Chapter twenty Escape
When I got to the hotel, I ran across the road to get myself some, much needed supplies. I needed to think, I needed some time to myself. Everything was going 100 miles an hour, and my brain just couldn't keep up with it.
I made sure to choose a hotel that had a nice tub. I couldn't afford the hotel for more than two nights. I knew, that I would have to find a new one soon. I doubted, that I would find another deal like I had for this hotel. It would have been far out of my price range, even for one night. If I hadn't stumbled across the offer.
I would probably end up in some cheap motel, with a cockroach infestation…
But I tried not to dwell on that, because even a cockroach infestation wouldn't put me off getting away. At least I would get the space I needed, away from all of the drama. If I didn't get away, I was going to explode.
After I got my room key, and threw my things in the room. I walked across the road to the Walmart. I quickly picked up the things I need, without really paying attention to what I was buying. Then I almost ran back to the hotel and hurried up to my room. I filled the tub quickly, put my other purchases away and opened a tub of ice cream at the tubs edge.
My bath was complete with, bubble bath, scented candles, bath salt and rose petals.
I don't do this for myself often enough…
I let the warm water sooth my tensed body. The heat of the bath sank into me. Needing my muscles and trying to put some feeling back into me.
I love Lee, I know I do. I had always loved him. But I don't love him like I love Noah. He was so much more than a brother to me. But, dating Lee, would be like dating myself. It wouldn't bring me the same feeling I had from dating Noah. I wanted, desperately to make him happy. I would give Lee anything. But I couldn't give him this. I couldn't date Lee, even if it would make him happy. I couldn't live a lie for him. If I did, it would change who I was. It would be like putting a plaster over Lee's broken heart. And the plaster would peal away in time. What Lee needed, wasn't a quick fix. He needed that wound to heal completely and move on. But Lee wouldn't be able to do that if I was shoving my happiness in his face every day.
I was scared about tell Noah what had happened. I didn't know if he would understand, or if he would see this as more betrayal. I had let Noah down once again. Kissed another man that wasn't him, within only a few months of each other. My phone chimed; it was 10pm. It gave me the reminder that I had an appointment at 9am in the morning. Going to the pharmacist to get the pill and feeling so embarrassed about it, seemed like a lifetime ago.
I didn't know, if I would bother going to the appointment. I had far more pressing matters to deal with. But I knew that I would probably end up going, I was a good girl, a sensible one. I hated doing anything that upset anyone else.
That's hoe I got myself into this mess in the first place…
I sunk my head under the water. Wetting my hair and smiling at the complete silence. I decided, while I was under there, to take this one step at a time. I needed to get my life back on track. One fuck up after another, I needed to deal with in turn.
I resurfaced and let my tears begin to fall. Right now, was me time. Right now, I couldn't think about what had happened. Right now, was just for me.
I stayed in the bath until I was wrinkly and more relaxed, I reluctantly climbed out the tub, with my stomach rumbling.
I picked up the phone, intending to order room service. But there was a nock on the door, before I could finish dialling.
Noah's POV
I studied the page that Elle had been on quickly. I saw the hotel she had booked, but I noticed that it didn't tell me what room she was in. I went into her mail box, and just as I did, there was a ping. It was the invoice from the hotel. It told me what room Elle was in. I took the laptop with me. I didn't want Lee butting in. He may know what hotel it was, but he didn't know what room. I hoped that he would give us some space. I knew that he was hurting right now, and I did feel sorry for him. But he wasn't going to take my relationship down in flames with him if I could help it.
I kept glancing over my shoulder as I drove. To my utter dismay, Lee was following closely behind me. I need to lose Lee fast. So, I drove into the Walmart across the road first. I saw Lee follow me automatically and I smiled.
I got out the car and ignored his shout of "where are you going?"
I picked up a trolley and started to shop. I hated Walmart, but for some reason Elle loved it. I paused and watched Lee taken a trolley too. He hurried to come to me, so I wheeled away before he could get too close.
I quickly threw my purchases in my cart and kept one eye on Lee. He also picked stuff up and put them in his trolley. He always kept one eye on me. Which, worked perfectly, as I took a tight turn and he followed, walking headfirst into a massive display of toilet paper. I didn't stop as I heard the commotion and the display tumbled to the floor. I rushed to the check out.
There was one guy in front of me and I gave him a glare, that I had perfected over the years. With a terrified squeak he left the que and I smiled. I drummed my fingers impatiently as the blushing girl behind the counter ran through my purchases. I kept looking around for Lee, hoping that he wouldn't spot me again before I got away.
She was fumbling with my purchases, taking her time and looking me up and down. I gave her a death glare, but she only blushed more. When she had ran the last item through, I slammed the cash down on the counter and walked away, ignoring her "Sir, your change?"
I moved my car, parking it around the corner. I could clearly see the entrance from my parking spot and I kept one eye on it, waiting for Lee. I saw Lee go into the hotel and got my bag ready while I continued to wait. Luckily, I had the sense to pick up a plain black sports bag to shove the rest of my items into.
I would not be seen, entering a hotel like this, carrying plastic Walmart bags…
It was some time before Lee came back out the hotel. He looked angry and frustrated and I shook my head from my spot.
So much to learn…
Lee pressed his phone to his ear and I didn't even need to glance at my phone to know he was ringing me. I switched my phone off and watched Lee try three more times, before he stomped over to his car and drove away.
I made my way to the desk, credit card in hand. The receptionist seemed flustered when I reached her. She had a disapproving look on her face, and I could see her muttering to herself, before she spotted me. She quickly smiled in welcome at me. "Checking in sir?", I smiled back at her and she blushed.
"Well, that depends if you have any rooms available" I said sweetly.
She blushed even harder and looked down at her screen. "Yes, we have a few available. Since that Walmart went up, our clientele doesn't stay here much anymore" she explained. I forced a concerned look on my face. "Well, lucky for me then I guess" she smiled at me, "Any room preference?"
I leaned on the counter and made my voice low and seductive. "Now that you mention it, I do. Is room, 598 available?"
She looked back at her screen and then looked back at me apologetically. "I'm afraid, that room is occupied at the moment. But we have a lot of rooms on the ground floor." She said apologetically. I frowned at her. Trying to seem disappointed. "It really needs to be the fifth floor; I'm an architect and the fifth floor offers the perfect view." I lied smoothly. She bought the lie quickly and looked back at her computer, "Well, there's 597 or 599" she said hopefully. "Either is fine." I said, pulling out my wallet. She beamed at me, "How many nights?"
"Let's go for two. The project shouldn't take longer than that." I said smoothly, and handed over my credit card. She gave me a key, and I gave her a wink back, before heading to the lift.
When I got into the room, I immediately ordered room service. I got all of Elle's favourite food. When it was brought up, I wheeled the cart next door to Elle's room and knocked.