“I’m going to make this easy for you Richelle,” Eden interrupted as she read the clerk’s name tag. “Jermaine Shelton and Envy Merci. What room did they check into?”

Richelle was caught off guard by the woman’s straightforwardness. She could tell that she wasn’t one to ask the same question twice, but she didn’t want to get fired for giving out private information. She needed this job.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry. I can’t give out customer information. It’s against our policy.” Richelle said as she backed away from the desk.

Eden glanced down and saw the textbook. She smiled a little because it wasn’t too long ago that she was behind a hotel desk, studying from the same book. She decided to take a different approach and take some of the hostility out of her voice because Richelle wasn’t the person that had done her wrong.

“Richelle, let me apologize for my demeanor. You didn’t do anything to deserve that. That’s a gorgeous pendant of you and your sister,” Eden complimented.

“My daughter,” Richelle said as she absent-mindedly grabbed the custom-made pendant that cost her two paychecks.

Eden smirked inwardly because she knew the girl had know idea that she gave her the information that she needed.

“Richelle, my name is Eden Shelton. I’m the Investment Banker for Rashid Zayed International Banque,” Eden said as she handed the young attendant her onyx business card.

Richelle was stunned.

“Mrs. Shelton, I’m-”

Eden interrupted because she wasn’t interested in what she had to say.

“Richelle, when I was around your age, I sat behind a hotel desk reading that same book. Studying for the same test that you’re probably about to take. Back then I brought home $328 biweekly. That’s $164 a week. Not even $700 a month, not even enough to be considered pocket change.” Eden stated.

Richelle looked away because she was only making $100 more biweekly.

“By the way you diverted your eyes, I can tell that you aren’t making much more than I was nearly eighteen years ago,” Eden said factually.

“I’m not trying to get in your business, but when I was sitting behind a desk, studying for classes I prayed for a financial blessing every day. Maybe I can be that blessing to you. Jermaine Shelton and Envy Merci. What room are they in?” Eden asked as she opened her Chloe Bag and slid ten brand-new hundred-dollar bills over to the desk clerk.

Richelle’s eyes bulged. She had never seen $1,000 at once. She could smell the newness of the bills, and it was the most intoxicating thing that she had ever smelled.

“Mrs. Shelton. I’m sorry. But I can’t. Even though this job only pays me pocket change as you call it. I have my own responsibilities. I need my job,”

Eden pulled out another stack.

“Mrs. Shelton, I-”