Chapter 3 (Three times is enough)

   (Aurora)

*Two days letter(Monday evening)*

  The event of the past week has been the strangest, the eeriest dream ever and a painful heartbreak but I still have to make a living.

"Why are you getting ready, I thought your shift was later in the night?" Zeoy asked with her mouth full of food while pressing her phone.

"I owe my colleague a cover," my voice came out weak while she raised an eyebrow at me.

"still having weird dreams about a strange man?" She asked with an amused expression while I rolled my eyes. I still strongly believe it's not a dream. That day at the club I am sure of what I saw but apparently I was found passed out on the cold tiles of the restroom and my two friends believe I either was dreaming or hallucinating. 

I also want to believe I was dreaming because if not that would mean that there is a strange entity going around abducting weak women and he is not human. A demon perhaps...

"By the way, when are you going home?" I asked while she immediately rose from her position pretending not to hear my question.

"Don't tell me you are having issues with your parents again?" She smoothly changed the topic purposely avoiding my question.

"I told you to avoid reading Selene's Fantasy stories now you are dreaming of Men with powers," certainly she must have a fight with her family again but doesn't want to talk about it.

"None of her stories talks about a creature whose eyes change color," I hissed, putting my hair in a ponytail.

"Dreams tend to put in a different touch sometimes, call it a remix."....

Usually, my shift would start as late as 9pm but my colleague already covered for me so I had to turn up early but I was already late because of the state of my car. It's a weathered, aging vehicle that has seen better days. Its exterior paint is faded and chipped, with visible rust spots on the body. The once-shiny chrome accents have dulled, and the headlights are cloudy from years of use.

Inside the car, the interior tells a story of endurance. The seats are worn and frayed, with patches covering tears. The dashboard is cracked, and the upholstery is faded and stained. The air conditioning and heating system no longer works correctly, forcing me to rely on open windows for ventilation.

The engine emits a rough, sputtering sound when I start it, and sometimes it struggles to purr to life. The car's mileage is high, indicating that it has been through countless journeys. It may occasionally emit a puff of smoke from the exhaust pipe, a sign of its age.

Despite its shortcomings, this car is my lifeline, my means of survival. I will continue to maintain it to the best of my ability, even if it means frequent DIY repairs and occasional visits to the local mechanic. 

It was never a new car to begin with. I bought it from a desperate student with the money my parents sent me while in college and it has been serving me just sometimes slower, especially when I need to be at work early.

"I am so sorry," I apologized upon arriving, seeing Sarah with a frown immediately she sighted me.

"Don't tell me it's your car again" she whined as we went straight to our shared changing room.

"What do you even do with your money? It's time to change that car?" Sarah continued to say as I just smiled. I have a family back home at ELDERMOOR in the countryside who I have to send money to.

It wasn't always like this, since I took an essay competition where I placed second and was granted a scholarship alongside the winner. I studied mass communication without really thinking deeply about it. I had no passion for it and just did it only to realize later just how challenging it was to secure a job because of how competitive my field is.

My parents weren't getting younger either. Mom has suddenly developed a heart disease and needs regular hospital visits so I have to send as much money home as possible even working at a top Hotel like STONEFORGE as long as I am not a full-time worker yet I can't afford to change my car yet.

"I heard a VIP will be coming in today," Sarah said as I finished changing into my uniform and I struggled to put my hair back into a ponytail.

"I see," I said nonchalantly. I mean it's a regular thing working in such a hotel.

"It's the special kind of VIP, I am just telling you because I think you might be assigned to personally serve somebody," she said as I paused, turning to look at her.

"You mean the lazy type?" I asked as she nodded while I scoffed, rolling my eyes. Every once in a while we get a different type of Vip. Where you have to literally follow them around like their personal maid. And pour their wine for them standing beside them and sometimes they put your  patience to test and get pushy once I get asked to hand-feed their kids as if I was their nanny.

Already grumpy I forced the most beautiful smile I could muster as I went straight to my post going straight to my manager.

"Oh Miss Hawthorne, thank God you are here, there is a very important client you have to serve," she said upon seeing me with a smile. She only smiles when she assigns me this type of work. Before I would gladly accept with a smile because I thought I might become a full-time employee if I continued to serve special VIPs but boy was I wrong.

"This is the older brother of CEO Kealen Stoneforge," she whispered as my eyes widened in shock.

Wait, what? Why am I getting assigned this sort of job? Instead of the senior staff who are full-time workers.

"The CEO's elder brother?" Already sweating and panicking, my heart was leaping but she continued to smile as if she just told me the best news ever.

"Yes, there is a reason I picked you for this, please don't disappoint me, order came from above not to annoy him, do not let him find a fault in anything unless we are all fucked!" she screamed in lower case as her smile disappeared while I swallowed hard. 

I swear this is going to be the day they finally fire me for real because for her to look this worried then what about me?. I can already smell my hot discharge from the premises.

"He has been checked in,"A Porter ran to our direction as my heart began skipping immediately she shoved me to his side while I raised my brows at her.

"You are not coming?" I asked, normally she would come to welcome and introduce me but seeing her panicking I knew I was doomed. I forced a smile as I lowered my gaze following the Porter. Internally I began to rehearse how to introduce myself. I can't afford to lose my job not yet.

Headed straight to the presidential suite with my heart pounding. Thankfully he has settled into a room which means I don't have to show him around at least I won't be the one since I don't work in the morning.

A knock on the door I waited to hear him call me in even though the door was open. I adjusted my dress just in case as I breathed in and out wondering why I needed to introduce myself if he was already settled in his room. I already hate this and it hasn't started yet.

I hear a voice inside, not sure I waited for a while before walking into the room. The giggle of a woman filled the place as I rolled my eyes, unable to hold myself back. With my head lowered I quickly introduced myself.

"Good evening sir/ma, my name is Aurora Hawthorne, I have been assigned to you and I am here to assist you throughout your stay in our hotel, please how may I be of help to you?" I said under one breath as I stood waiting for his answer.

"Au..roRa?" he rolled my name as I smiled looking up to meet his gaze only for my jaw to drop. It was him again, the devil. Shocked and taken aback followed by a sense of fear I watched the smile on his face spread.

"We meet again," he said, his voice just as chilly as I remembered.

"You guys know each other?" the young lady sitting beside him asked, making me finally tear my eyes away  from his. 

"Uhm No," I answered, trying to force a smile and be professional but quickly realized how impossible that was going to be.

"No?" he asked, seeming offended, my throat caught my tongue and I ended up coughing. Again this lady seemed infatuated with him robbing her hands all over his long hair, not even caring that I was in the room with them.

Breathing has become hard because I now know there is no way what I saw that day was a dream. And this lady here is going to be his next victim. And I must save her somehow or the other.

"Uncomfortable?" he leaned in towards the table staring straight into my eyes. This is no coincidence. This is the third time am seeing him and this is definitely no dream. 

"No sir_" my voice came out timid.

"Loosen up, perhaps I was wrong, although I rarely am. But I thought we might have met somewhere not long ago. You know at a restroom or was it at a garage?" It was clear he was enjoying seeing me uncomfortable....