Charles cleared his throat.
“Shall I have your bag sent to the penthouse, sweet Miss Chin?”
“Please, Charles. The staff bonuses we discussed for the holiday service. Go ahead and approve them. Everyone working tonight deserves extra.”
“Of course. That’s very generous.”
“They’ve earned it.”
As Charles walked away, Dererick shook his head in amazement.
“You really did build something incredible here.”
“We built something incredible,” I corrected. “It takes hundreds of people to make a hotel like this work. I just had the vision and the resources to start it.”
“The vision is yours, though.”
Marcus looked around the lobby.
“This warmth you mentioned, I can feel it. This doesn’t feel like other luxury hotels. Feels welcoming.”
“That was always the goal.”
My mother linked her arm through mine.
“Will you give us a tour of the hotel? I’d like to see what my daughter created.”
“I’d like that, too.”
We walked through the Grand Celestial together, my family seeing it with new eyes.
I showed them the ballroom where their party would be held, the restaurant where Chef Michael was preparing the evening’s menu, the spa that had won three international awards.
I introduced them to staff members who spoke warmly about working at the hotel, who clearly took pride in their work.
In the business center, we ran into Margaret Chin, no relation despite the same last name, who managed our corporate accounts.
“Miss Chin.”
She lit up when she saw me.
“I didn’t know you were staying over the holidays.”
“Five nights,” I confirmed. “Margaret, this is my family. Mom, Derek, Marcus, Amanda, this is Margaret Chin, our corporate accounts manager.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you.”
Margaret shook everyone’s hands enthusiastically.
“You must be so proud of what Sophie’s built here. She’s revolutionized boutique luxury hospitality.”
“We’re just learning about it,” my mother admitted.
“Well, she’s brilliant. The personal touch she brings to every aspect of the operation. It’s why we have 98% occupancy year round. Guests don’t just stay here once. They come back again and again because they feel valued.”
After Margaret left, Dererick said quietly, “Everyone here loves you.”
“I hope they respect me. Love isn’t required.”
“They do though. You can see it in how they talk to you.”
“About you.”
We took the private elevator to the penthouse suite, my suite.
The doors opened directly into the foyer, revealing 5,000 square ft of elegant space. Floor toeiling windows overlooked the city, now sparkling with Christmas lights. A 12-t tree stood in the corner, decorated in silver and gold.
“This is…”
Amanda trailed off.
“This is extraordinary.”
“It’s home when I’m here,” I said simply.
“You stay here often?” Marcus asked.
“Once or twice a month. I like to be on property regularly to maintain standards and stay connected with operations.”
My mother walked to the windows, looking out at the view.
“When you were little, you used to build elaborate hotels out of blocks. Do you remember?”
“I remember.”
“I told you to focus on practical things, accounting, business management, traditional paths.”