The Golden Hotel

The Invitation [2]

Faith entered her room and closed the door. Her room was very simple: painted in peach and white. Her things were neatly organized in their rightful places and not a speck of dust could be seen. Living with a clean freak mother prompted her to become one as well. Not to mention, her dad had very keen eyes. She mannered everything from them.

Wasting no more time, she walked towards her wardrobe and picked out her sleepwear: gray cotton shorts and a white plunging neckline shirt. She began undressing, throwing her purse on top of her bed. It took her less than 45 minutes to finish, including the removal of her makeup and putting bandages on her blisters. While for her long, naturally black hair, she left it as it was. Before she exited her room, she headed over to her bed and grabbed her purse, taking out the letter she had received earlier.

She quickly made her way back down and entered the kitchen. Just as promised, her mother was there, sitting on a stool chair with a bowl of fruit cereals. Her heart began thumping at the thought of bringing up about the said prize. A young adult like her didn't have to ask permission. She could do whatever she wanted in life but knowing her parents' job, they both had to know her activities just for safety, protection and out of respect. They didn't come off as overbearing for her. She didn't mind how they willingly watched her back all the time as it was something to be grateful about, knowing how dangerous her occupation was.

"Hey, Mom." Faith sat next to her mother and fixed her gaze on the egg sandwich on a plate. The filling was made with boiled eggs shredded into tiny bits mixed with mayonnaise. Just thinking about the taste could make anyone drool. "Have a look at this."

She slid the letter to her.

"Hmm? What's this about?" Her mother eyed the letter and picked it up, opening it to read what was written.

"Do you remember about our reunion party's special prize? Our gang got lucky. We get to sleep inside a five-star hotel!" Faith smiled, but it suddenly faded away. She softened her expression and eyed her mother. "Hang on, you don't mind me going out with my friends? It's only for a couple of days."

"Four days . . ." Her mother placed the letter down and stared intently into her own daughter's bluish-green eyes. "Why will I hold you back from this? It's best to take a break and have fun." She smiled like a sweet angel, instantly soothing her daughter's tension. "I am sure your father will approve and if anything happens, you know how he does it. Thank you for telling us."

"Thanks, Mom." Relieved to know that, Faith leaned in and gave her mother a warm hug. "I promise to keep you guys posted . . . and the agency."

Her mother returned the same gesture, chuckling fondly. "I'm sure you will and you're welcome, honey."

Pulling an arm's length away, Faith said her goodnight. She grabbed her plate and glass of water before heading back inside her room, carefully placing them on the nightstand. She plopped her weight down on her bed and let out a huge sigh.

That went well. I wonder if he's still awake?

Picking up her egg sandwich, she took a small bite of it and grabbed her cell phone to call Theo. He picked up after a few rings.

"Why do you have to call at this hour?" Theo's voice drawled over the line. He sounded annoyed.

Faith smirked. "Sorry for ruining your hibernation, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm in. Mom said yes!"

"And your dad?"

"He will. He's just fast asleep." She chewed on her creamy egg sandwich. As it melted on her tongue, she took another bite.

"Fifty percent—what are you eating? You're chewing on something sticky."

"Egg sandwich."

"Oh."

"Have you talked to your parents?"

"Yeah. Don't worry. They don't mind me disappearing for four days."

"How about Aunt Sally?"

"She'll be sad about not seeing me around and helping out with the chores on weekends, but she'll get over it. You know her. Big on family stuff, but I'm down with that."

"Oh, right. She could get so worried. I remember the last time when you accidentally stomped a hole through—"

"Let's not go there . . ."

She held back her laughter. "Sorry, but it was hilarious . . . and I'm just excited about our short vacation."

Theo couldn't stop himself from grinning. "Can't blame you for getting excited. Must be boring to be cooped up inside your office . . . thinking all day."

"But you're always there to brighten up my day."

"More like to be your personal assistant."

Faith laughed heartily. "Okay, okay, I'll let you have your beauty rest now. Good morning."

"Good morning." He yawned before dropping the call.

Faith scrolled through her contacts while taking a leisurely sip from her glass of water. She came across Olwen, tapping her name to make the call.

After two rings, she picked up.

"Hello, Faith. I see you have arrived safely."

Olwen was a twenty-eight-year-old woman and the most matured one in their circle. Her facial features were quite soft and young-looking, contradictory to the way she delivered her dialogues.

"How about you? I'm not disturbing you, am I?" Faith munched on her egg sandwich again.

"Oh, no, not really. I had just taken a warm bath."

"A warm bath." Her voice came out flat.

"Am I not allowed to?" Olwen put her cell phone on loudspeaker and placed it on top of a table before drying her jet-black hair with a towel.

"Course not. I'm just playing with you," she said, with a chuckle. "Anyway, weren't you planning to go camping with your whole family? How did it go?"

"At first, they were skeptical about it, but they eventually agreed to go without me," Olwen said, with a deep sigh. She was currently living alone in her own apartment at Brooklyn. "How about your parents? I know how they are . . ."

"Mom, said yes. Dad, on the other hand, is fast asleep. But I know he will."

"I see. . . . Have you called the other girls? How about Theo?"

"Not yet. Just you and Theo. I'm about to call the rest so go and get some sleep, Olwen, after you blow dry your hair. Don't sleep when your hair is still wet! Good morning, by the way."

"I know, I know. Good morning, Faith." Olwen escaped a hearty chuckle and ended the call.

Next was Maxine.

Faith tapped her name and after a few rings, her friend picked up. She was already snuggled under the sheets of her comfy bed.

"Let me guess, you're calling everyone?"

Maxine was a twenty-seven-year-old woman with shoulder-length ash blonde hair and wavy ends. Her body was quite athletic. She was slim and fit that her friends envied her flat stomach and firm muscles on her arms. Despite long hours under the sun, her skin tone had always been fair. Anyone who would attempt to stare into her crystal blue eyes would be sucked in like a vacuum.

Letting out a short grunt, Faith threw her head back. "You are right about that."

"I've already called Judy and Kacey using the 3-Way Call. The two were screaming in my ear and I swear to God my eardrum was about to burst!" Maxine sighed softly.

It was typical of them to be hyped up about it.

Judy and Kacey were white-skinned blondes, but Judy had curly ends while Kacey had straight hair. Both of their eyes were a natural brown but their eyebrows were shaved differently. Judy's eyebrows were plain straight while Kacey had hers cleanly arched. Judy looked young and clumsy with her baby-faced features while Kacey was more of the mature and sarcastic type with her strong features.

Both of them were the same age as Maxine.

"Then we're all set for next Friday!" Faith's voice chimed like a bell.

"You can say that again. I wonder how this will go?" Maxine turned to her side and reached out for her lamp to adjust the light.

"Who knows? We'll find out soon when we get there." Faith landed her eyes on the wall clock of her room. "Oh! It's almost 4 in the morning. I'm hitting the bed. Good morning, Maxine!"

"You can call me whenever you want, but expect that I'm awake in the afternoon. Good morning to you, too!"

After that, Faith ate the last bite of her egg sandwich before quickly drinking from her glass of water. She placed the empty glass on the nightstand and pulled the sheets over her, comfortably lying in bed.

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Clue: Numbers written in numerical.

1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . .

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