{"id":578,"date":"2026-02-23T05:08:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T05:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/?p=578"},"modified":"2026-02-23T05:09:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T05:09:27","slug":"the-hotel-concierge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/23\/the-hotel-concierge\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hotel Concierge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Genre: Romance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plot: The perfect person, but they\u2019re only a hologram<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Words to use: Code, online, computer, robot, virtual, reality, touch, sensation, feel, companion, friend, listen, presence, space, time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The taxi edged away from the curb and upwards, back into the sky lane with the next paid fair. Lena gripped her suitcase\u2019s handle with long slim nails painted red and hurried toward the entry. She was greeted by a ruddy man with a thick mustache and dark brown eyes, dressed in classic livery, his gold buttons shining in the dappled sunlight above slicing through the open slats holding the glass of the overhang. She approved of his tailored appearance that matched hers, jacket over a crisp white blouse, and relaxed trousers with kitten heels, gold jewelry of simple elegance, and a fragrance that smelled faintly of wealth and breeding. She had a part to play in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cWelcome to Aurora Grand Hotel, madam,\u201d he said in a french accent and gentle, welcoming smile, as he opened the glass door to allow her across the shiny brass threshold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo far so good,\u201d she said to herself as she returned his smile and nod. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She booked her week-long stay online<\/strong> based on the images and without reading the reviews. The rooms looked luxurious and comforting, something she desperately needed after this last break-up. When she entered the hotel lobby, it wasn\u2019t just a hotel she had entered, but what seemed like the space<\/strong> of a dream, a lovely dream of happiness and contentment. Its lobby rose upward and touched the airy atrium of glass and warm sunlight. Sunlight poured in like streams of melting gold. It was a sensation<\/strong> that felt overwhelming at first, but you took it all in with each lingering area of tension being erased with each footstep. The smell of jasmine and orange permeated the air, a piano played in a corner, soothing and unobtrusive. The reception desk was more of a piece of modern sculpture, molded from pale oak and brushed steel, curving gently along the center of the lobby. Groups of plush seating surrounded it. She stood in the middle and drank it all in, she could feel<\/strong> the knot in her stomach becoming more distinct as the rest of her body relaxed. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure that this was reality<\/strong> and not a dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan I help you, ma\u2019am,\u201d the voice said from behind the desk. The glow of a computer<\/strong> hitting the receptionist\u2019s bald head gave it a green sheen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few yards behind her, a robot<\/strong> with long arms and thick metallic girth effortlessly pushed a tray of covered salvers which she figured held the amazing tasting food they advertised. She couldn\u2019t wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lena kept going toward the desk and friendliness, dragging her suitcase upright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, my name is Lena Carter and I have a room reserved \u2013 a suite overlooking the gardens,\u201d the receptionist started typing, its artificial eyes dark and lifeless. Sadness crept inside momentarily. She wished he was there with her, but it quickly shifted into defiance, angry at the memory of his last expressions of rejection. Screw him, I\u2019ll find someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re checked in,\u201d it said, \u201cI have sent the code to your room to your wrist chip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lena checked her wrist, pressed it and it sent a scan code outside of her body. She nodded and grabbed her bag, heading to the bank of elevators for the emerald wing. Her path crossed by the concierge desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overhead, a simple polished sign read simply: Concierge Services. It was the person behind the desk that drew her eye. He wore a tailored navy jacket, gold tie in a special cravat knot beneath the folded collar of white, crisp shirt. He had dark brown hair, neatly styled almost too perfectly. Is that a person? She asked herself. He had an aura of ease. She looked around and met one of his sky blue eyes. He smiled immediately, warm and human \u2013 very different from the men she usually picked. Lena wasn\u2019t beautiful, but pretty and didn\u2019t have a hard time finding dates, usually average men who turned out to be disappointing. The name plate said Julian. She smiled back and got closer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan I help you with any activities or needs, Lena?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She jolted with the sound of her name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would like to schedule a massage,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d he said with a velvety voice and checked his computer. \u201cFor yourself, or did you bring a companion<\/strong> with you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she giggled, \u201cno companion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He didn\u2019t respond, but flicked a few glances in her direction. His body\u2019s edges slightly shimmered with a catch of the overhead light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is an appointment in the garden spa for late this evening or I have one for tomorrow morning, if you\u2019d prefer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTonight would be wonderful. It\u2019d be a good way to start my vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay, tonight at nine,\u201d he filled out a card and handed it to her. She felt the warmth of his hand when she took the card, a slight touch<\/strong> of fingers and she felt a spark. She smiled at him and turned to leave, not looking behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ride up in the elevator was short. It opened to her floor, she got out and stepped onto the plush carpeting that softened any noise created by her case rambling behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She picked a queen suite. It looked over the interior terrarium. She scanned the key reader with her wrist implant and it gave way gently and she pushed the door open easily. She passed the large bathroom with the walk-in shower, double basin, and soaking tub all made from marble and glass, a sitting room with a modern sofa of velvet, maple side chairs, and splashes of color on a canvas called art, and the bedroom with bright white cozy comforter, deep red curtains of silk damask on both sides of the sliding door to the balcony overlooking the interior atrium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She grabbed the luggage rack from the closet behind the two thick terry cloth robes hanging, mocking her. She took her make-up case from the bag and went to the bathroom. The lights turned on automatically as she entered. She stared at the mirror, looking at her reflection. \u201cWow, Lena, time<\/strong> is not being a friend<\/strong>.\u201d She left her bag on the counter and went to the sitting room. On the coffee table was her virtual<\/strong> assistant. She pressed the button and the woman happily greeted her to the hotel, rattling off all the amenities in and around the hotel and how to get in touch or guests could tell her with the use of a code<\/strong> and she\u2019d be more than happy to help. What she needed was a drink. She changed out of her travelling clothes and into a fitted maroon dress and heels to match and headed back down the elevator. She didn\u2019t want to bother anyone else with her presence<\/strong> like her ex implied, but it couldn\u2019t be helped. She wished she would have listened to her co-worker, she saw right through him and warned her, but the fire burned bright at first and quickly faded. Some relationships are like that, she supposed. Live and learn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lena ignored the negative talk still ringing in her ears and sauntered with confidence in her heels and slinky dress. She entered the dimly lit bar. Heads still turned as she made her way to the row of bar stools, a bartender behind the long wood bar pouring drinks. If someone wanted to be her \u2018friend\u2019, all they had to do is ask and she would listen <\/strong>to any sincere offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She eased herself onto a lush stool of bright red upholstery at the end. She gave a weak smile to the bartender. He had his blond hair long and pulled back into a low ponytail, brown eyes that looked like they’d seen a lot, a square chin with just enough stubble to soften the edges, and red lips that made cherries jealous. He had a slim, muscular build and she imagined his days off were filled with outside physical activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat can I get for you, pretty lady,\u201d he said, returning her smile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA manhattan would hit the spot about now, thanks,\u201d she said, folding her fingers together in prayer, leaning against the countertop. She hoped he couldn\u2019t read her mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cComing up.\u201d He moved deftly, getting a chilled glass and pouring rock hard ice, mixed liquids from memory, stirred and poured into a coupe, garnishing with a cherry and pushed it into her waiting hands with a half-smile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLooks amazing, thanks,\u201d she said. The bartender had more drinks to make and she turned to look out into the bar. Patrons, with their small tables filled with drinks and nibbles of deep-fried varieties, laughed with the ease alcohol gave them. The bar opened in all directions, looking out to the atrium, the indoor pool and the lobby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She sipped her drink from the small narrow straw and looked around vacantly. She opened her phone to check her email. Conversations increased around her as more people came to drink and chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWould you like another,\u201d the bartender asked. She swiveled around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne more,\u201d she replied. He nodded and quickly got to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am here to enjoy my freedom,\u201d she replied, \u201cif you\u2019re curious as to why I am on my own. My boyfriend, uh, ex-boyfriend, decided to end things and left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am sorry, that stinks,\u201d he replied and leaned forward against the counter. Another customer called him over and he tapped the bar and left her with the world beginning to whirl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s enough for now, she thought to herself. It’s not good to get too drunk. She thought then again, he didn\u2019t care anymore, why should she?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She pushed the drink away and got off the bar stool. A few eyes watched her as she left the bar. The concierge was still behind his desk as she passed. It felt like a whim, but she felt compelled to stop. She racked her hazy brain of what she wanted to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan I help you with something, miss?\u201d His smile felt like sunshine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan you escort me to my room?\u201d she plopped in one of the rolling chairs and almost fell out of it. \u201cI am not feeling too well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet me call you someone to help.\u201d He leaned over to grab the phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t help me? How come?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am sorry,\u201d he smiled, \u201cbut, I must stay at my post, but I can find someone you can trust to help you up to your room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you ever leave your desk?\u201d She leaned against the desk, her elbow near the fragrant vase of flowers, her head pressed into her hand. She made circles with her fingers on the smooth wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he replied. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNever?\u201d her brows furrowed, the look of confusion spread across her face. \u201cYou don\u2019t even go home?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have a home,\u201d he replied. He kept her gaze squarely and confident, his aura glowed a glint of gold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho doesn\u2019t have a home?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMe. I don\u2019t have a home. My program is shut off between ten o\u2019clock in the evening and six in the morning. You see \u2013 I am a hologram.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He pushed his hand out beyond his desk and it disappeared. He pulled the arm back and it reappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lena blinked hard, she didn\u2019t want to listen<\/strong>, but it crashed into her consciousness. Not again she thought, \u201cA hologram\u2026well\u2026that\u2019s disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

thanks for reading\u2026If you want to support my stories, please visit buymeacoffee.com\/storytimebyrk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Copyright \u00a9 Rachel D. Knepp 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author\u2019s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means\u2014including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods\u2014without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews or critical articles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Genre: Romance Plot: The perfect person, but they\u2019re only a hologram Words to use: Code, online, computer, robot, virtual, reality, touch, sensation, feel, companion, friend, listen, presence, space, time. The taxi edged away from the curb and upwards, back into the sky lane with the next paid fair. Lena gripped her suitcase\u2019s handle with long […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":579,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,25],"tags":[5,7,92,26,10,11,4,20,12],"class_list":["post-578","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-romance","tag-author","tag-fiction","tag-fictionwriter","tag-romancestory","tag-shortstory","tag-story","tag-storywriter","tag-writer","tag-writingprompts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=578"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/578\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":582,"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/578\/revisions\/582"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=578"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/storytimebyrk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}