Chapter 2
1633 Words
The farther away we got, the more relaxed I seemed to be.
"Thank you for that," I say. "I just needed to get away from him."
"It's all good," he's smiling and darting his eyes at me in the back. I can feel how much he wants to pounce on me.
He says, "It's fascinating to me, how we met tonight. It's like fate."
"I'll have to pay you for the trouble," I say, "I'm just so grateful that you were patient in all my madness. So much is going on."
I hardly noticed when we arrived at a large, expensive hotel.
I look out the window as he parks the car.
"Why are we here?" I say.
"I think you'll like this place."
"Are you kidding?"
He says, "I'll be right back," as he steps out of the car.
"Where are you going?" I shout, while I open the door. But it's too late. He has disappeared into the hotel.
I step outside to admire the beautiful place while trying to figure out how long he's going to be gone.
He comes back with a keycard in his hand.
"This is for you." He says, giving me the keycard. It falls because I don't take it.
"I'm not going to sleep with you in some hotel room." I say, waving my hands in the air. "I'm not a hooker!"
"Calm down," he says, "I'm just doing something nice for you. It's your lucky day today."
He picks up the card and hands it back to me.
"I can't afford this."
"You don't have to pay for anything," he says. "You can stay as long as you like. I've spoken to them, they'll show you to your room. No-strings attached."
He turns his body and starts to walk toward his car.
"Hey wait, I know that nothing is free in this world. What's this for?" I say, pressing the keycard between my thumb and index, ready to throw it back at him.
"Fine you got me. There's one string." he says with a sly smile. "It really won't change anything if you say no. But, I do have one thing I'd like to ask you."
"Yeah. I knew it," I say, with a knowing smile that says 'bring it on'.
"I would like to take you on a date," he says.
The words hang in the air for a moment as I process everything.
"You're doing all this for a date?"
"Money is nothing to me, but a special woman is worth a lot. I'd like to get to know you a little more." He replies, looking in my eyes.
"So will you go on a date with me?"
"A date?" I say, a little hesitant. "Would you expect more from this date?"
"It's a simple date with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. A normal, simple date." He says it as if it's the only thing he believes in.
I can't help but smile. He's so intentional, determined and forthcoming. The offer seems exciting.
I love it and it's getting me excited.
"So are we doing it?"
"Okay..." The words are automatic. The offer seems irresistible.
"But I'm not doing it for the hotel, I also want to get to know you. You have been really nice to me."
He smiles and reaches for the door to his car to leave.
I reach out to him, almost desperately. Our hands touch and hold together like magnets. I can barely see the tattoo on his hand in the evening light.
I can feel the electricity coursing through my body from the chemistry of our contact.
It’s a moment of pure ecstasy, raw emotions, and instant attraction.
I look in his eyes and he fixes his gaze on me.
"Hey," I say, "You're leaving without even telling me your name?"
He's taken aback. He takes a step toward me, as if he's about to lean into my arms.
"I'm Maximillian, but everyone just calls me Mac."
"Mac...not Max?"
"I guess I look more like a mac." he says with that awesome smile curving on his lips.
He takes his hand and reaches out to shake mine.
I say, "Nice to meet you Mac... I'm Fey."
Like a reflex action, the words just escape my mouth. “How old are you, Mac?"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes… It does a little.” I say
"Twenty-four. How old are you?"
"Old enough to know better."
"Better than what?"
His charming smile is on full display as his body leans toward me.
"Than this. Than you." I say, feeling a literal pull toward him. He doesn't move, he looks at me and in that moment, all I want to do is taste his lips.
His strong body is casting a shadow over me in the evening air with the hotel behind us. He smells wonderful.
"I'll come pick you up later." He says, taking a step back. "You should get some rest in the hotel and give me a call when you're ready.
He takes out a perfumed business card with only his phone number and hands it to me. He gets in the car and drives off.
The whole time, I hadn't noticed the hotel staff standing a safe distance away. They were the ones he'd already spoken to, they're supposed to take care of me.
I don't get a chance to breathe in the beautiful resort one more time. I just go inside, eager to see how beautiful it is on the inside... and get some sleep.
"Good evening ma'am. Let me show you to your suite." The butler says as he leads me to a private elevator that takes me straight to the top where the key card opens the elevator door.
I step into a space that looks like paradise.
The space is large and beautiful with gleaming gold surfaces, a grand piano, a marvelous dining room set and a the large couch facing
the TV. My mouth is wide open as I take it all in.
"I'm your private butler," the man says, standing at the elevator door. "I'm at your disposal."
"Thank you." I say. "I'm just going to bed now."
He enters the elevator and I step around the room one more time admiring the beautiful view outside the window.
I walk around the large space, it's bigger than it looks, I only realize the sheer size when I walk to the master bedroom. It took more steps than I thought.
There's a small hallway with glass doors, one going to the private gym with an infinity pool on the edge and the other door going to the shower and closet, they all meet up again in that master bedroom.
I walk straight into the bedroom.
This room has a large sprawling bed and a massive headboard with white cushions facing a large TV that's hanging from a panel in the room. I can press a button and make it disappear.
Not only is the place massive…it's gorgeous. It almost feels surreal.
I go to bed, thinking I'm still dreaming. I close my eyes and fall asleep faster than ever.
I’m on the softest bed I've ever felt and have the sweetest sleep that gives me the best rest.
I awake feeling fresh and alert.
When morning comes, I rise to the sound of a doorbell.
I swipe the card to open the private elevator and the butler steps out with a troop of four men to fill my room with roses.
"This is a gift for you." He says, handing me a handwritten note from Mac. It reads...
"I'm still thinking about you, I want you to have some fun... Love Mac"
Inside the envelope is a large stack of money with the note.
It is all so overwhelming. He’s really trying to give me a good day.
The butler leaves the room and I walk around the large suite breathing in the fragrance of the fresh roses decorating every part of the large room.
It’s like I woke up in a paradise of roses and golden furniture. My mind is adjusting to the beauty of the morning light as it hits the roses on the expensive rugs, on the glass tables, golden ornaments and silver edges.
When I check my phone, I see that Steve has been calling me all night. I look at the envelope of money and my heart skips a beat. It’s a lot of money, so much more money than I can spend in a day.
I take a tiny amount and leave the rest. I have been through a breakup with Steve, I should have a great time today.
I get on the phone to arrange a car; and make another call to my friend Kayle to meet her at the mall.
I’m excited to tell her everything as I step into the shower.
The hotel has arranged a Rolls Royce for my trip to the mall. By the time I get out, it’s parked at the entrance of the hotel with a driver.
The exquisite car rolls up to the mall and the driver opens up the door and I step out of the car, into the pavement that leads to the mall entrance.
Kayle is waiting for me outside.
“Fey, it’s you!” Kayle says as she walks toward me. She’s still looking at the car, as it reflects on her sunglasses.
“Is this how you’re rolling now?” She says, as we hold hands and walk inside.
“I have so much to tell you…” I say as we walk to the food court to sit and chat before doing some shopping.
In my mind, I'm thinking of how my life has changed overnight because of Mac.
- Writer
