Chapter 1 Hotel Fiasco

EMERALD SANDOVAL

[You will know no peace, and I will ensure that. I'll make your life a living hell. I promise.]

I scrutinize the text word for word to ensure my eyes aren't deceiving me. However, one thing is constant each time I read it; The voice. I can feel her yelling in my head. Lindsey, that's her name-I learned.

Her last name is Hayes, but I can call her trouble since Drama Queen sounds cliché. That, and the fact that I'd be crowning her something. The word queen doesn't quite fit her.

She's pretty, yes, and must come from one of the most affluent families in the city. But why is she hell-bent on making my life a living hell? Hasn't she done enough already in a single day?

_______________

SIX HOURS EARLIER...

"I knew you were meant for greatness," Alicia says excitedly on the other side of the call, barely seconds after relaying the news about my minor achievement.

"It's not a big deal, Alicia. Besides, I've won it thrice in a row. I'm kind of used to it," I tell her, earning a round of scolding.

"Emerald Sandoval, are you kidding me? Winning employee of the month thrice in a row, in one of the biggest hotels in New York! We're talking about The Galaxy Hotel. That, my friend, isn't something you can refer to as a minor achievement. Girl, take time and appreciate yourself."

Well, well. That's Alicia for you. She can be your brother, sister, mother, father, best friend, or even your therapist. Right now, I'm not sure which role she's playing, because I swear she sounds just like my mother...or father...whatever. The premier aspect is that she's the most supportive friend I have ever had.

If I'm being fair to myself, she has a point. I have been working my ass off in this job ever since I got it seven months ago.

In that period, I don't think anyone has taken extra shifts more than me. I need to make more money than a normal waitress. There's so much to be done.

"Emerald, your lunch break is over." Cecilia walks into the break room, where most of the workers take shifts for breaks. "Your tables won't attend themselves." She adds.

Fifteen minutes have never felt so short, especially when I have spent most of it yapping with my best friend on the phone.

However, complaints won't get me anywhere either. The chief of staff has always been strict on time management. Winning employee of the month back to back doesn't put me above the rules.

"I have to go, Alicia. Duty calls," I say, in a hushed tone just as Cecilia's back disappears. If she came back to fetch me for the second time, I would be in trouble. It won't matter how many times I've won the employee of the month. Work does continue around here.

I walk to one of my tables wearing a smile, as it is my obligation. Cecilia has always been insistent on the fact that we should not scare the customers away with frowning faces. We should always wear those smiles that make them feel welcome. If she catches so much as a wisp of a frown, there is no telling on the repercussions that might follow.

"Good afternoon, sir...ma'am." I greet the middle-aged patrons before me. They are definitely a couple. Just one look...it doesn't take a genius. From the way they are looking at each other, smiling. The aura speaks for itself.

They are seated on either side of the table. The woman has a bright smile; if I knew her well, I'd say she's glowing. They remind me so much of my parents. The love, care, and affection they portray, which has been constant for as long as I can remember. I can sternly call them my role models. That's how love is supposed to be, is it not?

The only difference is, they can't afford to have lunch in this luxurious hotel. Yet.

The key word is 'yet'. If being ambitious could send someone to the grave, I would be long gone. I have dreams. Big dreams. When I set foot in this hotel months ago, I had promised to do my best. I remember the sudden desire to afford this place...

"Are you going to serve our orders any time this year?" The man's voice snaps me from my thoughts.

Jesus Christ.

How long had I zoned out? Have I been staring at them all this while? Did they give their orders?

What is wrong with me today?

If you want a day off, in the middle of the week, you can have it, but don't ever come back.

Cecilia's voice plays in my head. Those are the words she uses whenever she finds someone slacking at work. That's what I just did a few seconds ago. She has always insisted on us being the best. How we should maintain the position of the best hotel in the city.

The man, especially, isn't happy that he has to repeat his order, which I quickly take down to avoid another mistake. I could get fired if he attempted to raise his voice in complaint.

I serve them just as quickly.

"Enjoy your meal, sir...ma'am." I bow my head slightly and turn to leave.

"Excuse me, the woman calls out when I have barely taken two steps away.

"Can I have some chicken soup?" She requests and then turns to her man. "They have the best."

Right away.

A few minutes later, I'm approaching the couple's table with a bowl of soup when a hand suddenly grabs my wrist with so much force that the nails are almost gripping the inner layers of my skin. I almost lose my balance, but I adjust quickly before I look up to a pair of blue eyes, projecting fury.

What the hell?

I snarl inwardly, because if the words got out, I would lose my job in a second.

"You moron!" The woman screeches so loudly that it attracts the attention of patrons from closer tables.

Before I pat my lips to utter anything, the bowl of soup in my hand is emptied on my apron. She throws the bowl on the floor. I'm confused for a moment. What just happened? I gasp, staring down at my spicy apron and then back at the furious woman. I didn't see this coming. This bizarre woman just poured chicken soup on my stomach. It's such luck that my apron's material is heavy enough. Otherwise, my skin would be burning up with chicken soup.

"Who are you and-" I try to speak, but I'm unable to complete my statement since I have to stop the slap coming my way. I grab her wrist before her palm comes into contact with my cheek. There are sudden gasps in the air. Our little fiasco has attracted a whole load of people.

However, I've got one thing stuck in my mind now.

Job or no job, I will not let this woman insult me like this.

"You're going to pretend like you don't know who I am, yet you're trying to wreck my home?" Yells the woman.