“Ms. Smith, the production department says that the measurement of the shirt seems to be off. Could
you go fix it?” A co-worker said as she was walking towards Natalie.
“Sure, I’ll be right over,” Natalie replied. She then packed up her bag and left the design department.
In the afternoon, Natalie sent a text to Joyce to ask her to pick up the kids. Meanwhile, Natalie took a
cab to the hotel where she lost her virginity five years ago.
The thought of Jasmine’s phone conversation earlier was eating away at Natalie.
She had to make sure who exactly it was that she spent that night with five years ago or her mind
would never be at ease.
“Hello. Can I speak to the manager please?” Natalie inquired at the reception.
“Hi! Let me get him for you. Please give me a moment,” replied the receptionist politely with a smile.
The receptionist then picked up the intercom and asked for the manager.
The manager paused to evaluate Natalie for a moment before asking politely, “Can I help you, Miss?”
“I would like to take a look at the CCTV recordings. Is that alright?” Natalie said after taking a deep
breath.
The manager was taken aback by her request. “I’m sorry, Miss. Our hotel values the privacy of our
guests and I’m afraid we cannot let just anyone look at our recordings unless there are extraordinary
circumstances.”
Extraordinary circumstances huh…
“So if I were to claim that I was violated in this very hotel five years ago and I want to find out who is the
perpetrator— can I view the recordings?” Natalie said while lowering her eyes.
Those words came as a bombshell to the manager as he swiftly replied, “In that case, of course you
can take a look at the recordings. We would be more than happy to oblige.”
The manager knew that if a crime were supposedly committed, he would have to cooperate.
If this lady were to make a police report and the police showed up themselves, the reputation of our
hotel would be tarnished!
“This way, Miss.” The manager signaled for Natalie to follow her.
Natalie thanked him and followed him to the security room.
Finding the CCTV recordings from five years ago was no easy task and it took the security personnel
quite some time before Natalie finally got her hands on what she wanted and put it into the player.
Natalie stood before the largest screen in the room with her hands clasped together like she was in
prayer.
Soon enough, the monitor showed Jasmine leading Natalie down the hallway of the hotel before
shoving her into a room.
“Wait a moment!” the manager exclaimed suddenly.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ms. Smith, you were in room 3606 five years ago?” the manager asked.
“That is correct,” Natalie replied with a shade of guilt on her face.
This was because Natalie had lied to the manager. Natalie told him that her sister had booked a room
for her to rest in but someone barged into the room and violated her.
Only in this way could she dispel the notion that she was offering her body to some stranger in the
room.
The manager had no reason to doubt Natalie’s words. He quickly pointed at the screen saying, “Ms.
Smith, you said you were in room 3606. But from the footage we’re looking at, you entered room 3609.”
“What did you just say?” Natalie’s eyes were wide with shock upon hearing from the manager.
“Sorry, this was our fault,” said the manager with an apologetic look. “The letters on the signage was
hanging loose and eventually it turned upside down, appearing as six. We only found out about it when
we were doing the cleaning.”
Natalie felt her body go limp and her vision was clouded by darkness.
So I went into the wrong room and spent the night with the wrong person?
“Who was in room 3609 then?” Natalie asked with a trembling voice.
“This is the guy!” The manager pointed at the screen just as he was about to go look up the records.
Natalie’s gaze returned to the monitor. All she could see was a figure stumbling his way into room
3609. Panic consumed her as she tried to make out the person’s face.
It wasn’t until the man had opened the door to enter the room that he showed a side profile of his face.
The side profile was one she was familiar with. Even though he didn’t look as matured five years ago,
Natalie could recognize him immediately.
Shane Thompson!
It’s no wonder Connor bears a striking resemblance to Shane. They are indeed father and son!
Natalie could only hold her hands to her lips as tears began to well up in her eyes.
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