“Yes sir,” the receptionist, a demure-looking lady with her hair tied into a bun, clasped her hands before her and bowed, “But we are working to see where the mix-up occurred. You can perhaps take a seat at the lounge until we get this resolved?”
Are they trying to shoo me away?
Threatening to skyrocket, my annoyance reached a dangerous point. I was burdened not only by the tiredness piling up on me after the events of the day but also the stress of knowing that I needed to scan those documents which were currently in my bag.
And one more thing… just how did these people manage to switch the room keys of two complete strangers?
“So where is this ‘customer’? Can’t you call him to come over and get this sorted out?”
Biting her lip, the receptionist cast a look at her partner, “Sir, we’ve been trying to reach that customer. It’s taking a bit longer than anticipated but rest assured that we will get your keys soon.”
My phone buzzed, distracting my attention. I dug a hand into my pocket and whipped it out. Casting a quick glance at the Caller I.D., I saw that it was Jack.
Perfect.
Flicking a hand at the receptionist, I signaled that I would be going outside to receive the call. Frowning at the all-too-relieved expression on her face, I walked over to the entrance door, which was pushed open by a doorman, and proceeded to step outside.
I shivered a little from the cool evening air, whipping up the phone to my ear.
“You and I both have very different definitions of a five-star hotel.”
“What? What happened?”
I gritted my teeth, letting out a laugh that I hoped came off sarcastic enough to sufficiently portray my present annoyance.
But suddenly, a weight plowed into me from the side, making me stumble to the side and almost dropping my phone to the floor as a result.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” Hearing the soft female voice, the words which I previously planned to throw out in annoyance became still in my throat.
“No, that’s fine, I— ”The bump had made her drop some papers and I immediately bent down to help her pick them, straining my eyes to see her face under the scarf she’d tied around her face. “Are you okay?”
“What?” She raised her head as if she’d been absentminded. Even though the night was dark, I could see her eyes through the illumination from the countless bulbs positioned all around the hotel. And it was blue – calm, serene, yet wickedly electrifying blue.
I swallowed.
“Oh sorry,” She said again, chuckling nervously as she stood up, her papers clutched tight to her chest, and stretched out a hand, “Yes, I’m alright. Pretty much in one piece. Please, pardon my manners. I’m in a bit of a hurry, actually so…”
She had a British accent… Interesting.
“Oh no, I’m the one who should apologize.” I could see that she kept darting her eyes towards the hotel’s entrance and back, wringing her fingers.
Anxious for a lover? I mused briefly as I stared at her, still entranced by those magnificent eyes of hers. I hadn’t even seen the rest of her face. Yet as the seconds passed, I got very curious.
Who was she?
Because of this curiosity, I decided to ignore the tiny fact that she could have a lover waiting for her inside that hotel. Stretching out a hand, I smiled, “Richard Immanuel.”
“Oh.” She blinked, shuffling her papers to one hand and stretching out the other, “Rachel Ivy.” After a brief handshake which was regretfully obstructed by the gloves on her hands, she turned another anxious glance towards the hotel door, “I’m sorry, I really must leave now. Thank you so much.”
As I watched her depart, I was hit with a sudden, strange sensation. I didn’t know what it was and I didn’t even dare bring the microscopic lens of self-reflection to truly see it. Still, I felt it. And it was really strange because I’d never experienced such a strange sensation before.
It made me curious.
Jack was still on the phone. The world was going by its own business. And the Presidential election would probably be held sometime that year. But as I stood in front of that not-a-five-star hotel, clenching my fist, I made a resolution.
Even if I had to ransack the entire hotel, I would find Rachel Ivy, that woman with the soft, bewitching voice, the killer accent, the electrifying blue eyes – and find out exactly why she unsettled me so.
Chapter Two
Rachel
Well… this is awkward.
I swallowed as I clasped my wrists before me, keeping my eyes fixed on the red screen above showing the floor numbers... 4…5…6…7. Sighing, I bit my lip, wondering how I was going to survive being in this elevator for thirteen more floors.
The reason for alarm wasn’t the fact that I just burst out of the conference I was attending, nearly running all the way back to the hotel as I realized that I had missed the bus. It wasn’t even because I still felt cold, despite the tight warmth of the elevator. No. All those were tiny, little and inconsequential when compared with the stunning fact that I was in an enclosed space, standing alone with what had to be the most handsome man I’d ever seen.
“Uh…” I inhaled, nearly cutting off the circulation in my fingers as I turned around. My heart nearly stopped as I saw as him casually leaning against the corner of the elevator, his strong, muscular arms folded across his chest, his grey, magnetic eyes fixed on me.
Words escaped me and I just stood there, mouth nearly on the floor, my heart not within my chest but most probably at his feet.
“So, you’re a student?” He said suddenly, pushing himself off the wall and taking a step towards me.
“Me? Uh… yes. I’m a graduate
