TWO NYC Biggest Hotel

Winona’s POV.

“What? You are jobless now?” Wanda exclaimed. She told Marti that she just lost her job in the diner and she didn’t expect her mom to be there. She just went home and she can smell the liquor coming from her. “How would you support Mason now—and me?” she grumbled and walked towards their direction.

“I’m looking for a new job now, mom,” she sighed.

“You better find a new job.” Wanda violently stroked her cheek causing her to turn her face away from her direction.

“For God’s sake, you are drunk again, Wanda. Just go to your room and sleep. Stop pestering your daughter,” Marti stated and gently pushed Wanda away.

“Bitch!” she hissed at her before walking away like nothing happened while Marti just rolled her eyes.

Winona fix her hair and heaved out a heavy sigh. Marti caressed her back to—maybe lessen the pain she’s feeling. Her mom despised her no apparent reason. She just grew up and got used to her temper. But sometimes she can’t help but to question if she’s really her daughter.

“Don’t pay any attention to your mom. She’s drunk and she didn’t know what she’s saying,” Marti stated. 

She smiled wryly. “I’m used to it, Marti. She’s always been like that since I first started thinking.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, darling,” she spoke with a pitiful expression on her face.

“I’m fine. I’m used to it anyway,” she shrugged her shoulder.

“So, what’s your plan now? I have a server gig tomorrow and guess where?” Marti giggled as she mentioned it.

She smiled. Marti is like a mom to her. “Where?” she asked.

“It’s in Hilton Midtown, baby! The biggest hotel in Manhattan. We will serve those elite businessmen so we better be prepared,” Marti was ecstatic.

Winona tried to maintain her smile to hide the sudden tension she’s feeling inside her stomach. When she heard her said businessmen—she suddenly remembered what happened five year ago. But that’s all in the past. She should bury it in the back of her mind. Given the size of the Hilton Midtown, it’s unlikely that they will ever cross paths again. She should think of the amount of money that she’s going earn instead of him.

“If I’ll come with you who’s going to look after Mason?” she asked worriedly. She can’t entrust her son with her mom. 

“Yeah, that’s quite a problem. It’s Hilton Midtown and I don’t think we can bring him there,” Marti replied and started walking back and forth.

Winona glanced at her five years old son happily playing with his cheap toys. She didn’t plan on having a child—God know’s how she suffered while she’s pregnant with him. Everyone was surprised when they heard she’s pregnant and her mom despised her even more because she can’t tell her who impregnated her. So, she left their home and rented her apartment and that’s when she met Marti. But then, her mom found her and she just live with them without asking her permission. She just let her and she worked while carrying Mason and after she gave birth to him. After all the struggles she still look at him as a blessing—the biggest blessing that came into her life. 

“Mommy, look it’s broken,” Mason nudge her. She looked down and saw his toy car broken. His innocent ocean blue eyes were looking at her waiting for her to do something.

She smiled and gently caressed his cheek. “Don’t worry, baby. Mommy will buy you a new one, alright, hm?” she carried him in her lap and tried to fix the toy.

“Let’s just bring him with us tomorrow,” Marti stated.

“Are you sure?” hesitation was drawn all over her face. She doesn’t want to compromise Marti’s job.

“Don’t ya worry. I’ll take care of it,” she assured her.

WINONA woke up early to prepare the things she will bring to the hotel. Mason was still sleeping and also her mom in the other room. It’s four in the morning and she made coffee for herself. She went back to the room and closed the backpack. She tumbled to the floor to get the shoes she had stashed under the bed. She hasn’t used it for a while. She just uses it on important occasions.

She stood up and put it above the vanity table before going to the bathroom. She did a quick bath and when she came out Mason was already up.

“Good morning, baby. You are up early. Did you look for mommy?” she sat in front of him on the bed and gave him a peck on the cheek. Mason giggled and she started tickling him. His laughter filled the room.

“Damn, why are you so loud?! Don’t you know that I’m still sleeping? Damn, my head is killing me,” Wanda hissed while massaging her head. Her brassiere was visible, and her hair was messy.

Winona covered her son’s ear. “I told you to stop cursing in front of Mason,” she said calmly.

She turned to her son. “Stay here, alright? Mommy will get you some milk,” she whispered in his ear and stood up to go outside.

She was taken aback when Wanda hit her in the head with her hand. “Don’t you tell me what to do. I’m still your mother,” she stated and went to the cupboard to make some coffee.

Winona sighed and calmed herself. She wanted to talk back at her so badly but she shouldn’t because she’s still her mom. She took a deep breath and went to the cupboard to make some milk. That’s when they heard a knock on the door. She quickly run to open the door.

“I’m sure it’s your lousy fake mom,” she retorted.

“Good morning. Are you ready?” Marti asked smiling.

“We are but I will give Mason his milk first,” she replied and went back to the kitchen.

Wanda is sitting beside the window drinking her coffee. She’s looking at the poverty reeking in every corner of Upper Manhattan. She’s like that every day. Maybe she’s thinking what her life would’ve been if she wasn’t born. Sometimes she wanted to hug her mom and tell her all her problems but she wouldn’t understand her. For Wanda she’s just a mistake and every time she looks at her, she reminds her how unfortunate her life was.

“Hey, are you alright?” Marti questioned her. She emerged from her thoughts.

“I-I’m good. I will just bring this to Mason and get him ready then we’re ready to go,” she replied and smiled sparingly before leaving her.