Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Athena
Me
Landed xo
I text Edel as soon as the plane hits the tarmac.
I am exhausted after flying from London to Australia.
I haven’t slept in what feels like days and I know the jet lag is going to kick my ass.
A heavy sigh rumbles inside of me as I glance out the window at the sun bright and I wince.
The pilot comes over the speaker, and I listen with intent as he tells us all about our flight and what the local time and weather is for Melbourne.
I mutter to myself, making a mental note to make sure I have everything. I had all good intentions to write on the flight, but instead I sank three glasses of champagne and watched Gilmore Girls for the hundredth time.
My phone buzzes in my hand and I smile when I see Edel’s name. It’s not much of a message, a simple x in answer to mine.
It’s only me and a few others on the flight, this was an all-expenses paid holiday, but I still brought my already heavily loaded credit cards with me. I didn’t want them to think I was just here for the free holiday.
Scraping my dark curly hair into a high bun, I fasten it with a hair band. I scrub my face of any tiredness; my eyes feel like they have dirt embedded in them. Unbuckling myself, I push to my feet and grab my backpack.
It’s shameful, but this was only the third time, in my thirty-seven years of life that I have flown on a plane. I was a home body. I liked my home comforts. My home was small and cosy, I had things displayed that made me happy, and everything I ever wanted and needed was there.
An older man skates past me, and I give him a tight-lipped smile. He doesn’t return it.
Asshole.
Walking off the small jet, the warm Australian morning sun hits me, and it feels good.
England was just breaking into spring, but we were still in the in-between of will we get snow or a heat wave. The flowers were beginning to bloom, the mornings were lighter. as well as the evenings… but here, I have stepped straight into what feels like summer.
The air hostess wishes me a pleasant trip, and I flash a toothy grin at her.
Making my way into the airport, I stand at the luggage collection point and wait patiently for my suitcase. After what felt like an hour, the battered case slowly creeps around. Lugging it off, I catch my breath, hands on my hips.
Wow, that’s heavy.
Giving myself a moment or two, my fingers curl around the handle and I begin to drag it behind me to the arrivals lounge.
I am a hot mess. A few curly strands of hair have fallen from my bun and are currently clinging to my face for dear life. My sweater is tied around my waist, and my old, discoloured vest top had seen better days.
I scan the many people standing there with signs, and it takes me a moment to see my name.
Opal Bloom.
Wincing, I give an awkward wave and march over to the impeccably dressed man. He swoops in and takes my case from me without uttering a word, and I follow him out back into the humidity. He loads my stuff into the back of an SUV then slides my door across.
“Thank you…” I look for a name badge.
“Hudson.”
“Hudson,” I repeat his name on my tongue, liking the sound of it.
He watches me, a startled look on his face as I continue saying it. Hudson. Hudson. Hudson. He clears his throat and my cheeks turn pink.
“Sorry.” I wince, bringing a shoulder to my ear as I slip into the air conned car. “Oh, wow.” I sigh, closing my eyes as I enjoy the slither of coolness against my clammy skin.
I wouldn’t say the weather was unbearable. No, it’s just a lot from what I am used to back home.
Hudson, clearly fed up of me already, closes the door and makes his way to the driver’s side. I lean forward, about to speak but instead, he closes me off by pressing the glass window up.
Rude.
I sit back in the chair, pouting with my arms crossed against my chest. After a moment or two, I slip my phone out and find Edel’s number, ready to call her and word vomit into the earpiece but I am gently reminded of time zones.
Damn it. A sarcastic text will have to suffice.
Yanking my diary out, I flick through the pages and land on my itinerary that I have carefully organised and scheduled. First stop, meet Nora at The Langham.
Nerves prick at the base of my neck, my palms clammy. I still wasn’t quite sure why I agreed to this. I was quite happy writing love stories from the comfort of my living room in the Cotswolds but no, my agent, thought this was the right way to go.
Scrubbing my face, I scan down the list. Twenty-four races, all around the world. And I’ll be at every single one. Swallowing down the lump that is slowly creeping up my throat, I slide my diary back into my rucksack and drop it to my feet.
I feel scared but thinking that unnerves me. I’m not sure scared is the right word. Apprehensive, maybe? I don’t know what it is, but there is a feeling niggling in the deepest pit of my stomach and I have no idea how to get rid of it.
Hudson helps me into the lobby with my bag and I thank him. He gives me a curt nod before rushing off.
I take a moment to look around the hotel; it is stunning and right in the centre of the hustle and bustle.
A quick internet search told me there was plenty for me to do here, if we were staying here, of course.
The grand hotel was bunched between skyscrapers, but it didn’t take away any of its beauty.
Walking to the front desk, I wait patiently before a younger woman blinks up at me.
“May I help you?” A wide smile edges the corner of her mouth.
“I’m meeting someone, Nora…” I pull my phone out as I scroll for her email. “Saint Onyx?”
The woman stares at me blankly for a moment, then her long nails tap on her keyboard.
“Opal?” I hear a British accent echo around the lobby.
A woman with short pixie hair, green eyes, petite frame is walking towards me. She is dressed in a Saint Onyx polo and shorts. Her wide beam of a smile grows as she steps closer.
“You must be Opal Bloom.” Her eyes glisten as her hand shoots out for me to take.
“Please, call me Athena.” I place my hand in hers and she gives it a firm shake.
“Lovely to meet you, Athena” she says softly.
“Likewise.” I roll my lips into a smile.
“Okay, so first things first… I am assuming you would like a shower.” She laughs softly, and I nod as she ushers for me to follow her over to the reception desk.
“Hi.” Nora flashes the receptionist that dazzling smile. “Room for Opal Bloom, under Saint Onyx.”
“I’ll check that for you,” the golden-haired receptionist answers, tapping her long nails against the keys again.
Her lips twitch as she slips out two room cards from her desk, swiping them then placing them face down on the counter.
“Room three thirty. Slip the key into the elevator and it’ll take you to your floor. ”
“Thank you.” I slide the key from the counter and hold onto it.
“Thank you.” Nora mirrors me and the receptionist gives us a warm smile.
“Are you staying here?” I ask, that horrible knot in my stomach making itself known.
“Yup, all of the team are. We’re all on the same floor.”
“That makes me feel better,” I admit, waiting at the elevator and Nora slips her key card in and I watch as the floor numbers on the screen.
“Only the drivers are on separate floors,” she smiles as we step inside.
The lift ride is short. Nora chats idly and I am assuming she is trying to calm my nerves. I am excited, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. This is a big thing and it’s totally out of my comfort zone.
She is still talking away, catching my gaze a few times as she leads me down the corridor of the hotel then hovers outside my door.
“Do you know what I mean?” is all I have heard out of everything she had said.
“Yeah,” I say softly as she taps the key card to the fob, the door unlocking.
She walks in and I follow, just as she slots the key into the light switch. She spins to look at me, giving me a wide smile.
“Get yourself settled and I will meet you downstairs in say…” She trails off as she turns her watch to face her. “An hour.” Her eyes are on mine. “Is that enough time for you?”
“That’s plenty,” I admit, when in truth, I wanted to curl up in a ball on my bed and sleep for the rest of the day.
“Perfect, meet you downstairs in the brasserie.” She hums, seeing herself out.
I watch as the door closes softly before clicking into place.
Once I know she has gone, I turn and look around at the room. It’s large and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows, sheer curtains, and short pile carpet that looks like it has never seen a stain.
The bed is huge and has been sweet talking me since I stepped into the hotel room.
I take a second to decide whether I want to face plant the bed or whether to shower… I choose the latter. At least that way I know I am semi ready when I decide to dive on the bed. Peeling my sticky clothes from my body, I dump them in the corner of the room and head for the en-suite.
After the world’s best shower, I am wrapped in a fluffy white towel as I fall into the bed. Just a moment or two, I tell myself. I felt exhausted, but I was going to try my hardest to stay awake. I needed to eat, I felt starving suddenly.
Groaning as I roll onto my back, I rummage for my phone in my bag and text Edel. I know she won’t get it just yet, but I miss her already.
A moment or two passes and I sit up, arm pressed across my chest, and will for myself to stand. With one heavy sigh, I push to my feet.
Dressed in light pink denim shorts and a white cami vest, I pull my dark curly hair into a messy pony.
Spraying my perfume, I sit down at the small dresser and apply some makeup.
Dotting lighter concealer to my visibly dark under eyes, I smudge it in before moving to my cheeks and adding a light pink liquid blush.
Rubbing a clear gloss over my pouty lips, I flick my lashes with a few coats of black mascara, framing my eyes.