After the harrowing encounter with the mysterious woman at the hotel, I rushed home, my heart still pounding in my chest. As soon as I stepped through the door, I collapsed onto my bed, the events of the night replaying in my mind like a nightmare I couldn't escape.
I could have died, I realized with a shudder, the weight of that realization settling heavily on my shoulders. It was the first time I had ever been so scared, so vulnerable, and the memory of it sent a shiver down my spine.
But amidst the fear and uncertainty, there was something else gnawing at the edges of my thoughts – the memory of the stranger, their striking appearance and dangerous allure. They were undeniably attractive, a fact that only served to complicate matters further.
But as much as I was drawn to them, I knew that they were dangerous, a threat to everything I held dear. And yet, even as I tried to push the memory of them from my mind, I couldn't shake the feeling that our encounter was far from over.
With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself up from the bed, determined to put the events of the night behind me. But as I lay there in the darkness, sleep eluding me, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held in store.
The next morning dawned bright and clear, the sun casting long shadows across the city streets as I set out on my usual 5 km walk. With each step, I tried to push the events of the previous night from my mind, focusing instead on the rhythmic cadence of my footsteps and the steady beat of my heart.
By the time I returned home, I was exhausted, the exertion of the walk leaving me drained and weary. But there was no time to rest – I had work to do.
After a quick shower, I packed my work uniform into my bag and set off for the hotel. The familiar sight of the grand building loomed before me, its imposing facade a stark reminder of the events that had transpired within its walls.
As I made my way inside, the receptionist called out to me, holding out a letter and a small bag. With a furrowed brow, I accepted the unexpected items, my curiosity piqued.
Heading to the maid's changing area, I found a quiet corner and opened the letter. Inside, a few short sentences were scrawled in elegant script:
"Don't come into my room again. Here are 500 gold coins for your tears last night, pretty girl. Be smart and stay away."
My heart skipped a beat as I read the words, a mixture of fear and confusion swirling within me. Who was this mysterious woman, and why had they given me money? Is this some kind of appologies.
With trembling hands, I reached into the bag and found a small pouch containing gold coins. As I counted them out, I realized that there were indeed 500 coins, a small fortune that left me reeling.
But even as I marveled at the unexpected windfall, a sense of unease settled over me. The stranger's warning echoed in my mind, a stark reminder of the danger that lurked just beyond the hotel walls.
With a sigh, I tucked the letter and coins into my bag, the weight of them heavy on my conscience. I knew that I should heed the stranger's warning and stay away, but the lure of the gold coins was too strong to resist.
And so, with a heavy heart and a mind filled with uncertainty, I prepared to face another day at the hotel, the memory of the mysterious woman haunting me like a ghost in the night.
As the days passed since that harrowing encounter on the fourth floor, I found myself avoiding that part of the hotel like the plague. The memory of the mysterious woman and the gun pressed to my head lingered in the recesses of my mind, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked just beyond the confines of my everyday life.
But life at the hotel went on, the days blending into one another as I went about my duties with a sense of trepidation. And yet, despite my best efforts to put the events of that night behind me, they continued to haunt me like a specter in the darkness.
Today was no different. With little work to do at the hotel, I found myself taking my time, each task drawn out as I procrastinated the inevitable. Tomorrow, I would be enrolling at the University of Clovice, a new chapter in my life that filled me with both excitement and apprehension.
But before I could embark on this new journey, there was one last thing I needed to do – say goodbye to Rya.
I made my way to the break room, where I found Rya sipping a cup of coffee, her expression serene as she watched the world go by. As I approached, she looked up, a smile lighting up her face.
"Eileen," she greeted warmly, setting her cup down. "What brings you here?"
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. "I wanted to say goodbye," I said, my voice tinged with sadness. "Tomorrow, I'll be enrolling at the university, and I won't be coming back here."
Rya's smile faltered slightly, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I see," she said softly. "It's been a pleasure working with you, Eileen. You'll be missed."
Tears welled in my eyes as I hugged her tightly, the warmth of her embrace a bittersweet reminder of the bond we had formed. "Thank you, Rya," I murmured, my voice choked with emotion. "It's been an honor to have met you."
Rya returned the hug, her arms tight around me as if she were trying to hold onto the moment just a little while longer. But eventually, she released me, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Before you go," she said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small bag, "I have something for you."
I shook my head, my heart heavy with guilt. "Rya, I can't accept this," I protested, knowing full well what the bag contained.
But Rya was having none of it, her expression firm as she pressed the bag into my hands. "You need it more than I do," she insisted. "Consider it a parting gift from one friend to another."
Reluctantly, I accepted the bag, the weight of it heavy in my hands. Inside, I could feel the familiar weight of gold coins, a hundred of them, a small fortune that Rya had given me out of the kindness of her heart.
Tears stung my eyes as I looked up at her, overwhelmed by her generosity. "Thank you, Rya," I said, my voice trembling with gratitude. "I don't know what to say."
Rya smiled, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "You don't have to say anything, Eileen," she said softly. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself out there."
I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. "I promise," I whispered, my voice barely more than a whisper.
With a final hug, I bid Rya farewell, the weight of her gift a constant reminder of the kindness and compassion that had guided me through the darkest of times.
As I left the break room, a sense of determination settled over me – tomorrow, I would begin a new chapter in my life, one filled with hope and promise, thanks to the unwavering support of a friend and I hope that I will never see that stranger again.