Chapter 54

Clara's POV

I stepped out of the elevator and went to Marcus' office.

Marcus was in a state, frantically running his hands through his hair as he took deep breaths.

He sighed, slamming the telephone down after he had finished his call.

"Is everything okay, sir?" I asked, stepping into his office.

"Well, one of the maids just fell sick, and Megan is not here either because her mother is in the hospital. We are already short- staffed, so I'm in a bit of a crisis." He explained.

I took a moment to think things through. I was already familiar with the job, so it wouldn't hurt helping. "Well, I can help out. I'd be happy to do whatever you need." I suggested.

He sighed, releasing all the tension he had been holding in. "You are such a lifesaver. That would be amazing." He answered.

I wondered what had happened to him, and he used to yell at me all the time.

"There are only two suites to take care of. You don't have to do most of the work, and you need to make the rooms look presentable. I'll send someone else tomorrow as well." he said.

I nodded.

I took note of the two-room numbers that needed to be cleaned.

I gathered the cleaning supplies I needed for the job, grabbing an apron as well since I no longer had my uniform. It would have to do.

The first room was located on the third floor. Most people who rented the rooms on the top floors were millionaires, while those on the bottom floors often came here for the experience, blowing off their whole year's savings.

The one-bedroom suite was empty.

It had an open house plan with the living space and the bedroom combined, the kitchen at the far right end. Despite this poor planning for a hotel room, it still looked chic with all the decorations.

It was good that it was empty. It meant I could move faster.

The suite was in a disastrous state, with towers and bathrobes hovering over the floor, as well as empty plates of food on the bed. It wasn't that hard taking a dish to the kitchen or even calling someone in to do it for you.

I began with my job, picking up the laundry on the floor and then changing the bed linens.

In just twenty minutes, the place looked much better than initially. I was used to this job, and I knew the areas that needed to be cleaned first to make it look like you had done a whole spring cleaning.

There was a rattle coming from the door. Someone had arrived.

Soon after, a man walked into the suite. I presumed he was the hotel's guest.

He had his black jacket over his shoulder, circles under his eyes, and could barely walk in a straight line. He was completely wasted.

Before I could greet him, he was moving into the bedroom area and removing his pants. Had he even noticed I was here?

I cleared my throat to grab his attention. "If you'd like, I could leave and come back at a more convenient time," I said, turning away.

Luckily, he had exchanged his trousers for another pair as he walked toward me. I would have preferred it if he hadn't removed any clothes at all, but at least he wasn't one of those completely indecent hotel guests.

"I'm not bothered by your presence at all, sweetheart." He answered. "Maybe we could order some room service and get a bottle of champagne. You know, do something fun. Maybe join me in the hot tub." He winked.

He looked to be in his forties. Probably one of those husbands you would assume were at work all the while he was here instead.

Likely, there was a knock at the door to save me from this awkwardness.

"Should I get that for you?" I offered.

"No, sweetheart, I'll do it myself." He smiled.

I sighed as he made his way to the door.

I should gather my things and leave, and I didn't want to stay here longer than needed.

He opened the door.

His body stiffened as he stared at the person in front of him. "Baby," he exclaimed, staring at the woman at the door.

She sighed, pushing past him as she entered the suite, which was easy considering how drunk he was.

"You haven't texted me all week. Have you been ghosting me?" She exclaimed.

Her eyes spotted me, eyeing me suspiciously. "Have you been cheating on me with this one?" She pointed at me. She shot me a dirty look.

Not even if I was desperate.

This was the last thing I wanted, getting in between whatever that was.

"No, sweetheart, you know I'd never cheat on you. Not with someone like her, for that matter." He answered. He took her hands into his and then kissed them to soften her up.

I must say, I was surprised he could lie so effortlessly despite how drunk he was.

She looked more relaxed, taking her eyes away from me.

"Well, you forgot about our anniversary today. If your secretary hadn't told me you were here, I wouldn't have seen you." She pulled her arms away from him and crossed them, staring angrily at him.

"I have a surprise for you," He smiled.

He walked to the bedside, grabbing a gift right beside it.

He returned to her, handing her the bag as he studied her expression.

Her eyes widened as she looked at the gift bag. "My favourite perfume," she exclaimed, taking the perfume out of the gift bag. "How did you know?" she exclaimed.

She studied the label on the perfume, spraying some on her forearm.

"You know I pay attention to everything you say. I love everything about you." He smiled.

She paused, staring at the perfume label a bit more closely.

I would have assumed that she had spotted it was a fake, but what she said was a lot worse."It says here it's a sample," she pointed at the label on the side of the perfume as she shot daggers at him.

I nearly laughed, walking to the kitchen to clean up the counter. Even from there, it was still very easy to listen in on their conversation.

"Of all your money, you must be so cheap." She yelled.

He sighed. "Babe, my wife keeps track of every cent in my bank account. Besides, the samples are always much better than anything you can buy." He tried to justify himself.

"So, when are you finally planning to leave your wife? You've been making excuses for months." She yelled next.

He was a lot more shameless than I could have thought. He was the type that if his wife walked in, he would cower and pretend it had all been a setup.

I rushed through the rest of my work. I wanted to be out of here before knives started being thrown or at least before the wife got here.

The two of them were again arguing when I made my way out. I would have asked them if they needed anything else, but I liked keeping my head.

It was time for me to proceed to the next room.

I was surprised when the room number landed me before Leonardo's door. Of all the places, I could have ended up. I wanted to avoid any confrontation with him. I had already agreed to do this, and I couldn't back out now.

I knocked on the door, but no one answered. This was a good thing. It meant he wasn't here, so I could go in and out without being seen. But since when has it ever worked for me?

I entered the suite with my cleaning supplies.

The place wasn't as dirty, with only a few things out of place and some plates.

This would be an in-and-out job.

I swiftly moved through the suite, cleaning mostly the obvious places.

I received a text from Ivy. Without reading the message, I tucked my phone back into my pocket.

I didn't have time for her right now. I wanted to get out of here without any delays.

All while cleaning, I was on edge, listening to every sound in case Leonardo returned. I was up to my neck in problems. I had to lose this baby very soon.

Today, I must have been moving at bionic speed because, in just half an hour, I had convinced myself that everything was in order and that I was ready to go. But that day, I had other plans for me.