Careless Whisper

2 - Hi Heart Hotel

"We've arrived! Welcome to Hi Heart Hotel, ma'am Samantha."

I had expected to arrive at a villa, but instead, I found myself at a hotel-an abandoned one, yet still retaining a certain charm.

Our journey had been long, and I had nearly drifted off to sleep in the back of the van. The couple accompanying me hadn't engaged in much conversation, perhaps finding it difficult to talk to me.

"I thought we were going to my family's villa. Why are we here?" My gaze lingered on the building, the hotel that my father had abandoned due to its lack of profitability.

"Villa? Ano yung villa?" The old man asked his wife, who just shrugged, their expressions making me feel guilty.

"A house, a huge one."

"Oh, a mansion! Ma'am Samantha, your mansion is still under renovation but it will be finished soon. For the time being, I'm sorry, but you have to stay here with us. Don't worry, we'll provide you with everything you need and want. For now, let's go inside." I walked with them as they led the way. We stepped into the main lobby, and as expected, it was empty.

The main lobby was expansive, with gold and bronze tiles featuring images of yellowish flowers in the center of the wide room. The white ceiling soared 20 feet high, adorned with a chandelier.

The stairs on both sides were huge and honestly seemed rather ridiculous to climb. There were hallways leading to rooms for workers, janitors, or leading to the kitchen, cafeteria, bar, or the back of the building.

It didn't look abandoned to me. Surprisingly, it was clean and still quite appealing. This hotel held so many memories and memories that I either wanted to keep or forget.

Memories of my mom and how she cut ties with us, acting like we didn't exist.

"For the time being, this will be your room. We apologize if it isn't very spacious. This is the largest room this hotel has." They led me to a room, opened the door, and waited for me to enter before following.

It was a plain room, with white walls and thick gray lines at the bottom.

The tiles were marble, the window was half my size, and the scenery outside was of an empty pool with benches, a slide, and a mini bar in the middle of the pool.

This hotel may appear lifeless and dull, but it's peaceful.

"Ahh... Ikaw na nga kumausap, nauubusan na ako ng English." I stared out the window, my gaze fixed on the empty pool as I listened to their whispers.

"Hindi ako marunong mag-English, Ga. Ikaw na." I heard them argue, and it was kind of cute how they tried so hard to keep me company.

"You can speak in Tagalog if you want. I understand that language pretty well, but I find it hard to speak it." I turned around and gave them a small but genuine smile, appreciating their effort and finally ending their struggle.

"Talaga po? Salamat po, madam." They smiled at me, eyes closing as the side of their lips almost touched their ears.

"May I know your name, Mr?"

"Ako po pala si Chadwick, siya naman po ang asawa ko, si Morticia." I knew it. I had assumed correctly; they were a couple and they looked good together, which I kind of envied.

"My name is Baek So-hee. My English name is Samantha, so we'll stick with it. Please take good care of me, and I hope we get along." What I strive for is to have a good and strong connection with the people I'm working with.

I have to at least get close to them to avoid misunderstandings and chaos.

"Are you the caretaker of this hotel?"

"Hindi po, siya po." Morticia pouted as if asking for a kiss. I furrowed my brow as I followed her gaze, looking out the window and spotting a young woman holding a broom.

A young woman with shoulder-length brown hair and fair skin, a little taller, wearing nothing but jeans and a white tank top that revealed her pretty muscular arms and hugged her perfect body shape. She had broad shoulders, a perfect jaw, a pointy nose, and rosy lips.

She looked familiar.

"Siya po si Jezreel Ybañez, anak ng unang caretaker sa mansion n'yo." I walked a little closer, my eyes lingering on her. She hopped down into the empty pool and started cleaning the floor.

I noticed Morticia standing beside me; she opened the window and yelled the young woman's name.

"Jezreel! Jezreel, si Ma'am Samantha nandito na!!" She waved her hand to get the young woman's attention. Jezreel looked over, and even though we were meters apart, our eyes met.

I smiled at her and bowed down a little; she nodded and looked away.

"Batang ito talaga akalain mo robot. Tsk tsk... Pasensya na po madam sa inasal nya, medyo mahiyain po yung bata. Pero masipag siya, mabait, maaasahan, saka matulungin." Her gentle words managed to sway me, suggesting she might truly be just a reserved individual.

So, she's Jezreel, Manang Jamaica's daughter.

I wonder, is she the elder of the two siblings or the youngest?

"Ma'am maiwan na namin po kayo at maglilinis pa kami. Kapag may kailangan lang po kayo, lumapit lamang po kayo sa amin." They excuse themselves and leave me alone in the room.

As I settle onto the edge of the bed and begin to unpack, a swirl of emotions engulfs me, defying simple description.

It's not quite emptiness, though tears threaten to spill.

Could it be disappointment?

Loneliness?

Longing, perhaps?

Despite the company around me, I can't shake this profound sense of isolation.

My family, my friends, the future business awaiting me-none are here.

There's no one to guide my actions, no set path to follow.

Regrets and disappointments gnaw at me. I despise feeling useless, a shadow of what I once was.

I was meant to uphold my father's legacy, to be The Baek like him.

Longing, yes, that seems to resonate.

Longing for my family's presence, for something familiar to anchor me in this sea of uncertainty.

\\\

Jezreel's POV

"Jezreel, maiwan ka muna dito. Pupunta lamang kami ng palengke para makapamili ng pagkain mamayang hapunan." Kasalukuyan akong nag lilinis ng mini bar sa gitna ng pool nang bigla akong lapitan ni Manong Chad.

Napahinto naman agad ako sa pagpupunas ng counter at nabaling ang aking tinging sa nag isang bintana kung saan makikita ang bagong boss namin na nakahiga sa kama.

"Hindi ba may pagkain tayo sa fridge?" Pagpapaalala ko. I did grocery kanina lamang umaga so bakit kailangan pang bumili ulit?

"Baka hindi sanay si madam sa pagkain natin kaya bibili kami ng iba. Magluluto kami ng para sa kanya."

Right... Rich people are spoiled brat

Umiwas na ako ng tingin at nagpatuloy na maglinis, tumango na lamang ako bilang sagot at hinayaan silang umalis. Ilang minuto din bago ako nakatapos.

Nagdiretso naman ako sa loob ng hotel at hindi sinasadyang napadaan sa kwarto kung saan naroon ang boss namin.

I halted right in front of the door as I heard a sobs. But as much as I wanted to peak, I pay no attention to it. I went straight to the kitchen.

Naglinis ako saglit, nag walis, nag punas, nag hugas ng pinggan at kung ano pa. Ganito ang trabaho ko sa villa man o dito sa hotel as a caretaker.

This is actually my mom's job but since she has health condos, she was forced to retire, ako na ang pumalit sa kanya.

Napakalawak nitong hotel pero walang tao kundi kami lamang tatlo. Minsan sina Manong Chad at ang asawa na lamang niya ang nandito dahil sa madalas akong nasa villa.

Medyo malaki rin yung kitchen, dati kasi tong kusina ng limang magagaling na chefs at kanilang mga apprentice.

Naging playground nila ang kitchen na ito at naging judge sa kanilang mga luto ang mga taong nag stay-in dito.

Limang taon pa lang ako ay nakatungtong na ako sa hotel na ito. Marami pa ang tao noon at buhay na buhay and building na ito.

Usap-usapan din dahil sa hindi lamang napaka ganda, lawak, at ayos ng hotel kundi maging sa pagiging masipag, maunawain, at maaasahan ang lahat ng staff. Masarap ang mga pagkain, inumin at nakakagiliw ang mag stay.

"You need a hand?" I glanced over my shoulder and caught sight of a woman I hadn't seen in a decade.

She appeared as gentle as an angel, seemingly untouched by time.

It's interesting how she still looks youthful, almost like a teenager, and her unchanged height makes her seem more like a child than an adult.

"I have my own hand," I replied, my voice cold. From the corner of my eye, I noticed she lingered for a moment before quietly departing, leaving me to my thoughts.

Umabot din ng oras bago nakabalik ang mag asawa, dumeretso agad sila sa kusina kaya't nakita ko ang kanilang mga pinamili.

They stuffed all of it in the fridge and I just watched them. Familiar naman yung ibang foods or ingredients sakin but the rest, I don't what the f**k that is.

"Grabe yung korean meat, 1k dalawang kilo. Yung seaweed wrap, 200 pesos limang piraso. Sakit sa bulsa ng mga masasarap na pagkain ngayon." Reklamo ni manang Ticia habang tinutulungan ang kanyang asawa.

Nang matapos silang mag-ayos ay nagsimula na silang magluto, tumulong naman ako sa pag gagayat dahil sa nakakahiya rin namang lumamon na lamang ng walang ambag.

"Kamusta na nga pala si Madame? May hinihingi ba siya? May kailangan ba siya? Lumapit ba siya sa iyo?" Tanong sa akin ni Manong Chad habang nag gagayat ako ng karne na sa palagay ko ay kanilang iihawin.

"Nope. Nasa kwarto parin siya, for sure lalabas lang iyon kapag kakain na." I said in a cold tone, I honestly don't care if that's how things will turn out. That's always how rich people do it anyway. Besides, I don't need her help; I can handle things by myself.

"Hayaan mo na, pagod lamang iyon." Sambit ni Manong Chad habang naghuhugas siya ng bigas. Palihim naman akong umirap habang patuloy na ginagawa ang part ko.

"Medyo malungkot din ang mukha nya kanina... Nami-miss siguro ang pamilya nya. Mahirap din mawalay sa pamilya, alam mo iyon, Jezreel." Tugon ni Manang Ticia, sa sinabi niya ay hindi ko maiwasang maalala ang nanay at bunso kong kapatid na nasa Batangas.

Yes, sa probinsya nakatira ang pamilya ko. Batangeno ang nanay ko samantalang ang tatay ko ay Amerikano.

Sabi ng ibang tao swerte daw ang nanay ko na naka "jackpot" siya ng foreigner, sabi naman ng iba, swerte daw ang tatay ko dahil nakapangasawa siya ng Pilipino.

Pero para sa akin, parehas silang malas sa isa't isa.

My mom had me at the age of 23, I don't know kung anong edad ng papa ko, all I know is, my father's a jerk. I mean, that's what he said to me.

"Jezreel, bumili ka ng softdrinks dyan sa labas para naman hindi tayo puro kape ang iniinom." Utos sa akin ni Manang Ticia matapos kong magayat lahat ng karne. Sumunod na lamang ako at saka ay lumakad palayo.

Nang makarating ako sa main lobby ay napahinto ako sa mismont gitna ng masilayan ko ang itsura ng boss namin.

Nakatayo siya mismo sa tapat ng malalaking pintuan, papasok na sana siya pero napahinto rin ng ako'y kanyang makita.

Napansin ko na iba na ang suot nya, from normal business attire to pink robes na tila ay kanyang pantulog.

Her eyes, nose, and ears are as red as her lips. Her dark hair rests on her shoulder that matches her robes. Mukhang kakatapos niya lamang umiyak.

To be honest, I feel bad, kung ang talagang iniiyak niya ay ang pagkalayo niya sa kanyang pamilya, maaawa ako. Alam ko ang sakit na malayo sa taong minamahal mo, napilitan ka man o desisyon mo.

"Hi... Going somewhere?" Pero kahit man maawa ako ay wala rin naman akong magagawa. Kaya imbes na sagutin ko siya at makipag-usap ay nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad at siya'y nilagpasan.

Nakita ko pa sa peripheral vision ko kung paano niya ako sinundan ng tingin pero binalewala ko na rin.

As much as possible, ayokong lumalapit sa mga mayayamang tao. Mahirap na, baka malagay sa peligro ang buhay ko... ulit.

I have to distance myself from everyone.

Lalo na sa mga mayayamang katulad nya. They're dangerous, all of them. I can't afford to lose those I work hard for. Ako lamang ang inaasahan ng pamilya ko ngayon.

Nang makarating na ako sa malapit na store ay madali akong lumapit sa drinks section, kumuha lamang ako ng dalawang sprite and isang Coke.

Matapos nito ay pumila na ako sa counter. Wala namang masyadong tao dahil sa madilim narin sa labas.

Lumubog na ang araw at nagpasikat na ang buwan sa langit.

Maraming dumadaan na sasakyan, pero kakaunti ang tao sa daan. Medyo lumalamig narin at nagsisi pa akong hindi ako nagdala ng jacket.

"230 pesos po ma'am." Nang makapagbayad ako at mukuha ang pinamili ko, kukunin ko na rin sana ang sukli pero may ibang kumuha nito. Lumingon agad ako sa gilid ko at nakitang nakatayo na may ngisi sa labi ang kaibigan ko.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Tanong ko.

"Paburaot, isang pack ng sigarilyo." I knew it.

"Fine, isang pack nga po ng *****" lumingon ako sa cashier habang inaabot ni Liliana ang bayad.

"ID po." Nilabas ko ang ID na meron ako, pinakita ko iyon sa cashier bago niya inabot sa aking ang sigarilyo at ang receipt.

"Salamat Miss." Kinindatan naman ng kaibigan ko yung babae bago kami lumabas ng store. Nakita kong kumuha siya ng isang stick, sinalpak niya sa bunganga niya saka sinindihan gamit ang lighter na lagi niyang dala.

"Hindi kaba nilalamig dyan sa suot mo. Nasa bagio tayo, hindi sa Manila." Sambit nito habang naglalakad kami sa sidewalk. Pumuwesto ako sa kabilang side kung saan malapit sa mismong road.

FYI, I'm not being a gentlewoman, tatawid kasi ako mamaya kaya nag re-ready na ako.

"Nakalimutan ko." Simple kong sagot, tumingin siya sa akin at binuga ang usok sa harap ko mismo dahilan para mapaiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya. I waved my hand like a fan at sinubukang hindi malanghap ang usok ng sigarilyo niya.

"Walang ka paring pinagbago..." Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. Ilang minuto din wala akong imik, hinintay ko lamang siyang magsalita muli.

"May trabaho ako bukas... Kukunin ko ba o hindi?"

Is she asking for my consult?

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin. Alam ko ang trabahong papasukan niya at danas ko ang hirap noon ngunit malaki ang masasahod. Parati namang ganito, parati namang ganoon ang trabaho.

"Alam kong alam mo ang isasagot ko dyan." Tugon ko, tumawa siya ng mahina at napahinto sa paglalakad. Huminto rin naman agad ako at lumingon sa kanya. At first I was confused bakit siya natawa at tumigil sa paglalakad. I looked at her and tilt my head out of confusion.

"Jay... Jay... Jay... Are you still hunted with that past?" My frown turned into something more. Alam ko kung saan ito patungo kaya pinigilan ko na siya kaagad.

"Nagbago na ako Liliana. Tigilan nyo na ako, maayos na ang buhay ko." Tugon ko, tumalikod ako at nagpatuloy na naglakad. Ramdam ko naman ang pagsunod niya pero hindi ko ito masyadong pinansin. Huminto ako sa pedestrian lane at saka at tumawid.

Pagtungo ko sa kabilang sidewalk ay nakita ko siyang nakatayo lamang sa kabila. Tumango lamang ako bilang pamamaalam bago tuluyang umalis. Nang makarating ako ng hotel ay nagdiretso ako ng kusina ngunit wala na sila.

Nagtungo ako sa pool area at nakita ko sila sa isang bench na magkakasama. Naghahayin ng pagkain si Manang Ticia, nag iihaw naman si Manong Chad, samantalang si Madame naman ay nakaupo lamang at nag iintay.

Napansin ko ang ilang mga alak na sa online ko lamang nakikita. May kulay puti, my bote na kulay green, may wine at iba pa. May mga pagkain din na hindi ko naman alam, kanin lamang ang pamilyar na pagkaing nakahayin.

"Sakto ang dating mo, Jezreel. Magsisimula na tayong manghapunan. Halika, naglabas si madam ng alak, welcome party daw." Kita ko ang malawak na ngiti sa labi ng mag mag-asawa. Syempre matutuwa sila, they're obsessed with alcoholic drinks pa naman. But me? Hell no, hindi ako nag iinom.

"Alam mo ba in Korea daw, yung staffs ang nagsasalin ng alak sa boss nila. Kung sino yung nasa low-rank, siya ang mag serve. Mas mataas ang rank mo sakin kaya ito ang sayo." Paglapit ko ay inabutan niya agad ako ng basong puno ng alak.

"That is some quite expensive wine and a bit strong so drink it slowly." Sambit ni Madame sa akin, I didn't spare a glance at her at binaba ang baso.

"I don't drink... Wag kayong magpaka-lasing dahil hindi ko kayo aasikasuhin." Pinatong ko ang mga drinks na binili ko at saka ay lumakad na palayo.

Ayokong madamay sa pag wa-walwal nila kaya dumeretso na ako ng kwarto at nagpasyang bukas na lamang kumain.

I tried to sleep that night pero hindi ko magawa. Halos abutin ako ng midnight at hindi ko pa rin magawang patulugin ang sarili ko.

Sa inis ay lumabas na lang ako sa main lobby na may dalang painting set. Doon nga sa pool area ay nakita ko silang tatlo ang dalawa natutulog na, samantalang gising naman ang boss namin.

Nakahiga sa lounge chair si Manang Ticia, Manong Chad na nakadapa sa gitna ng bridge ng pool patungo sa mini bar, at si Madame Sam ay tila pinagmamasdan ang madilim na kalangitan.

Dahil sa laki ng pintuan at bukas pa ito ay pasok ang malamig na simoy ng hangin sa loob. Walang hiya akong lumapit sa kanya ngunit ako'y natigilan when I heard her sniffles all of thr sudden.

Umiiyak ba siya?

Nevermind, as if I care.

Umupo ako sa isang lounge chair, I set my things up which got her by surprise.

"Oh god, you startled me." Hindi ko siya pinansin dahil sa abala ako sa aking ginagawa. Looking at the dark sky, naisipan ko nalang ipinta ang buwan at mga bituin.

"You do painting?" Rinig kong tanong niya.

"Isn't it obvious?" Tugon ko ng hindi siya nililingon. Natahimik siya ng ilang segundo.

I watched as she glanced around, her expression shifting to one of embarrassment and uncertainty.

"Can you help me take them back to their room? I've had a bit too much to drink, and I don't think I can manage both of them... But it's okay if you'd rather not. They're my responsibility, after all," she said, her tone polite yet awkward. She even shook her hands as if to emphasize that she would manage if I declined.

I could sense her inner conflict, torn between asking for help and asserting her independence. It was a delicate moment, one that spoke volumes about her character.

"I'm busy," I replied simply as I continued mixing colors.

"Oh, um, sorry for the bother," she said, standing up and turning away from me. I observed as she struggled to lift Manang Ticia, who was clearly much heavier than her.

She almost lost her balance and nearly fell, unable to bear Manang Ticia's weight. I rolled my eyes, feeling a twinge of pity for her. Setting aside what I was doing, I approached her.

I took hold of Manang Ticia's hand and gently pushed her away.

"Go to sleep, I'll handle this,"