Weekends were the worst. Not only would my father be prowling the hotel every minute of the day, but I’d have to contend with all those happy families and couples coming to Vegas, checking in. The more time I spent learning every aspect of hotel management, per my father’s orders, the more I dreaded the day when I’d have to take over this place.

“Kate!” My father shouted from the break room.

Slowly, I pushed my chair back and stood, taking an extra second to control my facial expressions. God forbid, I should look as annoyed as I felt. Then I wandered back to meet my father. “Yes, James.”

“What’s wrong with my coffee?” He lifted the pod and held it for my inspection. I didn’t need to look, since I ordered them.

“It’s decaffeinated.” I leaned against the doorframe and crossed my arms over my chest, readying myself for a fight.

He puffed out his chest, showing he was ready too. “And why is it decaffeinated? Do you think I drink this crap for the taste? Absofuckinglutely not!”

“Then add more sugar. Try one of the flavored creamers. I recommend Hazelnut.” I stood straight and turned on my heels.

“Kate!” He snapped again. “I’m not drinking it.” He threw the pod on the counter for emphasis.

I shrugged. “So don’t. Have the tea. There’s hot chocolate. I also have Sprite, ginger ale, and lemonade in the fridge.” I would’ve walked away then, but he started turning beet red and I knew what would happen next. “Sit down, daddy.” I sighed.

“How many times have I told you not to call me any form of ‘Dad’ in the office?” He clutched at his chest.

“Pretty much daily. Now sit.” I pulled out a seat and backed him into it. Then I squatted beside him and studied him for signs of heart trouble. “Time for one of your Nitroglycerin. Come on.” I reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out the bottle, popped the top, and poured one into my palm. “Here. Under your tongue.” I held it out to him and when he didn’t respond. I simply grasped it between my thumb and forefinger then held it in front of his mouth until he opened for me. Sadly, this was a routine.

I watched and waited, knowing he’d be better soon enough. Until then, I’d stay here with him, like the good daughter. He wouldn’t appreciate it, of course. If only he knew how good I really was. After all, I was still here, even when I didn’t want to be a part of his dream anymore.

Dad dabbed at his forehead with a napkin he found on the table. “I’m fine. Quit hovering over me,” he grumbled. “People will talk.”

I glanced about and rolled my eyes. “It’s Saturday, Dad. Where are all these people you’re convinced are watching, huh?”

He spluttered some, but failed to provide any retort. “You don’t appreciate how hard I’ve worked to give you everything you have.”

“You can’t be serious. And have I not done my fair share around here? I ran the house for years after mom died. I’ve been helping you with the hotels since I was old enough to legally work.” He seemed completely unmoved by my argument. I huffed then walked out of the break room. “If you need me, I’ll be in my office.”

Once I’d made it back to my space, I plopped down in my chair and shifted it to stare out over the Vegas Strip. From my vantage point, I could see the beauty and none of the ugliness of the area. I took a few deep breaths and turned my attention back to the paperwork on my desk. Today I needed to go over counts and order supplies, all the little things which kept the hotel running and hanging on tightly to the four-star rating. We had slipped years ago, but ever since I took over more of the daily operations, we’d clawed our way back. A knock on the door had me lifting my head from the online order form. “Yes, Marie?” I smiled sweetly at her. My assistant kept me sane. Then I frowned. “Hey. You’re supposed to be off today. It’s Saturday.”

“Yes, well, I knew it was month ending and you had those orders to place. And why should you be stuck at the office all alone, especially since I have no life.” She shrugged. “So, I decided to come by and help you. Maybe we could both get out of here at a decent time.” She glanced at her phone. “I plan to see a movie with Marco tonight, but I’m yours until dinner.”

“Thank you!” I gushed. I couldn’t help it. With a smile, I pushed one pile to her. “What if you organize those and then I can quickly input and get the orders placed. We might even get out of here by early afternoon.” I chuckled. “Or at least you will. God knows James will find something else to do.”

Marie shook her head and I could feel her disapproval all the way over here. “He’d be lost without you. I’ve seen everything you do. You could run this place without him, but he couldn’t do it without you. Not anymore. Everything has changed too much in the last ten years.” She shook her head. “He never wanted to be bothered with any of the online aspects of the business.”

I sighed. “Well, the man always wanted to own a casino. He never thought about what it would take to truly run it.”

“Listen, I know you frown on fraternization outside of work, but if you want to get out tonight, you could join us. You never do anything,” she complained.

“I do plenty,” I argued. “I golf. This is why I bought the villa.”

“I’m pretty sure you bought the villa to get away from this place,” Marie mumbled.”

“Let’s just focus on getting this done.” I started at the monitor and pretended I was working, but really, I couldn’t stop thinking about Marie’s comments. She knew me. She knew everything. She knew how much I didn’t want this life. She knew I stayed out of a sense of duty. This was killing me, slowly eating at my soul.

We worked in virtual silence for the next three hours until Marie passed me the last file. “There. Place this order and you’re done.” She grinned. “And thanks for the overtime. I know how James monitors payroll.”

I laughed. “Ah, yes. The one area he watches like a hawk: expenses.” I studied the last file she handed me. “Perfect. I’ll take care of this, but you’re free.”

“Free.” Marie clasped her hands over her heart then she looked at me pointedly. “Imagine what you could do if you were free.” Then before I could respond, she bounced out of the room.

“Well, that was cruel.” I sighed and rubbed my eyes. I was the oldest thirty-year-old I knew. This wasn’t the life I’d imagined. I loved art and design. I was going to be a decorator. Then Mom died. I had to fill her void. There was never a question. I wasn’t asked so I couldn’t decline. My path couldn’t be further from my plan. So, I found joy in making design my hobby. I took the tiny nest egg my mother left me and invested in real estate. Flipping houses in Vegas was simple. After the bottom fell out of the market, they were practically giving the houses away. Only, sometimes, making a living took so much time, there was a none left to make a life.