AYRA'S POV

"Phew, I'm utterly exhausted," I murmured, my hand finding solace on the reception counter.

"Sorry about that. So, how many condoms did you pack today?" Collins asked, moving nearer.

"That I shan't say. That's is against the clients confidentiality according to section one of page two of Eclipse edge Casino regulations" I joked.

"I figured you wouldn't spill," he remarked, stating the obvious.

"Time seems to drag on forever. I'm already fatigued and wished to go now," he groaned, slumping into his chair.

"Speaking of time, could you tell me what time it is?" I asked him.

"Quarter past four," he promptly answered, glancing at his wristwatch.

"Oh my goodness, Melissa will be furious," I exclaimed, quickly dialing her number.

"Melissa, it's already four," I informed her.

"It's actually a quarter past four, Ayra," she corrected me.

"I'm terribly sorry, it completely slipped my mind," I admitted.

"Work was incredibly hectic," I added.

"No worries, I'm already up," she reassured me.

"Wait, don't tell me Martin came and woke you up?" I asked, feeling a pang of annoyance.

"Yes, he did, and now I'm cooking for him," she confirmed.

"Alright, catch you later," I said as I ended the call.

Martin can be quite bothersome sometimes. Despite knowing that Melissa was on a night shift, he still had the audacity to wake her up and ask her to cook for him.

He's selfish at times, I thought to myself as I leaned against the counter.

"Ayra, shouldn't you be attending to tasks instead of loitering at the reception?" Mr. Larson queried.

"I've just finished room two hundred and one, Sir," I replied, standing upright.

"You're not here to idle and chat. Go, find something productive to do," he instructed.

"Go to the ironing room and tally the number of bedsheets," he ordered.

I wanted to protest that it wasn't part of my job description, but out of fear of losing my job, I meekly complied.

Upon reaching the laundry room, I immediately began playing music on my phone while counting the bedsheets.

Midway through, my phone rang, disrupting my playlist.

"Hello?" I answered.

"I'll get your money, please don't sell it, I beg you," I pleaded, placing a hand on my forehead.

"Please, once I get paid again, I'll send your money," I promised.

"You'd better," the voice warned before ending the call.

"Ayra, what are you doing here? You're supposed to have closed by now," Melissa's voice sounded from the doorway.

"I'm tallying the number of bedsheets available," I informed her.

"I don't understand, since when did logistics become part of the cleaning department's duties?" she questioned.

"I have no clue," I responded, turning towards her at the door.

"Are you alright? You seem a bit off," she observed.

"Just a slight headache. I believe I'll feel better after a shower at home," I lied.

"Alright," she replied, though her expression betrayed her skepticism.

"You must have arrived much earlier, considering the change of attire," I remarked, eyeing her white shirt and printed black skirt.

"Yes, what else can one do with a demanding boyfriend like mine?" she replied cheerfully.

"What can I say, my friend is truly in love," I smiled as we exited the laundry room.

"Oh, darn," I muttered under my breath upon seeing Collins waiting at the reception. He had also finished for the day.

"Hey, are you done?" he inquired, scanning me from head to toe.

"Um, yes, but I haven't changed yet. So, perhaps, you should go ahead," I suggested, attempting to excuse myself.

"Well, I have nothing else to do, so I'll wait," he insisted stubbornly.

"Okay, thanks," I said, though inwardly, I wasn't pleased.

You see, the thing is, Collins has been asking me out, and I've been declining. There's no spark between us, no fluttering butterflies, but Collins doesn't seem to get the hint.

"Melissa, I'll see you tomorrow. Have a peaceful shift," I hugged her.

"Eclipse Edge Casino is never peaceful, you know that," she remarked.

"Come on, girls, you're wasting time," Collins complained.

"Hey, Collins, she told you to go, yet you're complaining. I think you should stop," Melissa stated bluntly, prompting me to discreetly pinch her as a silent warning.

Melissa is incredibly forthright, believe me.

"Goodnight, my dear," she waved as we exited the building.

"Good evening, Mr. Alfred," I greeted as we boarded the bus.

I searched for a seat, and Collins followed suit, trapping me in.

"The bus is unusually empty," I commented, struggling to initiate conversation.

"Yes, most of us have headed home, so we're lucky," he smiled.

"I could walk you home, if you'd like?" Collins offered, the moment we dropped.

"No, it's fine. It's still bright out. I can manage on my own," I declined.

"Alright, if you say so," he replied, disappointment evident on his face.

I didn't want to invite him over; it might give him the wrong impression that I'm interested, which I'm not.

"Welcome back, Ayra," Mr. Garrett greeted from his favorite armchair.

"Thank you, Mr. Garrett," I smiled as I approached him.

"How was work today?" he inquired.

"It was hectic," I sighed deeply.

"The most important thing is that it went well," he remarked with a smile.

"Indeed," I agreed with him.

"Um... I should head in," I said, making my way towards our flat.

"Have a pleasant evening," he bid me farewell.

"Thanks Sir" I replied.

I opened the door, and Aurora leaped onto me.

"Hey, Aurora, did you miss Mama?" I asked, lifting her in the air.

"Meow," she purred, rubbing her head against my face in greeting.

"Evening to you too, Rora," I smiled.

Aurora is my pet, and I feel responsible for her. I found her one evening at the backyard of Eclipse Edge Casino, hiding away.

I noticed that no one claimed ownership of the adorable little cat, so I decided to take her home.

I named her Aurora because of her beautiful coat of various colors, and she adores me as much as I adore her.

I shut the door to our two-room apartment, consisting of a living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom.

It's decent, considering the affordable rent.

I took a long, warm bath, feeling refreshed afterward.

"Thank you, Almighty, for this beautiful day," I offered a prayer as I headed to the kitchen for a meal, feeling grateful.