Listening to my father I thought I was doing it for the best reasons only for me to realise that he was doing it for his own selfish reasons. Don't get me wrong I love my father dearly but he seriously tricked me into moving back home after I got my degree just so he could have his little girl back home.
Luckily for me, I was the only daughter of Jason and Hannah Reeves. The owners of the 4-star Nevada hotel here in the city. Luck was not on my side just yet as my parents have taken full advantage of using me to their own accord to run errands for them.
"Loretta darling can you pick up your cousin from the train station, oh and pick up some pizza on your way back" My mom called from the bottom of the stairs as I laid down in my bed listening to Billy Eilish on repeat.
I barely made it past my mom with the money she plucked from her purse when I heard my dad shout "wash the range " was he said.
I held back a snarky comment. I know that they loved me but seriously I felt like I should be paid for the number of things I do for them. I really shouldn't make a big deal out of it the hotel was having a big renovation and they were both stressed.
After kissing them both on the cheek I headed outside to the range rover. During my second year in university, I was able to get a lot of money from running the website and blog for the hotel. Dad said that if I got us, 10,000 followers, by my graduation he would pay half for a brand new car for myself.
Since he paid for half he thinks its as much as his as it is mine.
I sat inside and headed for the train station. My cousin Yousef was coming to London for a week. He had this interview with a tech company and mom suggested he stay with us which only seemed fair.
I pulled into the car park and searched for him. I laughed when I saw him, he wasn't hard to miss. His usual dark blonde hair was hidden underneath a baseball cap and he was decked out in what I assume was Adidas.
I peeped my horn and waited for him to look my way. His eyes went huge when he saw the car I was in. It's nice to know he appreciates a car more than his blood-related cousin.
" what did you do to convince daddy J to get you this" he whistles stalking around the car. I sat inside impatient.
" I deserved this actually, worked hard for it too. Will, you get in already"
I could hear him laugh as he opened the boot and placed his bags inside.
" Please Please Please your mom won't love me if I come empty-handed" Seth begged me as soon as we finished grabbing the pizza.
"Why didn't you get them earlier" I groaned I really didn't want to go anywhere else.
" because I didn't want them to get ruined I thought my favourite cousin would help me out too" what a little shit. Those words might work on my mother but not me.
That's why you're parked in the Tesco carpark right Loretta.
Shut up.
Reluctantly I followed in after my cousin. We looked around the flower section and ended up buying these white orchids which were my mom's favourite. But it's not like she needed anymore.
I grabbed a packet of M&M's on my way through the aisled with Seth.
"Don't you remember when we baked that cake and your dad went crazy on us" Seth reminded me as we passed the bakery section.
How could I forget, he was livid that day but in the end, when two 6-year-olds were staring up at you flour all over them and fingers covered in chocolate you really can't stay mad forever.
"Oh peanut what did you do"
I stared up my dad my fingers feeling sticky and seeing the angry look he was giving me. I instantly felt bad knowing that I did something bad.
"I'm sorry daddy" I lowered my head.
Seth started crying beside me. I placed a hand on his arm. " it's okay sethy I'll take the blame" I whispered into his ear.
I took a brave step forward.
I was prepared to declare full blame when I noticed daddy wasn't angry anymore. No this was my dad smiling.
" You look funny," I said staring up at him.
I was worried that mom would be down soon and that wouldn't be good she can really get angry.
" oh, I look funny now"
I looked down at myself. Realising that I was covered in white and dark brown colours.
I burst out laughing. I fully remember that day and so do my parents.
" Important announcement, can any off duty medics, nurses or firefighters please offer assistance at the Nevada blue hotel on bakers street ... there's been a fire"
I saw the beautiful white Lilies drop from Seth's hands before I even had the time to react.
" Ret c'mon let's go" Seth grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him.
" I'm faster give me the keys" Seth yelled when we arrived at the car.
I barely had any control over my brain or body, Seth ended up taking the keys from me but I realised that it was quicker to go by foot.
"Loretta wait" Yousef shouted after me but I was already halfway around the corner. I ran out of the parking and crossed the street not even caring about the cars passing by and honking.
Sirens were all I could hear as I approached the hotel. The big driveway and entrance were littered with police cars, ambulances and fire engines trying to stop the fire. There was so much smoke I struggled to breathe.
Seth arrived with the car, he practically shoved cones and police tape out of the way as he pulled up.
" Shit," he said his eyes taking in everything. He glanced at me and saw me bent over coughing. He ran back to the car and returned, shoving my inhaler into my hand.
"look, there they are, come on ret they're fine" Seth managed to drag me past the police officers and towards my parents.
Dad was crouched down on the floor his head in his hands as mom embraced him from behind no doubt trying to comfort him.
" Daddy" I whispered crouching down to his level. Mom stepped back and let me in.
Dad lifted his head and stared me dead in the eyes. There was once so much life and energy in those brown eyes and now it's come to this.
" Honey, it's gone" he whispered, his voice sounding broken. I held back the tears as I embraced my dad's large frame. I was completely at a loss for words.
How do you make sense of this?
My dad worked years to get this hotel to where it is now. My dad had a terrible upbringing with his father and ended up leaving home and working absurd hours to be able to afford to start a business with the help of an architecture he met.
I felt bad, sick to my stomach actually because only a year ago the hotel was close to closing due to not being able to keep with our funds. Dad would continue to help me out at uni. When he could have been spending it on this hotel.
"Dad it's not gone, we can still save it," I said bringing his large hands into mine. Many times, dad has wrapped his arms around me comforting me over the stress of uni or a breakup but this time I needed to be there for him.
He didn't say anything.
" Darling the fire is nearly out we can't do much here" dad shook his head at my mom.
"with all due respect sir I think its best if you head home. We have control over the fire now we will provide you with more information throughout the evening" A firefighter said coming over to us.
We ended up having to drag dad away.
The car ride was silent as we made our way back home. I was completely lost for words, mom and Seth were scared to say anything for dad's sake.
What we were greeted with at home was shocking to all of us. Surrounding our house was flowers and signs all showing their support for us. Our neighbourhood was private and quiet so this was strange for us to see.
"oh wow," Seth mumbled pulling into our driveway.
Mom helped Dad out the car and walked up to the house.
I watched him disappear inside the house.
"Retty" I heard someone shout. I turned around just in time to catch my best friend Tammy racing down the driveway. She wrapped her hands around me.
"I'm so sorry babe, I was so worried I thought you were in there" she cried into my shoulder and that was when I broke down.
I was holding it in for so long I continued to cry there as she comforted me. We're in trouble here. We weren't a rich family, running a hotel isn't easy and we have been struggling and now this.
I don't know why but I feel like it was my fault. If I didn't empty my parent's pockets by going to uni and asking for expensive things.
" Hey babe we should go inside the media are coming" I looked around and reporters were pulling up and photos were being taken.
I nodded my head and we walked inside.
When we arrived inside the house I spotted three big mugs on the landing table.
A weak smile made its way onto my face. Hot chocolates were a way of my mom saying it was going to be okay.
But I was stupid enough to think that hot chocolate could solve everything.
