OFFERNAGE [EDITING]

Hotel King

                                                ***
“Bernard..”. My eyes flash with happiness the second I spot him from the entrance.

He spread his hands to give me a hug. “I miss you”.
I cuddle my small body into his. “I miss you too.

How was your vacation?”. I ask,rolling my eyes.
He giggles,releasing me from his arms. “It was...enticing?”.

I nod with a smirk. “You just vanished with a word”.
“Yeah...It was kind of sudden. Sorry I didn't tell you”. Bernard let out his most charming smile.

“It won't work on me this time”. I sang,walking to change in the locker room.

Bernard always has his way through things. I also feel he's going through something but he always comes back strong and happy. I wouldn't want to make it all more tense.

I changed to my causal working clothes with my hair tied in a cooperate bun.

“So..what do I have to do today, Boss Bernard?”. I asked,smiling. He knows exactly where to clean and the room to start from.

He laughed gently. “Just the main entrance and room 22”.  I greeted my coworkers on my way out.

We are all dressed in uniform to give the hotel a pleasant  structure. I guess...

I've always loved cleaning, maybe that's why it's easier for me without getting tired.

A high white jeep park in front of me. I could not peep inside due to its sophisticated tinted glass.

I gulp when I notice the driver come down to open the second door. Like three other vehicles parked by the side,they must be escort for something.

Thing about working in a hotel is that you get to see various category of people and their level of wealthiness,possessions and lifestyle .I caught a man who would be around his late fifties with a young guy who looks like... 'Evan?'. My widened beyond my control as I blink fast to look normal.

'Could that be Evan's Dad?' I ask myself,gently sweeping the dirty floor and also trying to glance at them entering the glass door to the reception.

Wow.

I never thought I'd be classmates with people as wealthy as this.

“You look so surprised”. Sloane,my coworker who has been watching me,asked.

“Oh..uh..”. I turn to her.
“I mean...you look like you know those people who just walked in”.

“No..not at all” I shrugged, looking disorganized.
I don't know if telling her would be any better,she might also not believe me.

“I'll just..go inside”. I ended, leaving her standing and wondering why I'm off key.

“Bernard”. I whisper to my best friend who is standing at the balcony.  “Those people that walked in some minutes ago, do you know why they are here?” I ask,resting my long broom on pillar.

“Yes. They are here because this is a hotel where we make accommodations for paying guest”. He explained.

“No..that's not what I mean”. I went closer. “That guy that went in with that man attends my school”.
Bernard's face dropped. “Oh..wow”.

“Yeah..they seem to be really important around here”.

“Sure.. I think they came to see someone though. I overheard at the reception”.

“Korah”. I turn quickly to my manager call.
Hope I won't get punished for talking instead of working. I thought as I walked to him.
“Take this to room 200”. He said,giving me a file with a golden pen. “Wait till its signed by Mr Linwood Bingham and bring it back”.
My heart skipped at the name. “Umm..room 200?”. I ask for clarity.

“I don't have to repeat myself, Korah”. He walked out.
I could feel my heart in my throat. Do I really have to take this there?
“What did he say?”. Bernard came to ask.
“He said to take this to Mr Linwood Bingham. I'd definitely see Evan there”. I answer,my hands shaking unsteadily.

“It's okay..I'll do that for you”. He collected it from me,smiling.

“I thought I instructed Korah to do that”. We heard from behind.

Our manager seem to be watching us.
I gulp hard and collected the files from Bernard. He stared at me with pity as I walked down the hall.

I stood at the door for more than five minutes. Mr Linwood's escorts stood around the door like status. I adjusted my uniform, taking deep breaths and trying to calm my shaky hands. I knock gently,keeping my head down.

“Come in”. I heard a voice instructed.
Pushing the handle down,I slowly went in,still with my head down. “Good evening sir”. I greeted, spotting at Evan's shoes from where I stand.

Its a VIP lounge with a very big and comfortable atmosphere. “My manager requests you to sign this Sir”. I said shortly, handing over the file with my two hands.

He nods,collecting it with ease.
I stood at the side of the room, waiting patiently to retrieve the file and disappear. I took a glance at Evan who was busy with his phone and didn't look up.

What a relief...

“Here”. Mr Linwood stretched it back to me. I lean forward to take it from him with heart beating loudly. I hope they didn't hear it.

“Thank you Sir”. A small smile came out as I turn to leave.
“Hey”. My head swift back to Evan's voice. My heart skipped again.

“Get me a one Chardonnay”. He requested,trying to see my face.

My head still bent. “I'll get it now”. I ended,opening the door where I could finally breath well.
Luckily, I wouldn't be the one serving.

“Where's your brother?, he's supposed to be here”. I overheard Mrs Linwood ask.

“He said something came up”. Evan answered.
I hurried back to work,feeling relieved I wasn't recognized by Evan. I can't bear talking to him with his Dad seating with piles of papers in front on him.

I sighted Bernard and smiled,signaling him that I'm alright.

Exactly 9:01,I changed back to my uniform before waving goodbye to Bernard.
“See you on friday”. I push the glass door open and went out to the cool night breeze.

I wonder if Evan and his Dad are still inside.

I've cultivated the habit of bringing a pair of leggings to wear before leaving the hotel. The cold is usually more around the time I leave.

Taking the bridge above to my street, I faintly saw someone who looked like he wanted to jump from the bridge. He was so close that he could fall at any second.

I strain my eyes to get a better view but some other street guys joined him. They all went to basement where they always hang out.

Why do I even bother watching?

I fasten my steps so I wouldn't be sighted by any of them. Its their business,not mine...