He Strikes at the Hotel

Chapter Six

As I got up, I felt like my mind was playing tricks on me, because when I walked towards the bathroom, I saw something on the floor by the door to my room. I went to see what it was, and to my surprise, it was a letter. "Who on earth would slip a letter under my door in the middle of the night?" I wondered.

Slightly strange. But my curiosity always got the better of me, so I had to read it immediately, even though I really needed to wash after my night terrors. I woke up sweating, so I need to freshen myself up before work unless I wanted to look a mess for the rest of the day. I can't help it though, what is more intriguing than an unexpected letter under your door? That type of thing is deemed as scandalous amongst my peers, not the kind of thing that would ever happen to me, yet, here it is. Or was it a joke? Only one way to find out.

The paper was folded neatly, and had a faint smell of alcohol and cologne seeped into it, which was a bitter sweet aroma that I couldn't help but be fond of. It was a familiar scent. I unfolded the letter hastily, trying to be as careful with it as I could in my eagerness to read it's contents. I looked down at what was written, my eyes widening as I saw the immaculate penmanship, it almost didn't look real. It read:

"It was lovely to see you last night, I had a wonderful evening. I have some questions for you that I think may interest you.

Z."

So it was from the Zachery? Why would he leave me a letter under my door? Surely this wasn't meant for me... I mean, yes, I did see him last night, but it was extremely brief, and hardly constituted as 'having a wonderful evening' as he put it. He must have met another lady last night, and mistook the room numbers when leaving her his version of a thank you note. "That dirty scoundrel..." I tutted to myself, and discarded of the note. "And there was me thinking today was beginning with me having a secret admirer..." and with that, I rolled my eyes, and laughed at the thought of one of the old, drunken, long term residents professing their love for me, and carried on to my morning routine.

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As I arrived at our chambermaid quarters, it was no surprise to see that Nerissa was already there, with a pot of tea at the ready, piping hot. "Sorry, Audrey Rose, the key to the pantry has gone 'missing' again, according to reception. So there's no sugar this morning. But if it's any consolation, I think you're sweet enough as it is." Nerissa beamed at me and started to chuckle away to herself. She was always such a great morning person, with her making conversation for the both of us every day at this time. "Monkeys. All of them. Don't they know what happens when I don't get my sugar fix in the mornings?" I meant this as a rhetorical question, but noticed that Nerissa was ready to chip in and explain how indeed, they do know that happens, with detailed examples being added in I could imagine. So I continued, "No need to worry though, I'll fix it."

I could feel her eyes burning into the back of my head as I went over to the pantry which help the solution to my mornings problems. I carefully unpinned my hair clip from beneath my hair which I had put into a neat bun, and held it firmly whilst listening to the lock for the familiar clicks of my plan working. After a few seconds of fiddling with the lock, I heard the beautiful sound of it open, and I turned round with a proud smile towards Nerissa, and put my hair clip back in my bun. "I really do hate when you do that... It's so unladylike like you know..." she sighed, but she couldn't help but show some of her happiness to the fact we were actually now able to access the pantry. Her favourite biscuits that she had every lunch break were in there, and I knew that was exactly what she was thinking about. I grabbed the sugar like it was going out of fashion, and sat down at the table opposite Nerissa, where we enjoyed our morning tea and planned our days work.

We were getting ready to leave when one of the men from reception called Pierre came in. Pierre was a lovely man, who must of been not much older than me, and was always kind to us. He had bright blonde hair and brown eyes, which made him one of the favourites within the hotel amongst the women. He was charming, but he knew how to make people laugh more so, and this is why we got on so well. "Good morning ladies, I hope you are well?" He said with a smile on his face, which was obviously hiding the fact he had more to say. "Oh Pierre, how lovely to see you. What is it we can do for you? Would you like some tea?" Nerissa was always so accommodating. I cut in suggesting "Or would you like anything from the pantry? Which thanks to me is now open." Nerissa glared at me which felt like she was scorning me, but I couldn't help my sarcastic comments sometimes, and Pierre always took them well. However he seemed in a rush this morning, so he completely disregarded my comment, and proceeded to announce "Thank you ladies, but I must be quick. The Duke's guards have requested a staff meeting this morning to discuss some necessities whilst he stays with us. He was only meant to be staying for a week, however this seems to have been extended, and they wish to set some ground rules for his elongated stay here." Pierre spoke courteously, but it was clear to see that he didn't see the urgent need for this meeting either; the look in his eyes was not matching the tone of his voice.

"Oh now very exciting! Will the Duke be there himself?" Asked Nerissa intently. "Yes, I believe so." Pierre replied kindly. "Everyone must be in the ballroom for 9am sharp. The meeting won't last any longer than half an hour, so it won't disrupt anyone's day too much. I will see you both then. Have a lovely morning you two." Pierre nodded his head and headed back towards reception. Nerissa looked at me as if he had come in here naked, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were so wide that she must of been able to see behind herself at the same time as looking straight at me. "Did you hear that?! This is brilliant, do I look alright? As in, seeing the Duke again, alright?" She squealed, and began playing with her hair. "You look lovely Nerissa, shall we go get some work done before your royal date?" I looked at her playfully, and she agreed.

This is going to be a long so-called week.