The party will happen tonight. It's been a week since the two has met and sealed their little business proposal. Serene had already informed her boss in the bakery that she has other plan for the day, and will just work on her day off this Sunday to cover her absent.
She took off her apron and pulled the gloves out of her hands. The flour was all over her pants and shirt even she had securely covered her body with the apron. Serene was not an expert in making bread. She has no other option but to act like a professional baker at the baking space. She was a fast-learner so she never find it difficult to make a perfectly baked bread just after weeks of working there.“You are leaving early?” Tanya, one of Serene's opposite number asked after she noticed that Serene was packing her stuff now on the locker.Serene zipped her bag and hanged it on her shoulder. “I have some important matters to do. I'll takeover my day off instead. You know I needed some extra income.” Tanya cannot help but to pity the woman. Serene has been working hard since she met her.“I hope the best for your uncle,” Tanya sincerely asserted. Serene smiled and gave Tanya a quick embrace.Serene left the bakery and went straight to her rented apartment which is just a walking distance to the bakery. She left Virginia a few weeks ago because there is so little job opportunity there. She has no other choice but to seek for another job, even she has to spend money for renting a small apartment. She decided to stay in Brooklyn instead. Her uncle was still on the hospital and currently undergoing examination before they proceed to the operation. Sydney had transferred the money shortly after the meeting. The total hospital cost was 500 dollars, and Serene's plan for the excess money is to pay it to her balances, debt and loan so she wouldn't think about duedate and calls from the bank.She headlong to her small apartment unit, a size of a storage room. She has no new dresses or clothes to wear, all are worn-out and old. Serene closed the creaking wooden closet after taking a white shirt and track pants. All of her jeans are used up, and she has no time to do laundry. In fact, Sydney will provide her everything, so she doesn't need to worry much.After taking a quick bath on the only bathroom of the apartment building, she headed back to her unit and wear everything she took on the closet. She tucked in the shirt after noticing that she looks like a hip-hop star without styling it. She wear a pair of old tarnished sneaker, and went right off to the white-stained mirror to check her out. Her hair wasn't really curly. She got it from her mom. There were few little curls on it but its wavy in general. She didn't forget to wear her large eye glass. Her eyesight was fine, but normally her eyes get easily irritated with dust, so she used it everytime she work, and it becomes an extension of herself. She just used on wearing one, and felt weird when she doesn't.She took her shoulder bag with 5 dollars on her purse and began walking down the street. Sydney will fetch her in front of the Souvenir Boutique. The party will start at 7:00 PM sharp, and she have to prepare early because she need 15 minutes for her flight to Vianca Island.Serene stopped at the meeting place. The weather was perfect today, so there a lot of people strolling around Brooklyn. She expected heavy traffic.Sydney was at the back seat of her Mercedes. She aren't driving it because she doesn't want to ruin her newly polished nails. She immediately saw her friend waiting in front of the boutique. “Stop!”She rolled down the window and wave her hand to Serene. “Hop in, Sere.”Serene had noticed the black mercedes slowing down towards her. When the window was rolled down she immediately saw her blonde friend, asking her to get in.It's been years since she last rode a luxurious car, but the memories was still fresh. Serene walked to the other side of the car and opened the door of it. She took the seat next to Sydney.“Did you get some beauty sleep?” Sydney asked while giving her friend a disappointed look. She texted Serene last night, that she has to sleep 10 hours to condition her skin, but looking at the haggard face of Serene, she doubted that.Serene sighed, and shook her head. “I can't sleep that much because I worked until 10, and has to woke up early.” Her pale skin and eyebags say it all. Sydney just didn't respond on that topic, and open a new one.“Well then, the make up artist will come at 4:00 PM, so we have two hours for dinner and dress shopping. Don't worry I told our personal designer to bring all her signature designs on our house, so we will just shop at my house. I will make you the most beautiful girl on the party,” Sydney excitedly enunciated.Serene can feel the excitement of Sydney, but she couldn't feel that hype. The car started to move and went steady to the mansion of Jacobson. It was just a 20 minutes drive from their meeting place. Serene had already visited the Jacobson's house before. It was large like the mansion she used to live in before. When the car stopped in front of the house, the two headed down. Serene couldn't help but to be mesmerized on the design of the house. It was renovated three years ago so the exterior was way more better than the last one she saw.“Let's go,” Sydney beckoned as she headed first to the house. Serene followed. She was a bit embarrassed to step her dirty sneakers on the tile floor.It was a palace size. The walls and floor was shining yellow, and the big classical windows shows off their wealth. They climbed to the staircase and stopped at the first door on the left side. She pushed it opened and Serene saw Sydney's room for the 9th time now. It was different from before, maybe because it was included in the renovation. It becomes larger and more spacious. The gowns are already there when they entered the room. There were about 10 racks of gown. The stilettos and heels were organized in a ladder style. Different type of mask were also hanging in a separate rack.“This is too much,” Serene blurted. It is a brain torture to calculate all the expenses. She couldn't understand why Sydney has to make this effort.Sydney folded her hand and smiled. "I just wanted to bring the best of you tonight. Do you remember the day when I got robbed?” Serene glanced at her friend who was teary now. “I was so devastated because the culprit took my purse, my phone, my card, car keys, money.. Then you approached me and offer me a Jollibee burger and told me your driver will pick you up, and that you can drive me to our house. Others might just laugh at me that time, so I was embarrassed to ask a help. I was so glad that I met you Serene. This is so little compared to the sincereness you always offered me.”Serene couldn't help but to be teary as well. She had no other friend in junior high except Vanna and Sydney. Serene came closer to her friend and hugged her tightly. “I'm always thankful that I have you too.”Serene let go off Sydney who is now wiping the tears on the edge of her eyes. “Uh oh, this is so dramatic.”Both of them laughed. “Okay let's move on from the drama and let's pick the best dress for you.”Serene nodded while smiling. The both of them circled the racks of gown. Serene just let Sydney pick a gown for her because she doesn't trust her fashion sense.Sydney took four of the best gowns on each rack and presented it to Serene. The maroon fitted dress made of soft fabric was a great fit for Serene, but she doesn't like its revealing back. They tried another gown. It's yellow and has shining beads all over the edge of the gown.“My chest wouldn't match this one,” Serene said while examining it on the mirror.“Oh, I love this. Try this one,” Sydney excitedly said and show her another dress.Serene stared at the black dress Sydney showed her. It was simple yet glamorous, and not too much revealing. It's back has cross straps and the slit was in a proper height. The cup of the gown suits her preferences and her skin will match its color.“I-I preferred this one,” Serene pronounced still mesmerized. She love the dress, and can already imagine how it looks like in her.Sydney couldn't help her smiles. “Try it now so we can adjust the size if it doesn't fit you.”Serene nodded and the two of them headed to the dressing room. Sydney owns a dressing room where she fit her dress without bother. Sydney helped Serene on putting the gown on, and they both exclaimed when they saw how it perfectly blend on Serene's body. Serene looks so elegant with the dress, and her skin color was highlighted by the gown.“You maintained your curbs well,” Sydney complimented.Serene was still starstrucked with the dress, but she agreed about her curbs. She had a great body, yet she doesn't show off it much.“Let's eat first before we proceed on choosing your heels and mask,” Sydney said while helping her friend take off the dress.The preparation went well. The make up artist named Catty had given Serene a light but ravishing make up. Her hair was tied back in an elegant bun. The silver earrings and necklace complemented her black gown. Sydney recommended a black heels to match her attire. Serene couldn't believe the product of the make over and dress up. She looks like an american Jennie Kim on her new style. Her puffy cheeks and small face complemented her fashion style. She clasped the YSL pouch on her arms as the stylist put the last accessory, the mask. It was a yellow golden half mask, that she personally chose on the collection. It made her a completely different person. Sydney gasped looking at the finish product. “Very gorgeous,” she said gently clapping her hands. Serene was also astonished to see herself. She cannot afford any of the things she is wearing, and she felt like walking in debt. “Ma'am, the helicopter was already here. I have informed the limousine driver to ready,” Cin, the family bu
Serene got conscious because of how the man reacted to her. She thought that she irritated him, but she had no other choice but to continue her agenda despite of. “Do you know when will the door open?” she asked while pointing to the closed door. Darrem slightly laughed at the question of the woman. She was cute, he thought. “The door will open tomorrow.” Serene's lips parted. The man just told her it will open tomorrow. She wouldn't waste a night on that hotel. “Why? But I have to go now.” Darrem slid his hand on his pocket, and faced the attractive lady in front of him. He doesn't know why the girl was acting like she doesn't know about how Casa Roma works. “You can't go. There's no way you can go at this moment. You can only leave this place tomorrow at 6 AM, but you have to use your ticket card first on one of the hotel room.” Darrem doesn't like explaining things to others but he wants to continue his conversation with the woman. Serene touched her forehead, stressed. She ca
“You have a choice to say no. It's not like I'm forcing you.” Serene was so conscious about how her statement sounded to Darrem. She doesn't want to sound horny or what. “It's not like I don't want to. I'm just surprised,” Darrem answered with all honesty. “Look I have no choice. You are my last option. Most of the men here are ready to devour any women they came across to and I can't act compulsively. I have to leave this place and if I can't leave tonight then I'm okay for tomorrow but I have to assure the freaking door will open for me, first.” Darrem can feel the frustration of the woman and he find her cuter when she's angry. Darrem pressed his lips. “So you are saying that I'm different among them?” Serene nod her head. That's what she think of him. “You aren't looking perverted to me.” She aren't sure of it, but she was following her instinct. The man was disinterested of her, and he already told her that he has no plan of sleeping with anyone here. He might be flirty, but
One month had already passed, and Serene never talked about that night to anyone, not even Sydney. Sydney who was so curious about Serene's experience in the hotel, couldn't get a proper answer from Serene. When she asked her about, why Serene spend the night in the hotel, even the answer was obvious, Serene will just say, “I don't want to talk about it. It's so boring.”Sydney's original plan was to make her friend enjoy a sizzling night with a stranger, that's why she intentionally crop some instruction. A mission failed for her because Serene looks uninterested about telling her things about that night. She believed that, Serene probably got bored with the party because obviously she isn't a party goer. So instead of asking more about it, she just let her friend live in a peaceful life.Serene's experience in Casa Roma was absolutely memorable, but she will just laugh at it when it crosses her mind. The world was too large for the two of them to meet again, but if it happens, then
They left the house early as 9:00 AM. They don't want to be late for the flight. The taxi arrived at the open field, exactly 9:17 AM. It was earlier than expected, so since they have some time left before the flight, they ordered some food on the nearest food booth. “Being a hotel staff was actually not a desirable job for me, but I'll change my mind if I found a rich guest and get married to him,” Bailey said, melting the ice cream on her tongue.Serene just laughed at her. “Yeah, goodluck to that dreams of yours.” She looked up in the clear sky and watched the clouds. “Goodluck to me to.” ‘I almost experience your dream, Bailey, meeting a rich guy, and spending a night with him, but I was Cinderella and this life is not a fairy tale’ She never said it aloud but just in her mind. A few minutes more and they saw Ethan approaching. He just have a small bag in his back. “The chopper is already ready. Hurry because my boss needs me before 12. I had to train three more new bartender re
It's their first day working in Casa Roma. They received their own IDs, that they will use to scan each door. Serene was assigned in the cleaning department while Bailey was in the reception. Bailey was good on talking and she never got tired blubbering anywhere so the task suit her well. Their uniform was a combination of red and black. The top was red with a black lace and ribbon. The skirt is pastel cut and above knee. It was not advisable to wear stockings, or to request for a slack. The colar has a white line design. It was a relief that Edna allowed Serene to wear a flat black shoes instead of heels. She was allowed to wear her thick glasses. All of the hotelkeepers hair was pulled back in a bun. She also has to wear make up as it is part of the rules. Her make up is just light, her shoes was flat and her glasses was still thick. She looks like a young teacher in an all girls dormitory, except that she looks cuter and more innocent. “The CEO just arrived this morning and he
It was a long night for Serene. Her energy is draining because of the insomnia, so when she left their dorm to work, she looks like a haggard zombie. Serene stopped the cart of cleaning materials when Linette, blocked her way.“Why you're still here?” she asked. She peeked on her wristwatch to check the time. Serene looked at her confused. They have a set of task and work to do, and it was included in the email attachment sent every morning. She was scheduled to clean Room 22 and Room 17. Of course she'll be heading to that room, yet she was confused of the question.Looking at Serene's reaction, Linette assumed she was clueless about the question. She sighed. She had told Bailey earlier to tell Serene that she was being summoned to the office, but it seems that Bailey hadn't told Serene about it.“Mrs. Edna wants to talk to you. She was expecting you in her office. She might be waiting for you now.” Linette is also curious why Mrs. Edna was looking for Serene. She was worried that S
She woke up as early as four. It has been two days after she moved in the mansion, and started working as an assistant of the two senior maids while her real boss is away. She had cleaned the entire second floor and memorized all the passage, rooms and pathways in the whole house. She heard from Josie that Darrem will be back as early as 2AM. He normally land in the island at that time and will sleep to get rid off his jetlag. Serene has to serve him his breakfast. It was her first time doing the real work with the real boss, so it was making her all nervous. “What time he usually wake up?” Serene asked Maricar again. She had asked it before, but keep forgetting Maricar's response. She was too nervous to concentrate.“He'll ring the telephone in the kitchen when he woke up. Just make him a coffee after he gave us a call, okay? What matters is we are already preparing his breakfast,” Maricar answered while peeling a potato.“Then what should I do for now?” She was just standing there