Chapter 1 The Joke
Fallon's POV
I still don't know how I ended up here. I'm pretty sure this was all just some big mistake. But I've tried literally everything else. I've tried fast food, retail, coffee shops... My friend Chelsea was lucky enough to get a nanny gig... that turned into something more.
But I'm not lucky like her. And I'm desperate at this point. Desperate people will do anything... Well, almost anything. I refuse to sell myself. I have standards, even in my desperation. And I am desperate. This is my last-ditch effort before... well, I don't know what will happen if I can't get this to work.
I met Mr. Le Blanc a few months ago at his big Charity Ball. The man did not seem like the type of employer that would work well with me... which is why I tried everywhere else first. I can still feel the memory of his eyes on me and his suggestion that I come work for him as his maid. (I had hoped that there would be so many maids I'd just blend in. It's the only reason I finally gave in and decided to try this.)
Dr. Sanders brought me as his 'date' and then he decided he was too worried about Eve to stay any longer. So, I had only seen Mr. Le Blanc for about 2 minutes tops. (I think I liked Mr. Beck much better, and his pretty wife was really sweet.)
I get it now. Dr. Sanders and Eve are married now, and she's even expecting! It really didn't take him very long. A couple weeks after their honeymoon, Eve called me with the news.
I am so happy for her! If anyone deserves their happy ending, it's Eve. Even if I think her husband is kind of a jerk. That's not fair, I suppose. I saw him again a few weeks ago, and he seems so happy... So, maybe when he took me to the ball, he really should've just asked Eve and left me out of it?
Then I wouldn't be here. I would've never thought to work at a hotel. Not that there is anything wrong with working at the Blue Horizon Hotel... It's just not something that would've crossed my mind. I never go anywhere, so I normally don't visit hotels... ever.
That night, Mr. Le Blanc told me I could get a job as a maid at one of his hotels. My brain had been so confused after Dr. Sanders gave is very brief run-down of who I was, I was pretty much the equivalent of goo.
This one just opened up. I know Chelsea's fiancé (Hunter Campbell) had worked on it a few months ago, then they had to go through inspections, and they needed to hire people to fill the roles. I showed up and I was hired on the spot.
And while I am the starving college student, I'm starting to have second thoughts. Maybe I can go work at the car wash... I haven't tried there yet! And yes, it's October and it's getting colder, but I can survive!
I didn't think I'd be bullied the second I stepped into work! I don't even know what I did to deserve the looks the other maids are sending me... Can I switch to the reception? Or maybe I can work in the kitchen! I can cook... I'm not sure how to do maintenance, but I'm sure if they explained how to do it, I could do that too!
"Here! Take this up to the Executive Suite! I need you to clean the whole thing! You've got an hour!" Janice barked, shoving the cleaning cart at me, and slapping a key card in my hand.
I grumble as I watch all the other eyes glaring at me. What did I do? I've been waiting in line for 20 minutes to get my assignment, just like the other girls. The only thing that differentiates me between them is my name tag!
The thing is, I know half of these girls are new hires just like me (this hotel just opened 3 weeks ago) and the rest are transfers from one of the other hotels... Including Jancie who is appointed head maid.
I just sigh and push the cart to the service elevator. I watch the numbers on the elevator until I reach the 5th floor. The door dings and slowly release the pressure.
I'm suddenly a little dizzy, but that might be because I haven't eaten since lunch yesterday. And I only ate because Chels decided to make me a yummy sandwich. "You've been looking pale, Fal. I brought you lunch! Need to eat up so you can take your big test today!" She cheered.
Dad wasted all his money on booze again, so there is no food in the cupboards. And Mom is on so many pills she never notices I'm even here unless she needs something. As long as I'm out of the house, no one can hit me. The only good thing is, when they do, it's normally somewhere I can cover up. They don't touch my face or neck... At least, not yet.
That is why I'm here. I need money to eat. I need money so my parents don't kick me out because they think I'm useless. I don't have my own money so I could get my own apartment like Eve or Chels did. I'm praying I can make it through the last year so I can get my degree and get a better job than this.
While I'm a student, working on an Earth Science major (I'm going to be a geologist one day) ... not that there is a lot of money in that, but it's what I want to do... I still need to be able to feed my family.
I come to the suite and knock. I don't see a notice on the handle to come back later, so I slide the key card in and the light beeps green and I push the cart through.
"Let's get this over with," I mumble to myself. Yes, I talk to myself! Don't judge.
It takes me exactly 3 seconds to realize my mistake.
The naked couple on the couch barely acknowledge me as I freeze... which is not the right move! I know this! In the back of my mind, I should be pulling the damn door open and making a big escape. I need to tell Janice she made a mistake.
But I see his eyes and the shock that registers on his face. I know this man. I'm more than a little surprised he recognizes me. He really shouldn't! Not with all of us running around like little ants.
"Would you like to join us, Princess?" Mr. Le Blanc asks as he thrusts deep inside the blond. She moans loudly as he moves inside her.
I don't know if he's being serious or it's just a joke, but with his eyes on me the way they are... Hungry and predatory as he takes me in. I think I'm going to be sick.
Why the hell haven't I left yet? I think I'm going into shock! My brain is short-circuiting and I don't appreciate it at all!
The blond under him smirks at me as she bucks her hips, trying to keep his attention on her, but it's not working. "She's not worth it, baby. Besides, I'm all you need!" she pouts.
I blink. My brain finally rebooting and I shake my head to clear the image. I need to move. Now! And I need to quit! The moment I'm downstairs, I'm leaving... maybe I can find a dishwashing job somewhere...
"I'll come back later," I rasp, reaching for the closed door behind me and trying to yank the cart through it at the same time. Why the hell did I close the door before checking if the room was occupied? Stupid! Stupid Fallon!
But Mr. Le Blanc is suddenly at my side, and I think I'm going to be sick. His body is practically dripping in her fluids as he stalks over to me. The last thing I want is to see my boss naked!
I reach for the door. Why the hell isn't it opening yet? Am I stuck in a nightmare where everything gets slower when I need it to speed up? My heart is pounding in my chest. My flight or fight instincts are always flight... I don't know why the hell they changed to freeze! (At least I haven't resorted to the flirting option...)
"What's your hurry, Princess? I asked if you wanted to join us!" He smirks down at me. Then he leans down and whispers in my ear, "I've been waiting for you Fallon. Since that night at my ball. Why the hell did Sanders have to take you away?"
Does he really remember me? It doesn't matter! I need to leave.
"No. I'll come back when the room is empty," I state as plainly as possible. My body is shaking in anxiety, and I still can't get the damn door to function like a door! What is wrong with this place?
The blond saunters over and sneers at me. "It's good to know you know your place, bitch!" She growls. "He's mine! I'm the head here and you are just my little minion."
What the hell have I ever done to this woman? I didn't even meet her at the hiring event. I've never seen her before in my life!
I'm still trying to figure out why the hell the door isn't opening when Le Blanc snarls. "Watch your fucking mouth, Vic! Who the fuck do you think you are to talk to her like that? This is my hotel! And if you treat her like that, I'm firing you right now!"
'Vic' gasps in shock. "Baby... I'm... you're..."
I don't know what the hell she says because I finally have the door open and I pull the cart through as fast as I can.
I can hear Mr. Le Blanc calling me from behind the door to wait. But I don't care how rich he is. I don't care how handsome he is. I'm not staying in his presence another second.
I push the cart through the elevator, my body vibrating in humiliation. I make my way back to the room dedicated to housekeeping.
All the maids are still sitting around smirking at me. Did they know this was going to happen? Is this part of their hazing ritual?
"Back already?" Janice snickers. "Victoria was sure she'd be able to keep you entertained for at least 10 minutes. This is a record! You came back in under 5!"
And everyone breaks out laughing like this is some big joke they had planned for the new girl.
Janice hands over another card. "Here is your actual assignment. Red Wing. First floor. Go!" she growled before snapping her fingers in my face.
