She had come , barreling in, and on time.

The haughty manager gave her a lofty look like she was an insect that had buzzed under his nose for quite sometime. With his nose up in the air, he was taking attendance when the golden door had burst open.

Making everyone stare at the new comer. .and then rolling their eyes.

Well, she wasn't new exactly.

The five stars Pearl hotel could put the Hilton's to shame for it's extravaganza and gold decor. The outward appearance of the hotel loomed over the city. The building drenched in gold stunned people under the rays of sunlight. The hotel had one strict rule ; only the rich were allowed to step a foot in the hotel and the shrewd management made sure of it for the prices of a simple cup of tea could make a middle class run for the hills.

"Miss Shaw," his moustache twitched under his nose as he added a tick beside Evangeline Shaw.

"That's my name." She tried to smile while fixing her white uniform and standing beside the others who couldn't seem to forgive her.

The ten young women pinned her down with nothing but a condescending snare.

Maybe it was the fact that she resembled a brunette barbie? With the brunette hair tumbling down in waves , that she was trying so desperately to bun up, arched eyebrows that had never been plucked and blue eyes that added a touch of innocence. Her tall figure didn't need any heels. .oh yes! Jealousy was in the air.

Sometimes , she felt like Cinderella caught up with the step sisters.

As the manger barked up orders one by one, Eva couldn't help but cast them a look of envy. The excited chatters , the carefree laughs as they took their orders and read them through. .not at all caring about the old man eyeing them with open disdain.

Yes, she couldn't help but long at the smiles . .Eva tried to imitate a smile but her lips couldn't wouldn't pull up. In short, her smile turned into a grimace.

Her name was called and in a mechanical manner she went up to the man holding out a page.

He flicked it at her .

Her eyes skimmed over the contents—

"For god sake!" He gave an irritated sigh forcing her to look up at him in a questionable manner.

"Sir?"

"For the last time, Shaw! Fix your damn badge!" He sputtered going red in the face.

With an oh expression, she fixed the badge of Evangeline Shaw on her chest , blazing red hot with humiliation. It wasn't the first time. It kept happening now and then.

"Sorry , sir. Won't happen again—,"

"Dismissed."

The cold reply pinched at her already deteriorating heart but she couldn't do anything about it and then laughter broke out on her expanse.

Biting her lower lip, she summoned all her power into closing off her emotions and reminding herself she could cry all she wanted at home.

With tired steps, she moved towards the group of girls huddled together and one of them saw her coming. .

"He isn't picking your call now?" She jeered in a cut throat voice.

"I told you he won't last forever!" Another insult was hurled her way , getting straight to her heart.

Eyes downcast , her eyelashes veiling her eyes. .she walked towards the door. The paper crumpled in her fist. .the hole in her heart gaping open again. The wound as fresh as daisy. .cracked at her defences. Every cell in her being wanted nothing but—

Hastily, she wiped off her glossy eyes and tried to put on her brave face.

Maybe it's the brave people who are hypocrite for they are never brave by nature but by circumstances and she knew she was far from the word brave. .

Eva saw her manger moving about.

She was not going to let the world see her weak and cry . .oh no! She would mask it up until it was time to take it off and let it all out.

Slowly, she unwrinkled the paper in her hand and read the contents of the day.

Room 101

Laundry

Check the bolt

Room 103 has kids

Room 109 wants lunch

The world was moving about while she burned in open.

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"You mustn't act like a dim witted girl! Take them on! Bite back! Show your teeth!"

He urged in feverish passion.

Eva sighed softly.

"I don't have it in me, Mr Redcliff."

She could see he was trying not to lose his cool at her. His teeth were gnashing against each other .

"You mustn't act like a shadow lurking around who has no voice and how much sleep are you getting? The horrendous amount of makeup can't hide your eye bags." His tone was worried and bland.

She didn't protest for every word he said was true. Eva had spent at least 20 minutes to correct her dark circles , thanks to the nightmares . she was used to him bantering her on and he did so out of worry . .in the kitchens. Afraid the others would see him fussing over her and he could not afford a scandal by the hands of some ditzy girls.

"Arnold," he called shaking his head in slight disappointment, " hand her the sandwich. "

"Coming right up!" A voice came somewhere in the kitchen.

Mr Redcliff slipped out the neatly put handkerchief from his breast pocket and handed it to her.

"I'll be fine , Mr Redcliff. " She started , widening her eyes for an added affect.

"Nonsense. Even now your eyes can't help but water , Evangeline." He said in low voice and instantly her hand flew to her face—as she blinked rapidly. .water seeped out.

Hastily, she snatched the piece of cloth and dabbed away at her face.

While he watched her with a dejected look.

"You shouldn't have let him in. You shouldn't have. .," he trailed off and her hands stilled.

She glanced at the old man with pity in his black eyes.

"I have said it before and I'll say it again , Mr Redcliff. What is between him and me, between us. .no one can understand except God." Her steely voice surprised him.

It was like his words were liquid fire that pushed the wrong buttons and turned her from a lifeless woman to a fierce deity.

The both of them kept eyeing each other , struggling with themselves not to hurt the other.

For Eva, Mr Redcliff, the pompous manger had taken her under his wing right on the first day when she failed to do her task and burst into tears. For the sake of others, he scolded her for being a nuisance and then behind closed doors he had , very patiently, guided her. The dos and donts. The yes and no. She owed him big but sometimes he stepped over the boundaries.

The man sighed softly and he opened his mouth to apologize when—

"It's raining outside." Someone said in a gleeful voice.

As if electrocuted by a hidden force,  , a wild look slipped in her eyes .

"Raining. .it's raining!" Her voice turned high ." It's raining , Mr Redcliff!" She beamed , now whirling around in haste and going out of the kitchen, running.

The handkerchief laid in a sad heap on the wet kitchen floor.

Mr Redcliff's face filled up with fury and contempt.

"Here's your sandwich!" Arnold , a middle aged cook , said . . bringing forth a plate with sandwiches on top. His chef hat dirty with rigorous work.

Mr Redcliff's eyes were still on the door she left through.

"Yo, Redcliff! The sandwich—,"

"Shove them up your arse." He sneered in a low voice , shocking the cook.

Leaving him no time to answer, he walked towards the door. .his mood as bad as the rain outside.

Eva ran , her breaths coming in pants her skin flushed with the speed, hair flying out but she didn't slow down.

The receptionist gave her a stink eye but she didn't stop. She kept going until she burst out the revolving door, catching curious eyes, and watched the sky rumbling overhead. Blue eyes filled with mirth, she breathed in the crisp air. . filling up her lungs.

Shutting her eyes, she tried to feel the wind surround her.

Opening them back up, she walked down the stairs as if in trance . . Her heart hammered against her chest and her soul freshened up after many many days. She had longed for a rain to fill up the cracks of her soul. .

As she moved out under the shelter of the hotel, the vicious rain came down on her like bullets. Drenching her. Soaking her . All the facade of makeup melted down in the water, revealing her tired eyes . . existence. Her lipstick smeared off to reveal her true color, a true rose.

Her eyes bubbled up again, the essence of him engulfing her heart.

"Elias. .I can't do this anymore. How can you expect me to be strong when I can barely—," she bit her lower lip hard, the anguish in her too much to bear , " I can't sleep at night. Every night I pray for you . .for us. .it's the prayers, Elias. They are keeping me alive."

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