Immediately we stepped outside, a shiver passed down my spine. The weather was still cold, and judging by the way the pool was empty, others felt the same. Even the guest from earlier hadn't come back down.
Lucien, on the other hand, looked right at home. He wore a casual shirt with blue jeans and converse boots which made him look nothing like the billionaire I saw in pictures. Instead, it was almost like I was looking at him again from that night. That was why I didn't realize he wasn't ordinary like me.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" He suddenly asked, breaking into my thoughts, and I grimaced.
"I'm not looking at it. I'm just…thinking."
"About?" His eyes bore into mine, and it took a lot for me to look away. He was being surprisingly cordial, and I didn't want to spoil that. Maybe my prayers were being answered.
"How casual you look," I responded honestly with a shrug, "it's nothing like the pictures online."
He laughed. "Of course. I'm not always business like, you know. Sometimes, I just want to relax and have fun. Besides, that's the purpose of this trip."
We were about to pass the first gate of the hotel when he paused and turned back. I watched as his brows furrowed, before he shook his head and started towards the parking lot.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to go again?" Some part of me wanted him to say yes, so I could go back to my space and continue crocheting. Another part of me wanted to spend time with him.
Are you normal? He's been insulting you since.
"Don't worry. Let's use my car. I'm not walking around with you today," he said, as he clicked the car open. Within seconds, he entered the driver's seat and started the engine.
By the time I got to him, he was in the middle of reversing so I waited until he was done. Immediately I entered the car, he glanced at me. "I've grown tired of that."
I shrugged in response and faced the window, but from the corner of my eye, I could see him watching me. He had an unreadable expression on his face, and I really wanted to keep it up. But then again, I didn't need to get into an accident.
So, I turned back to him. "Do you have an idea of where we're going?"
"Nope. I'm just driving around, wondering when you're going to lead the way." A frown etched onto my face at the simpleness of his response. Was he being serious or just sarcastic?
In any case, I sighed and leaned towards him to input the GPS details. As I did so, the scent of his cologne intensified and a moan escaped my lips.
The next thing I heard was a chuckle from him, but I didn't dare look up. Instead, I finished up and bent my head till my face was facing the window again. How could I still be feeling this way, after what he did to me?
"It's Eau de Seand," he said quietly and I glanced at him.
"Huh?"
"The cologne." When I said nothing, his expression changed and he gripped the steering wheel. "I hope this place isn't far from the hotel."
"Not really. It's just about five –"
He quickly cut me off. "Never mind. I'll follow the directions on the map."
I cocked my head and pursed my lips. Now, he was back to acting like a jerk again for no reason. The smile on his face was completely wiped off, and till we got to our destination, he remained quiet.
For a moment, I considered telling him to take us back to the hotel but when I saw the crowd there, my spirits lifted a bit.
"Come on, we're here. Let's go in."
The look of evident disgust on Lucien's face, however, stopped me from opening the door. "Can't you see the amount of people here? I don't do crowded places, Lily."
But you happily did that party.
"That's the fun of it. Didn't you say you wanted to do something fun?"
"Not in a place with people from everywhere and anywhere. Couldn't you find a better place, somewhere with less people?"
I stifled a sigh and turned to fully face him. "The bowling alley is nearly always filled with people, especially during this time. Also, it's mostly teenagers and I think…," I paused to peer at my phone screen, "today is the start of the two-day break."
"Why do they have that?" Lucien looked genuinely curious, and for a split second, I wanted to tell him something rude in response. Instead, I shrugged and opened the door.
"It's part of the curriculum, I guess. Plus, I think it's something to do with the weather."
He nodded once and flared up at me again. "If you knew that, then why–"
"It's all part of the experience, Mr. Lucien. What's the worst that can happen?" With that, I stepped out of the car and began to walk towards the entrance. When I turned back, he was still sitting and it wasn't hard to see the struggle.
In a way, he looked so different from the man that had been constantly making my life difficult and I couldn't help but laugh. Was it just because of a few people? In any case, I was already here so I would enjoy myself.
I joined the long line of teenagers and young kids, and as it got to my turn, the cashier grinned at me.
"Lily, here on your own today?"
"No, she's with me." Lucien's voice answered behind me, and my stomach dropped. The middle aged guy I'd known since high school looked between the both of us and shrugged.
"Nice. Here are your tickets." We watched as he wrote our numbers in little white papers. When he finished, he handed both over to me and glanced at Lucien.
"Tourist?" To my amusement, he grunted a response and marched into the building.
"He's not a fan of public spaces," I said, and the man nodded.
"I can tell. Well, have fun." We smiled at each other, and I entered the building as well. The first thing that greeted me was the level of heat, and I quickly took off my jacket while my eyes scanned the comin area for Lucien.
All around, I saw teenagers getting ready to play while others hung around and talked on top of each other. Dim lights hung overhead, and I could make out some adults upstairs dancing and touching each other.
I heaved a sigh, and shook my head. Maybe, it wasn't such a good idea.