Love's Inferno

Lilian My fingertips buzzed as I stepped through the revolving doors of Coceonic Hotels. It was like walking through the pearly gates – a whole new world with its own weather system and sensational smells. I felt like I had springs in my shoes as I shuffled across the shiny floors. Finally, I could afford mom's medication. I didn't have to listen to her try to stifle her coughs anymore. The corners of my mouth curled up into a smile. A massive weight had been lifted off my chest. “Hello!” I stopped at the receptionist's desk. “Hello, how can I help…” That look. I could recognize it anywhere. The look that told me I stuck out like a sore thumb. Like a tiny fishbone lodged in someone’s throat. To be fair, a faded white t-shirt, frayed jeans, and dirty sneakers weren't exactly 5-star hotel attire. I'd tried to do something nice with my hair but I guess it couldn't make up for my glaring fashion deficit. But all that didn’t matter. Not when I was on the brink of such a positive change. “The service entrance is in the back.” At least she managed to keep that plastic smile on her face. It looked so genuine too – no doubt it had earned her a pretty penny. “I'm here for a job. I'm supposed to meet the manager – Mr. Kohen.” Her eyes raked over me as if she was trying to spot every imperfection. I hadn't even started the job yet and I already had a coworker who thought I was disgusting. “Is he in?” I asked, feeling like I had a million eyes boring into my back. “One moment.” She reluctantly tore her eyes from me to her keyboard, furiously clicking away. “Um, your name?” “Anderson. Lilian Anderson.” I took a moment to survey my surroundings. It really felt like a world of its own and I was only in the lobby. I looked down at my feet hoping my shoes hadn’t smudged the perfectly polished marble floors – I’d hate to be the reason some poor cleaning lady would have to scrub a dirty trail of footprints. The natural light pouring in from the massive windows felt useless against the millions of fancy light bulbs and chandeliers adorning the hotel ceiling. And the chairs, they looked like clouds you could sink into – so comfy. I shook my head. What a life rich people lived. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what the rooms looked like. “I don’t see you on the list. Are you sure it’s Anderson?” Did she just…”Yes, my name is Lilian Anderson.” “Well, you don’t have an appointment so…” Oh no. “I’m pretty sure I do.” I pulled out my phone and scrolled to the email I received two days ago. I didn’t want to consider the possibility that it was a scam. I couldn’t even go there. With sweaty palms, I turned my phone screen to her. “I can’t…” She squinted, trying to read it before snatching the phone out of my hand. “Okay –” She handed it back. “ – but I don’t see it in our system.” I felt a tightness in my throat. Why did life have to be so hard? “Is there anything you can do? Can you call him?” I pleaded even though she clearly wasn’t willing to help in any way. “I don’t control the system,” she spat, not bothering to look at me. “Please, I–” my voice became brittle and I felt my eyes start to water. “I need this job.” “Look I can’t–” her eyes shot to me and I swear I saw a flash of pity. “Look, I’ll check one more time but there isn’t anything more I can do.” She looked behind me and smiled at someone walking past. “Mrs Granger, how are you enjoying your stay?” “Absolutely splendid, Katie, thanks.” I sighed and wiped my eyes. I’d gotten used to being treated like dirt but it still stung occasionally. “Oh, here we are. I guess I didn’t look hard enough.” She glanced up at me with that winning synthetic smile. I heaved a heavy sigh of relief. Of course, she didn’t look hard enough. I didn’t have Mrs. Granger’s money so I wasn’t worth it. “So…” “Take the employee elevator–” she pointed to her left. “–up to the 45th floor. Mr. Kohen’s office is the last door on the right, you can’t miss it. ”Thanks,” I said dragging my feet towards my wonderful new job with wonderful coworkers. *** My knuckles rapped against the heavy wood door labeled ‘Manager’ in cursive. “Come in,” I heard a deep but velvety voice say. I swung open the heavy door and my breath caught in my throat. Even the manager's office was a vision of luxury(SDT). The man himself, an middle aged man with a salt and pepper low taper fade and more hair than usuak on his face. He had lines around his eyes – whether from stress or joy, I didn’t know. “And you are?” He raised a bushy eyebrow at me. “Lilian Anderson. I’m here about the roomkeeping job.” “Anderson. Roomkeeping.” He tapped a finger against his left temple, looking deep in thought. “Oh, right, come with me.” He pushed his chair back, making this scraping sound and I noticed how nice he was dressed. It was the typical black suit, white shirt, and blue tie combo but he managed to make it look classy. He led me out of his office into the elevator. “You will be responsible for this floor all the way to the top.” He pressed the 50 button and turned to face me as the doors slid shut behind him. “Keep your head down, do your job, don’t cause any trouble and you’ll be fine.” “Okay.” I nodded, grateful that he wasn’t the asshole I expected him to be. The doors slid open and he spun around but it was too late to warm him before he bumped into the handsome hulking man on the other side. Mr. Kohen staggered back slamming into the wall with a look of absolute terror “I–I’m sorry sir.” I didn’t blame him. The man cast a terrifying shadow. His suit clung to his arms – thick arms that looked like they could easily squish a watermelon… or a head. His eyes were cold and unnerving, like looking into a starless sky. The lines on his forehead told me he had a perpetual scowl on his face, like the one he regarded my tour guide with. Despite all that, I couldn't bring myself to look away from his devilishly handsome face. It was terrifying how all his features translated to this terrifying image of beauty, like an alluring grim reaper drawing you in with a promise of definite danger. He looked down at his shoes, scuffed from the accident, and back at Mr. Kohen. “Sorry? Sorry?” He glowered at him. “How about you watch where you’re going? Or better yet, how about I fire you for this insubordination?” Insubordination? I glanced back and forth between the two men. Poor Mr. Kohen looked like he was about to piss himself. “Um, I’ll have it cleaned sir. My apologies.” “Keep your apologies to yourself. I have half a mind to make you lick off these stains.” What the hell? I couldn’t bear to watch it anymore. It was only a shoe. A shoe he could easily replace without batting an eye and he was making such a fuss. Rich people baffled me. Dropped to the floor and wiped his shoes with the hem of my shirt before getting back on my feet. “I’m sorry sir. It was an accident.” He stared at me wide-eyed for what seemed like forever all the while, my heart played a drumline beat in my chest. I tried and tried but I couldn’t pry my eyes from his dead gaze. A gaze that sent tingles running up and down my spine. He stormed off and it felt like a fresh wave of oxygen filled the elevator. I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until I felt a rush of air fill my chest. Mr. Kohen sighed. I guess I figured out what kind of lines were around his eyes. “I’m sorry about that, sir.” I sympathized. Having grown up in a foster home and on the street before mom adopted me, I was well accustomed to being treated like I had leprosy. But that didn’t change the pain. Why do some people find it hard to be kind? “No, I’m sorry you had to see that.” He looked at me with dull, lifeless eyes. “One more piece of advice; whenever you see that man anywhere in your line of sight, turn around and run.” I felt a chill go down my spine from the harrowing look on his face.