Elly stood frozen in the silent corridor, directly in front of a solid door marked with gold numbers that felt like the gateway to her private hell. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She knew exactly who was behind that door.
Elly raised her hand, her arm hanging stiffly in the air. Her fingers trembled violently as she reached for the doorbell. She took several long, deep breaths, trying to gather her courage, until finally, with a hesitant press, the chime echoed softly inside.
"Excuse me, Sir. I'm the hotel housekeeper. I've come to clean your room now," Elly said. Her voice wavered slightly.
The door opened slowly, revealing Erick standing arrogantly in the threshold. He wore only a thick white bathrobe, leaving his broad chest clearly exposed.
Elly immediately averted her gaze to the floor, focusing on the scuffed tips of her shoes. "I'm sorry, Sir. This is the key card for the room next door. While you wait for this room to be cleaned, you can rest there so you won't be disturbed," Elly said in a forced, monotonous tone. She held out the magnetic card with the last of her resolve.
Erick did not take the card. The atmosphere between them suddenly turned dark.
"Why do you keep looking down?" Erick's voice was low, vibrating with suppressed emotion.
Before Elly could answer, Erick's large hand moved with lightning speed. He gripped her chin roughly, forcing her face upward. Elly flinched as pain radiated through her jaw, but instead of meeting the eyes of the man she once loved, she squeezed her eyes shut. She refused to look at him.
Seeing that reaction, Erick's anger exploded. He felt insulted; it was as if he were a monster not even worthy of being seen.
"Open your eyes, Elly!" Erick growled. With a sharp jerk, he shoved her face away so hard her head snapped to the side.
Erick took a step back, his breath hitching, staring at Elly with a look of disgust mingled with the wounds of the past. "Get in," he commanded coldly.
Elly stepped inside, and her eyes immediately widened at the sight before her. The room she had left spotless this morning was a disaster. The expensive marble floor was covered in puddles of sharp smelling whiskey, the remains of crushed biscuits, and pieces of chocolate cake intentionally scattered everywhere.
"This..." Elly choked on her words. The exhaustion and tightness in her chest transformed into a spark of burning rage. She turned to Erick, her eyes blazing.
"You did this on purpose, didn't you?!"
Erick stood there, leaning back with an air of superiority. A crooked, mocking smile touched his lips.
"If I did, what of it? You're paid to clean, Elly. You're just a lowly servant here, and servants have no right to complain, let alone be angry with me."
Elly clenched her jaw so tightly her teeth ached. She let out a sharp breath, trying to swallow her trampled pride. "I will clean it immediately. Please. You can move to the bed or a chair so I don't get in your way."
Erick chuckled, a dry and cold sound, before finally dropping onto the velvet sofa in the corner of the room. He watched Elly's every move with a sharp gaze, as if he were watching an entertaining performance.
Elly knelt. With trembling hands, she began to pick up the pieces of cake one by one. In the midst of the suffocating silence, the phone in her uniform pocket vibrated violently. The cheerful ringtone felt jarringly out of place in that room. Elly didn't answer it, but the ringing acted like a whip, goading her hands to move faster.
Felix, sweetie, just wait a little longer. Mama's begging you, wait for me, she whispered in her heart.
The phone rang again and again, piercing her eardrums. Erick began to look annoyed. "Are you meeting a man?" he asked, his voice rising with jealousy disguised as irritation.
Elly remained silent. Instead, she quickened her pace, sweeping up the biscuit crumbs with her bare hands. Her silence only wounded Erick's pride further.
"Is there a man waiting for you out there?!" Erick shouted. He stood up, his heavy footsteps approaching Elly as she remained huddled on the floor.
"You don't need to know. It's none of your business anymore," Elly replied without looking up.
Erick's rage reached its peak. He lunged forward, grabbing Elly's arm with enough force to crush bone, and shoved her roughly toward the bed. Elly collapsed onto the mattress, her breath catching. With a violent motion, Erick reached into her pocket and snatched the phone that was still ringing.
"No! Don't take my phone! Give it back!" Elly struggled hysterically, trying to reach for Erick's hand as he held it high above her.
"I wonder which fool you're planning to sleep with tonight!" Erick glanced at the glowing screen.
FELIX. The name was displayed in large letters.
Seeing a man's name appear on Elly's phone caused Erick to lose his sanity instantly. Without a second thought, he slammed the phone onto the floor with all his might.
The sound of the phone shattering against the hard floor was loud. The screen splintered into a thousand pieces, and the sound died instantly. Elly froze, her eyes wide as she stared at her only means of communication with her child, now lying in ruins.
"What have you done?!" Elly shrieked hoarsely. Her cheeks were instantly drenched in tears.
Erick didn't care about her tears. He crawled onto the bed, pinning Elly's body beneath his. His breath was ragged, his eyes bloodshot with a mix of lust and peaking resentment.
"Forget about that man. Serve me tonight, and I'll pay you," Erick whispered, his voice husky and dangerous, inches from her lips.