benjamin
Benjamin 5
bigbutadorable(.)bl0gsp0t(.)c0m
Today the boss tells the staff to take some extra hours due to the first acid rain of the month. Sure, everyone knows best to stay here rather than get wet on the street. They have no umbrellas, the chemicals can easily penetrate the plastic they usually wore and burns their skin.
"Due to the weather, guests have canceled their check-out times. The party we're going to have in the outdoor restaurant was moved to the hotel lobby. Those who wished to work overtime need to tell the manager, but personally, would you like to come with me, Benjamin?" says Philip to Benjamin.
"Of course."
Since Benjamin has nothing to do at home, he gladly accepts the offer. According to Philip, most people in the city are worried about the acid effect on their lungs so, they'll choose to take the extra hours.
"On days like this, even the most inexperienced maids are busy. Everyone has room service."
"Typical rich people. They'll hop from one room to another."
A maid, with whom Benjamin had become incredibly close beside Philip, is also sharing her terrible experiences. Benjamin just listens and nods as he still has not many experiences.
"We'll be tired from this, so let's go sleep in the employee lounge after work."
"Okay!"
And then the manager said, "Everybody, listen up. You're going to be divided into two groups, night and early shift. Who will work the night shift?"
Benjamin decides to work the night shift. He goes to the manager and he, in turn, checks right away.
"Hm, looking closely, you're incredibly handsome, you know," says the manager with a smile on his face.
"Pardon?"
"You'll be serving at the party. Please go over there and change your clothes right now."
"At the party? Cleaning up?"
Benjamin is confused.
"No," says the manager right away, adding, "On days like these it is necessary to help with things other than your original responsibilities. There aren't enough waiters, so that will be your job for today. But don't make that face, man! It's not hard at all. You fill the table with cups and bowls and pick up the used ones. Put up, take down, put up, put up, take down."
"Ah, yes..."
Benjamin isn't sure, but he agrees anyway. Mostly because he doesn't dare to say no.
Someone hands Benjamin a uniform: a white shirt, black vest, pants, socks, and shoes. They are all so clean it makes Benjamin a bit uncomfortable and stiff.
"Never make eye contact with the guests. Keep your heads down a bit and bring whatever they ask for. If you joke or pretend to be friendly, you will get a complaint so it would be better not to talk," the manager, wearing the same clothes as Benjamin, gives him some important instructions.
He emphasizes that several times so Benjamin, taking the initiative, responds by moving his feet. However, by the time they arrive at the party, the number of guests makes Benjamin feel incredibly nervous. He looks around. Under the colorful chandelier, men and women in elegant attire are chatting like tonight is some kind of a special moment. Benjamin's attention is drawn entirely to the luxurious fabrics and jewelry they wear, and to the way, they move their hands and mouths.
"Go and work," the manager scolds Benjamin.
"Yes, I will."
With that, Benjamin bows his head and starts to carry the bowls just as he had been told to. No one in the lobby pays any attention to him. "Shouldn't we start doing that?" "Should we do the other thing?" "Doesn't it seem too rushed?" "Will the president arrive?" The hotel guests are like messy students in a classroom.
"Oh my, you really came!"
"I went to pick out this dress myself!"
Benjamin's attention is on an excited woman holding a glass while chatting with her friends when suddenly, a guest―a big guy with huge shoulders―bumps into him. Both fall backward. Fortunately, though, Benjamin is quick to bring himself on his feet back and walks over to the guy.
"I'm sorry, sir. I'm so sorry, are you all right?" Terrified, Benjamin is chanting sorry over and over.
The big guy looks up. He frowns.
"What do you even think a filthy beggar like you can touch a man like me?" says him as he pushes Benjamin away until he falls for the second time.
This man is drunk, so loud and rowdy. He even needs to be supported by his friends to get his big body up.
"Do you have no eyes?" he continues with a finger pointing at Benjamin.
"I'm so sorry, sir. Are you hurt anywhere?"
It is the manager. He rushes here and is quick to apologize. The man tries to walk straight but, stumbles back over a table so the manager runs over and supports him. Another employee comes and helps Benjamin to stand up.
"Are you all right?"
"Ah...I think so."
"Are you hurt?"
"No, no. I'm fine. Oh, I'll clean it up ."
The cutleries are all shattered on the floor thanks to the guest pushing him. Benjamin is about to clean them up, but another employee has already brought cleaning tools and is in the process of tidying everything up. Benjamin apologizes and steps back, heading down the aisle where the guest had just disappeared as well.
The manager follows, "Hey, what are you doing?"
"I'm sorry."
"Be careful in the future. What about the talking that you can never offend a guest?"
It's still the same manager, but now, he sounds very different. He spits out slurs, so full of anger, it makes Benjamin tremble in fear. He has no choice but to apologize and move on. Yeah, let's get back to work and forget about tonight! Benjamin wipes away the tears that are about to flood his face.
When he looks up, though, not far from him, stands the same drunk who pushed him, drinking in front of a man whose back he can only see. A tall, dark-haired guy. The drunk man is yelling at him but the other one isn't moving. The drunkard seems annoyed at the reaction, he moves back and forth before finally deciding to give the dark-haired guy a friendly gesture, to see if he will get any reaction out of him. But nothing. The elegant guest only nods his head slightly to some people to take the drunkard away.
Now, people start to approach him, flocking like a whole bunch of bees to their queen. Even those who only pass by admire the elegant gesture of him. This man is apparently the main character of the party.
Benjamin, too, is sucked in the guy's direction. Somehow, oddly enough, there's something about his features that is very...familiar. The man turns his head slightly. Oh, he's the guest in the penthouse. Benjamin can't see his face clearly, but he is sure.
Wide-eyed, Benjamin looks the guy up and down as the people around start to congratulate him. Benjamin's eyes just can't take their attention off the guy. They are fixed on his back. This tall man stands out too much; broad shoulders and a strong physique. The very exact opposite of Benjamin.
Benjamin stands there for quite a while until a guest gives him a gesture to pick up all the glasses on their table.
Time passes. Now Benjamin is finally used to the pick up and putting down cutleries. It becomes easier to do the waiter's job without making eye contact with the guest.
"Night shift is over. Now come in and get some rest."
Benjamin can barely move his body anymore when the manager announces that the day is over now. He returns the uniform, changes into his regular clothes, goes to the men's dorm, and breathes a long sigh. Damn! He had thought it would be a space with a bed and a bathroom, but the size of the dorm is bigger than he thought. It is bright and airy Benjamin looks around wide-eyed.
"The dorm is great, isn't it? Man, I want to live here!" Another employee who worked overtime with him says.
"It is..."
There are about ten bunk beds, two pieces of furniture for clothes, plus a separate shower. And since the bed number is the same as the locker number, the staff can simply sleep on the bed that matched their locker number. The shower room has a separate toilet. Towels too, like they here are some hotel guests. The amenities too. Benjamin is too happy to use shower gel and shampoo, something he can't buy at home since they are too expensive. He even takes a longer shower than usual. Slowly and thoroughly. He has to make use of the limitless water while he's still here.
Ah...wouldn't it be great if he could also live here? Benjamin dries his hair with a head full of ifs.
When he finally gets out of the shower, all his folks seem to have already gone to the bed. He tiptoes into the dorm and mounts his bed as quietly as possible.
The bunk is quite roomy for Benjamin's small stature. It's so comforting. And since tomorrow is supposed to be his day off, Benjamin joyfully closes his eyes with the thought that tomorrow he can sleep longer here. On this big super comfy bed.
However, that nice thought has to get disturbed by a sudden creak of the dorm door. Apparently, it is another staff who had just returned from his night shift.
Benjamin stays still with his eyes closed, listening to whether that person will use a bed close to him or not. He hears footsteps. Closing in on him.
Huff...
Huff...
Odd... This person's breathing somehow feels too close to Benjamin's face. But Benjamin is already too tired to wake up, and his eyelids just refuse to open. Until he feels the tension eased, until he loses consciousness, and falls deep into slumber.
When he opens his eyes back, the night has turned into daylight. All the bunks beside his are already empty. Benjamin staggers out of bed. Passing the mirror only to find his completely disheveled hair. He takes the time to brush it with hands despite the plan to get another shower now. Well, he showered before going to bed yesterday, but who knows when he will have this kind of luck again? Benjamin just wants to cherish today to its fullest.
Benjamin goes to the shower room. Starts by wetting himself with the precious clean water, generously using the shampoo, and of course, apply lots of shower gel. He dries himself with the luxurious towel before finally stepping out of the shower room. After that, he eats the leftover food and commutes back home. It is probably because he has been in a good shape lately, but today, climbing the stairs feel like floating.
Benjamin walks down the hallway with a joyful hum in his head, until he realizes that at the door of his house, there stands a stranger.
He is a tall man with black hair and a good physique. His skin is fair, eyes golden. The splendid features on him are as beautiful as if he is a figure on a canvas.
But oh, his presence makes Benjamin turns as pale as if he had seen a ghost.
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