Simone Alvarez greeted me with a professional smile.
“How can I help you, Mrs.
Kellan?”
“I need to modify the group reservation I booked.”
She pulled up the account.
I handed her my confirmation and the flexible cancellation terms.
“I’d like to discontinue my authorization for future group charges,” I said.
“Please cancel the unused nights that are eligible under this agreement.
I’ll pay any legitimate cancellation fees and keep my own suite on a separate account.
The other guests can make their own payment arrangements.”
Simone read the contract carefully.
“That’s possible,” she said.
“Your prepaid first night won’t be refunded, and there are some nonrecoverable charges, but we can process the remaining changes under your agreement.”
“That’s fine.”
She looked at me with restrained curiosity.
“Would you like me to notify the other guests?”
“Yes.
Politely.
Give them the opportunity to pay for the rooms they wish to keep.”
I didn’t want anyone dragged out of bed or publicly humiliated.
I wanted the financial arrangement to reflect reality.
They were adults on an expensive vacation.
They could decide whether the vacation was worth paying for.
Simone completed the modifications and issued a new confirmation for my suite.
I thanked her and moved to a nearby table with my coffee.
I had barely taken three sips when Helena appeared.
She was wearing a silk blouse and carrying a designer handbag that probably cost more than my first laptop.
Miles walked behind her, followed by Grant and Arden.
“What exactly have you done?” Helena demanded.
Several guests turned toward us.
I set down my cup.
“Good morning, Helena.”
“Don’t good-morning me! Our breakfast package isn’t showing on the account, the spa says my reservation needs payment, and the front desk says we have to provide our own cards if we’re staying!”
“That’s correct.”
Miles stepped forward.
“Iris, this is childish.”
“Which part?”
“Punishing everyone because you couldn’t take a joke.”
I looked directly at him.
“You left me alone at the resort while everyone went to dinner.
Your mother made a speech about using me for money.
You laughed.
And this morning, you told me I was the problem.”
“It was supposed to be funny.”
“Then you enjoyed it.
You don’t need me to pay for it as well.”
Helena slammed her handbag onto the counter.
“You would shame your husband’s parents over a few thousand dollars?”
“No,” I answered.
“I’m setting a price on disrespect.
And you’re discovering that the price is the money you have to spend yourselves.”
Grant rubbed his forehead.
Arden stopped recording.
Helena pointed at Simone.
“Tell her to restore our services.
My son arranged additional activities and they’re already booked.”
Simone remained calm.
“Those additional charges are being reviewed separately, Mrs.
Kellan.
The authorization on the family master account doesn’t cover all of them.”
“What charges?” I asked.
Simone hesitated.
Then she retrieved a folder from beneath the counter.
“There are individual guest expenses from yesterday totaling $7,460.
Dining, private transportation, and spa bookings.
Those remain the responsibility of the guests who approved them.”
Helena frowned.
“Miles said Iris would handle them.”
Simone continued.
“There is also a separate event agreement that we need to discuss with Mr.
Kellan.”
Miles suddenly moved closer.
“That isn’t relevant.”
“It is relevant,” Simone replied, “because the event
