Chapter 1

Arthur stood still, staring hard at the man before him. The fire of hatred that burned in him was enough to push him into making a rash decision. However, he managed to suppress his anger. His job at the hotel was going to be over if he acted on the impulse of his youthful rage. Tilting his head, Arthur lifted his left palm and calmly massaged his left cheek. Eyes red and face darkened into a ruffle, Arthur opened his mouth to speak. "But Sir, I've been busy getting the beddings clean. I haven't been playing all day or even gotten the chance to rest." Arthur tried to defend himself but got another smack on the face." Bang.

"How dare you call me a liar before my face, you piece of trash. If I hadn't seen you on the pavement whiling away time, then I might have believed your lies." Mr Frank Manuel blurted out with a profound frown on his face. To Arthur, this was an innumerable incident as no day goes by that he doesn't get a scolding from the Probity hotel manager. 

"That was just a brief rest. Not even up to a minute. I needed it to ease my aching feet." Arthur still stood his ground despite wincing in pain. Even though it was abnormal for an employee to be physically abused, Arthur was already used to getting whacked by the manager. 

"Sir, I also saw him dozing off in the basement. He seemed to be in such a deep slumber that he didn't notice me coming in or leaving." A voice spoke from behind and the men turned around to see Harry approaching. Behind him was Morris, another colleague who looked shocked by the statement made by Harry. Morris thought that Harry was trying to magnify the issue just to get Arthur into more trouble. 

Harry never liked Arthur since the day the latter started work. On learning that Arthur was an ex-convict, Harry had more cause to throw demeaning words at him. Sometimes he would address him as a felon or little thief. He had learned that Arthur spent three months in prison because he stole money.

On the other hand, Frank was just using Arthur for his selfish gain. Because of his criminal record, Arthur could not get a job anywhere. Frank was the only one who offered him a job as a room service attendant. However, he made Arthur slave himself away, washing all the beddings as well as attending to guests for just a meager amount. It only seemed Frank was cutting Arthur's pay because he had no choice. No one else would employ him after all.

On hearing what Harry said, Frank drew closer to Arthur. A solemn glare on his face. Clenching his fists, he bit his lower lip. He almost aimed at his face again but restrained himself this time. "If I find out that you've been sleeping during work hours, then get ready to kiss your job goodbye."

Arthur blinked his eyes and lowered his face. He had already accepted his fate as an unfortunate young man. Seeing that he had achieved a little of his aim, Harry let out a wicked chuckle. 

"Go back to work. All of you." Frank said as he left the corridors of the washing room where he met Arthur. "Hey, felon, this is just a tip of the iceberg. I'm gonna make your stay here miserable until you decide to quit." Harry threw a mocking word at Arthur while Morris just shook his head. He was never in support of how Arthur was being treated by Frank and Harry, but he had never had the courage to stand up for Arthur for fear that he might lose his job. However, he has a soft spot for Arthur that he secretly helps him with the washing and dry cleaning. 

Arthur turned to face Harry who was smirking at him. "What have I ever done to you that you hate me so much? We're both staff of this establishment, aren't we supposed to be looking out for each other?"

"Shut up little thief, I can never have anything to do with anyone who has been convicted of stealing. What would that make me? A friend of a thief. That would never happen. It's only enough that you're my colleague and I'd do everything possible to get you out of here. Now take some of these beddings to room 504 and also fetch their breakfast at the kitchen. You wouldn't want to keep the loving couple waiting." Frank blurted out and turned to Morris. "Would you keep starting like a donkey or come with me?" 

Morris shook his head as he followed the bossy colleague behind. Because Harry was the head of the hotel's room service attendants, he kept acting like he was the owner of the hotel. 

Arthur soon saw himself on the way to room 504. He drove a trolley where he placed the customers' orders and their beddings. The couple must have paid for a few days hence they requested for a change in their beddings. Drawing almost close to the room, Arthur was approached by Morris. "Arthur, wait up please."

Arthur stopped in his steps to listen to what his colleague had to say. "Let me help you with that. You can go have some rest so you don't break down." 

"Never mind. I'll do it myself." He said and continued towards his destination.

He would not want to put the guy in trouble by letting him do his work. Certainly not. It was already enough that Morris helps him do the laundry sometimes but that was done discreetly. If Frank were to ever find out, they'd both be in trouble. Reaching right at his stop, Arthur halted before the room boldly written '504' at the door post. Reaching out, he knocked on the door. "Who is it?" He heard a female voice ask from inside. "Room service." Arthur responded.

In a matter of seconds, the door was flung open revealing a beautiful lady in her pajamas. Shocked, Arthur's mouth fell apart as he gaped continuously at her.