In Jacek's arm, Yuki could almost hear his pounding heart. She could feel his subtle trembles. And she could sense his anxiety. When she considered all those signs, Yuki's heart clenched.
Yuki's droopy eyes closed momentarily as she cussed herself for causing her brother's tough front to crumble. She slowly parted her eyelids and retreated from Jacek's embrace in other to meet his gaze, her face filled with remorse.
"Forgive me, Jacek… forgive me for periling you and also for causing you to worry. I am very sorry," Yuki uttered remorsefully while looking at Jacek's reddened eyes. She bit her lip and lowered her gaze in shame.
"Look at me…"
Yuki lifted her gaze to Jacek's calmed face. Her eyes fell on his hand that slowly moved towards her face. A warm, forgiven sensation washed over her as Jacek gently rubbed her cheek.
"Forgive me as well. Forgive me for not being able to be of much help to you," Jacek muttered regretfully. His eyes narrowed sorely as he looked at his sister.
Yuki gripped Jacek's hand while shaking her head vehemently. "No!" she exclaimed. "You've always been of help, Jacek. I am sorry if I made you feel that way," she added.
After a long while, Yuki and Jacek sat together in silence. Yuki wiped the remnants of the tears in her brother's eyes. "Does your chest still burn?" she asked worriedly.
"It is much better… You? Are you okay?"
"I have tolerance against such effects, did you forget?" Yuki was acting herself to a fair degree.
"Oh, did you have something to tell me before? I think I remember you saying you did," Yuki said abruptly after remembering why Jacek was there.
Jacek nodded after being reminded why he had gone to see Yuki in the first place. "I forgot to tell, the Adiss hotel is fully book for tomorrow so we can not stay there this year."
"Oh… then? Did you find another hotel?" Yuki queried regretfully.
"Yes. Ait-Ard."
"Ait-Ard? The elite hotel?" Yuki's brows raised and fell in a moment.
"The very same. I tried other places; the rooms available were not good enough. I wanted the best suite for us and Ait-Ard was the best option after Adiss. The suite is even soundproof," stated Jacek, nonchalantly.
Yuki gaped at the imposter impersonating her brother. "Two nights in that place will cost a fortune!"
"A fortune we can simply afford. I don't understand the sense in you making so much money and using none on yourself. At least for tonight and tomorrow, let us not be stingy with our fortune, that is the least of our worries."
But how was an extravagant hotel like Ait-Ard supposed to make anything better? If anything, Yuki was sure the price would raise her anxiety if she heard it!
…
Night fell quickly. Jacek closed from the shop, while Yuki packed a few clothes, toiletries and several teabags into a bag. "Will the hotel give us food?!" asked Yuki, loudly from the inner room.
"Yes. Our meals are covered from tonight to Wednesday morning!" Jacek shouted back.
After closing from the shop, Yuki and Jacek, concealed behind cloaks, headed for the entertainment district, where Ait-Ard was found.
By the time the two arrived at the hotel, it was 7:38p.m. Yuki stood by and watched as Jacek checked in. She has been at Ait-Ard on several occasions with different clients, yet, Yuki was astounded each time by the hotel's lobby, for it was nothing less of a masterpiece of elegance. From its intricate details and refined materials that exuded sophistication to its lightening, Ait- Ard truly deserved to be called the best in the entertainment district.
After checking in, Jacek brought Yuki to their allocated room on the third floor of the building.
"What are we having tonight?" Yuki tried to make small talks to keep her disturbing thoughts under control.
"They said something about a surprise dinner, I think. Is there any thing in particular you would like to eat?" Jacek glanced at Yuki as the elevator rose towards the third floor.
"Anything is fine. Can I have some liquor before bed?"
Jacek frowned. "Yuki…"
"I will not be able to sleep otherwise. Even if it is a nap, I need all the rest I can get." Her expression did not change; she had come to terms with an inevitable reality.
Jacek's eyes softened, "not too much," he gave in.
"Mmh."
Yuki and Jacek's, was a stunning suite, a haven of opulence, with lavish furnishings, rich textures, and exquisite décor. The two would have appreciated the room better had their minds not been occupied with other pressing thoughts.
As soon as they settled in, their dinner was served. They had expected nothing less of their dinner after seeing their room; it was a feast. A feast neither of them had appetite for.
The opium Yuki smoked had dulled her taste and appetite, thus, she could only eat as much as she forced herself to. She hoped to fill her stomach enough before the next day.
Jacek on the other hand did not eat well because he lacked any craving or whatsoever, had it been any other day, perhaps he could have gobbled down the savory meal that sat before his eyes.
The siblings sat together, both trying with great difficulty to consume as much as possible of the food. Despite sitting together, the two barely said anything to each other. Neither one of them was there in that moment, their minds wandered either in memories that were soon to be repeated, or in hopes that the next day would be different. In the end, they were both thinking of the same thing.
They both wished, or hoped, that the following day would be bearable.
After dinner, the two took turns taking their bath as they prepared to go to bed. Yuki wore a long chemise, tied her hair and got into the large bed she would be sharing with Jacek.
Since she had washed off the tan, the dark circles under her eyes became most visible. The dark circles aside, Yuki's countenance did not appear healthy in the slightest.
When Jacek returned from the bathroom, he poured a small amount of alcohol into a glass and offered it to Yuki. She quaffed the liquor in one shot and squeezed her face.
"That should be okay, right?" Jacek inquired with a distressed look on his face.
"Mm." Yuki took off her slippers, and slipped under the covers, her head peeping out to look at Jacek, "Good night, Jacek."
Jacek smiled sadly and planted a soft kiss on Yuki's forehead. "Good night, sister. You will be fine. I am here."