Room 28

The day began like all the others.

Nook woke to the soft chime of the morning bell. The familiar tone echoed through the hallways like a lullaby with a timer stitched into its notes.

She stepped into the cubicle bathroom, steam already curling off the tiled walls. Her body had changed since her arrival. Her skin was smoother now, her figure more defined from weeks of regimented meals and quiet physical routines. The baby fat in her face had faded, replaced by sharpened cheekbones. Her posture had improved. Her walk was quieter. She had grown used to seeing her reflection—chin slightly lifted, shoulders drawn back, eyes forward. The hotel was changing her, inside and out.

The hallway was already alive with the click of polished shoes and hushed footsteps as the girls prepared for their shift. The air smelled faintly of orchid oil and rice porridge. The girls moved quietly, slipping into their routines like dancers picking up yesterday's choreography. No one talked much in the mornings. It was not forbidden. Just trained out of them. Nook glanced around, eyes desperately searching for Foen's. Foen had been rising earlier lately, her energy sharper than usual.

In the cafeteria, the pink ribbons sat together, backs straight, barely speaking. The blue ribbons,already beyond the orientation phase ,moved with quiet confidence. Nook noticed the slight differences again: tighter buns, crisper uniforms, a calmness that felt orchestrated. They ate quickly, precisely.

She finally spotted Foen at the far end of the cafeteria. Without a word, Nook slid onto the bench beside her. They exchanged brief, awkward gestures ,half glances and silent nods ,before returning to their food. Foen seemed distracted, her eyes fixed on the food she was barely eating. Before Nook could say more, the alarm rang ushering the girls to the assembly room.

" Would you like to head out together " She asked trying to ease the arkward tension.

" It's ok , you can head on , I need a minute with my food " . Foen said with her face still buried on the half touched meal.

"...uuhm ok , see you then " Nook said abit worried. She went on to join the flock of girls head towards the assembly hall.

The assembly room felt different. To the surprise of many girls, it had been decorated with flower walls and golden linens. Miss Supatra stood before them. Her presence commanded silence before she even spoke. Behind her, two blue ribbon assistants stood poised with clipboards. The wall-mounted flat screen flickered to life with a golden emblem: a stylized orchid in bloom.

The assistants were already dressed in what the girls would be wearing .Ornate traditional Thai outfits with delicate embroidery and structured elegance. Nook blinked when she recognized Foen among them. Her uniform shimmered under the fluorescent lights. She stood tall and quiet, her face arranged into composure. She did not meet Nook's eyes. Not once.

"This week, we celebrate the founding of our establishment. Founded in August 1997, the Golden Orchid prides itself on elegance, discretion, and service beyond expectations. Each year, we mark this occasion with a cultural celebration. As part of your last week of orientation, you will assist in this year's festivities."

The assistants moved down the line handing out folders. Inside were tight schedules and glossy illustrations of ornate traditional costumes.

Foen stepped toward Nook and handed her a folder. Their fingers brushed briefly. Tucked into the corner of the papers, barely visible, was a folded slip of notepad paper. A message, scrawled in rushed handwriting: Room 28. After shift. Before dinner.

Nook's heartbeat stumbled.

"You will be wearing traditional cultural attire throughout the week. Each day has a theme. Today, floral offerings. Tomorrow, classical Thai dance. You will rotate through duties , escorting guests, performing minor rituals, and attending banquets. You are not to refuse any assigned role." Miss Supatra said scanning the room

She let in a slight pause , urging the message to settle in.

"This week also marks the final phase of your orientation. At the end, you will be evaluated. Some of you will move on to become full-time staff and join your prestiged blue ribbon sisters. Some will not. There will be no prior notice. Your work this week is your assessment. Let your performance speak."

The silence deepened.

The girls did not ask questions. They never did. There were no gasps or whispers. Just straight backs and unreadable expressions , they were already learning the silent rules of the hotel.

After the assembly, the pink ribbons were led to a new room to be fitted for their uniforms. They stood shoulder to shoulder while attendants clipped, tucked, and adjusted their garments. The outfits were traditional in shape. Elegant Thai blouses, gold-threaded sashes, sheer silk skirts—but modified to expose as much of the girls' figure. Golden anklets jingled softly when they walked.

Miss Supatra moved down the line with her assistants, inspecting every girl like merchandise. Before she reached Nook, Foen stepped forward quickly and without a word, she pulled at the sides of Nook's garment, loosening the tuck and tugging it slightly to conceal her frame more modestly. Nook looked at her, confused. Foen nodded once and pressed a finger to her lips .

On the first day, the girls served herbal teas in the courtyard, bowing low in slow, choreographed rhythm. Traditional musicians played piphat ensembles by the koi pond.

By mid-afternoon, Nook had been assigned to the lobby's reception lounge, tasked with serving drinks, floral garlands, and other condiments to arriving VIP guests. That was where she first laid her eyes on an odd couple.

A tall German man in his early forties with graying temples and a loose, open laugh. Beside him, a blonde woman with gentle eyes. The two of them moved through the hotel like they did not belong ,like tourists. Which, in a way, they were.

Nook poured them tea. The woman smiled at her in a way no guest had. Not distracted. Just kind.That was the first time someone had looked directly at Nook without assessing her.

"Thank you," she said as Nook offered a chilled towel.Their accents were gentle, not clipped like the British or drowned like the Americans. There was warmth in them.

"How old are you?" the woman asked softly.

Nook hesitated. "Eighteen, ma'am."

The man nodded, eyes scanning the room casually.

"Beautiful place."

"Yes, sir," she said.

"Do you like working here?" the woman asked softly.

Nook blinked. She nodded once, uncertain. "Yes. It is very… beautiful."

"Yes, it is, I think that's been established".

The woman replied with a dry smile. She glanced around before lowering her voice.

"And are you happy?"

The question sat in the air like perfume,pleasant, but cloying.

Nook's eyes flicked toward the concierge desk, then back to the cup. She smiled again, tight and controlled.

"I am… learning a lot."

"You're very graceful. You remind me of my niece. Same eyes." She smiled, gently.

Nook's voice was barely audible. "Thank you"

The woman reached for her tea, eyes lingering a moment longer than they needed to.

For the rest of the day, the hotel bloomed into its celebration. Silken lanterns in gold and crimson lined the walkways. The lobby floor gleamed like black glass, buffed until it could hold reflections like water. Staff moved with heightened polish. The floral arrangements doubled overnight. An unfamiliar scent, sweeter and more expensive clung to the air.

Girls in gold-trimmed skirts moved through the corridors with trays of scented tea and folded flower petals. Guests lounged in silk-upholstered chairs, watching dances performed with mechanical grace. Laughter floated through the halls like incense.

Throughout her duties, Nook kept glancing over Foen. She moved differently from the others , her smile warmer, her presence softer. She spoke to guests with practiced charm, even affection, but never once glanced in Nook's direction. It was as if Nook no longer existed to her.

More guests poured in. More than usual. Wealthy Thais, some European faces, a few Americans with designer sunglasses and clueless grins. The staff smiled wider. The blue ribbon girls shone brightest, assigned to key guests and ceremonial roles. The other pink ribbon girls were placed in strategic positions to make them less visible.

The celebrations continued. Music and laughter carried on beneath the walls. The hotel bloomed into a theater.

After the end of the first day of celebrations, Nook made her way toward Room 28.It was mysteriously unoccupied. She stepped into the bedroom,her palms were damp with nervous sweat. She waited there, shifting her weight from foot to foot, listening for any sound down the corridor.

But Foen never showed up.

She waited. Ten minutes. Fifteen.

Nothing.

Reluctantly, she made her way to the cafeteria. The evening meal had already started. The girls ate in silence. Nook sat alone, poking at her food. No sign of Foen yet again. She sat and ate alone , barely noticing her food made from the special menu designed for the week's celebrations.

She was the last girl in the cafeteria to return to her cubicle that night. After more than two hours of waiting , Feon was nowhere to be found, and no one seemed to notice or care. Not the kitchen staff and definitely not the other girls .

She returned to her cubicle and lay down, eyes wide open in the dark. Her body was still. Her mind was not. The slip of paper from earlier sat folded beneath her pillow, quiet and unanswered.

She stared at the ceiling , her mind hurting with a million questions until sleep finally came, shallow and uncertain.