5

The next day, Fayrouz went straight to work without allowing herself much time to rest. As usual, she began taking care of the second floor.

Room after room, she moved between the suites and guest rooms, carrying her cleaning supplies and carefully putting everything in order before moving on to the next room.

As time passed, exhaustion gradually began creeping into her body until she felt as though fatigue had seeped into every part of her, weighing down her limbs.

The work was by no means easy. Long hours spent on her feet, carrying cleaning supplies, bending over to arrange and clean the rooms—all of it drained her energy considerably.

Even so, she could not afford the luxury of complaining.

Despite the hardship, the salary was generous by her standards and covered a significant portion of her needs. She also made sure to save part of it, no matter how small, so she could afford her educational expenses without having to give up her studies.

It was still early in the day. Her shift began in the first hours of the morning and did not end until much later.

After finishing one of her tasks, she returned to the room assigned to her and her colleagues. She set down what she was carrying, then ran her fingers through her fiery hair.

She had kept it tied up throughout her shift so it would not get in her way, but now she let it loose, and its long strands cascaded down her back, falling freely after being confined for hours.

She took a slow breath, then picked up her empty cup, determined to have her morning coffee in her favorite spot—that little sitting area overlooking the sea, where she could steal a few quiet minutes before returning to the chaos of work.

But just as she was about to leave, she was startled when Nouran blocked her path.

Nouran was approaching her in hurried steps, nearly stumbling from the urgency in her movements. Her breathing was rapid, and her features were tense with anxiety and fear.

Fayrouz stared at her in confusion before setting her cup aside.

“Fayrouz... I need your help. Quickly.”

Fayrouz furrowed her brows, noticing her obvious distress.

“What happened? Calm down first and catch your breath.”

Nouran placed a hand over her chest, trying to steady her breathing, then spoke in a trembling voice.

“Layla... my daughter. I can’t find her.”

Fayrouz’s eyes widened in shock as Nouran hurriedly continued.

“I left her in the room here, then went upstairs to clean one of the suites. When I came back... she was gone.”

Silence fell for a few seconds before Fayrouz burst out in exasperation.

“Damn it, Nouran! Why did you bring her here in the first place? Did you forget about the guest?! If Mr. Hatem finds out, he’ll fire all of us!”

Nouran bit the tips of her fingers in terror, shaking her head helplessly.

“I don’t know what to do... My mother left the city to see a doctor, and I couldn’t leave Layla home alone. I had no choice but to bring her with me... Please, help me.”

Fayrouz sighed in frustration before grabbing her arm, forcing her to stop trembling.

“Okay, just calm down. We’ll look for her. She couldn’t have gone far.”

But Nouran quickly shook her head, as though she had suddenly remembered something even more urgent.

“Mr. Hatem assigned me another suite to clean. If I don’t go there now, he’ll fire me.”

Fayrouz stared at her in disbelief.

“You’re thinking about the suite right now?! Your daughter is missing, Nouran!”

“I know... But what am I supposed to do? If I don’t go, he’ll fire me, and I can’t afford to lose my job either.”

She then took Fayrouz’s hand and squeezed it pleadingly, adding in a low voice filled with fear,

“Please... look for her for me. Just until I finish the suite and come back to you.”

Fayrouz stared at her for a few moments before letting out a frustrated sigh. She knew she could not leave her friend in such a state.

“All right. Go do your job, and I’ll look for her. But if I find her, I’ll be the one scolding you for putting me in this situation.”

Nouran nodded quickly before rushing down the corridor.

Fayrouz remained where she was for a few moments, watching in the direction Nouran had disappeared.

Then she turned around, muttering anxiously,

“All right, Layla... where did you hide?”