Chapter 5

Thirty minutes later, I walked downstairs in my uniform: a white long sleeve shirt with a black vest and a pencil skirt cut above my knee. A black ribbon secured my hair in a bun at my nape. I wore no accessories except a watch, a gift from my mother on my twenty-third birthday.

Mom spotted me from the top of the stairs, her lips stretching into a smile. “You look good, darling.”

My cheeks burned from her compliment. I grinned at her. “You tell me that every day, Mom. It’s hard to believe you now.”

She chuckled. “I mean it, darling. You really do look great.”

Celine emerged from the kitchen holding a dozen fresh pink roses, picked from Mom’s mini garden. When she spotted me, her lips curved into a smile. She replaced the withered roses in the vase with the fresh ones before turning back to me.

“I packed you some lunch, Lily.” She set a lunch bag on the kitchen counter and handed it to me.

“You shouldn't have bothered,” I said, my cheeks turning pink as I accepted the bag.

“I don’t mind. There’s enough food left for us,” she assured me.

“You'll be late for work, darling. You should hurry,” Mom chimed in.

My high-heeled shoes padded across the carpeted floor as I pressed my lips to Mom’s temples. “Don’t forget to take your medicine, Mom, and don’t stay in front of the television for too long,” I reminded her. “I’ll be off to work now. Please take care, Mom.”

Turning my gaze to Celine, I caught her looking at me. “I will take good care of her, so don't worry.” Her smile was reassuring.

“Please do,” I replied.

I’m worrying too much. Mom will be fine. If there’s anyone I trust to care for her, it’s Celine. She’s been my best friend since middle school.

“Call me if something important comes up,” I said, still looking at Celine. She nodded, waving her hand.

“Take care, dear. Don’t skip your meals,” she called as I headed for the door.

“I won't, Mom. It would be a shame to waste this delicious food,” I replied before gently closing the door behind me.

The clear sky stretched across the horizon like a breathtaking painting. The clouds were the purest blue I’d ever seen, promising a beautiful day ahead.

I tore my gaze from the sky and climbed into the cab before I was late for work. With my back against the leather seat, I watched the scene outside. Old habits die hard, I thought, observing the birds spread their wings and dive into the sky, inwardly wishing I could be as free as them.

The cab skittered down the road, and I spent the brief trip looking out the window. Soon, the car pulled to a stop in front of La Paraiso, a colossal building in the heart of the city. The Bradfords owned the expansive hotel.

La Paraiso, meaning paradise, was named after my soon-to-be ex-husband's mother, who had Spanish blood.

I paid the driver and emerged from the cab with the lunch bag in my hand.

La Paraiso Hotel stood proud and tall under the crystalline blue sky. It was the largest hotel in the country, with a unique palace-like design that catered to celebrities, politicians, elites, and nobility. Indeed, it was a paradise for the rich.

Making a beeline for the employee entrance, I flashed my identification card to the security guard before hurrying to my assigned area. I greeted my co-workers in the dining area with a ‘good morning’ before entering the staff room to register my time on the biometrics. Shortly, I joined my co-workers with cleaning tools in hand to help prepare before opening the restaurant.

With an hour left until opening, I looked at my wristwatch and began sanitizing the chairs and tables, scrubbing them in a circular motion with the dishrag. I left the surfaces spotless and shiny before grabbing a mop to clear faint footprints from the floor.

I was so focused on cleaning that I hadn’t noticed the light footsteps approaching from behind. I continued to mop, unaware of the figure stopping behind me, watching with intent gray eyes.

Finally sensing someone watching me, I straightened.

“Can we talk, Lily?”

I turned and gasped. Standing in front of me was my husband.

All the employees stopped their work to look at him. “Good morning, Mr. Bradford,” they greeted in unison, heads bowed and silent.

Finally recovering from my surprise, I closed my parted lips and cleared my throat. “Good morning, Mr. Bradford,” I said politely, but inwardly I was cursing him in various ways. The morning had started well, but he had ruined it, and that was unforgivable.

“I said, can we talk?” he repeated, thick eyebrows merging into a straight line.

“Aren’t we talking, sir?” I replied sweetly, daggers in my eyes as I met his gaze. If looks could kill, Grey would already be on the floor, dead.

A horrified gasp came from the small crowd. If anyone at La Paraiso could defy the owner and not get fired, it was me. But of course, none of the employees knew he was my husband. They must think I’m out of my mind.

“See me in my office, Lily.” He turned his back to me, marching toward the door. The employees scattered away in fear. Grey Bradford, the heartless CEO of Bradford Hotels, fired employees as if flipping through a book. Employees avoided him like a deadly plague. I wished I could do the same—avoid him and pretend he didn’t exist. Unfortunately, he was my husband. I could not avoid brushing shoulders with him.

“Lily. Now.” Grey barked, stopping at the door. The way he stressed each word told me just how irritated he was.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Bradford. We have VIP reservations today. I can’t abandon my duties. We are short-staffed because you fired five of our employees last week. I’ll see you when I’m free.” That said, I dismissed him with a flick of my hand.