Chapter 1
I woke up at five in the morning.
The alarm hadn’t even had the chance to ring. My eyes snapped open, as if something inside me already knew exactly what time it was. It happens every morning.
I stayed on the edge of the bed for a few moments, surrounded by the heavy silence of the apartment. Sometimes it takes me a few seconds to remember where I am. Other times, just one glance around is enough.
The small apartment.
The white wall.
The narrow window.
Yeah… everything was exactly where it should be.
I ran a hand through my hair and let out a quiet sigh.
Two months.
Exactly two months since I started working at the hotel.
Two months of waiting.
And preparing.
I stood up and took my uniform off the hanger. I laid it carefully on the bed, smoothing the fabric with my hands. Every detail had to be perfect.
The shower was quick. Cold water woke me up completely, and my thoughts began to fall into place, one by one.
The hardest part, as always, was my hair.
The bun had to be flawless. And my blonde hair had a special talent for refusing to cooperate. After a few attempts, a few sighs, and a handful of extra pins, it finally stayed exactly the way it should.
My makeup remained subtle around the eyes, but my lips… bright red. The red-and-white uniform was already noticeable enough—I didn’t need more than that.
I pulled on my stockings according to the rules, pinned my name tag—Karina—and slipped into my black shoes.
Perfect.
I gave myself one last look in the mirror.
Exactly right.
I left the apartment quickly. My place wasn’t anything special—two small rooms and far too little light—but I didn’t need more. I barely spent any time there anyway.
Two streets away, I caught the tram.
The city was just beginning to wake up. A few lights in windows, people in a hurry, the cold air of early morning. I watched everything through the glass, unconsciously memorizing small details—faces, movements, gestures.
An old habit.
After a few stops, I got off in front of the Rose Hotel.
The building was imposing, with tall windows and glass doors reflecting the first rays of morning light. For most people, it was just an elegant hotel.
For me…
it was where I needed to be.
For the past two months.
After I finished mopping the restaurant floor, all the employees were called to a meeting.
Manager Ana stood in front of us, her arms crossed.
“Tomorrow, we’ll be hosting a team of businessmen,” she said. “They’ll arrive early in the morning. Varvara, you’ll guide them to their rooms with Ioana and Alexia.”
Then her gaze stopped on me.
“Karina, you’ll prepare the clean towels. I want everything ready by six a.m.”
I nodded.
“Understood.”
“The rest of you will take care of the current guests.”
“Got it, Manager Ana,” we all replied.
But I already knew.
In fact… I’d been waiting for this.
The rest of the day passed in the restaurant. Serving tables, smiling politely, writing down orders, carrying plates and glasses.
Just like any other waitress.
But every now and then, my gaze drifted toward the entrance.
A bad habit.
Or maybe just… caution.
When it was time to leave, Ioana grabbed my arm.
“What do you think tomorrow will be like?” she asked, her smile full of excitement.
I shrugged.
“Probably like any other day.”
“I hope I don’t mess anything up…”
I gave her a small smile.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”
We parted ways at my tram stop. She lived nearby, while I continued on foot toward home.
I stepped inside my apartment and locked the door behind me.
The silence felt almost suffocating.
I prepared my uniform for the next day, placing it carefully on the chair. Then I took a quick shower, trying to clear my thoughts.
After that, I sat on the bed and opened my laptop.
Several documents appeared on the screen. I read them carefully, line by line, missing nothing.
In the end, I opened one more file.
There wasn’t much text.
Just a few pieces of information…
and a photograph.
I stared at the image for a few seconds.
“Tomorrow…” I whispered softly.
I shut the laptop immediately, as if someone might have seen the screen.
The room fell completely silent again.
I lay back and stared at the ceiling.
Two months.
Two months of work, fake smiles, long hours, and waiting.
Tomorrow, I would find out if it had all been worth it.
Or if I had made a huge mistake.
That thought was the last thing on my mind before I fell asleep.
Because the next morning…
everything was about to begin.
