Chapter 36
The hallway was quieter and dim, filled with soft music from the hall and murmurs of so guests outside the hall.
Alia, in her hotel staff uniform, walked quickly to deliver the wine as the champagne glasses wobbled on the tray with every heavy step of hers. Alia’s black hair was parted into two French braids as her grip tightened on the rim of the tray, her eyes forward to complete her work.
Was it possible to trip oneself? That was exactly what happened. Alia missed a footing and before she knew it—"Oh—" she gasped, her eyes widened in shock—the tray trembled, lunged forward.
One thing Alia wasn’t good at was trying to get things done quickly, not within her pace. There was always bound to be failure. And that was what was happening right now.
Mathew, coming out from the hall with a triumphant smirk and a pleased expression on his face, was happy with the little jab he hit Aaron with in the room. He couldn’t help but do a ntal jubilation in his head.
The clattering of tal hitting the floor pulled Mathew from his thoughts, and he rushed toward the lady. Wine splashed on her—drenching her like a Bloody Mary model—and glass shattered on the ground.
Mathew extended his arm to the lady, helping her off the ground while eye-gesturing a passing hotel cleaner to get rid of the ss.
"You okay?" Mathew asked softly, his brows furrowed in concern with the way her cheeks reddened and her body trembled in his hold.
Alia’s eyes widened in realization that she was in her boss’s arms, and she jumped from him, her head down apologetically. "I’m so sorry—"
"Are you new?" he asked. He wasn’t sure if he had seen this lady before.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "Been here three months."
His brow rose in disbelief and question. "Three?"
Alia nodded while Mathew frowned. That wasn’t possible. He made it his business to know every face in the hotel. Every new recruit. Every transfer. He rembered who needed ti off, who snuck off on breaks. Three months? And he never noticed?
"Guess I’ve been busy," he muttered, rubbing his jaw.
"Yeah," Alia shrugged.
Mathew didn’t respond as his eyes trailed down to her shirt. The wine had soaked the front and it was transparent, with her bra cleavage showing.
Alia’s eyes followed his gaze and she quickly used her hands to cover her chest. "God," she gasped as she turned her body slightly, face burning. "I’m really, really sorry."
Mathew quickly raised his hands, his gaze up as his throat bobbed.
Mathew looked away so fast that his throat bobbed. His hand went to the back of his neck, rubbing it embarrassingly. "I wasn’t looking," he muttered, tone high yet awkward. "I an—not like that. I just—"
"Hm," Alia said, not looking at him either.
They stood in the hallway, Alia’s hands crossed on her chest while Mathew looked awkward. Silence stretched between them before he cleared his throat.
"I’ve got a clean shirt in my office," he offered, voice softer now. "You can change. I’ll have soone else deliver the next round."
Alia’s lips pressed together for a mont, looking at Mathew. Then with a sigh, she nodded, her arms tightened around herself. "Alright."
They walked side by side down the hallway. Both didn’t say anything as they walked to his office. His office was a short turn past Katherine’s own. Mathew opened the door and held it for her.
"There’s a screen in the corner. I’ll stay out here." He watched her go to the screen.
Mathew hovered near his mini closet, pulling out a spare shirt from the cabinet and placed it on the square pass-through window. Then walked to his desk and sat at the front of the computer.
He tapped a few keys, staring at the screen yet not registering anything. Behind the screen ca the soft rustle of cloth.
How the hell hadn’t he noticed her before? He noticed everyone. Especially those who worked on the service floor. But her? She’d slipped past his radar like a piece.
He leaned back and exhaled sharply. He needed to ask Katherine to send the list of new recruits to him as soon as possible. What’s the essence of being a boss yet not knowing the employees working for you?
Mathew took out his phone to call Katherine but stopped when the lady erged from behind the screen, now in his shirt—too big for her fra, sleeves rolled up to her elbows, buttons fastened diligently. Her damp uniform was folded in her hands. She avoided his eyes, but the blush on her cheeks had softened. Her lips tugged into a sheepish smile.
"Thanks. For earlier. And this." Alia lifted the edge of the shirt with one hand.
"It looks better on you," he comnted casually, nodding. Mathew saw the way her eyes darted, quickly noticed the mistake he made and chuckled lightly to lighten the mood. "I’m joking," he added quickly. He didn’t an anything or suggest sothing offensive.
Alia smiled in understanding. "I should probably get back. Before soone thinks I slipped to escape work."
Mathew laughed. "Do you always do that?"
"No!" she quickly shouted, then smiled sheepishly.
"They wouldn’t have assud that," he muttered dismissively.
"I never skip my work or laze around. Mistakes like this don’t happen often and I’m sorry for the inconvenience—and thank you," she said in a breath, exhaled loudly while Mathew chuckled.
"Okay."
She turned to leave but stopped. "I’m really grateful for this shirt," she bowed. "I’ll return it after washing."
He nodded, a smile on his lips. "You know where to find ."
She lingered at the door for half a second, her wet uniform in her hand, a small smile. Then she shut the door behind her with a soft click.
Mathew let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding.
He looked down at his desk and saw a small tallic object on the ground—a na tag. He smiled faintly.
"Hmmm," he humd under his breath, and then left the office to return to the gala.
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