Chapter 3
ALICIA
This was it.
I was currently in a luxury Mercedes being driven to the Love Hotel in Santorini!
Even though I got the confirmation email a couple of weeks after I’d officially applied and I’d had a month for it to sink in since then, it still didn’t feel real.
I kept thinking I was going to receive another message to tell me it was a joke.
I mean, paying a thousand pounds for an all-inclusive luxury holiday at one of the world’s most prestigious resorts still seemed too good to be true.
Although Sammie assured me that everything was above board, I couldn’t help but think there had to be a catch.
I’d had visions of my match being a weirdo and the hotel management shrugging their shoulders and saying, ‘Surely you didn’t expect Regé-Jean Page for a grand, did you?’
Then again, that didn’t track. The hotel would want us to get on.
It’d be great publicity for them. And Sammie had nothing but good things to say about the resorts.
She’d gone to the one in Italy as a guest and as well as bagging a hot boyfriend, who was her Love Alchemist (scandalous, right?), she’d also got a job too.
She said everyone at the hotels was super nice and professional and that the matchmaking experts worked hard to find the guests their perfect partners.
So even though I was paying what they’d consider bargain prices (but was still a small fortune to me), I was sure the man they’d pick wouldn’t be a dud.
Luckily the journey from the airport wasn’t too scary. I’d sat in the middle seat as usual, just in case. But because there were no steep drops, I was able to take in the views of the whitewashed houses and hotels without fretting.
I was so relaxed that I started thinking about the kind of guy I’d love to be matched with.
A vision of a muscular Greek god immediately leapt into my mind and I chastised myself. How he looked wasn’t important.
I lied. It was a bit. Okay, more than a bit.
Yeah, yeah, I knew that sounded shallow, but at least I was being honest.
Given the choice, I was sure everyone would prefer to date someone who was nice to look at.
And could you blame me? My sister went to Italy and ended up with an Italian stallion, so there was nothing wrong in wishing for my very own Greek god. You’ve gotta aim high in life, right?
Plus, if I asked for it, the universe would deliver. At least that’s what the motivational quotes on Instagram told me every day and everyone knew that if it was on social media it was true.
If only.
Anyway, aside from my ideal date’s looks, I supposed I just wanted someone kind, caring and fun to be around. That wasn’t too much to ask, was it? It definitely felt like that when I went on all those failed dates.
I wondered what time Noah would arrive.
Yep! He’d got a place too.
Sammie was very excited when I told her he was interested. Of course she’d spouted her nonsense about how cool it’d be if I turned up to the hotel and got matched with Noah, which gave me palpitations and not the romantic ones.
She reminded me that when Stella went to the Love Hotel in Spain she was set up with her ex (and soon to be husband), Max.
Then she told me about another guest whose name I couldn’t remember right now, who went to the resort in Paris and got set up with her best friend’s twenty-seven-year-old son. Imagine!
That was why Sammie thought it was entirely possible that Noah could end up being my match. Yeah, we had a lot in common, but that was normal for friends. I had shared interests with lots of people, but as I kept reminding my sister, that didn’t mean that I fancied them.
Okay, full disclosure. There was a time when I was younger that I thought Noah was cute. But then something happened that made it clear he wasn’t interested in me like that, so eventually I grew out of that crush.
Plus, he’d become a bit of a recluse. If he wasn’t interested in me back then, he sure as shit wasn’t now. He never wanted to meet up or go out. And for some reason, he was dead against video-calling.
I’d asked him why so many times and he’d always clammed up.
And he’d stopped sharing photos of himself, whereas I loved taking pictures if I ever went somewhere interesting.
The only reason I could think of for Noah becoming camera-shy since he moved away was that maybe he wasn’t happy with his appearance.
I couldn’t think why. He always had the most beautiful brown eyes and his smile could light up a whole city.
But y’know, we’re often our harshest critics, so just because I thought he looked good, it didn’t mean that he felt that way about himself.
It wasn’t just women who had insecurities about their weight and appearance. I knew I did, so maybe Noah was no different.
I didn’t care if he’d grown a beard down to his belly button or if he’d put on a few extra pounds. He’d always be my best friend. And I’d always love him. Platonically of course.
Anyway, as I was saying, Noah was also arriving today, but now that he was in North London, it made sense for him to travel from Heathrow, whereas Gatwick was closer for me. His flight arrived an hour later than mine, but we’d agreed to catch up on the phone before our dates.
I couldn’t believe that in just a few hours I’d be meeting my dream man for the first time.
Squeal!
The driver pulled up outside an iron gate.
‘We have arrived,’ he said in his thick Greek accent.
My heart thudded against my chest. I was so excited. I wished Sammie was here to calm my nerves.
She’d be coming to help out for the wedding but wasn’t arriving for another couple of days.
The hotel had a striking whitewashed exterior with a shiny gold The Love Hotel Santorini sign.
The gate opened and we cruised down the driveaway.
Wow.
This was even more impressive than the photos online.
Palm trees, lush greenery and pretty flowers lined both sides of the drive and in the distance, I spotted the sea, which seemed to stretch for a million miles.
The car stopped and when the driver opened the door and I stepped out, I instantly felt the sunshine tickling my skin. It was the perfect temperature.
I inhaled the salty sea air, which was mixed with the fragrant aroma of fresh flowers and herbs. Gorgeous.
‘Good afternoon, Alicia,’ a tall man with shaved dark hair and olive skin greeted me. ‘I am Petros your Love Alchemist.’
‘Hi!’ I grinned. ‘How did you know it was me?’
‘Magic!’ He smiled. ‘Well, you look like your sister Samantha and I have photos of our guests too.’
‘Ooh! That means you know what my match looks like then!’
‘Yes.’
‘He’s not a British guy living in North London is he?’ I asked. Sammie insisted she didn’t know who I’d been matched with, but Petros did so hopefully he’d spill the beans.
‘I am afraid I cannot tell you that.’ Petros shrugged his shoulders and I tried to see if I could gauge whether or not that action meant I was being matched with Noah or not.
‘Oh, come on, Petros! It’ll just be our little secret.’ I winked.
‘I am sorry,’ he repeated. ‘It will be much better if it is a surprise, no?’
Maybe, maybe not.
It was irrelevant now though because I could tell that even if I waterboarded Petros he wouldn’t tell me, so I’d just have to wait.
‘Fair enough.’
‘Come.’ He ushered me towards an elegant stone staircase, which led to what I guessed was the main building. ‘Let me check you in, then I will give you a tour of the hotel.’
Once I’d checked in, Petros led me through to the main grounds. Everything looked so impressive. The suites were actually carved into the cliff and they all had terraces.
The stunning pink flowers I always saw in pictures of Santorini, which I think were called bougainvillea spilled over the striking white walls and pergolas.
And oh, my, days. The infinity pool was even more stunning in real life. I mean, it looked amazing online, but now that I was actually here, the vistas of the deep-blue sea and cloudless sky were out of this world.
There were luxurious sun loungers and daybeds, which were of course all perfectly positioned to give guests uninterrupted views of the Aegean Sea and volcanic landscape.
The pool area also had a bar and a dedicated towel hut so that a cocktail or fresh, fluffy beach towel was only a few steps away.
As well as a luxurious spa, the hotel even had outdoor massage tables so that guests could get pampered with a view.
They’d literally thought of everything.
But when Petros showed me to my room, I was convinced I’d gone to heaven.
The first thing that struck me was the huge private terrace.
Oh. My. God.
‘This is where I’m staying?’ I asked.
‘Yes.’ Petros nodded. ‘We had a suite available, so as your sister works here, you received a priority upgrade.’
‘Whoa! Thanks!’
As well as a sun lounger, table and chairs, I had my own private outdoor hot tub.
An actual hot tub!
With uninterrupted sea views!
And high walls, for extra privacy.
How lucky am I?
I could already picture myself sitting in that tub, glass of chilled wine in hand whilst I watched the sunset.
This was what dreams were made of. I hadn’t even seen the room yet, but this terrace alone made the trip to Santorini worth it.
Once I’d managed to drag my jaw off the floor, I stepped into the cave-style suite. It had whitewashed walls and a neutral colour scheme with accents of soft beige and creams.
My eyes darted from left to right, trying to take in every element of the stunning room.
The sumptuous king-size bed with crisp, expensive white bed linen and plush pillows, the lounge area with a gorgeous comfy-looking cream sofa, minimalist art adorning the walls, handmade ceramics and soft cream cashmere throws.
I raced through the impressive archway like an excited child and saw that it led to a gorgeous bathroom that was straight out of a luxury spa magazine.
It had a huge rainfall shower, a deep bathtub and a shelf filled with luxury spa products.
I’d definitely be taking some of those back to London with me.
‘I will leave you to it,’ Petros said.
‘Thanks so much again!’ I beamed.
I’d barely slipped off my shoes before the hotel phone started ringing.
‘Hello?’ I answered.
‘Yay! You’re there!’ Sammie’s voice sounded down the phone. ‘How is it?’
‘It’s A-MAZING!’ I gushed. ‘Thanks for sorting out an upgrade for me too.’
‘You’re welcome! I can’t wait to see it all its glory. I wanted to call you once you were dolled up for your date, but I’ll be working and this is the only break I’ve got until much later. I guess there’s no sign of your match yet?’
‘Nope. I tried to get more details out of my Love Alchemist, but he wasn’t budging.’
‘Yeah, we get in big trouble if we reveal anything about the match ahead of time. They like to have the dramatic reveal. Is Noah there yet?’
‘No. He will be soon though.’
‘Interesting…’ Sammie said.
‘Honestly!’ I rolled my eyes. ‘Will you stop?’
‘What do you mean?’ she said, her voice laced with fake innocence. ‘All I said was that it was interesting. That’s not a crime.’
‘I know what you were getting at. Anyway, thanks for the call, but I’ve gotta go. I need to shower, check there’s no stray hairs on and between my legs and prepare for my date.’
‘Keep your legs closed!’ Sammie warned. ‘You need to make your match work for it!’
‘Bye, sis!’ I hung up before she gave me another lecture.
I knew she was right. I’d already had a word with myself and was adamant that even if the guy looked like a Greek god, I would not be putting out tonight.
Dinner was at nine, so there wasn’t long to wait to meet him.
When I got out of the shower, I checked my phone and saw a notification.
Noah
I’m here!
My stomach flipped with excitement and I quickly typed out a reply.
Me
Yay!!! So glad to hear that, bestie! This place is amazing, right?
Noah
Yeah! Even better than the pictures online.
Me
I can’t believe I’m going to FINALLY get to see you in person! It been too long. I’ve missed you.
Noah
I’ve missed you too!
Me
I wish we were allowed to meet up for a quick drink before our dates.
Noah
Same. But we have to follow the rules. Don’t want to get kicked out on our first day here.
Me
True.
The hotel had made it clear that socialising with guests before the first date with our match was strictly forbidden. It was in the contract and both Sammie and Petros had repeated this rule multiple times.
According to Sammie, they had to put this new restriction in place because there’d been cases where guests had met up in advance and become ‘overly friendly’ because they were convinced that they were each other’s matches.
Then when they discovered they’d been set up with different people, things became awkward…
That wouldn’t be the case with me and Noah though, but he was right. We didn’t want to risk getting kicked out.
Noah
Maybe we can catch up later? After our dates?
Me
I’d love that! Then again, maybe we’ll be otherwise engaged!
I added the winking emoji.
The jumping dots appeared in the message thread to show that Noah was typing. Then they disappeared.
Strange.
I waited for a reply.
Why had he stopped typing?
After a few minutes, a message finally popped up.
Noah
What time’s your date?
Me
Nine. How about you?
Noah
My date’s at nine too.
And my Love Alchemist let it slip that my date’s from London!
As I stared at the screen, my stomach tensed.
My date was at nine. Just like Noah’s.
And now he’d just said that his match was from London.
I was from London.
Shit.
Was Sammie right? Did I really come all the way to Santorini just to be matched with my best friend?