Disclaimer: I own not a bleeding thing! I just play with it.
Chapter 3
Touching down in Barcelona was something remembered from childhood, the wide sweep of the plane as it swung out around the bay to come in at the right angle let the whole city spread out before me. Its beautiful precise grid clean and familiar. It had been years since my father brought me here, and even though it wasn't the best trip as he had ended up working in his hotel for most of it. As a child I had been left to the hotel day-care center to look after and the culture my father wanted to share with me fell by the wayside.
But this view I knew, I recognized from the first time. As with all special moments it resonated within and cast me back to that excitement. My first proper grown-up - at the ripe old age of 8 - holiday with Daddy, he had taken time out of his busy schedule because I wanted to go on holiday during the school break and he wanted me to see the world. He always had, it was one of the reasons he had wanted me to take a year out between high school and college, to travel, absorb culture and see everything I could.
I however took after my father far too much and my ambition to get going got in the way. This though I thought wistfully was my chance to fix that. I looked down at the list clutched written hastily as my hands tried to catch up with the ideas tumbling through my head, I had nothing but time on my hands and while I didn't want to take a whole year out there was no reason I couldn't take a little more time before returning to the clusterfuck I had left behind. If I could narrow the list to the top 4 or 5 that would make a month with a week in each place. Plenty of time for things to settle back home and in the mean time I could work out what my next steps were.
I looked back out at the rapidly approaching city with new determination, there was no reason for me not to enjoy this! Nothing to stop me. A certain peace settled over me with this decision, and as I sat back in the comfy seat with the plane touching down, the rich voice of my neighbor washed over me again.
'I hope you have resolved whatever was troubling you before, you look like you have?'
I looked back over at those beautiful eyes, that looked at me with a bright interest not coloured by the things he perhaps though he knew and decided that maybe it wasn't such a bad thing to talk to strangers. I was a big girl and Jake's pulpy face showed that I am more than capable of looking after myself!
'I have, thank you and I'm sorry I was very rude earlier its been a hell of a couple of days.'
'That sounds ominous, however if you're here you're not there and things are always better when you're traveling.' His brow wrinkled for a moment as he paused 'Unless you're traveling for work and then it just sucks all over.' Brought his sage words to a rather more undignified end as the plane touched down with a gentle bump and the captain's announcement came over the tannoy.
'Its not work, I guess you could say I was running away for a while. In my defense though it is desperately needed! And yourself? What brings you to this beautiful place?' I asked as I packed everything that had spread out of my bag during the long flight back in there.
'I travel for work. But it's the exception to the rule that work travel sucks hard because I get paid specifically for traveling! And that just makes it better. I'm Edward by the way, you know just in case you were curious.'
The plane had stopped by now and I was stood with my bag in hand ready to go, but something made me turn back to him.
'I wasn't, but its good to know anyway.'
'Aren't you going to tell me your name?'
'No, if you need to know it, you'll find it. I once heard from … I can't remember who that what's for you won't go by you, and I fully believe that. So maybe I will see you later.' I suppose it was kismet that at that moment the people in front of me began to move and my last glimpse of him was of a surprised and rather delicious lopsided grin.
My mind drifted as I wandered through the airport in the direction of the baggage claim and the scrummage that always forms around the carousel no matter how quickly you get there. Thankfully my bag is one of the first ones to arrive, and I'm on my way through to the chauffeur.
I felt even more justified about my choices when I saw the hotel. Off to one end of La Ramblas, The Cotton House Hotel was stunning, full of history and beautiful décor. Check in was surprisingly easy considering it was only me until I learned that Daddy had already called ahead to make the changes to the reservation. I still had my gorgeous damask suite, with Juliette balconies and so much space, all for me!
I had been incredibly about this hotel the whole time Jake and I have been talking about where to stay, the first time I saw its website I knew I had to stay there both for its history and its location. All of which was confirmed as soon as I stepped back out onto the sidewalk to go and explore the neighborhood. The cool afternoon was slowly melting into the soft evening light and the people wandering calmly through the city were beginning to wander into bars and restaurants all around me for early drinks. I however was far too keyed up to sit quietly, and the further I wandered the less I wanted to stop. Until I found one of the most amazing places I have ever been, a bookshop called 'Llibreria Altaïr.' A travel bookshop that as soon as I entered I knew would allow me to plan the best holiday I had been on in years!
I don't know how long I spent absorbed in that wonder of a shop, having found a generous stack of books relevant to the places on my short list and a comfortable armchair with a small table next to it.
'Well then, I guess you're for me then huh?' drew me out of my reverie, as I prepared to administer a verbal slap down I looked up to find that wonderful quirked grin and those beautiful green eyes looking down on me.
'What are you doing here?'
'You never gave me a chance to say what I did, I'm a travel writer, I have a new book coming out in the next few days and Altaïr asked me to come and do a talk for its release.'
'Oh, um congratulations I guess, um it's a small world isn't it? I'm in publishing too.'
'Really? Why don't you tell me about it over a drink? There are a whole load of great bars around here and its always great to meet others in the business.'
'Thank you, but I'm not here for work, I'm here to escape that really. Its kind of the whole point of this trip, well that and the other thing.'
'Other thing? You know what it's not important, what is, is that I'm inviting you for a drink and you know to tell me your name would be good.'
I smiled, Should I? Was it allowed? I had just run out on my wedding was I allowed to now just 48 hours later go for a drink with this incredibly handsome man? Did I dare and if I did, do I tell him? Or just enjoy myself and see where this goes…
A/N: This is a bit later this evening than I had planned but here it is. Again this is completely un-beta'ed so please bear with me and i hope you enjoy it. I also apologize if any local knowledge of Barcelona is wrong as it has been about ten years since i have been so please feel free to let me know and i can change it.
thanks and love Evils xxx
