Antoinette

"Move on na, Toni!" bulong ko habang sinasampal-sampal ang sarili.

I am currently on a break from my shift as a receptionist in Casa Del Paraiso. And every break time, I don't know why my feet would drag me here.

"Suite 214"

I heaved a sigh.

Everything was still vivid that day. The day I found out that my ex cheated on me in the same room number with another woman.

Trauma? Maybe...

You know what's stupid when I confronted him? Nag-uusap lang daw sila. Like, seriously? Talking? Inside a hotel suite?

Bumalik ako sa ulirat nang maramdaman ang vibration from my pocket. I grabbed my phone and answered Fritz' call.

"Yes?" I answered.

"Asan ka na? Your break is almost done and we have a VIP coming," she said.

"I'll be right there," sagot ko and ended the call.

Marahan akong tumalikod at naglakad palayo hanggang sa may biglang bumunggo sa akin na naging dahilan ng pagbagsak ko.

"Aray!" reklamo ko.

Tiningala ko ang nakabunggo sa akin at tumambad ang isang lalaki na nakasuot ng housekeeping uniform.

"Are you okay?" tanong nito sa akin after helping me.

Medyo kumunot ang noo ko sa lalaking nasa harap ko. "You're new here?" tanong ko.

He nodded. "Assigned ako sa VIP rooms," he answered.

"I see. Eh bakit nakasuot ka ng mask? May sakit ka ba?" I asked again.

He just shrugged.

"For a new hire? You're quite rude," I said.

He chuckled which irritated me.

"What's funny?!" iritang tanong ko.

"For a receptionist? Medyo pakielamera ka," he answered back at tinalikuran na niya ako. "It was nice to meet you by they way, Miss Antoinette," he added tsaka tuluyang umalis.

I was dumbfounded with what he said. And the next thing I knew? Pumasok na siya sa room 214.

What a jerk!

Huminga ako nang malalim and gathered my composure tsaka bumalik sa front desk ng hotel.

"High blood ah?" bungad sa akin ni Fritz, ang manager ng hotel kung saan ako nagta-trabaho and also my friend.

"May epal kasi na new hire kanina. Akala mo kung sino, hindi naman gwapo," I said.

I heard her laughed.

"So nakakatawa 'yon?" yamot kong sabi.

"Chill, Toni. We have a VIP guest to welcome," she explained.

I gave her a nod and pinch my cheeks so I could smile while greeting our guests. Hindi nagtagal ay napuna kong nagkakagulo sa labas ng lobby.

A lot of reporters with cameras are outside. And then I thought, bigatin ang VIP namin.

"Good evening dear guests! Welcome to Casa Del Paraiso, we hope you'll enjoy your stay here," I greeted them.

--

I was doing okay but since that day? My normal life turned upside down. And to be honest, medyo nakakaloka!

"Huuuy! Ganda naman this girl!" nang-aasar na bungad sa akin ni Fritz matapos ilapag ang isang malaking kahon ng chocolate at letter.

"Wala ka ba talagang idea kung kanino galing ang mga ito?" I asked.

She just shrugged then went on her way to submit some reports to Miss Nadia.

It's been months since I started receiving sweets and letters from someone. A lot of them were teasing me that I have an admirer, pero ang tanong, sino?

Dear Toni,

Roses are red,
Violets are blue...
Smile, grumpy angel
You light up the room.

Love, 214

I'm curious, who are you?

~*~

Noah

"That's insane, Noah!" protesta ni Chase, my brother and the CEO of this hotel.

"What should I do, bro?" I asked.

"Just confess! It's not that hard, you're a celebrity. Walang h-hindi sa'yo," Loyd interrupted.

I didn't answer.

It's been months since I met Antoinette, the receptionist of this hotel. And for some reason, my curiosity led me to a deeper intention.

"Bakit ba kasi nagpanggap kang housekeeping staff?" Loyd asked.

I grinned at them, "Iwas reporters?" I said.

Napailing sina Loyd at Chase while he's signing some papers. Nadia, his secretary then came so I bid them goodbye at dumiretso sa room ko.

Suite 214

It was never my intention to meet someone while I was on my way to this room. Ayoko lang talaga ma-corner ng reporters that time.

I clearly remember how feisty she was that night, but one thing I noticed about her? She's also fragile.

--

"May bad memory po kasi siya sa number ng suite na 'yon, sir. Kaya lagi po siyang pumupunta doon tuwing break time nya," one of the staffs told me.

And it hit me.

She can't get over being cheated on kaya bumabalik-balik siya sa lugar na 'yon.

Perks of moving on...

Since then, I would ask some staffs to give her some chocolates and my personal letters without telling her who I am.

Everyday, without fail. I know it's old fashion but hey, chivalry is not dead. And I want her to feel appreciated.

Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa isip ko and decided to set up something in suite 214 which might help her get over that horrible memory.

At 8PM, I asked Fritz to come up with an excuse just to make Antoinette stay longer.

"Sir, I asked her to attend on a guest so she'll be right there in a minute," she said.

I smiled. This is it!

~*~

Antoinette

Yung tapos na yung shift ko pero meron pang extra task. What else can I do?

I went to suite 214 and was surprised when I saw a note on the door.

Please come in, beautiful...

My heart skipped a bit.

There's something familiar with this atmosphere. Pumasok ako at biglang tumambad sa akin ang mga kandila, rose petals and balloons arranged in words.

"I HOPE THE NEXT TIME YOU COME HERE, THERE'LL BE NOTHING BUT HAPPINESS"

I can't help but to cry.

"I hope you liked it," said someone.

I looked around and saw the man I bumped into a few months ago.

"Hi, Antoinette. I'm Noah," he said.

I was surprised when I realized who he was! He's a freaking celebrity! But how?

"You..." I said.