~~~March 5th 2015~~~

I arrive at the door and slowly poke my head in. I look to either side of me and sigh, relieved. Timidly, I run inside and do the same with the break room.

Throughout this week, Charlotte has been slapping me more and more vigorously and yesterday she punched me, causing a bruise to form on my upper arm. I pull the edge of my blouse further over it and collect my cart.

I hear a cough and turn to see her, my eyes flickering and palms sweating. I brace myself for a slap round the face or a punch on the arm. I was wrong- she kicks me in the stomach. Her heels stab at my skin and I stagger a few steps. I topple backwards and land flat. I wince as she towers over me and treads all over my body. She kicks me again and again, then struts off as if nothing happened.

Struggling to breath, I stand and lean against the wall. That's the worst she's done so far and I know that's only the start. I realise she will carry on beating and abusing me until I quit. But I can't afford to do that. I just need to suck it in until she gives up trying.

I grab the cart handle and wheel it off to my first room. Room 202. Ok, just breathe. I brush off my skirt and open the door. As I walk in my eyes open wide; this room is filthy! There's a belt hanging from the lamp in the corner, t-shirts and cables thrown all over the floor and water pouring from the bathroom. Wait, what?! I rush into the bathroom and turn off the bath tap that must have been left on. Oh no! The entire floor is waterlogged, along with drenching part of the bedroom carpet. I pull the plug and get the mop from my cart. I haven't used one at the hotel yet but to be honest, I haven't been a maid for too long. I soak up most of the water and the bath is almost empty. I get down and reach for the towels when I hear a beep. I wonder why I recognize it when I hear footsteps. I turn and stand up slowly to see a man looking at me.

I stare at him and he returns the favour. The silence almost becomes unbearable until he picks up some towels from my cart and bends over, drying the bedroom carpet. I continue to clear the bathroom floor, my brain buzzing. Who is this man? Why is he here? Also, why do I recognize him? My questions only stop when he says, "Sorry."

I straighten up and reply, "Excuse me, sir?"

"Sorry for you know, this," he says as he walks into the bathroom, pointing at the bath. "I ran up here as soon as I remembered I'd left the tap on." He blushes innocently. His eyes are so beautif- snap out of it! Stop falling for him, dating guests is against hotel policy, not as if he'd ever like me. I'm just the maid who cleans up after people.

"Hey, Samantha? May I call you Samantha... Hello?" I look up at his concerned face and stare into his gorgeous brown eyes. Stop!

"Hey, anyone home? Can I call you Samantha?" He repeats.

I glance down at my nametag and reply, "Or Sam, sir. Whichever you prefer, sir." I start to stand up but my feet slip beneath me like Bambi skating on ice. I expect to fall over and am surprised when I feel two hands grasping my arms. Looking up, I see him staring into my eyes.

"Please, do not call me sir, call me Tom." he says softly, his lips moving ever so slightly. I break the connection and attempt to walk again. I topple over once more and this time I land on my bum. And it hurts. A lot.

"Here, allow me." He picks me up bridal style and carries me to his bed. I'm surprised my feet don't drag against the walls since I'm so tall, but he does it so carefully that I don't get hurt at all. I get off quickly and return to my trolley. At this point, I realise I am soaked through and even my shoes are full of water.

He notices me shivering and offers, "Here, borrow these and get out of those wet clothes after I dry up the rest of the bathroom, I promise I won't look." He hands me a t-shirt with a lion on it, along with some jeans and winks. I take them from him, confused, and wait for him to return. I think to myself, where did I recognize him from? I just couldn't put my finger on it. Maybe it had something to do with his bright blue hair. Maybe.

Author's note: And finally Tom enters the story, eleven chapters in. I'm sorry you had to wait so long before I actually got to the whole point of why you are reading my story. Anyway, hope you have enjoyed it, expect more chapters soon and like always, Byeyas!