Chapter 7 - Another Surprise (2/2)
”I'm not just anyone else, Miss Finland. For me privacy is very important. I don't like people knowing what I do or whom I meet.”
”I understand,” said Finland. ”Does that mean I also can't know your full name? The card you gave me only had one name written on it. Or do you only have one name like me?”
”I have a quite a long family name, but it's enough for you to know me as Caspar. I don't think a family name is important anyway. Many great people are known only by their first name, right? Madonna, Raphael, Galileo ... Don't be sad if you don't have a family name. Family names are overrated.”
Finland was stunned. Her best friend, Jean, said the exact same thing!
”Funny, Jean also said that. He is a supermodel, and his dream is to be known only as 'Jean'. He said that if someone succeeds in being known by their first name, like Madonna or Kesha, that means they have achieved real success. I thought he was just saying that to console me, because I only had one name. ”
Jean again. Caspar was starting to feel sick of that name.
”So, have you found a new apartment? I assume you would want to move out of Jean's apartment soon, right? ”
”Eh... yeah, I'll start looking for rental rooms after I get my first salary. I will start working Monday. So next month, I will have the money to move out. The deposit cost also concerns me, so I have to budget carefully. ”
”Why don't you just stay in this hotel? You can stay for free until you get your salary, then you can find your own apartment.” Caspar said suddenly. Finland gasped.
”Ah, you're joking… don't be too outrageous... hahahaha ...”
”I'm serious. This hotel is mine.”
Finland gaped her mouth but could not say anything. This was all too shocking.
”Se... seriously, this is your hotel?”
”Well, technically not yet. But I was talking to the owner just now to buy this hotel.”
”Don't overdo it... Thank you, but, uh, I can't accept it. Sorry.” Suddenly Finland felt uneasy. She remembered Jean's words ”if he is too good to be true, he probably is...”
She began to worry that the man in front of her might be an elaborate scammer. Maybe he wanted to impress Finland so hard, make her fall in love with him, and then trap and sell her to the human trafficking network. Suddenly she felt short of breath.
”Um ... I'm not feeling well. I have to go home now ...” she stood up slowly, her face pale.
”Now? You still have dessert, you know ...”
”It... it's okay ... I'm not feeling well.”
Ugh, what if this Caspar is a truly a scammer? He knew where she lived! Ahhhh ...
”I'll take you home then.”
”No... no, I just take a taxi.”
Finland rushed out of the restaurant feeling uneasy. On her way out, she was surprised to see her three evil high school friends arguing with the hotel receptionist.
”What the fuck is this? We booked our rooms until Monday. Why do we have to leave now? I want to talk to your manager!”
”Sorry, ma'am. This is an order from the higher ups. You are welcome to look for another hotel. All the fees you have paid for your stay have been refunded to your credit card. Good night.”
The on-duty receptionist and manager no longer responded to the their angry wails.
”What kind of hotel is this? We will give you a really bad review. You'll see!”
The three girls carried their suitcases and called for a taxi in rage. She waited for them to leave before ordering her own taxi.
In the taxi she pondered, could it be that they were kicked out of the hotel on Caspar's request? She thought of the instructions Caspar had given to the hotel staff before dinner.
She frowned and was deep in thoughts. Who is this Caspar really... Was everything he said true? Finland felt a tinge of regret for leaving in such a hurry.
But... really, she was overwhelmed by everything she experienced so far and she was afraid that she would be hurt again. She doesn't have anyone in this world, so she must take care of herself. She shouldn't easily trust people.