A Night Before Ruin

I

one over my bed at home. My eyes blinked fast. My breath c

was huge, cold, and untouched. No clothes on the floor. No sound.

ad no memory of doing that. The heels I borrowed from Elena were

oice. I was not sure if I meant the man or my mind.

rom my colleague. One word. Late. My hands flew to my hair. I was

re jelly, my mouth dry. Lipstick smudged on my chin. I tried w

zzy. I kept my head down. I hoped no one would notice me slipping

I froze. Mr. Kellen, the assistant hotel manager, marched towa

say? I lost track of time while doing what? Crying? Sleep

jaw tight, eyes forward. I saw whispers ripple behind linen car

om was small and quiet. A single envelope sat on the desk. Kellen

? But I- I did not even clock

practiced. "This comes from the top. You are no longer empl

ed, my throat dry.

time. "That is not informat

d. "I work hard. I clean rooms no one wan

pted, his tone cold. "T

" I whispered. "Please

took a step back. My hands trembled. My pride burned in m

aid, eyes flat. "Leave quietly. Or we will

demand fairness, to throw something. But I nodded. I clen

guards opened the door. The other waited behind me. We wal

ys, guests. Some of them knew me. Some whispered. I caught on

th sweat. My legs ached. But I kept walking. All the way to

s. I stood on the sidewalk in my wrinkled dress, holding a

d back at me through smudged glass. Red-rimmed eyes. Mascara cli

el

g. "I... I just got fired. I do

asked instantly. Her

till in the dress. I... I

"We will figure this out together. Do

hough she could

d L

es

re not

e. I looked back at the hotel tower, glass gleaming in the sun

fake. I felt like someone else. Some other girl who did not fo

could not hear one more thing I could not understand. I

tapped it. My thumb hesit

ntrolled. Male. Famil

me directly now. Come to t

y chest tightened.

exactly w