Diane walked the hall in the second floor. She went into room #206 and found a note stuck on the mirror. "Go to room #503. You"ll find the answer there." A white card was on the table with the same number roughly written on it.Her fingers drummed on the card for a minute. She contemplated if she would do this or not. Then picked it and the note. On her way out, she threw the note to the toilet bowl, pressed the flusher, and left the room.
She went into the elevator and pressed number five.
John was restless, so he went back to the hotel and walked straight to the elevator. n.o.body seemed to mind his entry. He went from one floor to another, hoping to spot her.
At this moment, Diane snuck into room #503. It was near the elevator so she was able to locate it easily. She looked down, there was no hint of light under the door. Then pressed her ears against it, there was no movement inside, giving her the confidence that the guest was away. So, she unlocked the door using the card and calmly stepped in.
Back in the elevator, someone joined John on the third floor. The man leaned against the rail, his eyes on his phone. John observed in his free hand was card #503. John went along and didn"t press any b.u.t.ton. As the elevator door slid opened on the fifth floor, John walked out first and saw Diane came out from room 503 with a fake hotel card in her hand.
John moved fast and blocked the man"s view by walking directly in front of him. The man was shorter than John, helping him cover the man"s line of sight. He hurriedly turned her to his embrace. Her hand which was holding the card was now facing away from the man.
He kissed her hard enough to enforce silence. His hand grabbed the card from her and secretly slid it in his side pocket.
She resisted tensely for a couple of seconds but he deliberately deepened the kiss. Abruptly, she stopped fighting him when she saw the person behind John.
The man stood in front of them. "Please, you"re blocking my door. Can you do that in the privacy of your room?"
John let go and smiled at the man. "Sorry, just missed my sweetheart here. Come, dear, let"s finish this in our room." He placed his hand on her shoulder.
Diane went along the charade in silence, placing her arm on his waist.
They walked further to room 520 and stood at the door while he fumbled in his pockets. He furtively glanced and saw the man was already inside his room. And dragged her by the arm and brought her to the elevator.
When they were in, "let go of me," Diane said.
"I will but you owe me an explanation."
"I don"t owe you anything." She gritted her teeth. "I insist."
He let go. She ma.s.saged her arms after his stiffed grip.
He eyed her crisply. "I"m afraid I am the one who must insist. You stirred up my curiosity, you see. I will not be able to let you go until I obtain some clear answers."
She gave him a glare. He smiled, letting her see his resolve. Her expression hardened, but she did not argue further. She was too busy scheming her flight, he thought, timing it in a way to coincide with they reach the lobby, where the presence of the hotel personnel and security would discourage a scene.
"You will have to forget any notion you might have of discarding me or handing me over to the hotel security, Diane," he said. "One way or another you will allow me to take you home."
"You cannot force me to go with you."
"I wouldn"t dream of using force. Not when a calm way will no doubt work just as well."
"What is the nature of this calm way?"
"Why don"t we start with the earlier scene that I found you sneaking into a male guest room with a duplicate card. Thanks to my sharpness that I found you first and saved you."
He felt her take in a quick breath. Then, the elevator door opened, they arrived at the lobby. He instantly held her hand to bring her out. No escape for her.
She bared her teeth not to reply or fight but waited until they were outside the hotel. Then she threw him a question."Why are you here as well?"
He led her to the parking lot. "Perchance I saw you came out from your house in another persona and followed you here."
"How dare you follow me?" She tried to wriggle her hand from his hold.
"A pretty lady dressed in a fitting business suit, wearing dark red lipstick, and eyegla.s.ses would be enticing to men."
"What? Are you thinking of me like a wh.o.r.e, for pay, when you followed me?"
"I never thought of you to be that kind of woman but I have my doubts concerning business affairs in a hotel room."
"You?"
They arrived in front of his car.
"I trust you being a proper woman so I"ll be patient to listen to your explanation in the car. Don"t dare to summon the police and having me arrested. Remember, the hotel hallways have cameras of which surely could be a good witness against you."
He opened the car door at the front seat and let go of her hand as she slipped in. Then he closed the door for her.
"That would make you my accomplice," she said with mirth in her eyes as she sat comfortably.
He went to the driver"s seat, settled in, and closed his own door. "Probably, if you dare to step into the police station for interrogation."
To his astonishment, she laughed. The sound captivated him. He stared at her, speechless.
Arguing with him was refres.h.i.+ng, she thought. "Not at all, Doc. I"m actually thankful for saving me there. I even prefer to work with you."
"Should I take that as a compliment or as a warning?"
She did not answer. Instead, she smiled, looking as satisfied as a house cat curled on a cozy pillow. Just looking at her like this made him crazy. He found her beguiling and wished to kiss her again.