Chapter 51
Fifty-One
C onsciousness returned along with the dull ache in my ears that told me I was still in the sky. I yawned, pulling the blanket closer. I curled tighter into the pillow I held onto, snuggling my face into it. It squeezed back and I startled awake.
Blinking, I sat back to find Alfie gazing down at me, an amused look on his face. I realised then I hadn’t fallen asleep warm and snug in one of the six king size beds on board, but curled up in the same chair Alfie had strapped me into, holding onto his arm like it was a body pillow.
A flush crept over my cheeks. This level of intimacy was a step too far for me. I straightened, wiping drool from the corner of my mouth. There was a small wet patch on his suit too.
Alfie’s eyes were rich with the softness he saved only for me. These moments were so dangerous, the moments where all the badness fell away, when it was just him and me, calm and happy.
“You talk in your sleep.” Angie cut in from her seat in the corner of the lounge. I stifled a sigh. The calm and happy never lasted long.
I lifted Alfie’s arm, showing her the wet patch on his suit. “I drool too. What else have you got?”
Ignoring her smirk, I stretched, kicking off the blanket I’d been bundled in. Elliot and Maia were nowhere to be seen. There was a breakfast tray in front of me, holding coffee and of course, blueberry muffins.
“Eat.” Alfie straightened in his seat, giving me my space back even though I hadn’t asked for it. “We’re landing in fifteen.”
“I slept the whole way?” Had he really sat still for seven hours straight just so he didn’t disturb me?
“Yes. I tried to move you but you wouldn’t let go of my arm.”
Well, that was embarrassing. Or at least it would be if Alfie didn’t look so happy about it.
“Alfie—”
“This isn’t going to become a habit. I know. Now, eat.”
I tucked into a muffin and looked out the window. The afternoon was slowly turning into evening and below the world was alive with lights, the ocean vast ahead of us.
The pilot announced our landing and I allowed Alfie to strap me back in as Elliot and Maia returned to their seats. In the background, I could hear Angie running through itinerary details with Alfie but I ignored it, too busy watching the city grow closer.
We landed with ease and after thanking the pilot, Alfie led us out onto the tarmac where three cars awaited us. Angie got into one and drove away, leaving me to breathe a sigh of relief. I’d forgotten how oppressive I’d found her presence.
“Lo,” Alfie touched a hand to my arm, “I need you to decide where you want to stay. You can stay on site with Angie, Elliot and I or you can go to a different hotel with Maia. Maia goes where you go, that’s non-negotiable.”
I stared at him. He was actually serious about letting me stay somewhere else if I wanted to.
“I thought your hotel wasn’t finished?”
“It isn’t, but the presidential suite is ready for me as well as several other rooms. It isn’t as glamorous but it’s easier to stay on site than commute everyday.”
I paused, thinking through what I wanted. “I don’t want to share a room with you.”
“Or deal with Angie everyday?” Alfie gave me a knowing look and I nodded. “That’s fine. I’ve arranged for you to have your own rooms, or you can have a bedroom in my suite. It’s up to you.” With that, he headed for one of the cars, sliding smoothly inside as the door was held for him by the driver.
My bags were carried to the same car, which I presumed meant I was supposed to follow them.
I did, sliding in next to Alfie. Elliot got in the front, immediately raising the driver's window and giving us privacy. Part of me wished he hadn’t done that.
Alfie and I in an enclosed space was like being in a pressure cooker.
It didn’t help that his sharp gaze was almost always on me, searching, scrutinising.
I looked out the window to see Maia getting into the other car.
“I can have her replaced if you’d rather not see her.”
That would definitely be easier, but not better. “No, I can handle it.”
He nodded, running his gaze over me. “Lo, I’m sorry about Angie. I’ll talk to her again.”
“Right, because that always works.” I’d heard that line from Alfie a dozen times by now.
“Lola—”
“Alfie, I’m really not interested in talking about Angie right now, or hearing anymore of your bullshit excuses for her. She’s your problem, not mine.”
He raised his brows, either in surprise or disapproval I wasn’t sure. “I know you don’t like her and I understand why?—”
“No, I don’t think you do,” I cut him off again.
“I don’t like the way you act with Angie and now you can’t blame it on jealousy.
I know you aren’t interested in her. I don’t like seeing you allow her to disrespect you and your wishes, no matter the reason.
You wouldn’t tolerate that from anyone else, not even me.
” I clenched my jaw, refusing to allow myself to get upset.
“I understand the connection between you and maybe I’m being a bitch, but the excuse feels old to me now.
You let her walk all over you when it comes to her treatment of me and you refuse to protect me from her bullying.
That isn’t a man I ever signed up for.” I turned my gaze out of the window.
I was annoyed with myself for my behaviour on the plane, for lowering myself to Angie’s level. I wasn’t going to do it again.
Alfie didn’t respond and his silence surprised me. He’d never once let me have the last word where Angie was concerned.
We were silent for a while, each of us ruminating on our own thoughts. I watched the city fly by us with fascination, my excitement peaking as I realised we were heading for the ocean.
“We’re staying by the sea?”
“Yes and no.” I gave him a questioning look but he just waved me off. “You’ll see. Anyway, my hotel is about twenty minutes from the Miracle Garden, you can visit there everyday if you want.”
“Really?” Enemies aside, this trip was quickly turning into my idea of heaven.
“Of course. I can have them close for you if you want so you can enjoy it in privacy?”
“I’m not the only one that wants to see it, Alfie. But thank you for thinking of me.”
We broke out of the city streets then, nothing but clear blue sea ahead of us. Along the coastline, I noticed a building site surrounded by high fencing, littered with red signs that I couldn’t read but presumed meant ‘Stay Out’ or ‘ Private Property. ’ I stared in awe at the structure.
Now I understood Alfie’s response when I’d asked if we were staying by the sea. The hotel looked like a stretched sphere made out of deep blue glass. It was skyscraper high and situated on a structure stretching away from the mainland and far out into the ocean. It looked like a floating hotel.
The gates were opened by a security guard and we parked up, continuing down the dock on foot.
“You like it?” Alfie asked as we walked.
“Do I like it? This is incredible!” I couldn’t stop staring at it. “Who designed this?”
“The basic design is mine, an architect named Dexter Jonas made it real.”
I wasn’t sure why that surprised me. Suddenly, all reservations I had about this trip went out of my head, at least for now anyway. In their place was pride. Alfie had designed this and it was really fucking cool.
In the hotel, I found myself in a circular lobby, the blue glass making me feel like I was in a lagoon-themed snowglobe.
Angie, Maia and Elliot waited for us, along with a row of hotel staff. I continued my gawping as Alfie was introduced to each staff member by an older man whom I presumed was the manager. I couldn’t remember Alfie ever caring to be introduced to maids and bellboys.
“Lola?” Alfie called me over to him, a young man in a sharp suit with eager eyes was hovering at his side.
Alfie offered him his hand and he stepped forward, taking it with a nervous smile.
I didn’t blame him, I knew how intimidating Alfie could be.
“Lo, this is Ali. He’ll be your shadow whenever you leave your suite. ”
“My shadow? Isn’t that Maia’s job?”
“Yes, but some of this structure isn’t finished. He’ll make sure you don’t wander anywhere you shouldn’t. He’ll be your city guide too. Anywhere you want to go, he’ll make sure you stay safe and see the best of the city.”
So, he was a tour guide? I could jive with that. I smiled at the young man and offered him my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
He gave me a respectful nod but didn’t take my hand and backed off altogether when Alfie stepped into my space.
“Would you like a tour or do you want to go straight to your room?”
Before I could answer, Angie stepped forward, cutting in. “Alfie, we have a meeting with Dex soon.” Her hand rested on his arm and I did my best not to scowl at it.
“Dex can wait.” He turned his attention back to me. “You’re welcome to join me for the meeting if you’d like.”
“She should probably change first.” Angie ran her eyes over my old jeans and worn t-shirt. “I’m presuming you bought better clothes with you?”
I looked her square in the eye, biting my tongue to keep from spitting a nasty retort back at her. She was sharp and painful, all harsh edges and barbed wire.
Everyone kept their gaze carefully averted but that didn’t help the humiliation that washed over me. Alfie stayed silent, glaring at Angie. Her throat bobbed, betraying her worry that she’d finally stepped over the line.
I stepped away, not wanting to be around her anymore. I walked through the foyer and headed for the back exit.
I basked in the setting sun as I stepped outside. The rear patio was a blank canvas that no doubt would be made for elegant dining. Beyond was an infinity pool that blended into the ocean. I felt like I was in another world. Alfie’s world.
I heard someone approach and was surprised to see it was Maia.
“Can I get you anything?” Her voice was strained but polite. I gritted my teeth, trying to keep a lid on the war of emotions rising inside me. “Lo?—”