Where could you be?

As Axel finished what he could from his sampler, he sat there pondering how to reach out to Aiko without being an outright creep. Having calmed down, after the initial emotion, he now realized how weird it could be seen to be invited to eat out of nowhere with God knows who for God knows what. Surely, he didn't mean anything preposterous, nor was there a hidden agenda... well, that wasn't entirely true, he did have the hidden agenda of getting to know her better.

Given the hour, he was sure Aiko worked the night shift, since the food arrived just past ten o'clock, late in the night. The thought of calling for more room service crossed his mind, but also the risk of just being sent someone else was big, especially if she was already creeped out. As much as he disliked the label of 'rich boy,' now it seemed the best chance to take advantage of the title that had robbed him of so many real connections.

Having steeled his conviction, Axel decided to head down to the lobby. As he walked down the hallway, stepping into the elevator, he rehearsed the conversation. Just a greeting, then an excuse... but what excuse? "Hey, can you send this girl to my room?" He needed a plan, and had exactly ten floors to come up with something at least credible. He could say he wanted to tip Aiko, but what if reception told him to just leave the tip there? Of course, he could argue distrust or just wanting to personally thank her. Then she would be called to the reception, hindering any chance of talking with her in a private setting.

The door opened, pulling him out of his inner world. The moment of truth was there, and he was nowhere near as ready as he would want to.

"Hello, sir. Is there something I can help you with?" greeted the young man behind the reception, as Axel walked towards him with that stern, elegant demeanor ingrained in him.

"Yes, actually. There was this waitress who brought me food, but she left in a hurry and dropped something in my room" Axel said with confidence, his voice firm and cheerful, despite his newborn excuse having no backup whatsoever.

"Oh, I see. Thanks for your kindness and taking your time to bring it here. Don't worry, I'll make sure to give it to her," the receptionist bowed politely, with the biggest service smile ever.

A smile that, to Axel, seemed like a mockery to his plan. Thanks for bringing this non-existent thing? He was, of course, empty-handed! 

"Y-you see, I just noticed I did leave it in my room, what a foolish thing to do," he quickly retorted, donning the best poker face he could, "but you can tell her to go and fetch it to my room, her name is Aiko, I believe. I'm in the penthouse, thanks, have a great night." Axel quickly cut short any back-and-forth as he strode towards the elevator.

If he wanted to avoid looking like a creep, he had failed miserably, still harboring the hope of just coming across as an eccentric guy. Wealthy people were supposed to be quirky, wasn't that a thing? As the elevator doors closed, he let out the biggest exhalation ever. Why was this simple interaction so nerve-wracking?

Aiko was wondering why she was being called to the front desk. She had no idea at all, as far as she knew she hadn't messed up this time. No drinks spilled, no dishes misdelivered, even her face was stiff for using her service smile all night. To make things worse, the hotel occupancy was barely above ten percent, there was no excuse in case she did messed up something.

"Hey, Kenji. What happened? Don't tell me someone complained? I swear I haven't messed up anything yet!" Aiko quickly blurted out, already anxious despite not knowing what her fault was.

"Yet?", the man behind the reception arched an eyebrow before shaking his head. "Never mind that, although I hope you continue without messing things up. No, the client on the penthouse said you forgot something there. Although he looked a bit nervous and didn't tell me what, nor did he bring that alleged stuff here."

Aiko let out a big, tired exhalation. "Why must I attract the weird, creepy ones? I swear..." she said as she slumped her shoulders, mortification on her face.

"Shall I call security? By your face, I suppose you did not forgot anything in his room," Kenji offered with understanding. "Although you know if the client makes a big issue out of this, the owner most certainly will scold you," Kenji added with a shrug. They both knew that the best course of action was leaving the guest alone, but there was a chance he kept pestering Aiko.

"No, don't worry. But thanks, Kenji. I guess the faster I go, the better. I'd rather be the only one scolded if things get out of hand, besides... he seemed a bit creepy but at least, unlike the past incident, he did keep his hands to himself."

"I do remember, Mister Saburo did cause quite the scene after you slapped him. Although Saburo was okay with sweeping things under the rug to avoid a public scandal. But what did this..." Kenji paused a second to check the digital guestbook, "Mister Axel Kanazawa. Wait, his surname rings a bell", with a frown he started to search on the internet. "Yes, as I guessed. Axel Kanazawa, heir of the Gold Tech Corporation, the biggest technology company of Japan and the first Hectocorn of the country."

Aiko felt the blood drain from her face, as Kenji kept talking about the fortune of this Axel. Hectocorn? Weren't those companies worth hundred of billions? What did such a big shot want with her? And what would happen if she angered him? 

"Aiko... what have you done? Who did you mess up with this time?" Kenji asked with a preoccupied look, his brow furrowed as he stared at the poor waitress.