Reunion
797 Words
Her boyfriend worked in finance. They had grown up together, the same age, both just starting their careers. They were so busy they barely saw each other twice a month.
Elena took the soup, feeling a little embarrassed.
“I’m sorry, Mia. You could’ve gone out with Steven today…”
Mia waved it off with a smile. “Don’t be silly. He’s stuck working overtime again. What date? Just focus on yourself. I’ve got things here. Go home, sleep. I’ll call you when Aiden’s report is ready.”
Their quiet conversation stirred Aiden awake.
The little boy blinked his sleepy eyes, first searching for Elena. When he found her, he called softly, “Mommy,” before turning to greet Mia as well.
Mia adored him. She walked over, gently ruffling his hair.
“Aiden, your mommy has work this afternoon. I’ll stay here with you, okay?”
Aiden, always obedient, nodded with his pale little face.
“Okay…”
“So good,” Mia cooed, unable to resist kissing him several times. She tucked the blanket around him before turning back. “Elena, don’t worry. I’ll take care of him. Go eat.”
Seeing that Aiden seemed stable, Elena finally relaxed a little.
She reached out and stroked his cheek.
“Mommy has to work this afternoon. Be good and listen to Mia, okay? I’ll bring you a little cake tonight.”
Elena didn’t like sweets, but Aiden loved them more than anything.
After quickly finishing the soup, she grabbed her bag and said goodbye. Mia held Aiden in her arms, guiding his small hand to wave.
“Bye, Mommy!”
Elena smiled, stepped forward, and kissed his cheek before hurrying off.
With Mia there, she felt at ease.
Back at the apartment, she lay down to rest, but her sleep was restless, filled with fragmented dreams. When she woke again, it was already 1:30 in the afternoon.
After a quick wash, dark circles under her eyes, she rode her bicycle to work.
Horizon Crown Hotel.
The only six-star hotel in Los Angeles.
Its standards for staff were high. They wanted youth, beauty, and education. Elena had only finished high school, but her poise and manner of speaking, along with her looks, had convinced the supervisor to make an exception.
She changed into her uniform, clocked in, checked in with the previous shift, and began her usual work in the guest suites.
Making beds was harder than it looked.
After finishing three rooms, she was pushing a cart of linens toward the laundry when the supervisor’s panicked voice crackled through the intercom.
“Does anyone have an asthma inhaler? Bring it to the Celestial Grand Suite immediately!”
Elena froze for a second.
Aiden had asthma. She always carried a salbutamol inhaler in her pocket. She hadn’t expected it to come in handy like this.
“I have one!”
Relief flooded the supervisor’s voice, though it still trembled. “Bring it up now. Hurry!”
Elena knew how dangerous an asthma attack could be. This was life or death.
She didn’t hesitate and rushed toward the elevator leading to the top floor.
The Celestial Grand Suite was never open to the public.
Now, the entrance was crowded. Bodyguards and hotel executives stood outside, anxious, phones pressed to their ears.
The supervisor spotted her immediately and rushed over.
“Do you have it?”
Elena showed her the inhaler, then glanced uneasily at the men in black.
“Who are they…?”
“Don’t ask,” the supervisor cut her off in a low voice. “They’re not people we can afford to offend.”
She pulled Elena to the door and spoke quietly to a young man with charming, slightly playful eyes.
Elena felt his gaze land on her.
His voice, casual yet edged with seriousness, sounded in front of her.
“You’re sure what you brought can treat asthma?”
Elena took a steady breath and lifted her head.
“I have a family member with asthma. I carry this with me at all times. It will help.”
“Do you know how to use it?”
“I do.”
He gave a short nod, exchanged a look with someone inside, and quickly led her toward the suite.
“Once you leave, forget everything you see in there,” he warned.
“I understand.”
Guests who stayed in a six-star hotel were already beyond ordinary wealth. Whoever was inside the Celestial Grand Suite… was on another level entirely.
If news of his illness got out, it could shake markets.
Elena stepped into the presidential suite.
On the bed lay a man, his face tinged blue, breathing ragged as he struggled through an asthma attack.
Her mind went blank with a sharp c***k.
- Writer
