Doe

Life had never been easy for Katerina since her mother passed away, leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill. After the loss, her mother’s sister took her in, but the kindness she hoped for quickly faded. Instead, she was under the rigid rules of her aunt’s household, where love felt conditional, and warmth was a rare gift.

Katherina struggled with dyslexia, a condition that her aunt’s family viewed as a personal failing rather than a learning difference. Her aunt’s husband often belittled her, his harsh words echoing in her mind and deepening her feelings of inadequacy. At school, Katherina poured her heart into her studies, spending countless hours hunched over textbooks, determined to prove her worth. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, the letters danced on the page, eluding her grasp like a cruel joke.

The affection she so desperately sought from her aunt remained just out of reach, overshadowed by her aunt’s frustrations and the weight of family expectations. Katherina often felt like a ghost in her own life, unseen and unheard as she navigated the complexities of adolescence amid the shadows of grief and misunderstanding. Each day was a battle, not just against the challenges of school but also for a place where she could finally belong and be accepted for who she was.

When she landed a job, she thought it would fill her aunt and uncle with pride, a tangible sign of her independence and responsibility. She imagined the family gatherings, with her relatives beaming at her accomplishments. However, her naive optimism quickly crumbled, revealing a harsh reality. Rather than celebrating her employment, her relatives viewed her job with disdain, seeing it as a mark of shame that reflected poorly on the family.

Despite working at the prestigious Savoy, where she had hoped to gain valuable experience and build her future, her excitement was met with disapproval. As a form of punishment for the perceived embarrassment she brought upon them, her aunt and uncle imposed strict conditions on her: she was forbidden to quit her job. She was required to hand over a portion of her earnings as a form of penance for their disappointment. Trapped in a situation that stripped her of both autonomy and joy, she grappled with the bitter realization that her efforts to impress had only deepened her isolation.

Now, as she busily moved through the sunlit corridors of the hotel, her older colleague by her side, she felt a heavy weight pressing on her chest. Each instruction about the intricacies of housekeeping was accompanied by a surge of emotions that threatened to spill over. The rhythmic clinking of cleaning supplies seemed to echo her internal turmoil. The thought of returning home loomed over her like a dark cloud, filling her with impending dread. Memories of previous encounters flashed through her mind—harsh words and disappointed looks awaited her, reminders of the choices she had made in her life that lingered like ghosts. She fought to keep her composure, blinking back tears as she focused on the task at hand, desperately trying to silence the voice in her head that continued to whisper doubts and fears.

“Katerina, how is school going?” Janet’s voice cut through the fog of Katerina’s swirling thoughts, pulling her abruptly from the depths of her despair. Katerina blinked rapidly, desperately willing the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes to recede before she dared to meet Janet’s gaze. When she finally looked up, she was greeted by Janet’s warm and reassuring smile, which felt like a beacon of light against the weight of her sorrow. The older woman exuded kindness, her gentle demeanour offering a flicker of comfort amidst the chaos of Katerina’s emotions.

“It’s going great, Mrs. Williams,” Katerina replied, mustering a smile that fell short of reaching her eyes—a rehearsed expression she wore like a protective mask. She glanced at the short, plump woman seated across from her. Janet’s soft blonde hair framed her gentle face, and her coffee-brown eyes sparkled with maternal affection, making Katerina long for a safety she felt was missing.

“Janet, please,” Katerina insisted, her voice carrying a mix of determination and vulnerability. The sad smile lingering on her lips betrayed the turmoil underneath. “Are you sure, my dear? You look really sad right now,” Janet replied, her brow furrowing with concern and empathy. Katerina could sense the weight of the older woman’s gaze as if she were trying to peer into the depths of her heart, and for a fleeting moment, Katerina considered letting down her guard.

Katerine took a deep breath, her heart racing at the prospect of revealing her anxiety. “Nope, I’m really okay, Mrs. Will... I mean, Janet,” she began, faltering slightly at the slip of formal address. She noticed the concerned glint in Janet’s eyes, which only made her feel more unsettled. “It’s just this exam I’m worrying about,” she added quietly, trying to keep her voice steady. It felt like a half-hearted attempt at honesty; the truth was, the weight of potential bad grades hung over her like a dark cloud she couldn’t shake off.

“Oh, love,” Janet said softly, her voice a soothing balm against Katerina’s frayed nerves as she embraced her warmly. She gently kneaded Katerina’s tense shoulders, releasing the built-up tension. “I’m sure everything will go according to plan,” she reassured, her tone imbued with a comforting optimism that lit up her eyes. A bright smile broke across her face, radiating warmth and encouragement. “Once we tackle these last few rooms, we can treat ourselves to a nice, hot cup of tea.”

Katerina surveyed the hotel room around them, her heart sinking a little. The remnants of a guess were all around: half-eaten takeout containers sprawled across the table, the bed still unmade with crumpled sheets hanging over the edge, and towels carelessly tossed on the floor. The chaotic scene mirrored her swirling thoughts, where anxiety bubbled just beneath the surface. Yet, despite the disarray and growing apprehension, Janet’s words sparked a flicker of warmth. With a small smile and a nod, Katerina found herself uplifted by the invitation, the prospect of a cosy tea moment offering a brief escape from the chaos of their preparations.