Chapter 5 HOPE LOOMS

Back in the hotel room, Romsey shockingly wakes from the bed, his heart racing as he glances at the clock hanging lifelessly on the hotel wall. Its silent ticking shocked him.

"Past 9 in the morning already!" he exclaimed, feeling the weight of lateness bearing down on him. He rushes to get out of bed, but then reality strikes - he wasn't at home.

Back in his own bed with Fiona, waking up so early had become an attitude as he often leaves bed a few minutes before 9, ensuring her breakfast was ready and the dishes meticulously arranged, lest he face the day's consequences: hunger, courtesy of Fiona's anger.

He sank back into the hotel bed, wrapping himself in the heavy blue duvet that seemed to shield him from thoughts of Fiona's infidelity. Attempting to drift back to sleep but his phone interrupted with a shrill ring. Lazily, he reached for it, clearing his eyes and stretching his body, he blinked and looked again, a reminder of Fiona's family reunion.

Romsey's mind raced. He had wanted to attend her family's reunion, so he could relate all she had done to her family.

The weight of his dual life bore down on him, overshadowing the ticking clock and the comfort of the duvet and sluggishly began to prepare for the events of the day.

******

There is a knock on the door.

"Good morning, sir." A tall beautiful lady in her early twenties entered his room, her smile bright and warm.

She placed a tray of well-prepared meals on the table, which contained pancakes with maple syrup, crispy bacon, a 50ml bottle of chilled juice, and water.

Romsey managed a weak smile in return, grateful for the kindness.

He savored the delicious meal, each bite a reminder of the luxury he could barely afford.

As he finished, his heart sank. He had no money to pay for the expensive breakfast, a fact that dawned on him with painful clarity.

As he rose to leave, another lady entered."I should be picking up the plates, sir," she said, her voice tinged with

courtesy.

"The meal costs $300, sir." She added.

Romsey's heart skipped a bit. He had no means to pay for the meal, a reality that filled him with shame and surprise.

"I never asked for food, miss. I was in, and she brought me something. I thought it must have been sorted already," he explained, his voice barely above a whisper.

The lady's expression intensified, as she raised her eyes. "I'm sorry, sir, but it is our policy that all our guests must be served breakfast, and the cost is to be borne by them." You had signed the agreement on our laptop when you booked a room, sir".

I'm sorry, can I speak to the manager, please?" Romsey asked, his heart pounding with the fear of facing another humiliation. "She was present when I came here," he added, desperation creeping into his voice.

"I'm afraid that's not possible at the moment, sir. The manager is not in the office, and you do need to pay up, please," the worker replied, her tone unyielding.

In a bid to explain, Romsey lifted his face to a morning shock, one that made the intestines in his stomach curl.

"Who is here to attend to me? I don't want to waste time here," Roger hurried in with Felicity, both were Romsey's colleagues at work, and they dressed impeccably for their occasion. Roger's neat, embroidered black suit gave him an elite outlook, his polished shoes shimmering.

Another lady walked over to greet him. "You're welcome, sir. This is the eatery area. You can walk to the receptionist's table to fix a lounge if that's what you want."

"I want to get something to eat. Can I see your menu?" He asked, the deepness in his voice echoing his unease.

Romsey put his head down to avoid eye contact, but the young lady raised her voice even more.

"Hello, sir. I would have to report you to the assistant. I believe men like you always end up washing the dishes and cleaning the hotel area," her words laced with humiliation, attracting other people in the eatery area.

Romsey's face burned with shame as he realized he had no money to pay for the meal.

"Always a disgrace at every point of his life." Felicity burst into laughter as she uttered, her voice was loud enough to be heard by everyone in the arena.

Romsey couldn't believe his eyes, his day was already becoming worse, he felt like the earth should open and swallow him up.

He looks right in the clip attached to her uniform. "Michelle, can I talk to your manager?"

He asked again, but by now, some other customers had walked down to the scene.

"Who is he?" A bald-headed man asked, with scorn in his voice. "Why not order him to be taken to the kitchen area so he is taught how to be responsible?" The rest laughed, their voices filling the room.

"Did he just walk in here to eat without payment?" An elderly woman asked curiously. But before then, the assistant manager who wasn't at work the other day to see Romsey's arrival, walked in.

"What's happening there?" He turned to walk towards the scene. "This man ate without making payments, sir." Michelle, who was the head of the meals section quickly reports. "And I am not ready to face a reduction in payment again."

"Ask the securities to bundle him up," without asking to check Romsey's profile, he ordered hastily.

Some huge young men walked into the arena, but before now, Felicity and Roger were already videoing the scene and laughing as Romsey was dragged outside.

"I feel we are not late for the reunion?" Felicity asked as they seemed to have spent a long time watching Romsey's humiliation. Roger immediately looked at his wrist. "It's close to mid-day, babe," he replied, shock evident on his face. "We need to be there before my uncles arrive," Felicity urged.

"No, babe, I'm not like him. You know he is a poor man. I don't need to rush into things that way. I am wealthy enough to be accepted by anyone at any time I appear there." Roger boasted, his tone filled with pride.