CHAPTER 03

[ CHAPTER 03: HOTEL ROOM ]

"Is that all, ma'am?" 

"Uhm, do you have other color for this dress? It's cute but I kinda don't like the color," I uttered.

She nodded immediately. "Yes, ma'am. I will be back with it in awhile," she informed before she bowed slightly and turned away from me to take what I was looking for.

I continued searching for more clothes. I looked at the female staff who was guiding me and already holding all the clothes I had chosen.

"I want an honest review," I stated.

I faced her with the dress hanging in front of me. It's a cute above the knee yellow spaghetti strap dress that has a slit on the right part of my leg. 

She looked at me before silently thinking about what to say.

"It's looks good on you, ma'am. It's beautiful, but I think red or black would suit you better," she suggested.

I smiled at her remarks. "Thank you. You have a good taste in fashion."

I saw her cheeks reddened that's why she bent down a little to cover her face with her hair.

"Not at all," she answered shyly.

I just shook my head at her reaction. Not a minute later the girl I asked earlier arrived.

She approached me while holding three rectangle shaped box with their brand logo. "Here are the other colors, ma'am. You can choose from it."

She handed the three boxes to her male companion and opened the first one. She removed the dress from the plastic and showed it to me.

It's cute. It's color is pink, dark pink. The one before was light pink and I didn't really like it so I asked for other options. I'm sort of choosy with my clothes sometimes. 

Sometimes? It's like my brain doesn't want to accept my choice of words.

Uhm, well, okay fine, all the time. I'm choosy all the time. 

"This is also pink but its darker and it also has black linings here on the neckline." She showed it to me and I nodded after observing it.

She put it back in the box and opened the second one. It has the same design with the first one but it's green in color and I kinda like it.

"We also have it in color gre—" I cut her off.

"I'll get that one."

She was quite taken a back. "Huh?" she assured.

I pointed the green dress she's holding. "I'll get that one. What's the last one?"

"Ah! S-sure, ma'am."

Shw gave the box where the green dress was placed to the girl next to me before showing the last one.

It's black but it's cotton, not satin so I didn't take it.

After choosing, I went straight to the counter and paid for the dresses I bought today.

"A total of 17, 998 and 25 centavos, ma'am," the cashier said.

I stopped myself from wincing. I was embarrassed, he didn't make it 18,000. There were 25 cents left! Ugh.

"Cash or card, ma'am?" he asked.

I opened my wallet and hand over my card. I thought back to the embarrassment that happened to me earlier while waiting for them to finish arranging my purchases.

"You still have a snot on your cheek."

I froze on my spot and that echoed in my head like a bee's buzz.

"W-what?!" I asked in shock before quickly wiping my cheek to make sure if it was true or if he was just fooling me.

I wiped the wet part of my cheek. I looked at my hand and I just want to drown in the sand and drift in the sea until no one can't see me anymore.

It does have a snot...

I forced myself to believe that it's just my tears, but it's sticky and foamy!

I didn't have a handkerchief with me so I just wiped it on my leggings.

He looked at me with disgusted face. "Disgusting," he teasingly said.

Feeling so annoyed and embarrassed, I bent down, not thinking about the pain I felt in my injured knee when it was bent. I scooped a handful of sand. I took two steps back before swinging and throwing it at him.

"Shit! What the hell is wrong with you?!" he shouted, pissed.

"Jerk!" I shouted back before taking my slippers that he dropped.

I ran away while holding the slippers in one hand, not minding the sand sticking into my bare feet.

"Get back here!" I heard him scream.

I ignored him and quickly got into my car before starting it.

I sighed when I finally got away from the beach. I passed a calenderia so I stopped and parked.

"Good morning, beautiful young lady!" greeted cheerfully a gifl waiting in the doorway.

I smiled at her. "Good morning too," I replied.

I looked around and when the mouthwatering aroma enveloped my nose, my stomach growled. 

The girl laughed so I smiled shyly. "Sorry, I'm hungry."

He stepped aside and pointed the way. "Come in. My mother's food is delicious and clean," she said said while smiling proudly.

I smiled too. I love her energy. For the meantime, I forgot about what happened for the past minutes.

I sat near the food lined up. I closed my eyes as I smelled the aroma of the food.

"Oh, honey. This costumer you hooked looks like a foreigner."

I opened my eyes and looked at the Lady. "Good morning."

"It's not like that, mom. She didn't speak much English," she answered with a laugh.

I laughed too. She showed me her mother's cooking and asked me to choose what I wanted.

All of them look delicious but I end up choosing chicken curry. It's embarrassing but I asked for an extra rice three times.

"Just eat, kid. Don't be shy. You're thin, eat and eat."

I swallowed the food and smiled at her. "I'm not really a big eater, but your cooking is so delicious that I've eaten more," I promised with a laugh.

I saw her cheeks reddened. "Gosh, this kid. You don't have to flatter me!"

Her daughter Lea applauded. "She's right, mom! Those international chefs won't be against her when they taste my mom's cooking!" she still brags.

"We have a chef at home. To be honest, your mother's cooking is better than their cooking," I whispered to her.

She giggled. "Sister, do you know? I want to be a chef like my mother."

Her mother immediately scolded him. "You child, your mother is not a chef!"

She smiled at me shyly and I just chuckled. 

"But you're better than the chefs," I said and winked at her.

She just smiled and said nothing.

That's how I spend my morning. I jogged, I almost died because of some reckless driver, my dad was telling me to marry someone I don't know, I walked out and went to my favorite beach, I met a jerk who's very annoying and I ate the best breakfast I have ever had.

After that, I felt so sticky at gusto ko nang maligo. That's how I ended up here, buying a lot of clothes.

Many people were looking at me when I left the boutique.

I mean, who wouldn't?

I'm only wearing leggings with damage around the knee and I can see the band-aid on there. The leggings are also a little wet up to half of my knees because of the sea water earlier.

I sighed. My eyes are definitely swollen too. I'm pretty sure I look ugly and that's so annoying!

I went straight to my car and opened the door to the backseat. I put all the shopping bags inside before closing it and making my way to the front, in the driver's seat.

"Now, where was I going?" I asked myself softly as I tapped the steering wheel lightly with my fingers.

Shit, I don't know where I'm going anymore. Shall I go back home? But, I'm still annoyed with daddy! He should learn his lesson first. He should know that if he'll do that again, I'll leave and never come back!

I rolled my eyes in the air. He even called me a brat! Is it my fault that I am like that? He gives me whatever I want so I grew up like this. Half of it was his fault so I'll be blaming him, too.

I sighed. Now, I'm being a real brat.

What will I gain if I blame him? Satisfaction? Maybe.

I end up driving to a nearby luxury hotel. Guess I'll be staying here for the whole day.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. We are full booked," the receptionist told me, sincerely.

I didn't know what to do when I heard that. I could go find another hotel or just go to my condo, but that would take me too long because I didn't have the key with me.

"Damn it," I cursed under my breath.

She bowed slightly. "I'm really sorry, ma'am."

I smiled at her because she was really apologizing to me. "It's okay. I understand," I promised to lighten her heart.

I was about to make my way outside the hotel when I halted. 

I frowned. Why the hell is it raining? But, the sun has been hot lately.

"Excuse me."

I immediately looked behind me and noticed that I was blocking the door.

I smiled shyly before bowing. "I'm sorry," I apologized before walking back towards the lobby.

When I sat down on the couch in the middle of the lobby, I sighed before rubbing my aching foot.

I'm really tired. I want to go to bed.

I looked at my phone to check what time it was. It's 12:47 in the afternoon and I haven't eaten my lunch yet.

I was shocked when someone tapped me softly on the shoulder.

"Sorry. Sorry."

I looked up and saw the female receptionist from earlier.

I stopped her. "It's okay. What's up?"

She coughed before standing up properly. "Someone checked out earlier. There is a vacant room, but it's a room for two. Will you take it, ma'am?" she informed me.

I think first. Room for two? "Does that mean I'll be having a roommate or has the other already checked out?" I asked to clarify.

Embarrassingly, she held the nape of her neck before nodding. "Unfortunately, yes, ma'am. Will you still take it?" 

I looked outside through the glass wall. It's still raining. I didn't even hear it but it seemed pretty loud. 

I wonder if daddy is looking for me.

I looked back at the person I was talking to. "Yes, I'll take it," I answered, smiling.

She also smiled and turned around and started walking.

I waited for her to finish processing everything. She handed me the key and I thanked her.

"Would you want someone to guide you to your, ma'am?"

I shook my head. "No, I'll be fine. Uhm, can I ask a favor?"

She nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Anything."

Great. I smiled. "I left my things at my car. Can someone get it for me. Here's the key," I uttered before handing it to her. "The shopping bags are in the backseat," I added.

She nodded. "I'll have someone to get it for you, ma'am. I'll just deliver it to your room."

I nodded. "Alright, thank you so much."

"It's our pleasure, ma'am!"

I smiled at her one last time before turning my way to the elevator. I was alone inside, thankfully.

I pressed the number 5 because my room is on the 5th floor, Room 25.

I opened my phone again and contemplated if I should turn off the airplaine mode or not.

I just stopped thinking when suddenly the elevator rang and opened. I'm on the 5th floor.

Two girls went inside and I made my way outside the elevator. 

When the elevator closed behind me, I started looking for Room 25.

"Room 25, Room 25, Room 25," I chanted while continuously looking for it.

"Room 25!" I exclaimed, just enough for me to hear it. 

I looked around first and was relieved to see that there was no one outside.

I opened the door with the key before twisting the knob and pushing the door.

I first noticed the open light. I looked around. Maybe my roommate is here?

"Hello? Is there anyone here?" 

I walked around but there was no one. No one but why is the light on? It's afternoon. Who in their right mind would open the lights, right?

I went towards the glass wall and watched people run and look for shed. That's right, it's raining so it's a bit dark. Now, that makes sense.

I just waited and walked around because I didn't know where I was. I don't see any equipment.

I just stopped when I heard the door open. The sound kind of scared me a bit. I remembered that man making fun of me on the beach earlier.

And, now, I'm really scared. I don't know what entered my mind and I hid behind the big bed.

I sighed quietly. Someone closed the door and I heard footsteps making it's way to my direction. Little by little I peeked because it wasn't a ghost.

Ghosts don't have footsteps!

"Hi," I said as I stood up.

"Shit!" she shouted and suddenly held her chest.

My eyes widened. "Oh my, god! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you," I apologized.

She calmed down after a few seconds and looked up.

Wait, what?