"This is a joke, right? Our hotel isn't here and you're kidding me."
Daniel still did not believe it. In the meantime, the bellhops had already taken our luggage to the hotel.
"Anything for you," I joked and pushed him gently into the lobby. Daniel let himself be led in without resistance and looked around in awe. The hotel exceeded my expectations. A large noble reception hall with various statues and noble armchairs awaited us. At the reception, the concierge was waiting for us.
"Welcome to Hotel Roma. I hope you had a pleasant journey."
I nodded briefly and took out my reservation confirmation and handed it to him.
"Yes, you booked two classic rooms," he tapped on the keyboard.
"Just a moment. We're almost there."
The moment dragged on and I slowly became impatient. I had to go to the toilet. The whiskey and coke began to press.
"I'm afraid we have no more Classic Rooms available," the concierge began carefully.
"So what?"
"I'm afraid there's been a small incident, but I can offer you a suite as compensation."
I looked at Daniel and nodded at him.
"Then you take the suite and I'll take the Classic. What do you say?"
"Excuse me, the suite is for both of you," the concierge interrupted us.
I looked at him speechlessly, it was more than unpleasant.
"We've been trying to reach you. We are sorry. If you wish to cancel, we can reserve two rooms for you at our sister hotel."
Before I could say anything back, Daniel decided for me.
"We'll take the suite and two bottles of whiskey, as a little excuse for the inconvenience."
The concierge nodded friendly, so everything was settled. Daniel beamed at me.
"The hotel is perfect, there's no way you're getting me out of here."
The concierge took us to the suite and showed us around the premises. For a moment, my breath stopped. Fifty square meters, a separate living room, a huge bathroom and a breathtaking view from the balcony.
Quickly we had unpacked and stowed away our things. I took a look at the bed, as huge as it was, we would both have enough space. Too bad there wouldn't be more running in it.
I went out on the balcony and looked into the heart of Rome. Everything was within walking distance, we were right above the Spanish Steps. I took a look at the Trevi Fountain, supposedly it fulfilled wishes. If I had a wish free, I knew immediately what I would wish for.
My sentimental thoughts were interrupted by the room service. The promised bottles of whiskey had arrived. The bellman pushed the car into our suite and was about to leave when Daniel stopped him.
"Where's the coke and ice for the Johnnie Walker," he asked the bellboy, who looked at him in horror for a moment. It took a moment, then he promised to get the things. I had a hard time suppressing my laughter, as far as expensive drinks were concerned, Daniel was a total noob. He noticed my amusement and looked at me annoyed.
"What? Johnnie Walker is a Coke and ice drink?"
I poured us a generous amount and handed Daniel the glass, he looked at me skeptically, took a small sip and pulled a disgusted face.
"But not the Blue Label bottle for 159 euros," I grinned at him.
Daniel choked and turned red. After he had regained his breath, he pointed to his glass.
"150 euros? For that? It'll cost you a lot of money to get drunk.
"It should taste good, not to get drunk. Can't you taste the vanilla, the cocoa, the dark chocolate, the cinnamon, the roasted hazelnuts and the nougat?"
Daniel looked at me with big eyes, that I was a whiskey connoisseur, I had not told him before.
"Honestly, it makes my mouth tighten and it tastes like dirt."
I laughed out loud, that's what I liked about Daniel, his open and honest way. Before we could go into the subject in-depth, the page was back with the requested coke and ice. The look he gave us spoke volumes, we committed a mortal sin.
Daniel
"It tastes much better that way", I decided and saluted Alex with my whiskey and coke. Alex just smiled at me, he drank the whiskey straight.
Quickly I had emptied the first glass and poured myself another one. Alex raised his eyebrow.
"We'll be poor at these prices here in Rome."
"Relax, I invited you for the weekend. You got to get out of the house, and if it costs something, it's okay. We're only young once."
I was about to argue when Alex interrupted me.
"No. No discussion and no excuses. I'm not Svenja, I enjoy my life and you will from now on."
Reluctantly I agreed with him. Svenja had indeed always been very frugal and did not think much of celebrations and parties. For her sake, I had always refrained from doing so and had stayed at home. I took another big sip, the alcohol warmed my stomach. A stomach that was empty and desperately needed some food.
"Food? Otherwise, you might as well get me drunk and tuck me in."
Alex went to the table and picked out the menu for room service. Together we studied the menu.
"Well, that sounds all well and good, but it certainly won't get you fed up," Alex said skeptically.
"We're in Italy, so let's get some pizza somewhere," I decided.
We quickly cleaned up and left the hotel. In one of the numerous alleyways we found a quiet little pizzeria. We generously ordered some starters and as a main course we had the pizza of the house style.
While we eat our way through the appetizers, we drank plenty of delicious white wine. By the time the main course arrived, we had already emptied the first bottle and ordered another one.
"When are you going to tell me, what you have planned for your days here in Rome?" I asked Alex.
"Today, we'll explore the
