The sound of a booming car horn reverberated through the streets.

A silver sedan drove up the driveway, I checked its plate number and image on the app and it matched the description of my ride. Wow, I must have good luck today! My ride arrived two minutes earlier than the ETA on my phone.

I scooted towards the sedan to confirm my booking and boarded afterwards.

'Please don't let there be any traffic or vehicular accidents.' I quietly prayed and crossed my fingers as I sat on the passenger seat. The driver probably sensed my urgency and sped the car up near city limits.

***

8:46 AM, I finally arrive at Hotel Citron's driveway. Thankfully, my prayers were answered and there was no traffic nor accidents along the way. Looks like lady luck blessed me today.

The hotel's doorman noticed my arrival from a distance and ran towards my direction, he then opened the car door and greeted me.

"Good day, Manager Ein!" An accommodating smile was beaming from the doorman's face.

"Good day to you too, thank you for holding the door." I smiled back warmly to the energetic man.

"Your welcome sir! May you have a pleasant Monday." He then tipped off his hat and returned to his post at the entryway.

My smile flattened as I walked past the doorman.

Pretending to be an accommodating person was one of my skills. I generally detest meeting other people as it drains my energy more, not to mention in this industry, people don't really appreciate the queer folks. Legislation may have passed anti-discriminatory laws and also allowed more benefits, but in reality, people would still fling stones and burn those who do not align with the norm.

I had no choice but to put on a mask and play pretend. After all, people would condemn me if they knew my real self. I learned it the hard way with my family.

I quickly made my way into the lobby's elevators, I only had thirteen minutes to spare before clocking into work, I pressed the up button and waited for the elevator to come down.

"Eiiiiiiiinnnn!"

I heard a high pitched voice coming from behind. I looked back and saw Monique, she was wearing a pair of black suit pants, a black coat, a crisp white blouse and was wearing red stilettos. Monique also carried her black satchel bag on her shoulder, she had just arrived and it looked like she was running towards me.

"Monique, good morning." I gave her a dry smile.

"Ein…" Monique stopped a few steps in front of me and looked at me with puppy dog eyes.

"Why are you ignoring my messages??" She quickly pulled out her phone and showed her email logs. "I sent you loads of messages this morning but you only replied on the first one!" She then looked at my eyes with a sorrowful expression.

"Am I not your friend anymore?" Small beads of tears started to form around Monique's deep blue eyes.

"Don't… give me those crocodile tears…" I cringed at Monique's face. A 42-year-old woman was acting like a kid in front of me. I groaned before replying back to her.

"You're still MonMon my frenny," I whispered to her ear. "And please watch yourself, Monique, you're scaring all of our staff members here."

Monique glanced around the lobby and she noticed that most of the hotel employees we're giving her a strange look. They were not used to seeing her act childish as Monique usually carried herself with a dignified aura.

Monique Moss-Salva. The general manager of Hotel Citron, the daughter of the CEO, and the heiress to the Citron Group of Companies. She is Ein's close confidante and immediate superior. Every employee of the Citron group recognizes her. With her short red hair and deep blue eyes, Monique shared the same physical traits with her father.

"Ahem!" Monique forced a scoff. "You are right, my assistant manager, I must act accordingly with my status." She then quickly collected herself, fixed her hair, and buttoned her coat.

<DING!>

The sound of the elevator doors opening snapped both Ein and Monique back to their senses. They entered the lift and pressed the button for the 32nd floor where their corporate offices were.

"Oh, by the way, we'll have a morning coffee chat with the new Kitchen Manager. You are free at 9:15 AM right?" Monique folded her arms and gazed at Ein with an inquisitive expression.

"Wait, a new kitchen manager? I wasn't informed about this coffee chat… Is it perhaps related to Chef Emery's recent retirement?

Monique nodded.

"That's the reason why I'm upset with you earlier! I sent you a message about it but… Well, anyway, moving forward don't you dare ignore my messages or you'll miss stuff like that!" Monique unfolded her arms and inched closer to Ein, she gazed at Ein's blue-grey eyes with an amused expression.

"Also, I heard from Emery... his successor is very skilled with both management and cuisine!" A grin formed on Monique's face. "Emery said his protege was a renowned chocolatier in Canada a decade ago. His parents run River Farms, one of the prestigious dairy farms in Canada and he also moved to London four years ago to pursue higher management."

"Wow, sounds like a pampered child just landed amongst us," Ein replied in a monotonous tone. "Why are you telling me this? Shouldn't you coordinate it with the HR Department instead?" Ein let out a sigh, he felt indifferent to Monique's banter.

Monique then leaned on Ein's shoulder and whispered. "I saw his pictures too, he is quite the looker! I have a gut feeling you'll be his type-"

"Monique," Ein interjected sternly. "I'm not here to help you babysit a child, I'm here to work." Ein glared at Monique.

"Oh come on! Lighten up, you old man!" Monique grinned sheepishly and slapped Ein's back. "You only live once! Might as well try having fun with them."

Ein sighed at Monique's childish behaviour.

Monique had been his best friend since high school. Ein knew how quirky and assertive Monique was. She was the type of friend who would cling at Ein if she senses negativity from his mood. Ein did not mind her meddling, he was actually touched to see someone take care of him.

Monique would set up Ein on vacations, blind dates, movie events, concerts, crafting classes, and seminars. Anything to make sure Ein doesn't spend too much time alone. After all, she did witness Ein fall to his lowest.

It broke her heart to see him in such a state, so Monique swore to become his pillar and vowed to prevent him from falling back to the darkness.