"Do you know what's always shocking to me each time we drive down here Martin?" I took a look out the window and soaked in the beautiful scenery that surrounded the road leading to the hotel. "How nobody but those who are actively seeking the hotel knows of the existence of this street"
Martin chuckled. "Are you still questioning the locals madam?"
"I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity. People used to look at me in a strange way each time I asked questions you know"
"Until you found out about why nobody else seemed to know about the road"
"It's not even on any map Martin. I checked. Can you believe how incredible that is?"
"It's the work of the gods Madam. It's supposed to be incredible"
I focused my eyes on him the way I always did for the past two years each time he drove me to the hotel. Martin was incredible. As incredible as the gods because he was touched by them. The quiet chauffeur who had gotten on my nerves and who I had falsely accused of playing a mean trick on Ayoki and I the first day we had met had over time turned into an exceptional friend.
The first time he had ever spoken to me without being first spoken to was the day I felt overwhelmed with not having my husband around more than half the time, having to run a hotel inhabited by beings that I was mostly afraid of and broke down in sobs in the backseat of the car.
He told me that he had been alive for centuries, and in all that time, he had lost a lot of dear friends and every family that he had tried to create. He told me that he understood loneliness, and it was way too heavy a burden for someone as young as me to carry. He also said to me...
"If it won't bother you too much, I would like, even against my better judgment, to offer you a hand of friendship."
That was the first time I smiled that day, and ever since then, things have been going well between Martin and me. The fact that he will most likely outlive me does weigh on us at times, but he's aware that it would be an honor to go through life with someone like him by my side.
He was the only reason I was able to quickly adapt to my role. After all, he had been alive for quite some time and knew a lot about the hotel and its inhabitants, and as such, he was the best person to take advice from.
"Martin, do you have any idea who placed the spell on the road?"
"I can't say I remember. But I think it was some lower god that helped travelers."
"Maybe I'll ask Ayoki when we talk."
"When was the last time you spoke to the master?"
"He came home a month ago, stayed for two days, and left. Now it's been almost two weeks since he's reached out. It's very unlike him to go a day without talking to me; two weeks is a little too much." I let out a long exhale and sank lower into the seat.
"Any concerns, madam?"
"There are a lot of beautiful women at the places he goes. What if.." I shook my head, "No,I can't even picture it." Martin looked at me through the rear-view mirror, and his eyes sent me a wave of reassurance.
"You're just like your father. An overthinker," he said, returning his eyes to the road. "Master Ayoki is too in love with you to find another woman attractive."
"And if he meets Aphrodite in person?"
"He'll most likely see your face instead."
I really wanted my mood to lighten up to make Martin happy, at least, but I found it hard to smile when the man I loved hadn't reached out to me in such a long time.
"Do you think any harm has come to him?" I knew the gods were under an oath to never endanger the managers of the hotel or their loved ones, but I needed to know that there was more to Ayoki's not reaching out, and it didn't involve another woman.
"Madam, the master cannot come to any harm, even if he wanted to. You shouldn't worry too much. Time works very differently depending on where he is. Who knows? Two weeks here is mostly like a few days there. Maybe even hours''
"I just wish he wasn't so busy all the time."
"I'm sure the master wishes for the same thing as well."
The warehouse was coming into view, and I began to mentally prepare myself for another day of managerial duties at the hotel. Martin drove to the hotel and parked the car a lot closer to the entrance than he did the first time.
"Thank you, Martin. I may not be going home tonight as I may be passing the night here, but I'll tell Hio to inform you if anything changes."
"Of course, madam. Have a nice day at work and remember that the master truly adores you."
"Thank you, Martin." I tapped his shoulder lightly and stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind me. From a young age, I had, for whatever reason, disliked having other people open doors for me; hence, Martin had stopped bothering to do so a long time ago. Ayoki had been the exception, of course.
I began to make my way to the entrance, and with each step that I took, I would remember how Ayoki led me here with my eyes shut and his gentle voice whispering into my ear. I missed him so much, and I really hoped the time difference was the reason I had yet to hear from him.
I pushed open the warehouse doors and stepped into the realm that people only hope to visit and experience in their dreams. The place I had come to notice seemed to grow even more splendid with each passing day. The gods and goddesses who visited this hotel were very strict on beauty, and as such, the hotel had to be redesigned every night.
The golden beings dressed in worker's attire bowed to me and kept moving as quickly as they normally did. I smiled at some guests that greeted me and gave a curt bow to each of them in return. The goat man played a tune on his flute and danced around me in circles, forcing me into a brief dance as well before I kept on my way.
I had gotten to the second floor when I felt something light land on my shoulder, and when I looked over, I saw a familiar face that always had a way of making me laugh.