Matthias POV

A sneeze pulls me away from my comfortable slumber. I crack my eyes open and blink a few times to chase the fatigue away. Yawning, I push my blanket off of my body before heading to the bathroom to relieve myself. Flushing the toilet, I wash my hands and brush my teeth. Then, I return to bed and grab my phone. I read all the emails I received throughout the night before reading the news.

It looks like my little brother, Nikolas, has made the news again. Apparently, he completed some important business deals that will raise his network of a few million. Then, come all the description of NorthStar Imperial, an enterprise consisting of hotels and restaurants, which was handed over by Michael, our dad.

I can’t imagine why he likes working in that company. It’s so boring and restricted. He can’t even go shit without the journalist writing about his golden discharge. I remember the time when he publicly announced that he was going to marry Micah. Everyone went wild. It was as if the last bachelor on Earth went gay and the women died of depression and shock. I can already imagine the headlines when their child is born.

As for poor old me, I prefer a life of leisure and freedom. Of course, it cost me a lot of effort and time since I had to contribute to the family legacy. Therefore, I created some hotels that my brother manages for me. With Nikolas as the heir of the company, I am now free to do anything I want.

I am about to close my eyes and go back to sleep when someone knocked at the door. I frowned, but I still decide to ignore it. Without a word, I hear the person behind the door open it as high heels resounded in my entire bedroom.

The woman pulls my blanket away from me before sighing loudly. “Sir Matthias, I know you’re awake. Please stop looking like a fool and get dressed. A Pure of your importance can’t go supervise your coven naked.”

“Sometimes, I wonder if you’re even a woman,” I answer as I catch the flying clothes that were about to hit my face. “No women ever refused me as you do every morning.”

“We have no time for your jokes Sir. We have a busy day ahead of us,” she ignores me as she looks at the IPad in her hands before reading my schedule.

“I suppose you already did all that,” I cut her off as I sit up cross-legged on my bed with my private parts covered up.

She sighs once again before nodding. “Yes, I did. The covens are done renovating. The vampires in need of a home are applying, and the staff are taking their duty seriously. There’s no sign of abnormalities in the applications or the acceptance rate. Every candidate has their background thoroughly checked, and no mercy is given when they have ulterior motives.”

“We can’t let another event like that one happen ever again. My covens are supposed to be a safe haven for innocent vampires to find a home and live in peace. I will not tolerate any mistakes,” I warn my secretary as I’m sure that my eyes have changed colour while the air in the room started to suffocate her.

“Needless to say, everything will be accomplished to your satisfaction,” she bowed as I can sense her fighting against her fear.

“Good! Now that is done, I suppose my day has been freed?” I ask cheerfully as I’m ready to jump off of the bed to do whatever I want.

“Regrettably, you have some guests waiting for you in the main living room,” she informs me as I frown at her since I was not expecting any guests today.

“Who?”

“Sir Michael and Madam Alice.”

“Inform them I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yes, Sir.”

I wonder what they want this time. It is never only for tea when they trouble themselves to come to visit. They definitely want something from me and since my mother is here as well, it can only be for one thing.

I quickly get dressed in something more presentable than just a pair of boxers before meeting my parents. It’s not like I care what kind of clothes I’m wearing. I’ll look handsome no matter what I wear. I could walk naked on the street and get away with it with no charges or penalties. But no matter what I want or say, it’ll always be appearances that will go first. We are not only successful in the human industry, but we are also very affluent in the vampire world. No matter what I do, people are watching and gossiping.

Having too much free time on our immortal hands is quite troublesome. But if you look at the human species, they are different from us. They are so fickle but short-lived while vampires are stagnant creatures that will never change. Sometimes I wonder if…

“Matthias!” my mum called as she envelops me in her slender arms while placing a kiss on my cheek.

“Mum, how are you doing?” I smile as I lead her back to the sofa that she has been sharing with her mate.

“Quite good in fact. Did you hear about the wonderful news?” she asks as she takes Michael’s hand into her own after he puts down his cup of coffee on the table.

I nod before moistening my lips. “About the company?”

“Yes, Nikolas has done a marvellous job once again,” Alice praises her second son. “Why don’t you join him? With both my sons at the head of the NorthStar Imperial, we could make so much progress much more quickly.”

“Mum, we already talked about that. We had a deal and since I fulfilled my part, you should do yours,” I explain while referring to the numerous hotels I created and elevated from scratch.

“But this was almost fifty years ago. You know sometimes I worry about how inactive you are,” she frowns with a slight pout as I sigh while leaning on the chair I am sitting on.

“I am taking care of my convents. They need me the most right now.”

“Delegating all your tasks to your secretary. Is that what you call taking care of? And don’t you dare say that you’re busy.”

“What is the real problem? I am aware that we are financially secure for the next fifty years or so even if there were to be another market crash like the one in 1929.”

“We are losing clients against another luxurious hotel brand. People start to say that the Imperial Hotels are... Out of date,” dad finally explains as everything starts to become a little clearer.

“I see,” I mumble while massaging my temple. I already know what is coming next. This is going to be a pain in the neck.

“We are only asking you to revamp the hotels and crush the competitors at the same time,” my mum adds innocently with one of her signature smiles.

“Alright. The hotels are indeed my responsibility, and I’ll take care of it as soon as possible. Is there anything else?” I ask as I fill my mum’s empty cup with some fresh hot tea.

“Did you find your mate?” she raises an eyebrow as the lower part of her face is hidden by the cup of tea.

“Why? Are you in need of grandchildren already?” I tease as chuckles.

“Yes, I am. You won’t deprive me of this little pleasure for too long, right?”

“I haven't found my mate yet, but it should be sooner than you think.”

After chatting for a short while, my parents left after refusing my invitation to stay for lunch since they already have something else planned. Finally alone, I collapse on a chair with a sigh. This hotel thing will be a pain in the ass. I should get it done as soon as possible.

Therefore, I grab my car keys and head to the garage. Unlocking my vehicle, I climb into the vehicle and glide my hand on the wheel enjoying the feeling of the leather under my hand. After igniting the car, I am headed toward the infamous hotel.

Before leaving I researched a few facts about it and apparently, the restaurant there is top-notch. Well then, why not give it a try. I should book a room too when I am at it and try all the services they offer. Maybe book an appointment for a full body massage at the spa or go soak in their fancy baths that have medicinal properties. But of course, the main objective is to collect information since it is essential to the success of the operation. Yeah, let’s do that. It is for the sake of research.

Arrived at my destination, I grab my sunglasses before getting out of the car. I give the keys to the valet and head into the luxurious hotel. I see. They did put some effort into the decorating and the architecture of the building. They built it in a way to make it feel like it has a historical background. Plus, three immaculate red carpets are leading to three rotating golden doors. It is elegant and simple. There is no excess of luxury to make it feel too tacky or untasteful.

The inside is similar to the exterior. The walls are white while it has some golden touches here and there. It may look old, but it is not outdated. I walk toward the reception and ask for a room to stay overnight.

“Is there a royal suite available? If so, I would like to reserve it for a night,” I ask the receptionist after she greets me with a rehearsed smile.

“Of course, please allow me to verify Sir,” she answers as she swiftly types on her keypad.

“Would you like it on the high or low floor, Sir?”

“Let’s see. I’ll get the high floor with a King bed, one extra feather pillow, one foam pillow, extra towels and a no smoker room.” I request to the staff who is still politely smiling.

“Of course, would you like anything else?” she asks, and I shake my head negative. “Then, it’ll be nine thousand and nine hundred dollars plus tax. Which comes to a total of eleven thousand seven hundred eighty-one dollars.”

I take out my card and swipe it before inserting my password. She then informs me that my room will be ready in three hours before giving me the key. I thank her and headed to the opposite side of the elevator. Let’s try the food first.

At the entrance of the building, I saw the restaurant on the left side of the hotel. As expected, it is open to the public too which means you don’t need to be a customer of the hotel to be able to eat there. No wonder our customers call the Imperial Hotels outdated.

As soon as I step inside the restaurant, I am cheerfully greeted by the hostess. She gives me a seat near the window with the menu. Soon after, the waiter arrives with a cold glass of water. As he served me through my meal, I made sure to talk to him while asking questions about the restaurant and hotel.

“Are you an influencer Sir?” the waiter asks when he gives me the bill warily while I take out my card.

“An influencer?” I look at the man with confusion on my face. What the hell is that? “Haha, no, I am not. I just like to keep track of where I eat.”

“A blogger then? Or maybe a critic?” he asks as I give him back the payment terminal before sitting up from my chair.

“T-thank you and hope to see you again, Sir,” he says nervously surely fearing that he messed up as I walk out of the restaurant.

I look at the watch on my wrist and see that I still have time before checking in. So, I give my number to the valet and wait for him to get my car. While waiting, I notice a lot of our old customers coming and going from both the restaurant and hotel. No wonder mum and dad were so frantic. Business must have really dropped.

I give a tip to the valet and climb into my car and head toward one of the Imperial Hotels. Using the Bluetooth function I call Nikolas.

“Matthias,” my little brother greets me with a low groan.

I roll my eyes already knowing what they are doing. “I’m going to one of our hotels on XX Street. Contact the general manager for me and inform him to be in the lobby in thirty minutes.”

“Sure thing,” I hear him grit his teeth before moaning.

“Don’t you dare forget! You guys are insatiable bunnies!” I shout at him as I end the call.

A shiver runs through my entire body as I shake it off. This was something I didn’t want to hear. I understand they have needs and all, but please don’t rub it in everyone’s face. We are not interested to see everything! I would go blind if I see them have sex and then I’ll go to China, shave my head and become a monk.

Thankfully when I get there, the manager is here to greet me. He has a smile on his face, but I can smell his anxiety since I never call him. He must be wondering what is going on. He gives me a tour of the hotel as I scrutinize everything from the decoration to the staff service. I click my tongue each time I see something that displeases me and the manager is now sweating like a pig.

“You’re fired,” I firmly say when we were about to reach the kitchen for the restaurant.

“S-sir?” he meekly asked in confusion before I start glaring at him. “M-may I inquire what displeased you? I can fix it! Please give me a second chance.”

“No need. You’re not the general manager of this place anymore. Security will help you pack your stuff out,” I nodded at the guards as they escorted the shocked man out of my sight.

I don’t know what that manager was doing for an entire ten years, but it is surely not managing this place. The staff aren’t well trained, the bedsheets were wrinkled, the decoration must be coming from my great-great-grandparents salon as well as the room freshener and the food I saw coming out from the kitchen to the customers was garbage. No wonder people call the Imperial Hotels outdated and it is extremely generous of them.

I sigh when I realize that I just dismissed the man who was running this hotel. Who’s going to take care of it now? And how many hotels do we own? This is going to be a long day.