Her head stuck out the car window as it drove past the mountains to the Isis Resort. The cool winter breeze tousled with her Auburn hair and she relished in it with her eyes closed. This was the only semblance of peace she had and she would enjoy it to the fullest.
Her airpod played 'Flowers' by Lauren Spencer Smith.
Louisa on the other hand, who was driving, couldn't help but worry. Kayla had been silent throughout the trip. Even her excitement for the trip had been dim and when she asked, Kay brushed her off like she always did these past few months.
"Kayla," Louisa called out grimly. It was serious, Kay observed or else Louisa would have never called her by her full name.
"Yes?" She replied.
"Are you sure you're okay? You seem out of it."
"I'm fine, Loui. It's just rehearsals that are taking a toll on me. Seriously I'm fine." Kay smiled softly, but Louisa's brows tightened.
"Is Bianca being hard on you again?" Back when Kayla told her everything she would mention Bianca and her witchy vibes. Said she reminded her of Umbridge.
"Something along those lines. Wake me up when we get there because I wanna take a nap." Louisa wasn't done with the conversation apparent by the fact she opened her mouth to speak but Kay had rolled up the window and leaned into her seat.
Was Louisa imagining things and was everything just in her head? She felt a sense of disconnect with Kay and she couldn't put her finger where.
She sighed deeply as the car sped up. She also needed this trip too. Things weren't going well with her book. She had reached a block and that was normal but it still made her feel inadequate as an author. Could she make it in this line of work?
Kayla opened her eyes while Louisa was focused on driving. She didn't want to lie to her or hide anything from her but there was no better choice. Maybe this trip was what they needed to get back on track.
****
They finally arrived at the resort in silence.
Kayla yawned cracking her neck. "Oh my! Someone should make cars more comfortable!"
"They already are. You could have just flattened your seat." Louisa pursed her lips.
"Hogwash!" Kayla clicked her tongue before opening the car and got down. Louisa followed suit and the girls halted in awe at how beautiful the resort looked from the outside.
The resort stood majestically amidst a snow-covered mountain landscape. Its grand exterior, framed by timber beams and stone accents, was adorned with expansive glass windows that reflected the serene winter scenery. Thick layers of snow had blanketed the rooftops and balconies, while the warm golden glow from inside cast a welcoming light over the crisp, frosty air.
The resort spanned multiple levels, with many rooms featuring private balconies overlooking a vast snowy forest just like the balconies they both had at home.
Sleek wooden pathways, lined with glowing lanterns, guided guests through the sparkling snow, leading them to different sections of the resort. Kayla was most excited about the hot springs.
Tall pine trees, their branches dusted with snow, encircled the resort. Slowly they would discover all of the amenities.
In the distance, the majestic peaks of the snow-capped mountains had risen against a brilliant blue sky.
"Oh my god! This place is enchanting!" Kayla's eyes widened.
"And you almost missed this because of Oliver."
"You would do the same if you've actually engaged in any conversation with the asshole." she scoffed.
Louisa shook her head. "I'll open the boot so we can get our luggage out." Kay nodded and as Louisa was about to do so, three men in suits with one in the middle approached them with a polite smile.
"Miss Hastings, Miss Dorne." The man in the middle with slicked back hair and wrinkles on his face probably in his early fifties addressed them which made them freeze.
Before they could ask the question, the man smiled lightly and explained, "As this is an exclusive resort we have the pictures and the names of each of our clients to ensure the best services catered to their needs."
"Wow, ten over five stars." Kay clapped giddily.
"Doesn't take much to impress you, does it?" Louisa giggled at her friend's childish behavior.
The man in the suit on the right stepped forward, "If you would give us your car keys, we would have your luggage taken to your rooms." Louisa gave them the keys and said, "Thank you."
"Alec and John will take care of your things. I'm Martin. Would you like to go to your rooms directly because Madam Froster asked for you to come to the private lounge with the others?"
Louisa and Kayla glanced at each other and said simultaneously,
"To the room."
"To the lounge."
Kayla chuckled awkwardly. "I want to go to the room to take a nap. I'm exhausted." She explained, averting he gaze and tucking her hair behind her ear.
"But you slept for the majority of the trip here!" Louisa protested.
"In discomfort. My neck is stiff and my legs ache so I need to roll around in a comfy bed." she turned to Martin, "Your beds are comfy, aren't they?" Martin nodded.
"Kayla!" Louisa groaned. "I know you're doing this to avoid Oliver! Stop acting like a child and let's go!"
"Oliver? Oliver who?" She feigned ignorance, "I am really tired, Loui. Pretty please? I'll join you guys in a few hours if you're still in the lounge, okay?"
Louisa glared at her and she took that as a yes. "Have I ever told you I love you?" Kay slung her arm around her shoulders as Martin led them to their respective places.
The resort wasn't packed with people and it was quiet for the most part. Only the rich of the rich could book this place.
"No, but you'll prove it by doing everything I want for the remainder of the trip."
"Anything, anything! Except for skiing and snowboarding!"
"Gosh, I thought you would be over your fear of heights now, Kay? It's been a decade since that day."
Kayla shuddered with a frown, "You won't be saying much if you were the one that fell off a fucking cliff when you were 12!"
"Fine, fine. I just want you to have fun and live life to the fullest!"
"Isn't that supposed to be my line, Loui? Remind me again who's the introvert? During Freshman year you refused to leave the house for any other reason than class."
"Hey! You're not the one with major anxiety." She said as they passed a beautiful snow-themed fountain.
The snow-themed fountain was a stunning display, with a crystal-like base etched with delicate snowflakes. A tall, icy column stood at its center, where shimmering blue water cascaded in thin streams, mimicking frozen flow.
Soft white lights created the illusion of swirling snowflakes, while a mist resembling falling snow drifted from the top, where a sculpture of a winter deity released the frosty mist.
Jagged ice formations surrounded the base, making the fountain a serene and magical winter centerpiece.
"Awesome! This place is simply a dream come true!" Her eyes wrinkled.
"It's in the middle of nowhere. Right, isn't your dream to live in a cabin in the middle of nowhere?"
"Can't blame a girl for having dreams, can you?"
"Tsk, whatever."
Louisa was escorted to the lounge after dropping Kayla off to her room. Rory got separate rooms for everyone.
She stepped inside the room and let out a contented breath.
The large bed, crafted from dark wood, was low to the ground and positioned on a raised wooden platform. The bed was dressed in crisp cyanic bedding, complemented by scattered plants throughout the room that enhanced its lush, natural feel.
There was even the decorative stone wall behind the bed, adorned with intricate circular patterns. Warm lighting cast a cozy glow from multiple spots on the wall.
Directly opposite the bed was a comfortable couch, perfectly positioned to take in the view of the room and the large glass windows behind it, which offered a glimpse of the surrounding snowy scenery outside.
The soft, textured rug near the bed made Kayla moan. This was heaven.
She walked around the room, dropped her purse, and jumped into bed. Like she expected, the bed was soft, almost velvety.
These past few months had been so hard for her. For now, she would bury them like she had done for years but the only problem was one man with intoxicating whiskey eyes.
Eyes that made her numbed her yet made her feel everything. She despised his cocky attitude, his hold on her, and the darkness that shrouded him that only she could see.
Yet he cared for her when no one else would. He held her and let her break apart in his arms and put her together. In his presence, she felt small but he stared at her like she was the only one in the room.
She didn't want to see him because he made her feel on edge and unable to relax. If felt like he would do something to her. Something she didn't want but her body differed.
Oliver Wilde. "My professor," she mumbled sleepily. Soon her eyes closed and she dreamt.
In her dreams, she was shivering because of the cold but after a few seconds, she felt warm.
Her brows loosened at the warmness and coziness.
By the time Kayla woke up darkness had claimed the clouds. She sat up on the bed and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. She yawned and scratched her arm still in a daze.
"Seems like exhaustion makes you docile, obedient. Does that mean I have to exhaust you for you to listen to me, Hastings?"
Her eyes landed on the person who spoke and she realized she wasn't alone in the room. Someone else was here and her hair on her body stood, shivers ran down her spine.
Oliver sat cross-legged on the couch directly opposite her, eyes peering at her.
"What are you doing here? Did Louisa send you to get me?" Alarms were going off in her head but she calmed herself. 'No need to panic.'
"Is that what you think, Hastings? That someone can make me do something?" he asked drumming his fingers on his thighs. Kayla remained silent, eyes darting to the door.
"What do you want? Why are you here? How long have you been here?" she capped her eyes at him.
"I love watching you sleep, Hastings. I never thought it would become a hobby." He said it so lightly like he was talking about the weather.
"You are sick in the head. If you don't leave, I'll scream." Kayla threatened, yet her hands gripping the blanket trembled.
"Scream that I did what to you? Is this your way of begging me, Hastings?"
Her pulse quickened and she reminded herself that his words didn't affect her but the spot between her legs throbbed at his words. What a traitor. "I will never beg you for anything, professor." she clenched her teeth.
"Oh. Are you sure? Why do I feel like you're lying? Lying is bad and only bad girls lie and bad girls need to be punished." A wolfish grin spread on his face and those eyes became predatory.
She glanced at the door and then at him. Did she think he was one of those men that enjoyed chasing girls? He would never chase her because only those who had the chance would run. She was trapped in a cage made by him so there was nowhere to hide let alone run.
He chuckled darkly, "Do it, Hastings. Run."