THE STERLING SIN _ MY SECRET SISTER

Chapter (3) The Imperial

This time the alarm didn’t wake me up, because different thoughts kept flooding through my mind all night long.

Sleep found its way to me when the clock already hit 5:o’clock, so I just sat down finally unpacking my bags.

Finally it dawned on me that I was going to work, no way I was going to be a worthless daughter I said to myself as tears threatened to fall.

The day was still dark, the cold clouds poured down drops of rain.

I looked outside my window as everywhere felt quiet.

“Hey Mom, I hope your thoughts and guidance are with me?, because I’m no longer your little princess. I said to myself as I stared at the SliverSnow purple pendant mom gave to me for my 18th birthday.

I fixed the pendant on a custom made chain and wore it on my ankle.

It was special so I didn't want to show it off too much.

As the day got bright, the wind rested on my wet skin.

I started getting ready for my first day at work.

Even though I wanted to rest, see the city and smile.

It wasn’t so possible but maybe it was not a bad thing.

I pulled on the charcoal-grey vest and the crisp white shirt of the Imperial. It was meant to be a servant's uniform, but to me, it felt like armor. I brushed my curls until they shone like dark silk, refusing to hide them. No heavy contour, no lashes, just a swipe of clear gloss and the defiance in my eyes. I didn't need a Range Rover to look like I owned the room.

It was almost 6:30, the driver was already waiting to take me to work.

Walking down the hallway, I needed to have a hot tea before leaving. I never start my day without a cup of tea.

“Oh look, the new help is finally awake,” A voice like a screeching tire broke the morning silence.

I turned, I looked confused not because of the words she said but because I couldn't recognize her no matter how I tried.

“ I was wondering why the house smelled like thrift stores and desperation.” She said leaning against the mahogany railing with a bored smirk.

I stopped, my hand tightening on my bag. “I’m Aurora. Selena’s cousin. Not the help.”

A sharp, ugly laugher echoed. “Cousin? Please Selena didn’t even mention you were coming. You’re irrelevant, honey. Just a charity case living in the attic because your mother was too busy being the town’s favorite cheat to leave you a dime.”

The air in the hallway turned to ice. I didn't scream, I stepped closer until her smirk faltered. “My mother’s name is too heavy for a mouth as small and empty as yours to carry,” I whispered, my voice vibrating with a dangerous calm. I looked her up and down at her messy hair and the smeared mascara. “And if I’m the help, perhaps I should start by taking out the trash. You’re blocking the stairs, Move. Before I make you.”

She gasped, her face turning a blotchy red as she scrambled back. I didn't wait for her to find her voice. I walked past her, my shoulder clipping hers just enough to send her stumbling.

__________________

The car halted at a 40 story building, as I stepped down my eyes first caught the big round water fountain at the center of the hotel.

“The Imperial Grand Hotel” I pronounced, the name was suitable for a place like this, the building was so tall my eyes hurt when I tried looking up at the rooftop.

People moving in and out of the main entrance, different varieties of cars were directed to the car pack while their owners walked elegantly.

You could tell that almost everyone here was high born.

My stomach twitched as I made my way to the reception.

“Hello, I'm Aurora Dacksoline, I'm the ne….

“Use the elevator down to the 30th floor and ask Mrs Dorcus the Head of Assistants. The receptionist cut me short before I could finish.

“Thank you”. I said politely as I adjusted my uniform.

“Hey new girl, Mr Sterling is coming in today, be on your best behavior because he usually gets irritated easily and that means someone is likely to get fired, don't be that person on your first day.

She said in a quiet warning tone.

I took the elevator down to the 30th floor. I didn't have much time to fantasize about the building interior because the receptionist's words kept replaying in my head.

“Aurora Dacksoline? A woman's voice interrupted my thoughts.

She looked like she was in her late 40's. Her uniform didn't look exactly like my own but it was similar. Her name tag pressed against her chest.“Dorcus”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Your Aunt Beatrice informed me you were coming, Your shift starts in about 30min.

“Since the gala is about to start, there's no time to lecture you now.

“You would be serving in the gala hall Miss Aurora.

“Ok ma. I said.

She handed me a book and asked me to memorize the first 2 chapters because that was the rules of the Hotel whenever an event was being held.

She left after gesturing to me to wait in the ladies room until it was time for my shift.

I buried my head into the book that looked like a beautiful menu, the words blurred together as my nerves took over. I could not understand anything.

The gala had started because lit music started playing.

In 30mins the ladies room felt like a graveyard, almost everyone left the room.

“Hello Miss? Mrs Dorcus said you should resume work immediately”. A blonde blue-eyed girl said while adjusting her shoe lace.

“My name is Maria and we need to hurry” She said with a faint smile, she extended her hands to me.

“I'm Aurora, Rory for short” I replied back as I took her hands into mine and we hurriedly left the room.

The gala hall was filled with men in expensive suits and heels that clicked the ground.

All the staff looked busy, except me.

“ Here go serve the Sterling Associates”. Maria said, handing me a tray of wine.

Everything was going well for now. Inside my mind I just needed to get past the night, even though the night just began.

A tray shattered near the buffet, sending shards of glass across the marble. In the chaos, a manager grabbed my arm. 'You. You look presentable. Take the vintage scotch to the 40th floor. The Board Room. Now!!

And just like that, my hope of surviving the night shattered along with the glass. I was being sent to the 40th floor of the inner sanctum to face the one man whose name had been a haunting whisper since I arrived in Veridia. The man everyone feared. The man who held my future in his cold, billionaire hands.

Mr. Kelvin Sterling.