Chapter 6: Who Are You, Really?

"Alexander... Who exactly are you?"

Alexander smiled apologetically at Emily's bewildered question.

"Right now, your safety and your baby's come first."

It wasn't an answer, but she couldn't bring herself to press him.

"This way, ma'am."

The chauffeur held the rear door open. Emily slipped into the car, careful not to touch anything unnecessarily. The leather seat was softer than any she'd ever sat on, and the door closed with a muted click.

As the car pulled away, the city drifted past the tinted windows.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"A hotel," Alexander replied. "Going home wouldn't be safe. You need somewhere secure to rest tonight."

"But a hotel—"

"Don't worry about the cost."

"I can't just let you pay for—"

"I'm doing this for my own peace of mind, too," he said with a gentle smile. "I wouldn't be able to relax knowing I'd sent you somewhere dangerous."

Emily fell silent.

She was grateful, but accepting such generosity from a café customer felt almost unreal. She clasped her hands in her lap and watched the buildings grow taller outside.

Before long, the car turned into the entrance of a magnificent hotel in the heart of the city.

Emily recognized it immediately. She'd seen its grand entrance on television and in magazines, but she'd never imagined setting foot inside.

"Isn't this...?"

"You'll be staying here tonight," Alexander said.

The chauffeur opened her door.

Emily stepped out, still trying to understand how a day that had begun with an ordinary shift at the café had brought her here.

Inside, light shimmered across polished marble floors. The ceiling soared overhead, and a subtle, elegant fragrance lingered in the air.

Even the quiet footsteps of the guests seemed to belong to another world.

Emily glanced down at her clothes.

After a hospital visit and everything that had happened, she felt painfully out of place.

She slowed to a stop.

"Mr. Sterling, we've been expecting you."

A man in a black suit approached briskly and bowed. The badge on his chest identified him as the hotel manager.

"Your suite is ready, sir."

"Thank you," Alexander replied.

The manager turned to Emily and gave her an equally courteous bow.

"We hope you'll enjoy your stay, ma'am."

"Th-thank you."

Emily bowed her head instinctively, then wondered whether that was what people were supposed to do in a place like this.

The manager himself had come to greet Alexander.

And he wasn't the only one.

Staff members paused as they passed, greeting him with easy familiarity.

"Welcome back, Mr. Sterling."

"It's a pleasure to see you again, sir."

From the front desk to the bell staff, everyone seemed to know him.

Their courtesy wasn't the ordinary politeness reserved for hotel guests.

It felt as though Alexander belonged here.

They were led to an elevator separate from the ones used by other guests.

The manager tapped a keycard against the reader, and the elevator began its silent ascent toward the top floor.

Emily stole a glance at Alexander beside her.

At the café, he'd simply been the quiet regular who drank his coffee and waited patiently when she was busy.

Now the manager of a famous luxury hotel was personally escorting him upstairs.

Who was he, really?

The elevator doors opened.

Moments later, the manager unlocked a suite and stepped aside.

Emily stared.

The living room alone was larger than her entire apartment.

Elegant furniture stood beneath warm lighting, and enormous windows framed the city skyline.

She could scarcely imagine how much a single night here would cost.

"Oh..."

She couldn't make herself take another step.

The manager smiled.

"As always, Mr. Sterling, please make yourself at home during your stay."

As always.

Those two words caught Emily's attention.

Alexander didn't merely know this hotel.

He stayed here often enough for the staff to treat it as routine.

She looked at him again, her confusion only growing.

What kind of work did Alexander Sterling actually do?