THE HEIR BEHIND THE CREST

Chapter 01: The Bellhop and the Shadows of Power

The revolving glass doors of The Imperial Crest Hotel spun without rest. Beneath the chandeliers, guests glided across marble that shone like still water, their laughter echoing through the lobby. Silver carts rattled, perfume mingled with coffee, and the sound of wealth filled the air.

John Raymond pushed a luggage trolley toward the elevator, his uniform pressed but worn, the colour faded from too many washes. Sweat gathered at the back of his neck even though the lobby was chilled. He moved quickly, quietly, never speaking unless spoken to. The other bellhops called him “the ghost,” because he worked harder than any of them yet left no trace of himself behind.

He glanced once at the reflection in the mirror near the elevator, tall, lean, and tired. The navy cap sat low over his dark hair, shadowing eyes that were a shade of blue people rarely noticed. He forced a polite smile as a couple walked past, their laughter slicing through his thoughts.

“Mind the corner, boy,” the man said. His wife didn’t look at John; her perfume lingered after she was gone.

“Yes, sir,” John murmured.

He didn’t remember the last time someone had looked at him and seen a person rather than a uniform. But work meant survival, and The Imperial Crest was the only place that paid enough to keep his small rented room alive.

By noon, the lobby overflowed again. Managers barked orders, clerks juggled phones, and the hum of machines filled the air. Mr. Harrison, the operations director, crossed the lobby with a smile that never reached his eyes.

“Raymond,” he called. “You missed a guest’s request this morning. Do that again, and you’ll be scrubbing floors instead of carrying bags.”

John lowered his head. “Yes, sir.”

He had not missed the request. Another bellhop had taken the tip and blamed him. But defending himself never worked here. Harrison’s rules were simple: the staff were replaceable, the guests were not.

Rita James passed by the reception counter, her polished smile dazzling every businessman within sight. The light caught the gold strands of her hair. John paused, only for a second, and their eyes met. She looked away quickly, pretending not to recognise him. Months ago, before she traded affection for ambition, she had whispered that he was the only one who truly saw her. Now she flirted with men like Jerry Martins, a frequent guest who arrived in expensive suits and arrogance.

Jerry entered the lobby just then, tossing his car keys to a valet without slowing. His laughter rolled across the room. “Rita, darling,” he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. She glowed under his attention.

John pushed his trolley into the elevator before anyone could notice the tightening in his chest.

Inside the lift, the walls mirrored his reflection from every side. A servant in a palace of glass. His stomach growled; he hadn’t eaten since dawn. He thought of his parents, though he remembered little about them. Their faces were like old photographs blurred by time. All he knew was that they had died in an accident when he was ten. After that, the world forgot his name.

When the doors opened, the top floor greeted him with silence and carpet soft as fog. The suites here cost more per night than his yearly rent. He delivered the luggage, accepted a small tip, and returned to the service elevator. Down below, the kitchen smelled of roasted meat and fresh bread, but staff meals were served only after midnight.

In the staff corridor, Collins waved him over. “You heard? Harrison’s inspection tonight. He’s ready to tear into anyone who slips.”

John sighed. “When isn’t he?”

Collins shrugged, grinning. “At least we get paid this week. I’ll buy you a drink after shift.”

John smiled faintly. “You know I don’t drink.”

“Then you’ll watch me do it.”

Their laughter was soft, quickly swallowed by the noise of trays clattering. Collins was the only one who treated him as a friend, not a shadow. He was clumsy, talkative, and far too kind for a place like this.

Evening settled over the city. The hotel transformed under golden lights. John worked through dinner hours, delivering champagne, clearing trays, and assisting guests who were too wealthy to say thank you. Every moment pressed against him like a weight on his shoulders. Still, he moved with quiet grace, because pride had no place here.

At ten, he stepped out onto the small service balcony behind the kitchen. The air was cool, carrying the hum of traffic from the streets below. From here, he could see the skyline glittering in layers of glass and light. The city was beautiful from a distance, cruel up close. Somewhere out there, people built empires while he served drinks to them.

He leaned against the railing, eyes closed. One day, he told himself. One day, all of this will change.

Behind him, a door opened. Rose Harrison, the housekeeping supervisor, appeared with a tray of half-eaten desserts. “You’re on break?” she asked, her tone sharp.

“Just a minute, ma’am.”

“Make it thirty seconds. The twelfth floor needs clean-up.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She left with a satisfied smile. John waited until she was gone before exhaling. He returned inside, collected his cleaning kit, and rode the elevator back to work.

The twelfth floor smelled of perfume and expensive cigars. He entered one of the penthouse corridors, finding glasses scattered on tables, traces of a party already fading. He began clearing the mess when voices drifted from the adjoining room, familiar ones.

“Can you believe the staff they hire?” Jerry’s voice. “They let anyone in now. I saw that bellhop again, the quiet one. What’s his name? Raymond?”

Rita laughed softly. “He’s harmless.”

“He’s pathetic. You can tell he was born for servitude.”

John froze, his hands tightening around a glass. Their laughter carried through the half-open door.

“Maybe he should thank us,” Jerry continued. “We give him purpose.”

The sound of a kiss followed. John turned away, throat burning. He placed the glass back carefully and finished cleaning. Every movement became mechanical, each breath a fight for composure.

By the time he returned to the service hall, midnight had passed. The corridors were quiet now, the grand hotel sleeping under its own wealth. He entered the locker room, changed out of his uniform, and sat for a long time staring at the floor. The silence pressed on him heavier than noise ever did.

Collins entered a moment later. “You all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“You look like someone stole your soul.”

John forced a smile. “Maybe they did.”

Collins sat beside him. “Harrison’s report is tomorrow. He’ll probably chew out half the staff. Don’t take it personal.”

“I never do,” John said. But his voice was distant.

They left the hotel together. Outside, rain had begun to fall, light at first, then heavier. Collins ran for the bus stop, waving goodbye. John walked in the opposite direction toward his small rented room two streets away. The water soaked through his thin jacket. Streetlights reflected on the puddles like broken glass. He passed shops closing for the night, their metal shutters groaning down.

In his room, the ceiling leaked near the window. The bed was narrow, the air cold. He sat on the edge, listening to the rain. On the small table beside him sat an old photograph, the only thing left from his childhood. A man and woman stood beside a car, smiling at the camera. He traced the image with his fingers.

“Who were you really?” he whispered.

He didn’t notice when his eyes closed. Sleep came in fragments, haunted by dreams of corridors without end and voices whispering his name.

Morning arrived pale and wet. John dressed quickly and returned to the hotel before dawn. The staff entrance smelled of detergent and steel. He joined the morning briefing, where Mr. Harrison outlined the day’s tasks with his usual contempt.

“Remember,” Harrison said, “appearances keep this hotel alive. One mistake and you’re gone.”

After the meeting, John resumed his duties. Hours blurred together until noon approached again. He was delivering towels to the upper floors when his phone vibrated in his pocket, an unknown number. Staff phones were rarely used except for emergencies. He hesitated, glanced around, and answered.

A calm voice spoke on the other end. “John Raymond?”

He straightened instinctively. “Yes. Who is this?”

“My name is Mr Shack. I need to speak with you in private. It concerns your family.”

“My family?” The word felt foreign on his tongue. “You must have the wrong person.”

“No, Mr Raymond,” the voice replied, steady and unyielding. “I assure you, I do not.”

Static filled the silence. The caller continued, “I have information that belongs to you. If you value truth, meet me tonight at the old train terminal by nine. Do not tell anyone.”

Before John could respond, the line went dead.

He stared at the phone, the echo of that voice lingering like thunder. The noise of the hotel faded until all he could hear was the pounding of his own heartbeat.

Somewhere deep inside him, something shifted, like a lock turning after years of rust.

And for the first time, the quiet bellhop of The Imperial Crest felt the tremor of destiny calling his name.