The Alpha's Imported Luna

Chapter 2: Old Wounds

Stephanie’s POV

I left my bag in the meeting room and followed her into the lobby.

"This," she said, spreading her arms wide, "is where it all begins."

After the first hour, one thing was already obvious. Colonial Oasis wasn’t just another hotel. It was extraordinary.

We visited the laundry facilities, spa, restaurants, bars, employee cafeteria, guest clinic, and pool areas.

She pointed out private villas with exclusive pools and explained how different departments worked together to create exceptional guest experiences.

Every turn revealed something new.

Every space felt carefully designed.

And somehow, I was lucky enough to be part of it.

Vanessa continued leading me through the property, pointing out facilities we hadn't yet seen, including the staff gym and recreation areas.

By now, it felt like I had received a complete crash course in everything related to The Colonial Oasis.

I couldn't help but admire Vanessa's enthusiasm. She spoke about the hotel with genuine pride, as though she'd been part of it for years rather than a matter of weeks.

"How long have you been working here?" I asked.

She glanced at me with a smile.

"Why do you ask?"

"You talk about the place like you've been here forever."

Vanessa laughed.

"Actually, I've only been here for two months."

"Seriously?"

"Yep. But I love it. The company treats us really well."

That explained her cheerful disposition.

"What did you think of the managers you met this morning?" she asked.

"They were great. Professional and approachable, everyone seemed genuinely friendly."

"You met George, our General Manager?"

"I did. He seemed nice."

"He is. George came down from our Canadian head office before the opening and has been overseeing operations ever since."

"I figured as much."

"What about Chef Daniel?"

"He mentioned he was transferred from Canada too."

Vanessa nodded.

"Several members of senior management were brought in to help launch the property. They report directly to the owner."

"Speaking of the owner," I said, "I'm surprised he isn't here."

Vanessa chuckled.

"Trust me, he's plenty involved. He has weekly video conferences with management. Besides this property, he owns hotels in Canada, France, and Greece, and from what I've heard, he's looking to expand even further."

"Sounds like he never stops working."

"Probably not."

We shared a laugh.

"Come on," Vanessa said. "Let's finish with the nightclubs and call it a day."

The tour wrapped up around 4:15 p.m.

As soon as we returned to the administrative building, I pulled out my phone and called Mom.

No answer.

A minute later, a text message arrived.

Already home. Sorry, sweetheart.

I sighed.

It looked like I was finding my own way home.

After considering my options, I decided to take a taxi.

I left the hotel grounds and headed toward the nearby bus stop.

I had barely reached the sidewalk when a dark sedan pulled up beside me.

The driver's window rolled down.

My stomach immediately sank.

Kyle.

Of all people.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

He grinned.

"I was in the area."

I raised an eyebrow.

"You just happened to be in the area?"

“Fine. I remembered this was your first day, so I came hoping I'd catch you.”

His smile widened.

"And look who I found."

I rolled my eyes.

"Convenient."

"I know, right?"

I groaned internally.

"Need a ride home?"

"No."

"Come on, Stef."

"I'm fine."

"You don't have to act like I'm some stranger."

The audacity of this man.

"For old times' sake," he added.

I folded my arms.

"You really don't know when to quit, do you?"

A few employees were still leaving for the day, and several curious glances had already drifted in our direction.

The last thing I wanted was to create a scene on my first day.

Kyle noticed my hesitation.

"Just let me drive you home."

I sighed.

"Fine."

His triumphant grin instantly annoyed me.

The first few minutes of the drive passed in silence.

I stared out the window while Kyle occasionally glanced at me.

Then something felt wrong.

The route had changed.

I turned toward him.

"Where are we going?"

"My new apartment."

"What?"

"I moved recently. I thought I'd show you the place."

I stared at him in disbelief.

The nerve.

"At what point did I say I wanted to see your apartment?"

His smile faded.

"Stef."

"No."

I pointed toward the road ahead.

"Turn around and take me home."

"You're overreacting."

"Am I?"

"You've been to my place before."

"When we were dating."

"We dated for over a year."

"And that ended when I caught you cheating."

The car fell silent.

His jaw tightened.

"It's really not that big a deal."

I turned to look at him.

For a moment, I genuinely wondered if he heard himself.

"Not a big deal?"

"People make mistakes."

"You lied to me."

"Stef."

"Take me home."

This time my voice left no room for discussion.

After muttering something under his breath, he made a U-turn and headed in the right direction.

A few minutes later, we pulled into my driveway.

Mom's Camry was already parked outside.

The gate stood open.

I reached for the door handle.

"Thanks for the ride."

"Wait."

I paused.

Kyle looked at me.

"Are we really done?"

I laughed once.

Not because anything was funny.

Because I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"You cheated on me."

"You're throwing away more than a year together over one mistake."

I stared at him.

"One mistake?"

His frustration surfaced.

"If you had slept with me, I wouldn't have had to go looking somewhere else."

The words hit me like a slap.

For a moment, I was too stunned to respond.

Then anger replaced shock.

"Are you serious?"

He shrugged.

I couldn't believe it.

"You're blaming me for your cheating?"

"I just think things would've been different."

"No, Kyle."

I shook my head.

"What's different is that now I know who you really are."

He looked away.

I continued.

"I was a good girlfriend to you. I trusted you. I supported you."

My voice hardened.

"You chose to betray that trust."

He opened his mouth, but I wasn't interested anymore.

"This conversation is over."

I stepped out of the car and slammed the door behind me.

Without looking back, I walked toward the house.

As soon as I entered, I noticed the curtain near the living room window move.

Mom had definitely been watching.

"Stef?" she called.

I kicked off my shoes near the door.

"Yeah?"

"Everything okay?"

"Of course."

She gave me a skeptical look.

"It looked like you were arguing with somebody."

I avoided eye contact.

"I'm fine, Mom."

Years of experience told me exactly where the conversation was heading.

Questions.

Lots of questions.

Before she could ask any more, I headed down the hallway toward my bedroom.

"Stef."

"Long day," I called over my shoulder. "Let's talk later."

I slipped into my room and closed the door before she could continue.

Then I flopped onto my bed and let out a long sigh.

Kyle was completely delusional if he thought there was even the slightest chance we'd get back together.

Not after what he'd done.

Not after today.

I stared at the ceiling for several moments.

Despite the unpleasant encounter, I couldn't stop thinking about the hotel.

My first day had gone better than I could have imagined.

The team was welcoming.

The property was incredible.

And for the first time in months, I felt excited about what lay ahead.

One day down.

Many more to go.

For the first time in a long while, the future seemed full of possibilities.