Love In The City

Heart Shaped Beds!

     I pushed back the tears forming. It’s not because I have some expectations of Raul, but the sheer embarrassment of it all. A stranger took me to the dance floor to comfort me, and that is embarrassing. I looked like an i***t.

“We’re not together,” I said.

“I’m a little surprised. He rarely plays where he works,” Jimmy said.

“I’m only working for him a few weeks until he finds someone else,” I said.

 It was for this account. If Jimmy paid off his loan, as he said, Raul would have no need for me anymore. He only said he needed me to stay until he advanced this account.

“Do you have another job lined up?” he swung me around the dimly lit dance floor.

“I haven’t been in the city long. I’ll likely begin applying this week,” 

I know he’s trying to take the subject away from Raul, but I really wanted to go to the bathroom and make sure my makeup wasn’t smearing.

I’m thankful a few moments later when the song ends, “I’m going to head to the bathroom then we can order some food,”

“Thanks for the dance,” he playfully bowed.

Once inside the bathroom, I checked my makeup. I didn’t have much on, so I’m lucky. I dabbed a little cold water around my eyes and cheeks, being careful not to mess up my eyeshadow.

I opened the bathroom door and ran into a hard chest, “what are you doing here?” 

Raul backed away from the door, “Sorry I just came to make sure you’re okay,”

“I had to go to the bathroom,” I said, not thinking I spent much time in there.

“I’m sorry about the wine,” he ran his finger through his dark hair.

“I’m sure Sammy enjoyed it. Let’s order. I’m starving,” I walked back to the table and sat back down.

Jimmy and James were engaged in a conversation about cars leaving me and Sammy left since Raul didn’t return yet.

“How long have you worked for Raul,” Sammy asked me.

“Not long,” I said, picking up my menu and burying my face into it. I didn’t really feel like pleasantries with the woman right now. Maybe that isn’t polite of me, but I didn’t care at the moment. I needed time to cool down a bit and relax, “What do you recommend, Jimmy?”

“The Chef here is superb. I bet you like a nice pasta or maybe a Steak. I recommend either the Texas Rattlesnake or the Filet Mignon,” Jimmy leaned over and pointed the two items out for me on the menu.

“You like things spicy, you should go for the pasta,” Raul said as he sat down in his chair. His dark eyes raked me over, making me shiver.

I really wanted to try the pasta but didn’t want to give Raul the satisfaction. I didn’t miss his double meaning behind the word spicy, “Sometimes a girl just wants a nice big piece of meat,”

James spits his drink out across the table, and I stifled a laugh as I shut the menu. When the waiter came, I ordered the New York Strip.

“Let’s go dance,” Sammy cooed at Raul.

Raul hesitated as his eyes grazed over mine. I have no hold over him. He’s not mine. Deep down, though, I hope he said no.

“I’m here for business, not pleasure,” Raul said.

He could have fooled me earlier, I thought to myself. I would not tell them that, though.

“It’s just one dance, Raul. Live a little and humor an old man,” James took a drink from his glass then added, “I’d feel better knowing you’re having a little fun here,”

“Dad, I’m sure Raul has been enjoying himself quite well here, isn’t that right?” Jimmy turned to Raul and winked.

Raul shot daggers at Jimmy but stood up from the chair and followed Sammy to the dance floor.

“I need to hit the men’s room before the food comes,” James said, standing up from the table.

“I can try to get you another room if you like,” Jimmy poured us another glass of the crisp, sweet wine.

“I think that’s a good idea,” I said. I didn’t like how bothered I am about another woman. The best thing to do is to limit my time with Raul.

He busied himself with his phone for a few minutes before turning to me and saying, “I can get you in our Honeymoon Suite,”

I laughed, “Does it have a jacuzzi?”

“It has a heart-shaped Jacuzzi. You won’t have your own pool though,” He laughed, “Sorry we are so booked,”

“I’ll take it, but please don’t mention it here,” I said.

“Don’t worry, I won’t,” He said.

“So tell me about The Resort,” I said, looking around.

“My Grandfather opened up his first hotel in San Francisco. It still sits there today. After some time, they expanded around the Country. Hotels are a hard business these days, though. When I came on, I knew we needed to expand to resort-style. This way families could enjoy,”

“It’s beautiful,” I said.

“I wish I could take credit for the decor, but my sister actually helped. She’s a designer,” he chuckled.

So it seems she not only has good taste in men but decor as well. I’m just a girl from a small town in a big city. I don’t have a fancy degree or a distinguished career. I’m just an assistant to a sexy CEO.

“She sure did an outstanding job,” I took a sip of the wine and sat down my glass.

“I brought her here because she’s going to help design the new locations. I could secure a deal that allows me to expand out into a few more key destination zones,” Jimmy said.

“This is how you will pay back Raul this weekend, then?” I moved my hands so the waiter could remove the empty glasses.

“With the financing for the new resorts, I could use the profits from here to pay him back. It will take a little longer to get ahead, but at least we will be out of debt to him,” he shrugged.

“Congratulations,” I lifted my glass up and tipped it to his.

“Thank you, Gabby,” Jimmy smiled as he clinked his glass to mine.

“What are you two celebrating,” Sammy asked out of breath.

Raul said nothing. He just sat down at the table. His dark, moody eyes fixated on me briefly before he looked away.

The waiter came with our food just as James returned from the bathroom.

“I say we celebrate friends,” he tipped his fresh glass of liquor up. He must have gotten it on his way back from the bathroom.

After dinner, James and Raul exchanged a look before James said, “Now that dinner is over, let’s discuss your idea from earlier,”

“What idea from earlier?” Jimmy asked.

“Raul has made a proposal,” James said.

The wine was settling in as I felt a little tipsy, and I giggled.

“Is something funny, Gabby?” Raul asked me.

We spent most of the evening barely speaking, so when he talked to me, it caught me off guard, “Are you talking to me?” I asked.

“You guys drank the entire bottle?” Raul eyed me incredulously.

“It’s delicious,” I told him, licking my lips. I remembered when Raul s*****d me earlier for licking my lips and giggled.

“She’s not driving anywhere, and this isn’t an official Business meeting. I say let her have fun,” James said. I like him.

“Yea, Raul, what are you going to do? s***k me?” I laughed.

For the second time, tonight, James spit his drink out across the table, “I like this one, Raul. She has a sense of humor,”

Raul, however, is eyeing me from across the table. If I wasn’t moving to my own room tonight, I’d guess I was going to get s*****d many times over. Just thinking about it had me giggling more. I seem to recall a memory of wine, making me laugh a lot. Carlos didn’t like it when I drank it. Since I never found one, I enjoyed that much I didn’t care about it. 

“I think Gabby and I will head back to the room now,” Raul said.

“Why? Isn’t this so much fun? I mean, you and Sammy seem to have so much catching up to do. I’m quite enjoying myself, we can stay,” I said, composing myself.

“My mom gets the giggle when she drinks wine, too,” Jimmy said.

“Yes, she does,” James smiled. A look in his eye told me she got more than just the giggles.

Sammy sat awkwardly across the table, and I felt terrible for my behavior. I still believe she knew that the second glass was for me, not her. I’m just not ready to let go of the wine situation, I guess.

“I’ll get you a bottle to take back to your new room with you,” Jimmy whispered.

“What new room?” Raul said. He is either honed in on our conversation, or I’m drunk, and Jimmy didn’t really whisper.

The entire table fell in silence, and poor James tried to rectify the situation, “Am I missing something here?” James asked.

I took a deep breath, knowing I’m not acting like a good assistant, “You were just about to tell us about Raul’s proposal,”

“Right yes, now hear me out, Jimmy. It’s a good deal. Raul wishes to become partners in this resort. He will wipe the debt clean and give us the projected finances for two new resorts,” James said.

“I already have an offer for that,” Jimmy said.

“Yes, but with your offer, it will take years to get ahead. This way, our share here is pure profit,” James said.

Raul sat watching the two Krieger men discuss the deal. I concentrated on what he taught me about body language. I once again took out my phone and made a few notes as they debated back and forth. I wrote down each person’s reactions during the debate.

“Why would you want to get into this business? It’s not even up your alley,” Jimmy challenged Raul.

“Does it matter? I’ve decided I can help you at less of a cost. This new deal also gives the financiers shares. I only ask for a share of this location,” Raul shrugged.

“What if I offer Florida or Hawaii instead,” Jimmy said.

“I want this one,” Raul simply stated.

“Those will probably yield more once we establish them. You only want this one because it’s already in the green,” Jimmy challenged.

“That has nothing to do with why I want this one. I’ve made my offer. I’ll give you guys time to think it over. Gabby and I are going back to our room,” Raul stood up from the table and came around and grabbed my hand.

“Thank you all for a nice evening,” I said.

As Raul and I walked away, Sammy Hollered, “Raul,”

Raul stopped and turned around, “Have a good evening,” he told her.

“You can pick up your key at the front desk,” Jimmy told me.

Anger passed over Raul’s face as he looked at Jimmy. His grip tightened on me, “Gabby has her own room with me,”

Sammy reached in to hug Raul, but Raul turned on his heels and walked away.

When we arrived back at the room, Raul went to his room. I waited for him to come back out, but he didn’t. I sat on the big fluffy king size bed, debating what to do. I could stay here in this room or take the room Jimmy offered me. 

I didn’t expect Raul to be all over me at dinner, but I didn’t expect him to flirt with another woman openly. I’m still bothered he ordered wine for me and let her take it like that. Deep down, I know I’m hanging on to the wine because it made me feel special like he really cared what I like.

The wine made my head spin a little, but I am still thinking clearly. I know I’ve blurred the lines. I developed feelings when I shouldn’t have. I can’t really blame Raul for that. Sighing, I picked up my bags and walked towards the door.

It’s time for me to keep this weekend strictly business. As the elevator door opened, I stepped inside; there’s no turning back now.

“Can I help you?” the man behind the desk asked me.

“Yes, Jimmy said he would have my key here for me,” I smiled at the man across the desk from me.

“Can I have your name, please?” He asked me.

“Gabby Pearson,” I said.

“Yes, one moment, please,” He picked up the phone and pushed a few buttons, “Miss. Pearson is here,”

“I’ll get everything ready for you to sign, and Mr. Krieger will be down in a few minutes,” he said as he typed on his keyboard.

“Here’s my card, and can you tell me how much it is per night?” I asked.

“It lists the payment as zero. I got you down here for three nights,”

“That can’t be right,” I said.

“I have charged it to the company. I just need you to sign here,” He passed me a piece of paper across the counter.

I skimmed over the paper to see it’s just about checkout time and basic rules. After I signed my name, I handed him the paper.

“I see you took the room,” Jimmy said as he approached from the side.

“When we tried to book before, there weren’t rooms available,” I said, not really knowing if it is true.

“We’re booked for the next few weeks. Likely, you wouldn’t have gotten the Honeymoon Suite booking as a single person,” He laughed.

I’m relieved he didn’t press more on why I took the room. I didn’t want to discuss my personal business more. I didn’t want to create animosity for Raul, who’s trying to make a business deal.

He walked me to the elevator, “Karl will see you up to your room. You will find coupons that are standard for the room on the desk. Please feel free to use them at your leisure,” Jimmy said.

“Thank you,” I told him as I stepped into the glass elevator.

“You’re in the door on the far-right,” Karl, the doorman, said.

“Thank you,” I said.

I went straight for the bedroom to put away my clothes. When I flipped on the light switch, I laughed. In the middle of the room is a heart-shaped bed. I didn’t know these things really existed. Inspecting the bed, I see two buttons on the side.

I bent down to get a closer look. One side says heat/cool. The other said nothing, so I pushed it. The bed began shaking and vibrating.

I switched off the bed and rolled my eyes. I remembered Jimmy said the jacuzzi is in the shape of a heart too. I flipped on the bathroom light, but there is just a standard shower and double tub.

I walked back out into the living room. A big-screen TV hung on the wall, and a heart-shaped jacuzzi sat below it. I snapped some pictures of the Jacuzzi and bed and sent them to Melly. She’d get a kick out of this. She loved playing Sims, and they had a tub similar to this in the game.

After sending my text to Melly, a text popped up on my screen from Raul. I rolled my eyes as I read his text.

If you don’t get back to the room, I’m going to tie you up and s***k you until your sweet little ass is red.