So, hi and hello!

After figuring out my log in details I have gone through and given this all a tidy up! A good, much needed, tidy!

Operation Domination

"Are you sure?" I questioned, sitting up right from my once lounging state at the table booth, the high backs of the dark leather bench squeaking lightly with the small movement.

"Yeah! They've been looking for someone new for weeks, and I can't put up with them any more!" The beautifully athletic woman stated with a huff. "They are so needy, but you're a strong character, you'll do great!" She quickly added. .

"I don't know Marlene, everything I've ever heard you say about them has kind of put me off," I visibly cringed at the memory of the many eventful stories she had come out with.

"Yeah, but I wasn't getting paid, you will be and if everything else sucks, at least your pay slip won't!" She tried a smile, it was hopeful rather than convincing.

My head was filled with the battling pros and cons to applying for the job. "Do I have a choice?" I sighed, staring at the glass of water sat between us. I then raised my gaze to meet her desperate hazel eyes. I could tell she was thoughtful on my need for more hours, but she was also torn between trying to convince me to take the job so she could wash her hands of it, and telling me to run for the hills and stick to my low wage, little hours contract at The Royal Palace in the hopes something else would come along.

"I just really want them out of my hair, but they can't seem to be able to find someone new, I've been helping out for three weeks and they're driving me nuts!" Marlene spoke honestly and she did look desperate; her short hair wasn't holding the usual bouncy beach waves and her patience was wearing thin.

I caved to the pressure of helping out a friend rather than the substantial full time contract and healthy pay. "What will I be doing?" I pried, probing my elbow up on the table and resting my chin in my hand.

Relief came to her face in the most joyful expressions. "You'll just be a receptionist mostly, make some tea and do the lunch run, it really isn't that bad," She beamed; the sun catching her healthy skin and giving her a glow.

"Alright fine," I added in defeat. I had to admit the pay sounded good, about the only good thing actually; it was the people I'd have to associate with that scared me.

"Great!" She cheered; jumping up so fast she knocked the table. "Just fill these in!" A huge stack of paper was dropped in front of me causing the glass of water to wiggle across the table an inch.

"Ohh dear," I whispered staring at the mountain of used to be trees. "At least I know where half the Amazon went." I added lifting the first page.

"Eh, eh! I am not paying you to be sitting around making jibber jabber," A tall, self-empowered man scuttled over to the table we sat at.

"Julien, our shifts are over so you're not paying us at all," I stated with a light frown.

"Ah but I gave you a free drink, which means I paid, you didn't, so my money is yours, I'm paying you!" He pointed to the glass situated in the middle of the table.

I looked from the man and just about managed to follow his thought process. "It's a glass of water? From the tap… it's free," I shrugged.

"Don't be so uptight!" Marlene added.

"Hmm and I suppose you pay the water bills, or the Plummering? Hmmm?" he pressed his fingertips together in front of him as he spoke, bending forwards in an almost bow as he talked quietly to us. "Am I right Maurice?" He chirped standing bolt up strait.

The man he called for looked over in disinterest. He paused, glass in one hand and cloth in the other as he took it the situation. "Julien, it's just a glass of water?" The smaller, more rounded man shrugged, motioning to the lone glass and going back to drying the one he was holding.

"But it's my glass of water! It came from my taps! This is my hotel, I am the king here!" the tall Julien folded his arms, sticking his nose in the air, almost in disgust.

I chanced a glance across at Marlene who simply rolled her eyes before turning back to the slightly mad man. It was a miracle the man had a job let alone run an entire hotel. Yet he didn't have the respect or authority you'd expect from such a job title. It was more like he was a bumbling idiot that appeared one day and declared himself the boss of the hotel and everyone treated him like it too- not that he noticed.

"Of course and what a humble king you are to be gracing those lower than you with such kindness," Maurice spoke flatly. He gave a roll of his eyes and looked to the sulking man as he slowly came to, a grin spreading across his face.

"Oh-ho! I am brilliant!" Julien cheered for himself. "… but anyways I don't care!" with that he waved it away before inspecting his nails and turned on his heels to stride off.

"I swear he gets weirder every time I see him," I frowned shaking my head lightly as I watched the tall man stride off.

"Yeah well, that's nothing on the suits," Marlene mumbled, sparking my attention as I only caught a few words.

"What?" I questioned as she stiffened slightly, looking wide-eyed.

"What?!" She gave a light shrug before passing me a pen. "Here!"

"I have to fill it out now?" I frowned taking the pen slowly, my hand dropping to the first page as the woman in front of me gave a single nod.

I huffed and looked to the huge mound of paper. Why the hell would they need so much information? There's enough weight from the stack to kill a man!

I didn't mind working at the hotel, house keeping was an easy enough job and at the times I'd managed to grab a few extra working hours I also got to experience the different departments within the hotel. But I needed more guaranteed hours and this job Marlene was offering still linked me to the hotel so I'd still get to see everyone.

I listened blankly to Marlene as she continued to ramble on about various subjects, it was nothing but background blur as I scribbled my life away, pausing at the last page with my hand hovering over the bottom line, the pen giving a light shake before I scribbled down my signature.

A daunting feeling crept over me…why does it feel like I've just signed my life away?

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