Kill The Beast

The Scent of Secrets

On that bitterly cold day, Katrina found herself at her friend's funeral, surrounded by mourners draped in somber black attire. They spoke kind words about her departed friend, eulogizing her kindness and warmth. It struck Katrina as profoundly fair—how could anyone utter anything negative about someone so genuinely good-hearted?

As the coffin was gently lowered into the waiting grave, a sudden and brutal realization struck Katrina: she would never see her friend again. The tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks as she grappled with the cruel and abrupt transformation of life.

Not so long ago, she had been ensconced in her apartment, perched by the window, serenaded by her beloved music, while people went about their daily lives outside. They seemed oblivious to the beauty of the La Sienna River and the fleeting nature of existence.

Katrina had only recently relocated to the cozy studio apartment, a move that represented a long-held desire to break free from the constant turmoil of her home life. It wasn't that she didn't care for her mother, but the incessant arguments and chaos that seemed to follow each of her mother's four marriages had become unbearable.

Katrina's mother had always been in search of true love, but it seemed that love perpetually eluded her grasp. Her marriages invariably deteriorated into bitter conflicts, and Katrina had grown up amidst this tumultuous environment. When she secured her admission to the University of Paris, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to distance herself from her mother's tumultuous relationships.

Leaving her parents' home had been a challenging endeavor. The cozy houses in Paris were far too expensive for her to afford on her own. Fortunately, Paul, a fellow student, had come to her aid by helping her secure a part-time job at the Cesar Hotel. While she knew that the hotel was owned by a wealthy Indian lady, she had never had the opportunity to see her in person.

Working at the hotel had turned out to be a positive experience, and the pay was generous enough to enable her to rent a comfortable studio apartment. With this newfound stability, Katrina was able to embark on this new phase of her life with a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.

Her schedule was demanding but manageable. After her college classes concluded for the day, she would head to work at the hotel, where she remained until well past 9 p.m. Her mornings began early, as she needed to be in her 10 a.m. classes. Paul, her one and only friend in this foreign environment, also worked at the hotel as a bartender. Their shifts would end around the same time, allowing them to leave the hotel together. This camaraderie made their challenging schedules a bit more bearable, and their friendship had grown stronger over time.

Katrina was accustomed to the highly professional and demanding environment of the Cesar Hotel, where every customer expected the utmost in luxury and service. The clientele ranged from wealthy businessmen to influential politicians and diplomats from across the globe, making it a hub of international activity. The constant flow of such esteemed guests turned the hotel staff into well-oiled machines, their precision and dedication unwavering.

Despite the pressure and high expectations, the compensation was generous, and the shifts were relatively short, making the job appealing to many. Katrina had fully immersed herself in this world, striving for excellence in her role.

Then, one fateful day, she crossed paths with Sophie Martin, the same woman who now rested in her grave.

Sophie Martin was a breath of fresh air in the rigid, professional atmosphere of the Cesar Hotel. Unlike her colleagues, she didn't conform to the expected standards of conduct. Instead, she found herself constantly at the reception desk alongside Katrina, sharing jokes and laughter. While Katrina relished Sophie's company, her behavior had earned her a notorious reputation with the hotel's manager.