"BLONDE LIKE HONEY"

Aurora was radiant. The news of her pregnancy, announced during an intimate breakfast with Max, quickly spread throughout the hotel where they were staying. The staff, who already admired them as a couple, now looked at them with a mix of respect and joy. The arrival of a baby seemed to fill the air with a new, almost magical energy. Every corridor, every room in the hotel now carried an air of anticipation and celebration.

Max, for his part, had never felt so fulfilled. He had always been an ambitious man, but nothing filled him as much as the thought of becoming a father. He already pictured the nights rocking the baby, the first words, the first steps. Wherever he went, his wide smile made it clear just how happy he was.

Aurora's siblings, always protective of her, were thrilled with the news. It was as if the entire family was about to grow. Gifts began arriving from all directions: boxes of handmade baby clothes, books on parenting, carefully chosen toys. The couple's suite was beginning to look more like a small store of tenderness and care than a hotel room. Aurora laughed as she opened each gift, feeling wrapped in the love of everyone around her.

Meanwhile, the hotel itself became a reflection of the couple's happiness. The staff, many of whom considered Aurora and Max almost like family, seemed more dedicated than ever. Little surprises constantly appeared: fresh flowers in their room, desserts made especially for Aurora, even soft music playing when she relaxed in the lounge.

But not all happiness goes unnoticed. Among the hotel's new hires was a woman who seemed indifferent to all the joy. Mrs Eulalia, a stern-looking older woman with a past few knew, had recently been employed as a housekeeper. She had a piercing gaze, as if she could see more than she should, and her presence carried a strange weight.

At first, no one paid her much attention. After all, Aurora and Max were the centre of everyone's focus. But soon, small incidents began to disrupt the harmony of the place. Missing sheets, food deliveries that never arrived, important messages that went undelivered. Everything seemed to resolve itself quickly, but a sense of unease began to grow among the more observant staff.

Aurora, always sensitive to the emotions around her, noticed something was off. One afternoon, while resting in one of the hotel's gardens, she felt Mrs Eulalia's gaze upon her. It was a cold, calculating stare that contrasted with the warm smiles she received from everyone else.

When Aurora shared her concerns with Max, he tried to reassure her.

— My love, don't worry. It's probably just her personality. Some people find it hard to express joy, but that doesn't mean she's against us.

Aurora wanted to believe him, but there was something about the woman's presence that unsettled her.

As the days passed, Mrs Eulalia's presence became more noticeable. It was as if she was always lingering on the edges, watching but never participating. One night, Aurora found one of the nannies they'd hired for the future baby crying in the hallway. When she asked what had happened, the young woman mumbled something about Mrs Eulalia reprimanding her unfairly, implying she wasn't fit to care for a child.

From that moment, Aurora felt she needed to act. It wasn't just about her safety and the baby's, but about protecting the atmosphere of love and care they had built in the hotel. She shared her concerns with Max, who immediately decided to investigate the new employee.

Meanwhile, Mrs Eulalia seemed to grow bolder. During an event held in honour of the couple, she insisted on serving Aurora personally, letting slip a look of menace so subtle it could have been dismissed—if Aurora hadn't already been on edge.

But Aurora wasn't just a kind and loving woman; she was strong and determined. Sensing Mrs Eulalia might be a threat, she decided to confront her. In a candid conversation, Aurora looked directly into the woman's eyes and said:

— I don't know what your intentions are, Mrs Eulalia, but there is no room here for distrust or ill will. This hotel is our temporary home, and my family will not be unsettled by your presence.

The housekeeper only smiled, a smile that never reached her eyes, and walked away without a word.

In the days that followed, Max discovered that Mrs Eulalia had been dismissed from previous jobs for similar behaviour. Armed with this information, he and Aurora decided to speak with the hotel's management.

Mrs Eulalia was discreetly removed, but not before leaving one last message:

— Don't underestimate forces you cannot control. Not everything on the path to happiness is easy.

Despite this, Aurora and Max chose to focus on what truly mattered: the baby on the way and the love that bound them. Mrs Eulalia's unsettling presence became just a shadow in the past, incapable of dimming the light that emanated from their new life together.

And so, even with the challenges, what was already good became even better, for Aurora and Max learned that true love can overcome any obstacle.