🎄The Center (3 book series)

I live in a small town, and when I was twenty, my grandfather passed away. He left me with a large amount of money. Unlike other people my age, I did something unexpected. I purchased a historic building across from our local courthouse and converted it into a meeting center where people could rent offices, meeting rooms, and event rooms that held up to fifty people. Our event rooms had refrigerators to keep things cold. Being a savvy person, I also purchased vending machines for people to buy office supplies, snacks, drinks, and coffee. On the fourth floor of the building, I converted it into my own apartment and storage area. Three years later, I am running a thriving business and making my own way. However, in small towns, things can change in an instant, and one day, everything in our small town changed.

The morning everything changed, I woke up at six in the morning. Looking at my appointment book, I saw a few rooms had been reserved for that morning. Getting out of bed, I dressed in my business casual and started my day. Making breakfast and coffee, I went down to the office near the doors that led to the stairs for either business or events. Placing my breakfast on the desk, I flipped the sign to open and sat at my desk to answer emails. Slowly, people came in and I sent them to their meeting rooms they had reserved. Most of the offices were lawyers who did not have offices locally and wanted a home base for the day or week. 

Replying to people wanting to rent a space the door chimed and I heard, "Good morning Ella."

Knowing the voice I said, "Hello Katherine I did not see your name on the reservation list for today."

Katherine sighed and said, "I know I was wondering if I could rent an office from you for the next two weeks."

"Oh no that is not a happy face," I said.

She sighed and said, "I was brought out here due to issues with a facility my company owns and was told I would need to be here for two weeks. Thankfully, the bed and breakfast had vacancies as I hate going to the motels here."

Chuckling I said, "I understand let me see what I have available."

Pulling up her account I said, "You were just here three weeks ago. You would think they would let you have one month away. You're in luck, I have room 4 on the third floor available for two weeks straight so you would not need to move offices."

"I'll take it," She said. 

"Okay give me a minute and let me get the paperwork printed," I said. Filling out the information on the computer, I filled everything out and asked, "Do you want me to do two one for each week?"

"Only one deposit correct," She asked. "The place I use in miami makes me do two deposits."

"Katherine you are one of my return customers and I have never had an issue with you," I said. "Normally, I would charge two deposits for a stranger. You are not one, though. You know the drill once the door is locked for the night use the door that attaches to my personal stairwell if you need to be here late or come in early."

Katherine smiled and said, "As always, you are the best. Is the restuarant still open till nine?" She asked.

Handing her a paper with all the local eateries, entertainment and stores. She looked at it and said, "This is new."

Smiling I said, "Business has picked up, and I have had a lot of new business. I also put the eateries' website if they have one and marked which ones do delivery or allow only ordering. If they come after hours, use the alternate door and have them alert you when they are here."

"Thank you Ella," She said. "Time to get set up. When are the doors locking tonight?"

"Six the rest of the week," I said. After charging her card for the deposit and the next two weeks, I handed her the key to her office. She took the keys and headed up to her office.

Katherine- HR for local company

offices (15), meeting rooms(10), and event rooms(2)

• first floor: O, O, O, Event room, M, M, M
• Second floor: O, O, O, O, Event Room, M, M
• Third floor: O, O, O, O, O, O, O, M, M, M, M, M