Adrian Vermont

The hotel lobby was bathed in dim light and the scent of expensive perfume. Adrian Vermont entered the hall with the impeccable grace of a man accustomed to control. His vacation was meant to begin without fuss, following a meticulously planned schedule.

He approached the reception desk, his movements sparse and precise. He was already imagining spending the evening with a book in his room, savoring his long-awaited solitude.

— Good evening. I have a reservation under the name Adrian Vermont.
His low, velvety voice rang out in the silence of the lobby, perfectly measured.

Instead of a key, there followed a strange, drawn-out pause. The receptionist looked flustered, constantly checking her monitor.

— I am so sorry, but there has been a mistake...
The employee's voice sounded apologetic.
— There was a technical glitch. The room you booked was mistakenly assigned to another guest.

Adrian tilted his head slightly to the side. Not a shadow of panic reflected in his eyes, only a faint, cold irritation.

— A double booking?
His voice was low and steady.
— And what solution does the hotel propose?

— We are fully booked...
The receptionist swallowed hard.
— The only option is to reach an agreement with the guest who checked into your room about an hour ago.

Adrian paused for a moment, and the silence became heavy, almost palpable.

— So, you are suggesting I spend the rest of the evening in the same space as a complete stranger? Because of a system error?
His tone became frighteningly polite, which was always a sign of his extreme irritation. He adjusted his shirt cuff, as if restoring his control over reality.
— I trust you understand how unacceptable this is.

The receptionist apologized and called the second guest to come down to the lobby.

— I am not interested in shared accommodations. That is not up for discussion.
Adrian cut her off, gripping the handle of his suitcase. His patience was at its limit.

When the elevator doors opened, a thick, tense silence hung in the air. Adrian slowly turned his head, his sharp, searching gaze locking onto the figure stepping out of the elevator. He had no intention of compromising, but circumstances forced him to wait for an explanation.

— So... you are the so-called "second guest"?
He spoke.
— It seems we have a mutual problem. How shall we resolve it?