Chapter 1

Olivia's pov

     I adjusted my brown purse and walked into the massive hotel and the doorman grinned at me.

    "Good morning Milady," Brandon said bowing slightly.

    "Stop it Brandon" I replied laughing, He does this every morning.

    

    "Have a nice day Olivia!" He replied pushing the glass doors open as I waved at him.

   

    I have never been late for work but today I was extremely early and I have a mission which is to see Noah the manager and I pray it doesn't cost me my job.

 

     "Morning Debby" I greeted the receptionist with heavy makeup, She was looking at a round mirror adjusting her eyeliner.

     She looked up at me for a second then went back to what she was doing ignoring me,  No wonder nobody likes her I thought scoffing in annoyance.

  

     I went straight to Noah's office not stopping at the employee's room to change. I stood at the front of the massive door made of wood that has the manager written on it in gold letters, I huffed as I knocked twice and paused my heart beating in anticipation.

     

     "Come in" I heard Noah's deep voice from the other side and I sighed before opening the door.

   

    "Good morning Noah," I said gently looking around at the simple but disorganized office, He looked up at me briefly before turning back to his paperwork, He had bags under his eyes and I doubted he has had any sleep at all, I wondered if this was a good time.

     "Good morning Olivia, How can I help you?" He asked running his hands through his hair as he picked up his pen, I did not know what to say, I have practiced my speech repeatedly last night and now that I am standing in front of him I am speechless.

     "I want a raise" I blurt out and I gulped as he looked up at me in shock and then amusement.

     "What makes you think so?" He asked dropping his pen and giving me all his attention I looked down not wanting to meet his eyes suddenly interested in the black pen on his large table, He cleared his throat and I looked up at him.

  

     "Uh, you see I have been working here for three years now and I have never been late to work and I have a lot of reviews from customers and...." I rushed out not pausing to take a breath as I spilled all my thoughts out.

    

     He gave me an irritated expression and I knew I had said all the wrong things, I pray he doesn't get mad, I need this job more than anything right now, I am just desperate.

   

     "Do you still need this job?" He asked and my heart skipped a beat.

   

     "Yes, yes I love my job it's just that.." I couldn't finish my statement as he raised his hand to silence me and I fiddled with my fingers nervously.

   

     "Do you know a lot of people need your job right now, This is the best-paying hotel you can find in Los Angeles" He said and I nodded.

  

     All I want right now is to run out of this office, all my confidence has been replaced with fear.

  

     "I am sorry Noah" I whispered but I know he heard me.

   

     "It's okay, you can get back to work" He replied waving me off and I practically ran out of the office with teary eyes, this hotel was built five years ago and I have been working here as a cleaner for three years. I was probably asking for too much cos Noah helped me get this job after saving me from a drunk man's harassment at a nightclub where I was working as a waitress.

  

     I entered the employee's room sniffing and wiping the stray tears from my eyes as I opened my locker and brought out my cleaning outfits and put it on quickly, I looked at the annoying clothes that consisted of a big black dress and a white apron.

     

     I will just have to get another job, The hotel and cafe shifts were not paying well enough to get Mum out of the hospital anytime soon.

     I wheeled the cart filled with cleaning tools to one of the rooms I will be cleaning today while humming my favorite song under my breath.

    A little boy and girl ran down the hallway almost knocking me over.

     "Stop that!” I turned around to see a petite woman with red hair shouting and walking fast to catch up with them.

      She mouthed sorry at me giving me an apologetic look, I smiled back at her before continuing down the hallway, I could see the little boy and girl fighting from where I was standing.

      I entered the suite and immediately got to work leaving my cleaning cart in the room and picking up my cleaning tools, I entered the huge bathroom and started scrubbing the tiles. I couldn't help but wonder how miserable my life is right now.

     Never in my entire life would I have seen myself as a hotel cleaner. I had dreamt of becoming a surgeon and making my mum proud after all the hell the poor woman had been through as a single mother.

     My childhood had never been smooth, There was no money to live a comfortable life. My mum had worked different shifts in other to fend for both of us.

      It's very painful to see the person you cherish and love most unhealthy and suffering.

     I had worked my ass out in other to assist my mother and make a living for myself.

      I snapped out of my thought and walked out of the massive bathroom I had been cleaning after giving it one more glance and making sure that it was sparkling clean.

      I brought out my phone from the front pocket of my cleaning outfits and dialed Amanda's number even if it was against the employee's rule, I just couldn't help it. I was just too tired and bored.

     I left out a sigh when it went to voicemail, I was going to see her in an hour or so anyway, I am still working another shift at the cafe.

     I walked around the expensive suite and it looked untouched leaving me with a little work to do.

      I could see a very nice ash-colored rug at the foot of the bed and I wanted to touch it. A king-sized bed with a golden headboard and a matching golden lamp. A beautiful painting of the mountains was hanging on the wall above the bed.

      A massive flat-screen TV with a nice white couch and a coffee table was in the corner of the room, I could see a glass door leading to the balcony that I am very sure has a perfect view of the beach.

      Los Angeles had always been a tourist home. The Empire city hotel and suite is top-notch and a lot of people lodge here daily.

      The bed was untouched with shining silver fabric, An unopened designer box, and a wristwatch on it, I decided to leave it as it is, I did not want to tamper with anything.

     I had been working for hours and after cleaning several rooms, my body was aching.

      I walked out of the room happy to be done for the day and sad that I had to go back to the cafe for another shift.

     Walking towards the elevator and pushing my cart, I hum my favorite song.

     I abruptly stopped.

    I noticed a well-built man wearing a nice black suit that fit him perfectly, with broad shoulders and sandy blonde hair on his head his phone on his ear talking and looking down at his well-polished shoes.

     Damn! Those shoes must cost a fortune I am sure if I move closer and look down at them I'll be able to see my reflection on them.

     Looking back up I noticed a sharp jawline and long lashes. Wait a minute! Even if he wasn't looking at me presently I could recognize that man anywhere.

   He was so engrossed in his conversation and laughed deeply.

     I gasped and immediately covered my mouth turning back silently praying he does not look up and notice me.

     Oh my god! It's Nathan.

     I practically ran and at the same time tiptoed wheeling my cart not turning back to look at him. I was happy when I did not make any sound and quickly turned around a corner in the hallway resting my back on a wall and breathing heavily.

    A woman passing by cradling a baby to her chest gave me a strange look and I smiled at her nervously adjusting my cleaning outfit, She ignored me walking ahead.

    I pushed my cart into the room I came out from a few minutes ago, closing the door silently and resting my back on it.