It took me close to thirty minutes soaking myself luxuriously under the hot water.
I kept pouring more body wash and lathering myself until the foam made me look like a snowman.
"Ahh!" For once I could say it felt good to be alive.
For a place that held a grim fate above my head, this one was taking pretty good care of me.
But then those who enjoy great privileges often have the biggest price to pay when duty calls. And a price cannot get any bigger than one's life, can it?
When I eventually stepped out of the bathroom, my body felt as good as new.
After drying, I approached the bundle Maya had delivered. Time to see what the Midstreet caretaker dressed like.
I tore the wraps around the bundle and pulled out the first item.
Folded neatly was a pair of black silk pants. I unraveled it and sized it in front of my naked body.
It was an unnecessary action. I could already tell that just like the ring, it would fit perfectly. And it did.
Next was a shirt of similar color. I let it slip through my fingers as I savored the beauty of its texture.
It had the same premium feel as the trousers and its shiny black color was actually my favorite.
Aside from this there was a black tie, a set of pitch black briefs, black leather shoes, and finally to top it all a flowing black leather coat and a belt.
Simply black from head to toe. The long coat had the same infinite emblem just like the caretaker's ring.
They should have just named it the Midnight Hotel. I mean black seemed to be the house color here. Not that I minded, it was also a favorite of mine.
A few minutes later I walked out of my chamber's door and up the small flight of stairs. I was ready to meet my colleagues for the next foreseeable future, at least in an official capacity.
I had almost been expecting to come to the great double doors which was what Maya and I had used to access the hall during my introduction. Instead I appeared before a normal sized black door.
I hesitated for a second before recalling we had in fact taken a different door out which was where I would be coming in from.
I sucked in as much air as I could before pushing the door open.
I froze.
The empty hall I had seen earlier was no more. If I was not certain, I might have thought I had imagined it.
Now the floor was covered with neatly positioned tables and special seats tailored to cater for its users.
As for decorating, I actually flinched at the sight of them.
Not that they were bad. On the contrary they were brilliant and they seemed particular to complement the main dining area.
It is just that I hated this much limelight and this… Well, everything in the decorations seemed to throw an unhealthy amount of it.
There was a white fluffy cloud floating just beneath the ceiling reflecting the golden light from the chandeliers around it. I paused on it to read the text imprinted on it.
"A welcome dinner party in honor of Sir Erwin Owl, the 596th caretaker of the Midstreet Hotel. Long may his tenure last and may he unlock more floors than anyone ever has."
"Sire is here," Maya's voice reached me first before I caught the sight of her.
"Maya was almost thinking sire had fallen asleep again."
I smiled at her as I finally saw her break through the line of tables.
"Yea… I almost did, that shower was heavenly. I might need more body wash."
She nodded, smiling, but did not take it as an immediate request like I feared she would. It gave me relief knowing I did not have to be so formal out of fear of being misunderstood.
"Maya, this place looks dazzling," I said, awestruck as my eyes kept jumping from one decoration to another.
She beamed at the compliment.
"Am glad sire likes it. The interior department outdid themselves. This way sire, I will show you to your table."
I followed her as she weaved her way past the well lined tables.
As I passed, I noticed they tried as much as possible to avoid bowing. But the idea itself was foreign to them so very often I would see one begin to only to stop themselves midway, which became a bit awkward.
I smiled and waved until we got to our table.
I noticed it was positioned completely at the center with the rest lining around.
It was large enough seeing there were four other diners there. They beamed and almost bowed but managed to stop themselves.
I took my seat and waited patiently for Maya to introduce us, which she did after jumping into the remaining seat.
"Sire, these are the four former caretakers in charge of the most important departments," she began as the rest half bowed once again.
"To my left is Nejo Mahn, head of the emissary department." I nodded to him as he stood. "They relay our messages across the realms and carry out requests as requested by the caretaker," Maya explained.
"Pleased to meet you, sir," he said as his tiny limbs got buried in my palm.
It felt weird, seeing it was the first time I was making actual contact with any of them. I almost flinched but forced myself to stay calm.
"My pleasure," I mumbled as Maya moved to the next.
"Sire Ramon, head of acquisition," she said as the next man stood on his seat and shook my hand, or at least tried.
"His department is responsible for acquiring anything we might need from outside, including food and drinks for various beings."
"My pleasure, sir," I beamed at him. This would be the man I would be bombarding with tasks quite soon. It would be better if we got off on the right foot.
"And this is Madam Arizona, our head chef and head of catering. Her department is responsible for preparing meals including our banquet tonight," Maya said, beaming at her. I could detect some camaraderie between the two. They had to be close friends.
"It will be my honor to serve under you, sir."
"And lastly, Sire Octava, head of security," she said and her voice went a bit rigid.