Sierra
I used my left hand to clean the sweat that was trickling down from my face off my forehead. Glancing up towards the direction of the impatient man who was already making gestures to signify that he was tired of standing.He had been standing since I started looking for the keys, and it was already ten minutes and counting, yet I still hadn't found it. Some other customers were beginning to get impatient too. Impolitely asking me to hurry up with him and get to them."What exactly is the matter?" The man finally asked, exhausting the patience he had."I'm sorry sir, but I think someone must have changed the location of the keys." I opened another drawer, my desperation doubled now. "I can't find it.'The man raised a brow at me, frowning in confusion. "Check the third drawer by your left." He finally said, keeping his gaze steady on my face. I followed his guidance, and then I saw where all the keys were. He must have been here for weeks, or months. That was the only logical explanation.I chuckled nervously. "Thank you." Checking for his room number again, I found his keys without looking so much, and handed it over to him.He was just as relieved as I was. He paddled away from me, and I felt so happy to finally have his sky blue eyes away from me."Good day." Another customer who had patiently been waiting greeted me, wanting to book a reservation.It took me some minutes of clicking and typing, and aimlessly opening folders and documents before I was able to find the folders where she kept some of the answers to my questions, and the necessary information to retrieve from someone who was about to become a customer.After I had attended to all pending customers, I leaned back on my seat and shut my eyes. There were only two hours left and I would be at home resting. That was if Frankie wasn't going to take up too much time with the orientation.I was grateful that I had a job now, but it was more demanding than I envisioned.There was so much that I didn't know came with being responsible, and it was after I decided to do them by myself, that I had learned that it was part of my responsibilities. Although this job was high-paying, I still needed another if I was going to be able to pay for my bills.I tried my best to give calm and polite responses, even to the stupid questions with no base and purpose. Wearing a smile that was fake, and most importantly, being myself.And then someone walked into the hotel. A familiar lone figure. I blinked twice, trying to recall where we met. He had a charming appearance, I couldn't deny it. But our first meeting wasn't on a good note, I just could recall what it was that happened.Perched on my position as the receptionist, I watched him shuttle around without seeking help and not being interrupted by any of the authorities nor security officers either.It was either that he worked here, or that someone who was friends with him did.And then someone called his name. "Jayden!" The pictures of our first meeting flashed back to me. I cupped my mouth with my hands, shocked at how fate had made me cross paths with him again. I wished I had learnt his name that day, but when I heard that name, Jayden, it made me recall vividly. It was after he parted his lips graciously to respond, and the baritone voice rang a bell. Jayden. I made a mental note, that was the name. Suddenly feeling compensated for the stress of the day, I just wanted to know what his position was in the hotel, or what his relationship with any of the workers was. Maybe he was married to one of the women here?No! He had no ring. I quickly discarded that idea.Everything that happened that day. How I stained his shirt, how we were both inside a public bathroom that day, his bare chest and calm voice, the smirk that played out on his face, even while he impatiently waited for me to get his shirt washed, the way his Adam's apple had danced while he spoke, it was like watching a movie in my head.I wanted to walk up to him, and say hi. Reminding him of how my clumsy attitude had almost cost him a meeting.I wanted to introduce myself to him, and ask him if thoughts of me ever did cross his heart since then. But I was at work, and it was just the first day.It wasn't wise of me to get into trouble on my first day at work. Besides, I wasn't a lady who would make the first move. I'd rather give you green lights, and if you get it, you'd make the move.I got too busy attending to the hairy, huge man in front of me, I didn't realize that someone else was behind him."Please make sure that everything in that room works, especially the air conditioner." He stressed on that, making me wonder if he had any bad experience with the hotel in the past, or he just felt like being careful.I nodded that I understood what he said, and then I had handed him keys to the room that would serve as his for the next two weeks that he planned to spend here."Hi, you are the new receptionist?" I was too busy writing, so I didn't look up. I just nodded in response. "Please look up." The voice was spectacular. It reminded me of…My eyes widened when I looked up, and he did too.I wanted to speak but didn't have words. He gazed at me for a few seconds, as if asking questions to my eyes. And then he paused to put himself together."Uhm." He started, his voice dry and patched. No longer the divine baritone voice that stood out. "You work here now?" I nodded yes."Oh, good." He attempted to act casual, but couldn't. I could depict excitement in his tone. "It's so nice to meet you here again. Particularly because we'll meet more often." Realizing that he had said too much already, he coughed lightly. "My name is Jayden, this is my hotel."I was so close to exclaiming with excitement, but I knew that was so unethical. "Wow." I finally said, unable to find any other words to express how I felt."What's your name?" His hand was outstretched to receive a handshake."I'm Sierra." I accepted promptly, and returned the smile he offered as well, making mine broader."I'll see you around, Sierra. It's so good to have you here." He started on his way, leaving me to admire him while he walked."Hey!" A female's voice made me turn from gazing at him, towards the direction it came from. It was Steph. She was watching from a distance, all that just transpired between Jayden and I."Friendly advice, dear." She said, "we have all tried, and we all failed with him. Don't even bother."*Jayden*This day has started well for me. Mom had called me early in the morning with some good news and the excitement had made whatever sleep I had to flee.I push open the large windows in my bedroom enjoying the lightning sky outside. The cold wind is not so much. Brian had spent the night at his friend’s place so I have the place all to myself this morning.If only his mother was still alive; we would be having a sensuous morning together, cuddling up in each other’s arms. A mix of conflicting hormones coursed through my body. First was sadness as it hit me that she wasn’t alive and the next was the sensation of stirring in my groin.Despite the biting, someone has decided to arise. I adjusted my silk pajamas but the sensation of the material just aroused me farther. I tried to think of other things but my mind decided to pick on the lady at the coffee shop.“I think it is time for a cold shower,” I shouted out loud and headed to the bathroom before things got out of hand.An hou
*Jayden*It was now half past five. After the fiasco of that guest and air-conditioning in his room, I decided to sit in with the evening briefing and orientation.To be fair, Michael Justins was a difficult one to deal with. The only reason I hadn’t banned him from the property was he was a regular as well as bringing in many clients due to referrals. One would think as he constantly complained, he would stay away as well as not refer others.I deescalated the situation by upgrading him from his deluxe room to an executive rooftop penthouse for his one week stay. He immediately calmed down and apologized for causing a scene. Sierra led him away back to the foyer, where he was given a new key card and personally escorted by Frankie to the new room.I was now sitting at Frankie’s desk and Sierra sat opposite me. Frankie was speaking but I wasn’t really paying attention to her. I was gazing at Sierra unapologetically because we both knew there was nothing she could do at the moment. I co
*Sierra*Being in the car with Jayden Grey was breathtakingly painful. By that I mean I was forcing myself to breathe and relax. I was aware of how our knees touched. He didn’t speak much for the short car ride to the fast food joint.Imagine my surprise when we pulled up at this fancy place. I narrowed my eyes, wondering if the super rich had a different definition for fast food and takeaway.Jayden got out and stretched out his hand for me. I took it almost too quickly. Brian got out using the left door and walked in. So this was a regular spot for them. I realized he still had my hand and I coughed.“After you,” he said and I smiled. His voice when he spoke was just so sexy.I walked into this simple yet classy restaurant and followed Jayden to a reserved table. The hostess left us in the care of a waitress who smiled at us.“Will you be having the usual Brian?” she asked. Brian nodded and she turned to me, handing me a menu.“Welcome back Mr. Jay, want to try our special for the da
*Jayden*I arrived home with Brian after we dropped off Sierra at her apartment. Yes I am glad that I know where she stays but I am puzzled at her behavior.I feel like everything was okay until the last few moments when she spaced out. I don’t think I said anything hurtful. I sighed and headed to my room. As usual the housekeepers had cleaned my room making sure not to disturb anything.A quick shower will help me focus and refresh my body and mind. I got out of my suit and put them in the laundry chute on the far side of the wall. My bathing robe had been switched out for a clean set, one was hanging beside the door to the shower.I looked longingly at the bathtub. A long bath would do good but in the end I settled for the shower. One of the perks of having money is hot water throughout the day. I turned on the faucet and steaming hot water hit my body.After my shower I headed to Brian’s room to tuck him in. On school days he had early nights, that wasn’t a debate. Well unless he ha
*Sierra*I woke up to a wet pillow and my beddings all over the bed. My hair is tousled and I wondered if I was fighting someone in my sleep as I cried or what. The only thing about my dream that lingered on was this dreary feeling as if something bad had happened or was about to happen.I take a deep breath and let it out, getting a whiff of my morning breath. It was like a dog died in my mouth. That’s the first thing I am doing, brushing my teeth and drinking lots of water. It took me an hour to freshen up then I focused on cleaning my little apartment.The gala was to start in the evening and I had free time until then. I spent the morning cleaning up and then decided to do a web search on what to expect at the gala. Though Frankie had updated me on what I will do, I just wanted to be safe.I also did another search on Jayden but like yesterday I didn’t get any new information. I frowned as I realized that Frankie hadn’t given me an exact time that I would be leaving. Did that mean
*Jayden*Frankie walked into my office holding another sheaf of forms in her hand.“I really hope that those aren’t for me to read and sign,” I told her. I secretly hated doing paperwork, just reading and signing and she knew it after telling her many times. The only papers I enjoyed reading were newspapers and Brian’s report cards.“Some of them are yours, like four or five,” She said, putting them on my desk. “Also Sierra has reported to her desk.”“Any particular reason that you are telling me that?” I growled at her.“You are the one who told me in the morning to tell you when she arrives,” Frankie replied, staring back at me. Wasn’t she the one who was flinching yesterday and the day before when I asked her about hiring a new person? Either she was growing balls or something was up today.“Are you worried about today?” I asked her to take the edge out of my voice.“No sir, she replied almost immediately, “This isn’t my first rodeo.”True it wasn’t her first rodeo. If there was som
*Jayden*“Look you little girl, I do not care who you are. You will do as I say,” the voice shouted.I slowly made my way to the front making sure not to be seen. A woman the same age as Janie was shouting at Sierra. I saw Angela watching from her desk wanting to help and just as she was about to leave her station, she saw me and I shook my head.I wanted to see how Sierra would handle it. I didn’t know what the problem was but I wanted to see her skills. I found it amusing that she called Sierra a little girl.Sierra never faltered and she kept on smiling, speaking in a low but firm voice. I couldn’t hear her words due to the distance. I looked closely at the woman trying to remember who she was. She was familiar and I racked my brain trying to recall who she was.As she kept on berating Sierra her voice rang a bell and the picture of the prime time news showed up. No wonder he was familiar.She was the news anchor at one of the news stations in the country. I was very sure that Frank
*Sierra*I followed Cynthia to the corridor and into the super wide elevator. I have only used the guest elevators at the front twice so I was surprised at its size.Cynthia still had her hand around my shoulders. “This is the goods and service lift for staff. Unlike the others it has access to all fifteen floors. The break room is up on the rooftop. The view is actually breath-taking.”I watched the numbers on the display rise, as we ascended. I was glad that I had controlled myself and not burst into tears back at the desk. I didn’t want my teammates,Frankie and Jayden, to think I was a softie.But who am I kidding. Deep down I know that I am a soft hearted being and always have been but these last few months especially after the breakup with Mark, my defenses have just all but disappeared.I can count the number of days that I haven’t cried myself to sleep, or cried in the shower. I moved out of my old town to get a new change of environment and get over my breakup but it looks like