Sweetest Affection

"Gosh! I don't know any of this place. Where am I going to stay?" I whispered to myself after seeing the heart of the city where I just stepped in.

It's my first time here in Manila and I don't know anyone here. The staff who called me weren't responding on my texts and calls ever since I left our province until I get here. I'm gonna freak out if I know that it was just a scam!

The staff told me to go directly to their company once I arrived but they didn't even sent me an address. What am I going to do? Check all the companies of this city?

I'm not that stupid to do that!

"Miss? Do you have any card? I need to check it before you can enter this hotel." The guard blocked my way when I was about to enter.

I was strucked for a bit and looked for my card inside my bag."Uh... Here is it. Is this a private hotel?"

"Yes, Maam. It's the reason why I needed to check your card before entering. This place has everything you need as a resting place that's why we're highly strict when it comes to entertaining guests." He bowed a little and step aside to give me way.

"Thank you," I answered, smiling back at him.

The counter has a line-up so I have to go with the flow. Seems like there's a little interview in front so they took too long on forwarding. This place is full of air conditioner to I'm feeling a little bit cold. I'm not used in it.

Hello? I lived in a province for my whole life and I just came here because my grandparents forced me to. Working in a city is a great opportunity just like what they told me.

But maybe it's not that bad. Besides, I also have to find someone important to me.

"What's your full name? Did you let the guard see your card?" The girl in the counter asked as I stepped forward.

Okay. Now, it's my turn.

I nodded in response."My name is Caisey Laine Valientes, Caine for short. And yes, the guard blocked my way earlier just to do some inspection."

"What's your age and where did you came from?"she asked again.

Seriously? What's this? I'm just going to get a room and rest but this interview is taking too long. I'm not even applying as a worker or something.

I cleared my throat before answering."I'm 21 years old and from the province of Caloocan. Can I get a room for only one person now?"

"Yes. Here is your key number. Just press the red button beside your door if you need something. You're paying for our service."

I finally get out of there and went inside the elevator, pushing the 3rd floor where my room is. This hotel has a lot of ways and it's making me confused. I swiped my card to get inside my room and put my luggage beside the closet.

Oh God! I'm so tired.

I wake up at exactly 7 pm and I forgot to change my clothes before taking a nap. I didn't even notice that I fell asleep after I entered this room. Maybe I was just too tired to notice it and... Oh my god! I haven't eaten dinner yet. It might be the reason why my stomach is grumbling.

I took a shower for almost 10 minutes and wear a simple cardigan pants and leather jacket. I couldn't really take the coldness of the temperature in this hotel. Since I'm not used to live in a hotel, I don't exactly know the details of any corners in this place so I had to ask for it.

"This hotel has a restaurant but it's outside. Just ask the guard when you get outside," the staff of this hotel answered.

I just nodded at her and immediately went to find the door where I get in earlier."Uh, hi? Can you please tell me the place of the restaurant?"

"Yes, Maam. Follow me, this way."

The next day, I prepared all my things because I'm leaving this hotel to find a new condominium that I'm going to stay. When I checked my email again, they staff who called me sent and address where their company is. I can go there anytime but as much as I want to go there now, I still have to find a place to live. It's not okay if I'll always stay in a hotel because the everyday payment is so expensive.

I browsed in the internet to find a place that is affordable and comfortable to live. And then I used the google map to trace the location to avoid being lost. I had to ride a taxi to reach the place and walk for about 10 minutes to finally arrive at the said renting condominium.

I pulled the glass door before entering inside, bringing my things. The girl in the counter, who was probably the owner of this building, seems to be busy with her phone. I snapped my fingers in the air and cleared my throat to get her attention.

"Good morning to you, Madam. Is there any available room for rent? I badly need it now. I just came here yesterday from our province and---"

"Im not looking for some interview, Miss. Of course there's an available room for you. But you have a roommate and don't worry because she's a girl," she cut off my words.

My eyes widened in surprise."Really? It's fine. I can share a room with her. H-How much is the rent every month?"

"Just 5, 000 every month. I don't accept week by week payment or a credit card. I need a cash to be paid within the last three days of the month," she answered strictly.

"Yes. No problem. So, where's my room number and my key? I have to arrange my things immediately."

After getting my room number and the key, I climbed upstairs because I couldn't find the elevator. While struggling with my luggages, I encountered a girl whom I think is just the same age as me. She smiled and stopped in front of me, looks like confirming something.

"What number are you renting? I can accompany you for a while. Seems like your having a hard time carrying your things. This building doesn't have guards or any man that could help us with our things. Come on." She came closer to me and get my bag without even asking for my permission.

I smiled a little because of shyness."Uh... I-I don't know what to say but thank you. My room number is 12, how about you?"

Her eyes widened in shock and stopped walking to face me."Really? You're not joking right? Gosh! So, you're gonna be my roommate?"

"Oh, wait. You mean, you're staying in that room?" I asked surprisingly.

She nodded in an instant."Yes, I am. You know what? I've been staying here for too long and you don't know how much I wanted to have a roommate. Maybe it's a sign of luck to me."

She happily entered our room and opened the door widely to let me enter. The condominium is like a real house and the space is too wide. I wandered my eyes around to observe every corners of the room. She let me check all the rooms so that I could get familiar easily.

"Your room is on the right side while mine is on the left. Here are your things. Feel free to do what you want. I'll just go outside for a while to buy some groceries. I won't take too long." She waved her hands on me before going out of our condo.

"Uh, wait.. What's your name? I-I just want to know," I said shyly.

She chuckled."I'm Rebecca but you can call me Becca. You? Who are you?"

"I'm Caine. Just call me that."

I smiled and entered my room to arrange my things. The sheets of the bed, sofa, and couches were all clean and so with the whole room. Seems like she's really taking care of it, hoping each day that she will have a roommate. And now it happened, it's me.

I opened the closet and it was empty so I put all my clothes there. There was a little space where I could place my beauty essentials and other stuffs like perfumes and lotions. On the other side, the mini-table was found where a lampshade was being located. I put my phone on top of it and started arranging my important things inside the drawers.

"Caine! Are you there? C'mon, I cooked for our lunch." Rebecca keeps on knocking on my door so I immediately opened the door for her.

"Oh, sorry. I just finished fixing my room but now I'm done. I'm hungry too," I answered.

She holds my hand and drag me to the kitchen where foods are layered on the table. I felt like my stomach is grumbling so I sat on the chair next to her. Gosh! This is gonna be a yummy afternoon!