Chapter 13
GAbrIEL
After wrapping the thick white bath towel around my waist, I strode over to the bed then lay down.
A satisfied smile spread across my face. Today had been a great day.
Although Laila had tried her best to remain neutral and not express too much enthusiasm, I could tell that she had enjoyed herself too.
She had laughed several times. Especially after she spilt her juice over me.
When she had launched herself at my crotch with the serviette and started rubbing it on my dick, it was a miracle that I did not get hard.
Thankfully I succeeded, but it was not easy.
I could tell that she was embarrassed, so the last thing that I wanted was to make the situation more awkward for her.
Laila’s concern for what people would think was misplaced, but kind. She genuinely felt bad and was willing to do whatever she could to fix it.
Once I had shown her the Statue of Liberty replica in the park which surprised her so much, she insisted that we include it as one of our photos, I reminded Laila that we also had to take a funny picture.
I went to buy a bottle of orange juice and suggested that she pretend to throw it at my crotch. I asked a woman who was passing to take the photo and judging by the look on her face, she thought that we were crazy, but I did not care. I thought that it would make a great shot and I was right.
When Laila and I checked my phone screen and saw the results, we both burst out laughing.
So we had ticked off all of the required photos from the list. To earn bonus points, I suggested that we go to L’avenue des Champs-élysées – a place Laila had said she had always wanted to visit.
As we wandered down the tree-lined streets, Laila’s eyes widened with wonder and my chest swelled.
Watching someone else see it for the first time was strangely satisfying.
It did not take long for her to insist we went to buy a new pair of shorts. As we approached the till, I saw that she was about to pay and I did not want her to.
It was kind that she had shown concern for my finances because she believed that I needed the money to promote my app.
She had expressed the same concern earlier about me wasting my money to come here because she could not offer me a relationship and referred to me needing the money to invest in the business.
Clearly she had no idea that I had sold my app and I preferred it to stay that way.
I liked how selfless she was. That was why I listed it as one of the things I had learnt about her. But then I realised that it was not something new. I had always thought that about her. So I added two other things: that she was not a fan of wasps and that she loved orange juice.
There was no way that I would let Laila pay for the shorts.
Especially considering she had said that my mother had paid for her to come here (although knowing my mother, she probably used someone else’s money), I guessed that every cent Laila spent would be significant for her.
But I also knew that despite that, she would still insist on covering the cost. So I asked if she could bring me a pair of the shorts in white instead.
‘Choosing another light colour is just asking for trouble,’ she’d smiled. ‘Personally, I’d stick with the navy blue, but it’s up to you. Back in a sec.’
When she returned and saw that I had already paid for the navy shorts she was not happy.
‘So sneaky!’ she had said as she slapped my bicep and my pulse had quickened at the contact. Just like it had when I had rested my palms on her shoulders.
It was crazy how such a simple, innocent action could have such an effect on me.
I suggested that we take another funny photo in the store of her handing me the shorts like it was a gift and me clutching my chest with gratitude.
The shop assistant clearly thought we were strange, but was happy to take the picture anyway.
After that, we continued down L’avenue des Champs-élysées, before posing for photos in front of the Arc de Triomphe.
By the time we had finished it was evening and we were exhausted.
The car took us back to the hotel. When I suggested that we have dinner together, Laila stuttered then mumbled something about needing to get back to her room.
I could tell from the look on her face that she was feeling guilty and that dinner would be too intimate for her, so I said it was not a problem.
In my eyes, we had already made good progress today and I did not want to push it. So I ate dinner at the restaurant whilst scrolling through the photos and sending them to Claude to be added to our Love Passports which we had returned to reception when we came back.
Then I went to my room, showered and selected the songs for my playlist. I chose ‘Hello’ by Sigala, Leigh-Anne, and Jonita Gandhi, ‘Hell Yeah’ by Ella Eyre, ‘If’ by Janet Jackson, ‘Into You’ by Ariana Grande, ‘Crush’ by Zara Larsson, ‘I Wanna Be Your Lover’ by Prince and ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ by Michael Jackson.
Now I was ready for bed and something told me that I was going to sleep well.
I had not wanted to come to this hotel, but now, thanks to being matched with Laila, I was glad that I had.
It was a shame that she only planned to stay for another day.
Unless, of course, something happened to change her mind…