down in front of her.
“Olivia, you’re the best! Good morning!” she said, beaming, and gratefully accepted the coffee. Her face was a mix of tiredness and excitement. We chatted a bit about our day while Kimberly ate her bagel.
I sat down next to her, took a sip, and told her about my job interview at the Venturi Oriental Hotel.
“It was really impressive,” I began, leaning back. “I mean, just the lobby alone… all those marble floors and the huge chandeliers. I really had to pull myself together to keep from gaping in awe.” I remembered how I’d tried to hide my nervousness while waiting for the head housekeeper. The thought of becoming part of such a prestigious hotel had made my heart race.
“So how did the interview go?” Kimberly asked curiously, tapping away on her laptop.
“It was… intense. They really grilled me with questions. But I think I did pretty well,” I said with a hint of pride. “Now I just have to wait and hope I was convincing enough.” I could feel the uncertainty in my voice, but Kimberly gave me an encouraging smile.
“I’m sure you did great. After all, you’ve been preparing for this for so long,” she said, turning the screen toward me. “Look what I found out about the hotel.”
I leaned forward to get a better look. Kimberly read aloud: “400 luxury rooms, 75 suites, 6 restaurants, 10 different bars, and 50 event spaces. And that’s just this one hotel. In total, there are 7,530 hotels worldwide with exactly these amenities.”
I whistled through my teeth in admiration. “That’s truly an empire Matteo Venturi Sr. has built. From pizza maker to billionaire. Unbelievable.”
Kimberly nodded and kept scrolling. “And now his grandson, Alessandro Venturi, is at the helm. Supposedly the most eligible bachelor in the world. And he’s only 31.”
I had to laugh. “That almost sounds like a fairy tale. But I guess behind all that glamour lies a lot of hard work.”
“Definitely,” Kimberly agreed. “But imagine if you worked there. Being around people like that… that would be exciting, wouldn’t it?”
I thought for a moment and imagined what it would be like to be part of that glittering world. The idea was both exciting and scary. “Yeah, I suppose it would be,” I admitted. “But I think it would also mean a lot of pressure. Constantly having to make sure everything is perfect.”
Kimberly closed her laptop and turned to me. “You’ll be just fine, Olivia. I believe in you.”
I smiled gratefully. “Thank you, that means a lot to me.”
We talked for a while longer about the hotel and the opportunities a job there would bring. The more we talked about it, the more I began to picture a future there. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized just how much I wanted this job.
“It really would be a dream,” I said quietly at last, looking out the window, where the rain was gently drumming against the glass.
Kimberly placed a hand on my shoulder. “You’ll find your way, Olivia. Whether it’s at Venturi or somewhere else.”
I nodded gratefully and leaned back. The thought that someone like Kimberly believed in me gave me new courage. I knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but I was ready to take on the challenge.
“We should celebrate,” Kimberly suddenly suggested. “No matter how it turns out, you’ve taken a big step today.”
I laughed. “You’re right. Maybe we should go out for a drink. A little adventure in the city?”
“Exactly what we need,” she agreed, jumping off the bed. “Let’s head out and go shopping first. “Should we maybe reserve a table at Venturi? Grab a bite to eat first, and then head to one of the hotel bars afterward? Then we could look around a bit right away. Check out the scene,” Kimberly said, tossing her long red hair back and clicking her tongue at me.
“You’re just incorrigible. But fine. Why not? Whether I get accepted or not, the hotel is open to everyone.”
I stood up and set the empty coffee cup aside. Together we left the room, while outside the rain was slowly letting up and the first rays of sunshine were breaking through the clouds.
