1

VALERIA

I looked at my phone sadly as I saw the debit alert for the third time this month. I plopped my head on the desk and groaned silently. Vanessa's cancer drugs were milking my bank account dry but what could I do? She had just me, there was no one else, but I felt I wasn't doing enough, I wasn't buying as many drugs as she needed which the doctors have warned me about but what else could I do? I could only get what I could within my means. I didn't know what to do; borrowing money was not even in my mind because how would I be able to pay it back?

I let out a breath in frustration and opened my word puzzle book. Searching for words in any puzzle book always helps me. It is weird, yes, but whenever I was frustrated, angry, sad, or something related to any of these mentioned, solving puzzles did it for me.

I searched for the word 'Discombobulated' in the letters arranged randomly. I squinted my eyes, hoping that it would expose the word quickly but that wasn't working. I put the pencil in my mouth, staring hard at the book. It was getting so difficult so, I skipped to the next word, 'Onomasiological'

"Is this word even real?" I asked out loud.

"Yes, yes it is." A voice replied.

I jolted before looking up, my face relaxed.

"Nice one, Nicole," I said as her laughter filled the air.

"I scared you didn't I?" She leaned her elbows on the desk, looking at me.

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked, dropping the puzzle book in the open drawer.

"Since you opened the puzzle book; you open it whenever you're sad. What's up?"

"It's Vanessa." I sighed.

Her eyes opened wide, I could sense her fear. "Is…is she okay?"

"Relax, nothing is wrong with her, the drugs just keep getting more expensive. I'm scared that I wouldn't be able to keep up, I'm scared that…"

"Shh," Nicole commanded, staring at me hard. "Nothing is going to happen to Nessa, you are doing your best, believe me. I'm here for you."

"What if it isn't enough?" I asked. "Doc. Charles said she needs more drugs; I'm worried Nikki."

"How about the drugs she is taking now?"

"Well, they're doing their work but she needs more drugs which I can't afford right now." I sighed again this time, fighting back tears.

"Hey," She called, reaching out for my hand. "She is going to be fine, I promise you." She reassured with a smile.

"I can't wait for Mr. Adam to return from this long business trip. It has been 5 years; our pay grade needs to be increased." I said.

"Honestly, it has been so long. He is coming this week, right? I can't wait to see my boss for the first time."

"Trust me, he isn't as good as you think." She rolled her eyes. I laughed.

Nicole has been here longer than I have which means she had seen Mr. Adam before. It was obvious she didn't like him. When I asked what he was like, all she told me was, "He is a handsome man that was born with a silver spoon. He is an only child and he is helping to manage this hotel which is owned by his mother for the time being. He is also a spoilt brat."

She didn't tell me anything more than that, and I didn't ask. She disliked him so much and I didn't know why.

I mentally prepared myself to see him for 5 years, I wanted to be of good behavior, in case of anything. First impressions matter, right?

I worked as a receptionist for Lush Hotel, one of the biggest hotels in the country, for 5 years. I wished I could get another job, a better one in fact, but I couldn't see any. My bachelor's degree in accounting was just wasting but you've got to do what you've got to do, right?

Without this job, I wouldn't have been able to pay for any of Vanessa's drugs, heck, she would have died by now. The decent salary I was making here saved me a lot but it just wasn't enough, it just wasn't.

I met Nicole here, she was also a receptionist. I could never forget how she smiled and hugged me the first day we met, her chubby cheeks turning red. She was so excited to work with me and we just clicked. She had the night shift so she didn't have any work till evening.

"Where is Larry?" She asked, looking at the empty seat beside me.

I shrugged, "I don't know, he is probably shagging one of the housekeepers."

"V!" She laughed. "Don't be vulgar." She said, tucking her auburn hair behind her ear.

"We both know he is a womanizer."

"I don't even know what to say to you."

I scoffed, "You should head home, you know you need rest."

"Right, right. I'm leaving now. Take care of yourself." She said walking backward and waving, I waved back and picked up my phone.

"Call me if you need anything!" She shouted.

"Sure." I smiled, not looking up. I opened my bank account, staring at the money I had left. I was so so broke. How was I going to survive this week? What was I going to do?

I sighed again as I heard the entrance door slide open.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I'm really sorry."

I heard. That was Nicole's voice; she sounded so scared.

Who was she apologizing to?

I looked up and met a tall guy, he was quite far, and I could only see his side view. He was looking at Nicole. The general manager, Mr. Ben, was standing beside him.

Who is that? I thought to myself.

"Are you truly sorry?" The voice asked. His deep voice filled the entire room; it sent shivers down my spine even. He sounded so good.

"Yes, I am. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to step on you." Nicole's voice was shaking. I had never seen her that way.

"You also spilled my coffee on my suit too."

"I'm sorry about that too." She looked so small in front of him. That was when I noticed how tall he was. I could easily guess that he was 6 feet 5.

Wow.

He leaned forward, to her eye level "Would sorry clean my shoes and suit though? Would it?"

She shook her head slowly.

"Would you be able to afford them even?" He asked.

I scrunched my eyebrows. What did that mean? And why was he being so rude? She already apologized.

"I…I'm sorry." Nicole reiterated. She looked terrified. I didn't understand why she couldn't talk back to him. He was clearly downgrading her.

He stood upright, "If you are, clean my shoe." He commanded.

Mr. Ben and Nicole exchanged looks.

"What are you waiting for? Hm?" He asked.

"Let me help you, Sir." Mr. Ben said, about bending to do it.

"No." His voice was coarse. "She caused this, so she is going to do it."

I couldn't watch this eyesore anymore.

"Do you derive joy in doing things like these?" I spoke up; my tone was hard. Nicole and Mr. Ben looked at me with shock, I didn't understand why, and I certainly didn't care.

He turned to face me. As soon as I saw his face, I froze. The face looked familiar. His face looked perfect, the high cheekbones, the full two-toned lips, and the beautiful eyes. He was beautiful; the dark-chocolate kind. I didn't want to stare.

He looked at me with a smirk, "Are you talking to me?" He gestured by pointing his finger to himself.

"Yes," I said, comporting myself. "You don't talk to people that way, that is wrong."

He scoffed and looked at Mr. Ben, "Who is this?"

He was about to reply but I cut him short, "I'm standing in front of you, and I'm not deaf."

"Stop talking!" Mr. Ben warned.

"Why? He was being rude, and we don't condone things like that."

"He..he is an exception." Nicole stammered.

I tilted my head towards her, "And why is that?" I asked. She looked at me, silent.

I looked at Mr. Ben, he was silent too.

"Well, someone should say something. Tell me why he is an exception." I said.

He laughed dryly and walked forward, leaning his hands on the desk. I couldn't help but glance at his neat and long fingers.

"I am Adam Lawrence."

My eyes widened on hearing that. I opened my mouth slightly.

"Ring a bell?" He asked, sneering at me.

I'll be damned.