Chapter 4
KIT
I’m a bit surprised – and disappointed – that Chloe got up and left so abruptly.
I’d thought we’d been getting on pretty well, but it seems I rubbed her the wrong way somehow.
We’d always ribbed each other in the past – it was our way – but she appears to be averse to jokey banter today.
She seemed pretty flat too, like she’s lost her spark.
But then I guess that’s not surprising considering what’s happened to her recently.
I look around me at the other guests who are still enjoying the lit vibes of the ambient techno music, on-trend cocktails and happy chatter around the pool, but being here doesn’t hold the same allure now I’m alone again. So I decide to pack up and go back to my apartment too.
On the way there I stop at reception to chat to them about my dinner plans. I asked my PA to email and let them know I wanted to eat in my private dining room, at least for the first night, and I’m just going to check they got that information.
‘Yes, sir,’ the receptionist confirms. ‘Your meal will be delivered to your apartment at seven o’clock, as you requested. Could I check, it’s just a meal for one person, yes?’
Her question tugs at something deep inside me. I’m guessing Chloe’s going to be eating on her own too.
‘Actually, I’d like to eat in the restaurant instead. You’ll have a table available for me, right?’ I ask.
‘Let me check, sir. We’re very busy tonight, but I’m sure we can accommodate you,’ the receptionist says with a smile.
I wait, tapping my fingers against my thighs, and glance around towards the bar while she does so. There’s no-one in it at present as everyone seems to still be outside at the pool. I imagine it’ll be jumping later though. I’ll have to come and check it out.
‘Yes, I can arrange a table for you,’ she says, drawing my attention back to her.
I smile. ‘Great. Book me in for seven o’clock then please.’
‘I’ll do that, sir,’ she says, tapping on her keyboard.
‘Thanks.’ I give her a nod, then head back to my apartment.
Yeah, that’s the right choice. I’ll soak up the atmosphere in the restaurant tonight, then eat in my apartment for the next few days to get some proper peace.
I take a shower, then towel off and lie on my bed naked, staring up at the ceiling.
I’m feeling weirdly buzzed. Not sure why. I’ve gone away on my own before, on my year out before uni, so I’m used to travelling alone and making opportunities for fun as I go.
I’d come here thinking I needed some space, but that’s not what I’m craving right now.
My body feels alive and primed.
And I seem to have a hard-on.
Maybe it’s because I’m lying here naked.
It’s funny because I’ve not felt like having sex since Katya took off, but my sex drive has suddenly returned with a vengeance.
Seeing Chloe has shaken me up. Taken me back to happier, more carefree times.
I genuinely thought I’d never see her again.
But I’m kinda glad I have.
It’s spoken to something that’s been buried in me. Reignited something, after feeling dead inside.
And consequently, I’m experiencing an irresistible drive to do something right now. I’m not entirely sure what, but I figure if I put myself out into the world, something’s bound to happen.
I’m always up for an adventure.
I resist the urge to have a wank, wanting to preserve my energy for the time being, just in case I end up meeting someone tonight and hooking up with them is on the cards.
Instead, I waste some time messing about on the internet, then checking my accounts, taking great pleasure in the long strings of digits they all show.
Finally, my alarm goes off to let me know it’s time to dress for dinner.
Rolling off the bed, I go over to my wardrobe where my clothes have been hung up by the personal butler I get with the apartment.
He must have come in while I was out at the pool.
I’ve asked for him to keep a low profile while I’m here and just come in when the place is empty unless I specifically ask for him.
He seems to have done this, which I’m grateful for because I don’t feel like making polite chitchat right now.
I get dressed in navy cargo pants and a fitted white T and style my hair, then spray on some aftershave. I’ve had one designed for me at great fucking expense, using the keynote fragrances I like, and it’s a joy to wear. I love the idea that I don’t smell like anyone else in the world.
I hear the hubbub of chatter coming from the dining room before I reach it and it suddenly hits me what I’m about to walk into. I brace myself for striding through the room alone to my table, hoping they’ve put me against a wall so I don’t feel too exposed sitting there solo.
The greeter gives me a bow as I approach and says what I think is hello and welcome in Japanese. I give her my name and she checks it against a list on an e-tablet then beckons for me to follow her into the dining area.
It’s a spectacular room of course, fitted out in the same kind of style as the reception, with the larger tables separated by free-standing square-patterned screens or hanging silk dividers.
The sun is about to set, but through the floor-to-ceiling windows along the back wall I can still make out the wide river flowing below us in the dusky light.
I stride through the diners, chin up and chest out, trying to act as though I’m totally relaxed about eating in here on my own.
It’ll be a good opportunity to do some people watching and check out who else is staying at the hotel, if nothing else, and I have my phone in my pocket, so I can sit and read something on that if it all gets a bit weird and uncomfortable.
And I can always get my plate sent to my apartment and eat there after all if I get bored.
As I walk towards the only free table on the other side of the room that the greeter is heading for, I see with a shot of pleasure that I won’t be the only person dining alone in here.
Chloe is watching me walk towards her with an expression on her face that very clearly says Seriously?
Her table set for one is slap bang next to my table set for one.
It’s like the hotel have deliberately put us together.
Well, isn’t that a funny coincidence.
‘Before you say anything, I didn’t orchestrate this. I swear,’ I fib when I reach my table.
Apart from the bit where I changed where I was going to eat this evening – I don’t admit.
‘Uh huh.’
From the tone of her voice, she doesn’t believe me.
I can’t blame her. This must look exactly like the set-up it is.
Pulling out the chair, I sit down and nod my thanks to the greeter.
So this is fucking weird. We’re sitting next to each other at separate tables, both looking out at the room and the empty space in front of us where our partners would have sat if they hadn’t dumped us.
It’s like we’re being forced to face the stark reality of our singleness in the most exposing of ways.
It seems Chloe is feeling the same way because out of the corner of my eye I see her shift in her chair and uncross, then re-cross, her legs, then lift the menu from the table and pretend to study it, all the while politely ignoring my presence right next to her.
But I can feel her vibrating.
I know she’s hyper aware of me right here next to her.
Because I’m vibrating too.
I give a jokey huff, shake my head then turn to face her. ‘This is ridiculous. Why don’t we just share a table tonight if we’re both eating on our own?’
She turns and looks at me with an expression of resigned capitulation on her face. ‘It was inevitable, I suppose, that we’d be shoved next to each other since we appear to be the only single people staying at the hotel.’
‘Glad to hear you’re so happy about the idea of spending more time with me,’ I say drolly.
She sighs. ‘It’s not that. It’s just – I was expecting to spend my time here getting used to my own company again. I thought it would be good for me to prove to myself I could do it – have a good time, that is – without relying on anyone else to prop me up.’
‘We could just sit and not talk if you like?’ I say. ‘Or not.’ I shrug, keeping my tone nonchalant. ‘Whatever. I’m happy to sit on my own if you don’t want company right now.’
There’s a pause where she stares down at her menu again, her brow furrowed, before turning back and giving me a tight smile.
‘Yeah, maybe you’re right. It’d be a lot less weird. I feel like everyone’s staring at us both sitting here side by side like a couple of losers. Are you sure I’m not cramping your style?’
I let out an exasperated laugh. ‘Jesus Christ, Dasher, just move your arse over here to my table and stop overthinking it, will you?’
She blinks at me, then gives me a reluctant grin and shakes her head. ‘You haven’t changed.’
‘Actually, I think you’ll find I have. In all the best ways,’ I say, pushing out the chair opposite me with my foot as she gets up from her table and relocates to mine.
Sitting down, she shifts her chair in closer, then looks straight back down at her menu, pointedly avoiding my gaze.
So I pick up my own menu and study it.
All the meals look amazing, but I’m suddenly a lot less hungry than I was before I sat down.
Even so, I pick something that looks like it might not be too filling and select which sake I’d like so I’m ready when the waiting staff comes over to take our order.
Chloe puts in her order too, also choosing to drink sake, and the server takes our menus away, leaving Chloe with nothing to distract her, so she’s forced to look at me.
‘Food options look good,’ I say, to break the awkward atmosphere.
‘Yeah. They do,’ she agrees. ‘There’s a lot more fish and seafood than I was expecting though.’
‘You’re not a fan?’
‘I am. I just don’t cook it much, so don’t tend to eat it. But I told myself before I came here that I’d expand my menu choices and not just go for the sorts of dishes I’d usually pick.’
‘Good idea. I guarantee you the food here will be spectacular, no matter what you pick.’
‘I’m sure.’