Chapter Seventeen

As we pulled up to the Ritz Carlton there were no reporters or fans, our accommodation for now had not been leaked,  I was temporarily relieved,  it was nice getting out of the car and being able to walk up the steps to the hotel without being hounded.  As precaution, old habits die hard and I still wore my baseball cap and glasses and only removed them as we stood in the entrance to the hotel.

 

We all surveyed the lobby then made to start the walk to the check in when The manager who's name was Gary, presented himself in front of us, extending his hand he welcomed us all to the Ritz Carlton, telling  us there were bottles of champagne in all our rooms and that if we wanted to eat there; the six course meal was given as courtesy from the hotel. I replied for us all with a simple thank you. nodding he said,

"this way gentlemen to register" without talking we followed,  all checked in, we turning and headed towards the elevator, but were stopped when the manager could be heard calling my name.

"Mr jovi, Mr Jovi sir, one more thing" I turned and walked back and met with the manager coming towards me; 

"sir, can I enquire, should any female person arrive to the hotel requesting your room, what are your instructions?" he smiled at me and stood close and tapped his nose and winked an indication as to what he was talking about.

I could not believe the less than professional conduct of this man, it normally took a lot to piss me off but this guy had managed to do it in minutes of meeting me, something of a record.

Leaning in towards him, I snapped my reply,

" unless I tell you ahead of time I am expecting company of anyone male or female, you do not under any circumstances send them to my room,  or disclose by phone call or in person that i am staying in this establishment, I trust you can do that, you do seem reasonably intelligent?"
He stood looking at me, bright red in colour, then nodding his head he replied " but of course sir" adding as I walked back to the guys and the elevator

" just call front desk if there is anything I can do for you,"

with my back to him I raised my hand in gesture acknowledging him, and dismissing him at the same time. I missed the previous manager,

having stayed at the Ritz before Adrian was much better suited in his role and could carry off sincerity with dignity, this guy, well it was like eating loads of jello and ice cream and realising to late when you barf it was too much,  and I had no doubts at all that if the press came round looking for me, he would leak where I was in a second.

 

In my minds eye's this guy had no moral standards other than to better his own welfare and gain.

I was relieved we would only have to stay for two nights, and I would make a note to Di not to book us in to the hotel again unless the management had changed.

 

Catching up to the guys we made our way to the elevator and to our rooms,  Rich asked,

" you look pissed, everything alright?"

"Yeah, its good." I tried my best to smile but Rich knew me too well as did Dave and Teek,

"What the little shit want?"

" he wanted to ask if there would be any females calling to the hotel to see me, then tapped his nose and winked to let me know he understood."

"What a fucking ass"

"You told him right?"

"I politely put him in his place.."

"all three responded and at the same time,

"Yeah I bet you did"

Laughing the ride to our floor the banter between us was good.

 

As the elevator came to a stop, we exited and made our way to our rooms, the guys were in good spirits, It was rare, for us as mostly on tour when we arrived in town we would have had a gig the same night, but this was a rare rest day so the time now till tomorrow nights gig was totally our own. 

I knew my plans, I was meeting my lawyer but knowing the other guy's as well as I did I would bet $100 bucks that Teek and Dave would go out and take a trip out round the city, and Rich will just want to sleep, as he said to me on the drive over, I was to blame for him being awake most of the night, and what pissed him off was I wasn't the blonde he imagined staying up for.  

Saying bye to the guys I unlocked my door and walked into my suite, putting my bag on the floor, I needed a drink, opening the mini bar, I took out a bottle of chardonnay adding ice I poured the wine into a glass and walked around the room.

Opening the drapes and the veranda 

doors I stepped out onto the balcony, I surveyed the area and despite the hustle and bustle below, the tranquility from the pent house was alluring, I sat and just enjoyed being alone, it was easy to forget the stress of the last few days and I could feel my body now start to unwind, a big relief and help for when I met with one of the partners later, as my regular lawyer had been called away to some murder accusation, his secretary had rung to tell me the other senior partner Michael Ward would be meeting me, with my mind relaxing I felt great and ready to explain the dilemma I had been forced into, I was enjoying the break and tranquility when a knock on the door broke my concentration. 

Disgruntled I walked to the door and opened it, "Hey Jon baby, miss me?" total horror and disbelief as stood before me again was my nightmare Antonia. 

"what the fuck are you doing here? How the fuck you find out?" 

"Oh baby, that's easy, but I aint telling you all my secrets just yet"