Chapter 9

SEREIA

My work days always felt repetitive and today was not going to be different, I laid in bed staring at the ceiling as I contemplated if this was all worth it.

The stress from work, the insults and most of all the pay that wasn’t even enough. I had woken up before my alarm,which was nothing new as it had been happening a lot lately, and for the past ten minutes I’ve been staring at my ceiling, thinking.

My train of thought was interrupted by my alarm finally ringing and I took that as the cue to get up. I stood up from my bed, walking into the bathroom to freshen up and after I was done I walked to Liyana’s room.

Knocking on the door I entered with a small smile. “Good morning love bug.” I said but Liyana just groaned as she rolled around on the bed.

“Time for school dear.” I said tapping on her shoulder lightly to wake her up.

She groaned. “Mamaaa I don’t want to go to school.”

I smiled and shook my head. “Well I don’t want to go to work either baby.”

That got her moving. Slowly, but moving.

While she brushed her teeth, I pulled out her uniform and laid it on the bed. Then I returned to my room to change into my work clothes.

I wore a black skirt and a white shirt and I pulled my hair into a ponytail and applied some lip gloss.

“All done.” I whispered, staring at myself in satisfaction.

After I was all done I returned to Liyana’s room and i got her dressed after that we made our way to the dining for breakfast.

Gracia was already at the dining when we arrived she was having some toast and we joined her the dining table quiet as we ate.

I poured some tea and continued forcing myself to eat. My stomach wasn’t hungry, but I knew better than to skip meals now.

I watched Liyana and Gracia as they ate. The way Liyana leaned into her while Gracia pretended not to like it but still rested a hand on her head.

“Okay,” I said breaking the heart warming moment. “Let’s go.” I took a hold of Liyana’s hands as I led her out of the house.

“Goodbye gracia”

Goodbye granny!!”

The walk to school was short. Liyana skipped beside me, talking about puzzles and a girl who stole her crayons.

“Mama,” she said suddenly. “When is the tall man coming again?”

I froze for half a second. “Huh?”

“When is he coming mama— we need to solve puzzles.” Liyana answered and I just nodded staring at her.

“I don’t know baby but pretty soon.” I said to her curious face. “I mean he has to visit granny.” I added and she nodded accepting it and running ahead of me.

I dropped Liyana at school and then hailed a cab and left for work.

The Sterling Hotel towered over me, the hotel shimmered in gold and glass and it was easily the most expensive building on the block.

Expensive cars were lined at the entrance and the door men moved like they had been trained for this all their life, it was that perfect.

The hotel was filled with kind of people who didn’t check prices before buying stuff, and I couldn’t be more unfortunate working closely with them.

I took a deep breath and walking into the place I hated most. The front desk. It was already busy with guest standing at the counter.

“Morning,” my coworker Nina said as soon as I reached my desk. “You’re early.”

“Couldn’t sleep,” I replied. And she smiled at me. “Join the club.”

The day moved fast with guests checking in and out, some complaining about their rooms, while some complained about the heaters mostly things that weren’t even our fault.

“My room is too cold.”

“The towels are too rough.”

“Why is the elevator slow?”

I smiled. I apologized. I typed. I fixed what I could and by noon, my feet hurt and my head throbbed in pain.

I massaged my head trying to ease the pain when a purse was slammed onto the counter. “The service here is ridiculous.” A high pitched voice spoke and I straightened resisting the urge to sigh before I spoke. “How can I help you, ma’am?”

“My room is unacceptable.” She spoke sneering at me, her face twisted in disgust.

“I’m sorry to hear that. What seems to be the problem?”

“Everything,” she snapped. “The view is ugly. The sheets smell. And don’t get me started on the staff.”

I nodded. “Let me check—”

“Are you even listening?” she cut in. “Or are you too slow?”

My cheeks burned. “I’m listening.”

She laughed. “Of course you are.”

People nearby started watching.

“I want to speak to someone competent,” she said loudly.

“I can call my supervisor,” I replied calmly, though my hands shook.

“Yes. Do that. And maybe learn how to do your job.”

I picked up the phone.

Before I could speak, a voice cut through the noise.

“What’s going on here?”

I looked up.

And my heart dropped.