Sick Like Me (Sick Like #1)

Chapter 39

THIRTY-NINE

The train ride was over in less than an hour, and Stefan took control of our suitcases as he grabbed mine from me. He said nothing as he pulled it behind him, and I smiled more so to myself. It was his way of thanking me for my earlier words.

In a way to thank him in return, I pulled out one of my earphones from their case and placed it in his ear, then gave myself the other one as we listened to the music from a new playlist we had found—the one that supposedly the Monaco destination of Club Temptation used.

“We can use it to hype us up for a night of clubbing,” Stefan had justified as he saved the playlist to my music app account. “We can listen to it as we travel to the hotel and debate what outfits to wear.”

“You can be such a girl sometimes,” I laughed at his words earlier that day.

Stefan got our suitcases off the train swiftly and securely, and I kept as close to him as possible to make sure we didn’t lose one another in crowds of other passengers.

As we stepped off the train and onto the platform, the first thing that caught my attention was how immaculate everything was. Nothing like train platforms back home, which were often covered in rubbish and spray painted profanities on every surface possible.

The station itself was sleek and modern, with polished floors. We had some stations which were made of red brick buildings, but they all looked dingey and unkempt. Not clean and well looked after.

Stefan pulled me aside so we could allow the smaller crowds of other passengers to disembark and start their travels to wherever their final destination was. He pulled up his phone to reveal the instructions from Mrs King on his phone.

“So it says here,” He began as he read her message carefully at least twice to make sure he understood fully. “There’s a bus stop just a short walk away. We need to get on the shuttle to The Eclipse Grande, which apparently runs every ten minutes.”

I nodded my head, moving to stand beside him as I peaked at the message which was even pulled pointed for every step of our journey. “She said once we get to the hotel the travelling is over until tomorrow, which she’s booked us a private driver for the day.”

I nodded my head in understanding, then I smiled wide as I looked up at Stefan’s towering frame. “Shall we get going? The sooner I get out of these clothes the better I’ll feel. I feel so sweaty,” I cringed.

Stefan smiled and nodded once enthusiastically to show he agreed with my stance. He then shoved his phone into the back pocket of his white denim shorts before he grabbed the handles of our suitcases and made the way through the station to the exit.

I kept my thumb and forefinger holding onto the back of his t-shirt for fear of losing him. I was no good at busy places and crowds. Thankfully, we made it out of the station in one peace, but the scenery that greeted me caused a gasp to form from my lips.

Towering buildings rose up against a backdrop of steep hills, and I felt that no matter where I looked, there stood evidence in every corner of wealth and elegance.

I was immediately captivated by the scene before me, luxury cars of all brands gliding by as if it was the norm—which I guess it was there. I looked at Stefan who looked just as captivated and impressed as I.

As we walked along the path which pointed us in the direction of the bus stop, I found that the sea was never far from view, its deep blue waters glinting under the midday sun. The sun shone down on us, and. Wanted to close my eyes and tilt my head up to bask in it’s warmth.

Following the signs closely, Stefan and I found the bus stop within no time. We pulled up under a small shaded area, and a few other people joined us as they too seemed to be travellers, appreciating the beautiful views around them.

As we waited for the bus, I moved slightly from the shade in a risky move to assess my surroundings, noting the well-dressed locals and the occasional tourist, all seeming to move with purpose and grace.

I had failed to top my sunscreen up as we got off the plane, and for fear of burning on my very first day there, I rushed back under the shade. I leant against my suitcase, almost sitting on top of it, and crossed my arms as I tilted my head to the side to rest it against Stefan’s arm.

“You good?” He asked, looking down at me.

I looked up for a brief second and nodded my head, smiling. “I think I need a nap, travelling always knocks me for six.”

Stefan looked around, and then back down at me with a warm smile. “Lucky for you, the bus is here.” His hand gently moved to my upper back as he pushed me to stand, his hand flying to pull to handle of the suitcase out once again.

I watched as the bus pulled up beside us. It didn’t look to have much seating, and on the side was a horrendous bright orange sticker which promoted Club Temptation - Monaco. I chose to ignore the sign and stepped on the bus first, Stefan close behind. He placed our bags in a secure space made of bars, and then he rushed to sit beside me.

The song in my earphones changed, and Stefan let out a gasp as he clapped his hands. I looked around, worried his action called for the attention of nearby passengers. But they all looked locked in on their own conversations, and I let out a sigh of relief.

There was nothing I hated more than attention that was unwarranted.

“I love this song,” He hummed along to the music playing through our ears as the bus closed it’s doors and then pulled away from the stop.

“This bus goes right to The Eclipse Grande, right? There isn’t any other stops?” I quizzed. Knowing our luck, we would get off at the wrong hotel and would have to wait for the next shuttle.

“Yeah, they have a few stops around the city to pick up some people who want to go back to the hotel or to Club Temptation, but the only major stops are the train station and the hotel,” Stefan replied, seemingly trying to remember the message Carol had sent him that morning.

I nodded my head, looking out of the window beside me at the passing scenery, luxury cars, and well dressed people. “This place makes me feel poor,” I let out a laugh, to which Stefan nodded his head in agreement.

The bus navigated the narrow streets effortlessly throughout the journey, and I was soon treated to glimpses of the glamorous yachts docked in the harbour. I couldn’t help but imagine being on one of those at that moment in time, with a rich husband and no worries in the world save for if we had enough champagne to last us the day.

As the bus wound through the city, I marvelled at how compact yet densely packed it was, with every inch seemingly dedicated to luxury living. The buildings were a mix of old-world charm and cutting-edge modern design, all seamlessly integrated into the landscape.

My mind wandered to the man who had sat beside me on the plane, and for some reason, I couldn’t help but think that he fit into the location perfectly. He was the image of elegance and power when in his work suit, or when he drove his basically brand new car. Nothing like me.

After a handful of stops, finally the bus pulled up at our hotel. The bus driver stood, helping us passengers with our bags. Stefan had grabbed ours, and I went to take my own from him, but he waltzed off ahead of me before I could.

I smiled after him and rolled my eyes, the action invisible behind my sunglasses. I then followed after him.

Stefan seemed to be a rush to enter the hotel, so my assessment of the exterior was brief. Despite it being short, I couldn't help but be impressed by its striking modern architecture.

The exterior was a sleek blend of glass and polished stone, with clean, sharp lines that gave the building an air of understated luxury. It matched the vibe that the owners of Club Temptation established, the nightclub back home holding the same air of authority over the land it stood upon.

Floor-to-ceiling windows covered most of the bottom floors of the building, whereas the higher floors stood out with glass sliding doors and balconies which were covered in towels of varying colours.

I looked back down at my feet as I ensured I didn’t risk falling over. I pulled my sunglasses up on top of my head as I got into the shade, my eyes being met with the entrance that Stefan had just disappeared through.

The entrance was framed by tall, sculpted pillars, and above the revolving doors, the hotel’s name was engraved in elegant back lettering, standing out. Beside The Eclipse Grande , there was a smaller lettering to it’s left that read Club Temptation in a neon orange, and then to the right of it there was another lettering that read Grande Eclipse Restaurante.

I walked in through the revolving doors after Stefan, who was stood not too far away. He looked behind him, his eyes seeking me out. As we caught one another’s eyes, we exchanged a look of mutual appreciation.

The Kings’ had gone all out for us, I noted.

As I neared Stefan, I noted that the lobby was nothing short of breathtaking. It was tall, with soaring ceilings and a sense of grandeur that I assumed would match the tone for the rest of the hotel.

The space was bathed in natural light streaming through the massive windows that lined the front of the hotel, offering small streams of rainbow light hitting the floor in all directions. The floor was a glossy marble, cool underfoot, and the walls were adorned with contemporary black and white art pieces that added a touch of sophistication to the modern décor.

To our left, I noted the top of a sweeping staircase that seemed to curve gracefully down towards a dimly lit pair of black double doors. The stairs were orange, with neon orange art pieces lining the walls. Above the squared arch above the stairs read in cursive writing Club Temptation .

On our right, a bustling restaurant spilled out into the space, the energy palpable as waitstaff weaved between tables, delivering gourmet dishes to well-crowded tables. The restaurant was open and airy, the room seemingly to be made up of whites and beiges. On the wall furthest away from where I stood, I noted a balcony of sorts which was framed by large open glass doors.

The aroma of fresh seafood and fragrant herbs wafted through the air, making our stomachs rumble in anticipation. “God, I can’t wait to scran down a meal. We should have stopped in town to get some food,” I replied, lightly pushing Stefan’s arm in a faux threat.

Stefan nudged me back with a grin, clearly impressed by the scene unfolding around us. "This is going to be one hell of a trip, Ash," he said, his tone playful yet sincere.

I nodded in agreement, taking it all in.

I hadn’t gone on a friend trip before. Sure, I was doing this trip for work, I reminded myself. But most of the trip we were given free reign to do as we wished as per Carol’s command. I was going to use our time to the best of my ability.

Not just for me, but to try to make Stefan feel better, too. God knows he needed it.

After some final seconds of ogling, we finally made out way to the reception desk. I pulled my earphone out and placed it in the case, then reached up to Stefan’s ear to pull the other one out and secure it back in it’s home.

Stefan stood in front of me at the desk, holding his head high and his shoulders back as he took control of the situation for the pair of us.

“Welcome,” The staff member behind the desk greeted us with professional courtesy, their smile addicting. But I guessed there was no reason to frown or cry when you were in such a beautiful place. “How can I help you today?”

“Hi,” Stefan gave the staff member his signature killer smile. “We’re Ashton and Stefan, but I believe we are booked in under the name of Carol King?”

The staff member typed on the computer, their nails clacking against the plastic keyboard before as they read the screen. They used their fore finger to point at the screen, and once they seemingly found what they had been looking for, they smiled and nodded.

“Let me get your keys,” They stated, but paused for a moment as they eyed the suitcases behind us. “Would you like for me to call the bell assistant to bring your luggage back to your room for you?”

Stefan shook his head firmly, keeping his smile in place like a mask. “No, thank you. We can handle it. ”

The person nodded, then the turned their back to us as their hands scanned over what appeared to be dozens of boxes behind the reception desk which were pushed together to give the illusion of a wallpaper.

They seemed to find what they were looking for as they reached down into their pocket and pulled out a bunch of keys. They placed a key in one of the boxes and then the door opened. They reached inside, pulling out two key cards. They turned back to us and placed them on the desk.

“Can I see your passports firstly, please?” The staff member asked. I dug through my travel back, wrapping my hand around both passports. I pulled them out and slammed them on the desk a little too enthusiastically.

After some final checks, the staff member handed us the key cards and waved us off with a large smile as we made our way to the elevator. “Enjoy your stay,” They called after us before we turned the corner to the hallway that was home to a series of elevators.

It seemed as people were coming down in the elevators, so we had no need to call for one. We barely waited a few seconds before the one nearest to us opened and a handful of people walked out, chattering loudly.

We rushed inside with our suitcases, and were silently thankful no one else tried to climb inside after us. The doors closed, and Stefan scanned our card on the place above the few buttons on the wall.

Instead of pressing your floor, all you had to do was scan your card. You could press the button for the highest floor, the rooftop bar, or the bottom floor which was home to the lobby, club and restaurant.

As I watched the numbers of the elevator rise, I couldn’t help but think that with Stefan by my side, I knew this work trip would be both productive and unforgettable. We only had one day of work, and we could use the rest of the time at our own discretion. We hung out sometimes just the pair of us, but more often than not, we hung out as a trio with Peyton.

It was nice to hang out just the pair of us.

And I had no doubt he would try to use me as a wing man, and he would be my very own, when night came and he dragged me to Club temptation to dance the night away and get drunk like hooligans.

The elevator stopped, and the doors flew open at lightning speed. We stepped off, then walked down the hallway in search for our room. Once we hunted down the gold cursive numbers on the door, Stefan pressed the card in his hand to the door which then beeped loudly to signal it was unlocked for us to enter.

I rushed around him and pushed the door open, then I used my foot to keep the door open for him as I pushed myself against the wall to allow him all the space he needed to bring the bags inside.

Once he was safely inside, I moved my foot to allow the door to close. Stefan walked further into the room, but I stood frozen in surprise at the door, looking into the room.

I felt like I wasn’t in a hotel, but instead a sleek, modern apartment. The entryway led into a spacious living area that was both inviting and stylish. I made my way a few steps further into the room, looking around slowly.

The room was filled with natural light pouring in from the large, floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the glittering coastline, with a balcony that looked to span as far as the eye could see around the building. On the balcony sat grey chairs pushed into a large grey table, and even a small BBQ.

The décor inside the living room was minimalistic yet luxurious, with a neutral colour palette of soft greys, warm beiges, and touches of deep blue that echoed the colour the sea outside.

The living space was centred around a plush, L-shaped sofa that looked perfect for sinking into after a long day, or crawling onto to pass out after one too many alcoholic drinks after dancing all night long.

A low coffee table made of polished wood and glass sat in front of it, adorned with a few carefully placed design magazines and a vase of fresh flowers.

Opposite the sofa, a large flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall, surrounded by built-in shelving. The space exuded a sense of calm sophistication, a perfect blend of comfort and modern design.

It matched the Kings’ tastes perfectly, and I wasn’t surprised to find that they had booked us into such a hotel.

I noted Stefan had left my suitcase in the middle of the living space for me, having disappeared to check out the rooms, I assumed. I walked over and grabbed the handle of my suitcase, then turned towards the front door.

Only then did I notice that on one side of the living area, a small but fully equipped kitchenette offered everything we might need for a light meal or a late-night snack. The appliances were all top-of-the-line, seamlessly integrated into sleek cabinetry.

A small dining table with four contemporary chairs was positioned nearby, ideal for casual dining or catching up on work.

I suspected the ‘apartment’ hotel room was likely meant for a small family, or a handful of couples. But I didn’t feel bad we were taking up the space someone else could have used. It was everything I could have ever wanted on a relaxing trip. And it was all expenses paid, what was there to complain about?

The two bedrooms were situated on either side of the living area, each offering the privacy of a personal retreat.

I noticed one of the doors was closed, the other open. I assumed the closed one was Stefan’s, and so I headed toward the room I assumed to be mine and pushed the door to fully extend open. This revealed a space that was the epitome of modern luxury.

The king-sized bed was the focal point, dressed in crisp white linens with a soft, textured duvet and an array of plush pillows in shades of green and blue that matched the colours of the ocean. A padded headboard stretched across the wall behind it, adding a touch of elegance. Beside the bed, nightstands held lamps for ideal ambient lighting.

The room also boasted its own flat-screen TV, discreetly mounted on the wall opposite the bed, and a comfortable armchair positioned near the window beside glass double doors which greeted me to a private balcony of my own, perfect for enjoying the view with a morning coffee.

I wondered if Stefan’s room had the same, and I felt momentary guilty if it had not. But he had checked out the rooms and had chosen to leave this one to me, so he must had been content enough with the room he had chosen to leave me this one.

As I pulled my suitcase further inside, I made my way to the window and glass doors. The windows offered the same stunning vistas as the living area, and heavy blackout curtains pushed to the edges of the glass wall ensured that sleep wouldn’t be interrupted by the early morning sun.

I let go of my suitcase at the foot of my bed and turned to check out the other side of the room. I noted a door wide open and made my way towards it, only to find it was an en suite bathroom.

The en suite bathroom was a luxurious haven in its own right. The walls and floors were clad in polished marble, and the fixtures were all gleaming chrome. A spacious walk-in shower with a rainfall shower head dominated one side, while a deep soaking tub invited long, relaxing baths.

Most hotels had a bath with a shower head attached, or just a shower. I was thankful I had both, and that they were separated. I could shower in the nights before bed, and I could use the bath to shave my legs during my down time.

A double vanity with under lit mirrors provided plenty of space for getting ready, and the amenities included plush towels, a selection of high-end toiletries, and even a small TV embedded in the mirror.

I let out a sigh of relief as I remembered that the one fucking thing I had forgot to pack had been towels. Most hotels provided you their own, so it wasn’t like I needed to bring any, but the reassurance at seeing them reminded me I had one less thing to buy when Stefan and I decided to hit the city.

I left my en suit, then my bedroom as I made my way across the living room to Stefan’s room. I knocked on the door, wanting to make sure he was okay. He threw the door open, a wide smile on his face, a towel around his shoulders and his t-shirt missing.

“Everything good?” I asked, my eyes scanning the room behind him. I noted with much relief that Stefan’s bedroom mirrored mine in design and comfort, offering him his own private space to unwind.

We exchanged a quick look of approval, which was then met with Stefan’s verbal confirmation. “I was going to have a quick nap, and then we can shower and get ready to go out a bit later,” He offered.

I nodded my head slowly in agreement. I needed a nap of my own. I stepped back from the door and waved my hand dismissively. “Go ahead, I was just about to do the same.”

“I’ll set my alarm for three hours. If you’re not up by then, want me to come and get you?” He offered. I shook my head. My naps only lasted an hour at most.

“I’ll see you later,” I smiled before I turned and made my way back to my bedroom once again. Once inside the room, I closed the door behind me and moved to sit on the large bed.

I looked out at the sea beyond and wondered where Kota was staying, and if he had been seeing the same things I had. I wondered if I would see him in passing, or if he would actually make time to see me even while wee were both on holiday .

I sighed with content at the view, then I laid back against the mattress of the bed and closed my eyes, allowing the travel-tiredness take me off into dreamland for the time being.