Savior

Chapter Twenty-three

Surrounded by plush gardens, the resort that Luna had come too was nothing short of a beauty. No wonder people considered it romantic and it was exactly what I didn’t wanted it to be. I needed to find her and clear things out before she decides to give Dave a chance. The drive here wasn’t long but it wasn’t short either. I also tried to contact Ricci who remained unavailable making me wonder if his absence had something to do with Amanda. But when I contacted the office to check if he’d left me any messages, they said he’d applied for leave and won’t come to work for next two days. This was not the first time he’d taken a leave without informing me beforehand but he could’ve chosen a better timing this time.

Putting on my shades, I walked up to the reception and asked the girl with a high ponytail and a wide smile, which looked very much forced, ‘I want to know which room number Luna Agosti is staying in?

She maintained her smile and said, ‘I’m sorry sir we are not allowed to divulge details of the guests.’

‘I know her.’

‘You might know her sir but we still cannot tell you her room number. If it’s urgent you can give her a call and ask her yourself.’

I nodded pressing my lips, and then removed my shades. ‘I’m Sole Accardi.’

‘Okay. Do you want a room too?’ She asked not bothered by my presence.

‘Don’t you know who I am?’

‘I do sir. I follow news. You’re quite famous in the business world but I have a job to keep, which is why I cannot tell you our guests room number.’ People like her should be working in my company. Only if Ricci was here I could show him what dedication to work is.

‘Fine. I’ll give her a call.’

‘As you wish, sir.’

I pocketed my phone and dialed Luna’s number but she didn’t pick up. The receptionist might’ve noticed it from my expressions for she said, ‘Its late maybe she is already asleep.’

‘Give me a room then. I’ll find her in the morning.’

‘Sure, sir.’ Her smile widened and she worked her fingers on the computer, finally handling me the card to my room.

Swiping in it when I reached the in front of the door to the rom I was given, I went inside and slumped to the bed. Lying on my back I stared at the ceiling and wondered what Luna must be doing. Then suddenly I was reminded of Gina’s words, pre-wed-moon. I immediately got up from the bed and went out to search for Luna, there was no way I could let her be alone with Dave. Nope, not a chance. But where would I find her?

I called her again and continued doing so even when I was searching the corridors and then was out to search outside of each cottage among the greens. After plethora of calls, she picked up and yelled.

‘What the hell is wrong with you?!!’

‘Where are you?’ I asked trying to calm down my heart which was beating double the speed it used to.

‘Sole, it’s late. Stop calling me.’

I knew she was about to end the call so I said, ‘Stop! Just listen to me.’

‘I don’t want to hear anything from you. I’m busy please cut the call.’ Did she say busy?

‘Are you with Dave right now?’ I said in dangerously low voice.

I could hear her breath sharply and then she said, ‘Yes.’

‘Don’t.’

‘Don’t what Sole?’

‘Don’t move on from me, not with him.’

‘Then do you have someone else in mind that I can move on with?’

‘Luna.’

‘Sole please try to understand there’s nothing left between us.’

‘Then why did you kiss me in the elevator that day?’

‘It was a mistake.’

‘I refused to believe that. There is still something between us and I know you feel it too. Just tell me which room number are you in.’

‘What? Why would you ask….Are you here?’ I could sense panic in her voice.

‘Room number, Luna.’

‘I’m not telling you. Return back.’ I rolled my eyes and kicked a rock which was in my way. It turned out to be bigger than I’d anticipated and left my toe in pain.

‘Ouch!’ I winced as I hopped trying to gain balance after the hit.

‘What happened? Are you okay?’ She said hurriedly. I smiled, she was worried about me.

‘Why are you worried?’

‘No.’ she said but her lie was caught because when I turned to find a way back to the main building of the resort, I saw her standing outside a cottage, looking worried. There wasn’t proper lighting to where she was standing but I could see her expressions. I wanted to wait no longer to hold her and took steps in her direction but someone came from behind her and wrapped their arms around her before me. ‘Shall we go inside?’ I could hear Dave say. She hesitated but then said in the phone, ‘I’ll call you later.’ and ended the call.

She didn’t look quite happy in his arms and soon moved away from him giving him an awkward smile. He touched her cheek and then moved closer to her. I couldn’t let this happen.

‘Dave!’ I shouted and jogged towards them. Luna’s eyes widened when she saw me and her fiancé’s forehead filled with lines. ‘What a coincidence. How come you’re here?’ I asked trying to play it nice.

‘I should be asking you that Mr. Accardi.’ He said slowly.

‘Actually I came here with Mr. Clarke. He’s looking into some new businesses to invest in. I’m helping him out with that.’

‘Mr. Clarke? Ah, the one whose son’s wedding we attended recently.’ He then turned to Luna and continued, ‘Your friend’s father-in-

law.’ She nodded curtly not knowing how to react in front of me.

‘Since you’re also here, why don’t you meet up and discuss possible investment he could make in your business?’ I suggested.

‘That’s a good idea. But right now?’

‘He’s in the conference room meeting some people. If you want to join I could let him know.’

‘Sure that’ll be great.’ He said and I took out my phone and moved a little away from him and Luna, pretending to text Mr. Clarke.

‘Done.’ I said to him and he was filled with enthusiasm.

‘Dave I don’t think you should go right now.’ Luna said but Dave waved a hand in the air.

‘Opportunities like this don’t come often and when they do, we should take advantage of it.’

‘But Dave….’ She tried to stop him but he was already on his high horses.

‘See you soon.’ He said and I smirked for he won’t. The conference hall was on the opposite side of the resort and by the time he will be back from visiting it and finding no one there, Luna will be gone.

Staring at his running silhouette I remarked, ‘I must say you could’ve chosen better.’

‘Why did you do it? Didn’t I tell you to leave?’ She sounded pissed. When I turned to her, she looked that too.

Clearing my throat I began, ‘I know you’re upset.’

‘Shouldn’t I be?’ I moved to touch her shoulder but she stepped back. ‘Be honest, why are you bothering me?’

‘Luna, you can’t move on while there are still unresolved feelings in your heart.’

‘Who are you to tell me when I can move on and when not?!’ She shouted. ‘I was here with Dave, you had no right to intervene

between us and look what you’re doing.’

She was angry because I’d send him away? ‘He was going to kiss you.’

‘So what? He’s my fiancé….’

‘The hell he is. He doesn’t even care about you. All he cares about is his business and investment.’

‘He is concerned about his business, I know. That doesn’t mean he has no feelings towards me.’

‘I don’t care about his feelings!’

‘But I do!’

‘Why? What is he to you?’

‘He’s my fiancé.’

‘Saying it again and again won’t change the fact that you’re being considerate towards him only because of this forced marriage alliance that your uncle and aunt have made.’

‘He is more than that.’ She lied, obviously to make me leave but I knew her better.

‘No he is not. Otherwise you wouldn’t have kissed me…..’

‘Stop mentioning it! It meant nothing!’ She hissed. There was no choice left but to show her what happened was not, “nothing”. I pressed my lips to her in a sudden move and she faltered in her steps backwards. This was when my hand came to support her and held her close to me. She pushed me away and slapped me, making me wince. She’d hit where earlier Jake had punched me. When she looked closer at my face, her eyes filled with concerned as she stared at the bruised side of my face.

‘Your cousin’s boyfriend knows how to punch.’ I remarked.

‘Jake did this? But why? Where did you meet him?’

‘I went to look for you at your home. He was there.’

‘Why did you two fight?’

‘Long story. But are you concerned?’ I smirked and she slapped me on the back. ‘Ow!’

‘You deserve it, you jerk! Why do you keep kissing me like that?’

‘Why, don’t tell me you don’t like it?’

‘No I don’t.’

I sighed and then brought her face closer to me. ‘Then I should keep kissing you until you start liking it.’ And I kissed her again. It was a gentle kiss and I was expecting for her to push me away but she didn’t. So I had to. She was staring in my eyes and it made me more confused.

‘If this is what it takes to keep you away from me, then let it happen. Kiss me all you can and I would still walk away from you tomorrow.’

‘You won’t be able to.’ I whispered.

‘Let’s give it a try.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I want to see your face when realization hits you that I’ve actually moved on.’ She said and her hand moved to the back of my head. Grabbing my hair she pulled my face towards hers and kissed me. This was a battle I didn’t want to lose hence I cupped her face in my hands and returned her kiss with more intensity.

After making out for a hell of a minute there I knew there was no backing out tonight. We moved towards her cottage and when at the door I didn’t even need to ask for the card, for she took it out from her jeans’ pocket and swiped it to let us in.

Couch seemed comfortable so I led us there, while we were still not done with the kissing. We broke apart only when we were unbuttoning our shirts and then our lips met again. Having no idea what tomorrow was going to bring, I let go of the anticipation and decided to serve in the moment. There was so much love and longing along with lots of complains with each other, but all of it were being channeled into our kisses right then.

When the morning came, we were still together on the couch, her back towards me and my arms around her. Pulling the duvet I’d brought in a little earlier, I made sure both of us were covered to not get cold from the windy atmosphere. Nuzzling closer to her neck I placed a kiss there and she moved a bit but didn’t open her eyes. After a long time I was experiencing peace and it was all because she was here with me. I had no idea how much longer she was going to be here but I didn’t want to think about it right now so I closed my eyes and dozed off to sleep.

I woke up again around noon and by that time, she was gone. She had actually left, just like she’d said. An empty felling settled in me and I couldn’t help but tear up. She’d decided to move on and leave me behind, forever.