"Y/N, come here, now."

My cleaning cart wheels protest with a squeak as I push it toward the check-in desk.

"Yes, Mr. Yo?" I say, covering my dread with a forced smile.

His cold, judging eyes rake over me. "What did I say to you yesterday?"

"That I shouldn't be seen in the lobby?"

He doesn't smile back. "Rule one of *The Seoyeon*: chambermaids are invisible. Stick to the shadows. Guests shouldn't even know you exist."

"But you asked me to clean up that coffee spill by the front door."

"Don't argue with me." He straightens, his face mere inches from mine, a predatory glint in his eyes as a slow smirk curls his lips. "I took a risk hiring you. No ID, no address, no references."

"But, I told myself, everyone deserves a shot. You've only been here a week, but you're already forgetting the rules." He leans closer. "I think it would be best if I remind you. Over dinner tonight."

My heart pounds. "No, thank you. I'm busy tonight."

His smile fades. His eyes narrow. "You enjoyed being homeless so much you want to be back on the streets already? Think hard before making an enemy of me."

"Y/N," a friendly voice calls from the door to the women's bathroom. "Gimme a hand?"

Mr. Yo shoots a glare that way. "Kim Arie, will you ever learn how to address fellow staff members correctly?"

Arie sticks her tongue out at him. "I am so sorry, Mr. Yo! Miss Lee, could you possibly spare a brief moment to assist a damsel in the most unfortunate distress?"

Mr. Yo answers for me. "No, she can't." He looks down at his notepad and then up at me. "Room 1207 needs a full turnaround at once. Get to it."

"But I cleaned it this morning before the guests checked in."

Mr. Yo smirks at this dramatic moment. "Someone anonymous paid a pretty penny to have the guests relocated. He's paying a pretty penny for that room in particular, so I want it immaculate by the time he arrives. Y/N, you can clean that. Arie, you can supervise, since you've got nothing better to do."

Arie selects the twelfth floor in the elevator. "Saw the way he was talking to you," she says as the door closes. "What was it this time, hints of promotion if you just give his teeny weeny some attention?"

I manage a weak smile. "Asked me out to dinner. Again."

"He needs castrating, that guy. Want to do the honors?"

"Might struggle to keep my job if I cut the nuts off my boss."

Arie looks at me then, her eyes all concerned. "You'd get another job, trust me. You work harder than anyone else in here, me included."

"I'm only in it for the leftovers and the accommodation."

She grins. "How did a sweet, kind, intelligent girl like you end up on the streets in the first place?"

I bite my lip, and the memories come rushing back. "You really want to know?"

"I'm asking, aren't I?"

"Well, two weeks ago, I lost my waitressing job. I got home to find Dad telling me I needed to move out. Wouldn't say why, just said that I had to go."

"What did your mom say?"

"Not much. She died when I was a kid."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's all right. I don't remember her. Anyway, Dad got a message on his cell, and it sent him into this wild panic like he thought the apartment was going to explode. Started shoving me out the door. I didn't even have time to pack." I lower my voice. 

"Started saying he screwed up. Told me to stay in Seoul. Said it was just for a day or two and he'd be in touch. I asked if I could take my cell phone, but he said it could be traced too easily. Then he just shoved me out the door."

"Shit, what did you do?"

"I hid, like he said. Only it's not easy finding somewhere to sleep without the cops moving you on or some sleazy asshole trying to touch you up."

"I ended up in the alley behind The Seoyeon, and that's where Mr. Yo found me. Offered me a job as a chambermaid, said I could live in and get three meals a day."

"Bet he didn't mention wanting to fuck you."

"Funnily enough, he did omit to tell me that part of the job description."

Arie's eyes widen. "What's your dad's name?"

"Lee Hyunsoo, why?"

"Because I'm going to hunt down Lee Hyunsoo and give him a kick up the ass."

"Don't go looking for him. You could be putting yourself in danger. I've no idea what's going on with him, but I've never seen the look of fear in his eyes like that."

The doors slide open onto a plush carpeted hallway. Ornately decorated doors lead into the guest rooms. "1207 is down to the right," Arie tells me, stepping off first. I follow behind, pushing my cleaning cart.

"I wonder why your dad didn't tell you what was happening?" Arie asks as we walk down the hallway.

"I don't know," I admit. "He just said it was important that I stay away. Don't try to call him or anything. Said he'd be in touch as soon as he could. It's been two weeks, and I've still not heard anything."

"Maybe he has tried to contact us but doesn't know how."

"I thought of ringing him, then I remember how scared he looked when he told me not to. I've never seen him like that."

She turns toward me then, and her face softens. "Well, bright side, if you're hiding out longer, that just means better company for me. We girls can look after one another, right? Just think of me as your big sister, only with bigger tits, 'kay?"

"They're not that big."

"You should see me running. They called me Black-eyed Arie last time I went to the gym."

"Don't tell Mr. Yo that story. He'll catapult the desk bell across the lobby."

"Nice image. Anyway, let's get this room spotless before he decides to come up and supervise in person."

"We could stuff him in the trash bag with the rest of the shit nobody wants."

She smiles. "That's the kind of big idea this place needs. They should put you in charge."

"I wish. You know, I have always wanted to run a hotel like this one."

"Really?"

"Yes, actually that idea about running all, meeting new people, letting everyone be happy."

"Earning a fortune."