Olena was anxious. She has been fidgeting the past hour and any more, she is going to wear down the edge of the name tag on her chest. It has been many days since she walked into Astrid's room. Olena had the laundry room sort out the favor Astrid asked. Olena even brought her replacement pillowcases, so housekeeping would be none the wiser. Nobody would know the poor linen were witness to proper English debauchery, Olena doubted it would have been hardly the linen's first time. She thought that was the end of it.
Every morning, Astrid would drop by her desk and make small talk. Olena pretended she didn't see the raven-haired woman shamelessly ride a man. She kept it professional, to be not seen or heard. Sometimes Astrid brought her breakfast; croissants from the hotel across the road. Olena knew this guest largely remained in their premises, either reading a book in the cafe, going for a run, or prowling around like an inspector. Once, she triggered the fire alarm checking out a fire door.
Then there was today. Olena knew Astrid's stay at the hotel ends tomorrow. It was not extended, unlike the last few weeks. She was disappointed this morning when Astrid didn't pass by. Olena thought maybe it would be nice to say goodbye, and thank Astrid for all the coffee and croissants. Olena also remembered the generous tip Astrid handed her when she made good that favor for Astrid. That evening, Olena felt Astrid's light fingers slip something into her pocket and fingered five crisp bills on her way out. Thinking of course they were fivers at most, Olena didn't think much of it. Times weren't easy and she isn't going to say no to a little gratuity. Olena was surprised to see Alan Turing's face, in quintuplicate. Olena could hardly believe it as she dressed into her street clothes and looked at the bills at the end of her shift.
At mid-afternoon, Olena was surprised to see Astrid in front of her desk. Olena was busy writing her reports and did not hear the buxom woman creep up to her work area again.
"Hi Astrid! Anything I can help you with?". Olena asked while fixing her top. Olena had to exert effort not to check if she was presentable.
"Olena, I have to leave tomorrow. Thank you for all your help." Astrid said with some sadness. "I enjoyed my stay here but I don't think I'll be able to visit again soon.
"You are welcome! We're happy to make your stay comfortable." Olena started. "It's a shame we won't be seeing you soon... but we'll be right here when you come back". She finished, paraphrasing the canned response from the training manual.
"Oh? Will you miss me, Olena?" Astrid teased.
"Yes. You were very kind to bring me breakfast. It won't be the same not seeing you around." Olena said, almost crestfallen.
Astrid leaned over, resting her chest on the desk as she tried to bring her face closer to Olena. "You should see me then... before I leave," Astrid whispered playfully. "You have a card to my room." She finished in a more serious tone.
Olena blushed and stammered. "Um, sorry about that..."
"Tell me later," Astrid said formally, straightening up. "I'll expect you after your shift." Astrid turned around with a flourish and briskly left.
"What have I gotten myself into?" Olena lamented internally. She has done her best to blend in and not stand out. She isn't sure what just happened. Was this minx going to scold her, blackmail her, or want something sexual from her? or all three?
Olena spent the rest of the afternoon brooding, grumbling how this was exactly what she was trying to avoid. She just wanted to save up, find a better job, and wait out the war - so she could go back to the life she left. She cursed how six months into her first job after finishing Engineering from Taras, everything went to shit. Her brothers forced her to leave, relying on many kind people to help settle her somewhere. She did end up in a place where her degree is meaningless, or almost meaningless. Her English was rudimentary and her looks... more of a liability than anything. Olena gave up so much. Skincare, nice clothes, women, and a social life. She just wanted to keep her job and save something to send her brothers. She didn't want to rock the boat while on choppy waters.
Before she knew it, it was half past four in the afternoon. It was getting dark and it was time to go home. Olena changed into her streetwear; running pants and a shirt. She bundled up into her jacket and went up Astrid's floor. Swiftly walked to her door and used her key to enter. Olena did not want to tarry, and chance someone from the staff see her go into a guest's room.
Olena saw Astrid sitting on the tacky winged-back chair. Astrid was wearing a robe and sat with her legs crossed. Olena wondered how long she sitting like that, waiting for her to come in. Olena was disappointed she wasn't able to catch Astrid by surprise, giving her some advantage. With a deep sigh, Olena took off her jacket, hung it by the door, and took her shoes off as she stepped into the room.
"I am here," Olena said somberly. "Sorry I disturbed you the last time, I thought you were not in your room." Olena fidgeted a little. "I don't want any trouble. I didn't see anything."
Astrid didn't respond. Astrid observed Olena, marveling at how tall she was; even without shoes. Olena was trim, she tried to look plain on purpose, and... she entered the room worried but not afraid. Olena's hair is now pulled back into a ponytail, her stance is relaxed... she's not really expecting trouble.
"Do you like it here? A pretty girl like you can find all sorts of work." Astrid started.
"Yes. This is a good place." Olena answered matter of factly. "I like simple work, it's better where being pretty has nothing to do with it."
"Even for an Architect or... Engineer? Astrid tested.
"What? How did you..." Olena blurted in surprise.
Astrid leaned back on the chair, a bit of her thigh visible from a crack in her robe. "Your handwriting. It looks like it's printed out. Very clean and uniform. Nobody writes like that unless you've spent a lot of time drafting."
Olena shifted her stance. "It's hard enough for a woman to find work in a man's profession." She said a bit hotly.
