Chapter 784: Beaulieu Manor
Wednesday, March 23rd, Afternoon
She walked through the large wooden doors that led to the spa. The room, which functioned as the Spa's lobby, was fancy, with Italian Marble tiles on the floor and walls; she took a deep breath and walked to the receptionist's desk.
Behind the desk sat a young woman who could be considered conventionally pretty for the area. She was dressed in the spa uniform. The receptionist could best be described as bottle blonde, but that needed to be touched up with dark roots. The hair was big and curly, probably a perm that was kept up and damaging to the hair. The receptionist's lips were red, and she couldn't seem to get any more stereotypical unless she was chewing bubble gum. The name tag on the uniform said Daphne. Of course, her name was Daphne.
Christy walked over to the desk.
"Welcome to the Spa at Beaulieu; how may I help you?" Daphne asked.
"I'm having a bit of a time figuring out what I want to do first: the sauna or a massage," she says.
"Name please, Ma'am," Daphne said, her voice having that sweet magnolia accent that is so stereotypical for television.
"Christy," she smiles.
Daphne clicked on some keys on the front desk keyboard. Christy noticed Daphne had long red fingernails, which seemed to interfere with the keys.
"Oh, yes, we have you for the full treatment," Daphne said.
"Nice," she nodded, "So what's up first?"
"I will get your Spa Liaison," Daphne said and pressed a button on the tablet.
She smiles, "I appreciate it."
A moment later, a door opened, and another spa employee walked out. Christy noticed this woman looked like she took care of herself. Yoga, pilates, and some form of workout routine seemed focused.
"Christina?" the new spa employee asked.
She smiles, "Christy, just Christy, but yes, you're looking for me."
"Sorry, Ma'am," she said, "I'm Belle; I'll be your liaison today. If there is anything you need, let me know."
"It's no trouble or problem." she smiles, "so the sauna?"
"Yes, Ma'am, please follow me," Belle said, heading to the door from which she had come. Christy followed and heard Daphne buzz them in. Once inside, Belle led Christy to a changing room. "This will be your room; please get undressed. There is a shower and a robe in the room. We provided a locker for your belongings. By the door is a call button for when you're ready," Belle said and stepped out of the way.
She got ready, secured her things, and headed back out.
"I see you're ready, Ma'am," Belle said, "You didn't have to come looking for me; there is a call button in the changing room."
"It's different where I'm from, I guess," she smiles softly.
"No worries, Ma'am," Belle said, "You said you wanted to start with a sauna, correct?"
"That's correct," she smiles.
"Follow me, please," Belle said, walking down the hallway.
She keeps pace, step for step, with Belle as they head toward the sauna.
Belle handed Christy several large, fluffy, soft towels and opened a sauna door. "Get comfortable, and I set the timer for about a half hour," Belle said. I will get you when it rings."
"I appreciate you," she says, hanging up her robe as the door closes. She then sets the towels down and enjoys the sauna.
Soft music could be heard in the sauna; Christy lay down and closed her eyes. She let the music and the hot steam relax her, and her mind began to drift.
She lets her mind drift as far as it can go in thirty minutes, getting lost in thought.
Everything from the memories with Chase and the impasse with her mother to the nights with CJ laughing hysterically at prank videos on YouTube passed through her mind.
"Ma'am, it's time for your shower," Belle said from the door.
She wraps herself up, smiling, "Thank you, Belle."
"You're welcome, Ma'am; I'll be outside when you're ready," Belle said.
She whistles sharply as she dives underneath the cold water, then reaches for shampoo.
Christy came out of the shower room and found Belle waiting for her. Belle nodded, "Please follow me, as Alice is waiting to give you a massage," she said.
"I'm ready," she smiles, following Belle again.
Belle got Christy all set on the massage table. She left the room, and someone else walked in.
"Hello, Ma'am. I'm Alice. I will be performing your massage today," Alice said.
"I could certainly use one, Alice, so thank you in advance," she smiles.
"You're welcome. Are there any areas of concern or recent injuries I should be aware of?" Alice asked.
She shook her head, "Well, my left shoulder could use extra work; I'm feeling a bit more tension than normal."
"No problem, Ma'am," Alice said, "Do you have a favorite scent?"
"Lavender," she smiles.
Alice retrieved a bottle and started to spread it on Christy's back. Slowly, Alice began to work the muscles of Christy's back and found her left shoulder full of knots. Carefully, Alice started to work out the kinks, and every so often, a loud pop would sound as she got one of the knots out. With skilled hands and the patience of a master, Alice worked over Christy's back, from shoulder and neck to legs and feet.
She panted, "Wow! My shoulder definitely needed that work."
"Yes, there was a lot of tension there," Alice said, "Roll over, and I can get your front."
She covers herself enough after she rolls over with a peaceful look.
Alice starts working on Christy again. "So, what brings you to Tree Hill?" She asks.
"My North Star is here," she admits.
"I see. Did you buy it online?" Alice asked.
"No, it's a person, actually."
"Well, I hope you can use your north star to find your way home," Alice said.
"I hope so too, Alice," she sighs.
"Just remember one thing about stars," Alice said. They are light we saw millions of years ago."
She nods, "It hasn't been that long, but long enough."
"It was a warning that sometimes what we think we're steering towards might have already disappeared," Alice said.
"Maybe so," she replies with a slight and gentle nod.
"I do hope you find your direction," Alice said.
"I have faith that eventually, I will," she smiles softly.
"Do you know sailors used more than just the pole star," Alice said.
"Of course they did," she says, "They had to have backup plans."
"Make sure you also have a compass," Alice said as she finished Christy's massage.
She laughs softly, "That's a given. And- Oh- my goodness," she sighs happily, "I really did need this more than I first realized," she says appreciatively.
"You're welcome," Alice said, "I will get Belle." Alice left the room.
She just lays there, letting her body recover from the massage.
The door opened, and Belle stepped inside the room. She looked around and noticed Christy was still lying on the table.
"I'll give you a few more moments before we head to the Mani/Pedi," Belle said.
"Thank you," she says. She gets up five minutes later and covers herself.
She secures the robe, smiling as she slides the slippers back on.
Belle re-entered the room and smiled at Christy. "Please follow me," Belle said.
She gets up and follows. She's much more relaxed, and it's been a great day.
"So, how was the massage?" Belle asked.
She grins, "Heavenly."
"Alice is one of the best," Belle said.
"Given how she undid the knots in my shoulders and back, I'd have to agree with that," she smiles.
"Only the best," Belle said, showing Christy a chair, "Annabelle will serve you."
She sits in the chair, awaiting the start of her manicure and pedicure.
Annabelle came over and looked Christy over. She sat down and removed Christy's slippers. "So, what would you like for your nails?" Annabelle asked.
"As short as they can be without appearing too short," she smiles.
Annabelle laughed and looked at her nails, "You shouldn't bite your nails either," she said.
"I know, I have to break myself of that horrid habit," she admits.
Annabelle nodded, "Well, let's get you soaking. Would you like to listen to some music?" she said.
"Absolutely," she nodded, a smile on her face.
Annabelle hands Christy a set of earbuds. She starts putting Christy's feet into a warm bath, and once Christy has her earbuds in, Annabelle places Christy's fingernails in a warm bath as well.
She sighs happily, leaning back and allowing Annabelle to work her magic.
Annabelle started working on Christy's feet. She worked carefully and made sure everything was correct. "Ms. Christy, do you wear pointed high heels a lot?" Annabelle asked.
She pauses the music. "Come again?" She hasn't heard the question clearly because the music is playing in her ear.
"I noticed some callouses that I took down; I've seen them in the models that come through her wearing pointed-toe high heels all the time," Annabelle said.
"I do wear pointed-toe heels quite frequently, yes," she smiles, "For work."
"I think you need a pedicure more often; your feet will thank you," Annabelle said as she finished with her feet and started to work on her fingers.
"You're not wrong; getting back to my self-care routine is a good idea," she says.
Annabelle finished with Christy's fingers and looked her over. She stood up and returned with a small piece of stiff cardboard-like paper. "Which color would you like?" Annabelle asked.
"No color for me this time," she says.
"Okay, I'll put some clear on; it will help with the nail chewing," Annabelle said.
She nodded.
Annabelle started with Christy's fingers. Once she finished, Annabelle moved to Christy's toes. Once she finished, Annabelle looked up at Christy. "You're finished; I'm going to let you rest here, dry up, and send Belle in for you," Annabelle said.
"Thank you so much, Annabelle," she said, smiling, "You did a wonderful job. This is probably one of the best mani/pedis I've gotten in a long time."
"You're welcome, Ms. Christy," Annabelle said, walking away.
A few moments later, Belle returned to Christy's side.
"Hello again, Belle," she smiles.
"Are you ready?" Belle asked.
"I am,' she nods.
"Follow me, and we'll set you up in the atrium for light refreshments," Belle said.
"Do I need to get dressed first?" she asks.
"No, you're fine," Belle said.
With the slippers securely on her freshly cleaned feet and the robe still securely wrapped around her, Christy joins Belle in the walk to the atrium.
Belle sets Christy up with a lounge chair and a menu. "There is a button on the table. Press it, and someone will see what you need," Belle said.
She laughs softly, pressing the button.
Someone comes over. "Yes, Ma'am," the server said.
"I'll have the BLT, a side of fries, and a large Diet Coke," she says.
"Yes, Ma'am," the server said and left.
Belle nodded, "I'll leave you to it, ma'am," she said, "Oh, also, behind you is the door to your room, and there is a warm bath behind that door as well."
"Noted," she smiles.
Belle walked away. Moments later, the server returned and placed Christy's food beside her.
"Thank you," she smiles.
"You're welcome, Ma'am," the server said and left.
Christy sat there enjoying her meal and sipping on her Diet Coke.
Looking around the atrium, Christy saw a few more people starting to drift in. They were led to their area and sat down.
Christy sighs happily. Life was good.
A member of staff came by and cleaned away the dirty dishes.
"Hmm," she says to herself, "warm bath or not?"
Belle appeared soon after. "How are you doing, Ma'am?" she asked.
"I'm doing well, but I think it's time to go back to my room for a nap," she says, needing to get dressed before she does.
"Very well, Ma'am," Belle said, "Please follow me."
Christy smiled, following Belle.
Belle opened the door and showed Christy into her room. The door closed behind Christy, leaving her alone in her personal space.
Christy dressed and pressed the button, thankful she wore shoes she could slip into. There was a knock on the door. She peeks out smiling. Belle comes in. "You rang, Ma'am?" she asked.
"I'm ready," she smiles.
"For what, Ma'am?" Belle asked.
"To be reminded how to return to the B&B," she smiled.
"Very good, Ma'am," Belle said, "Follow me after you collect yourself."
"I'm all good to go," she smiled again.
Belle leads Christy out to the lobby. At the reception desk, Belle looks at Christy. "This is where I leave you now, Ma'am. It was my pleasure to serve you today," Belle said.
"I appreciate you, Belle. Thank you so much," she says.
"You're welcome, Ma'am," Belle said and walked away.
"How did you enjoy your stay at the Spa at Beaulieu?" Daphne asked from behind the reception desk.
She smiles, "Best day in a long time," Christy said.
"Feel free to make another appointment during your stay at Beaulieu," Daphne said.
"I will certainly think about it," Christy said and left the lobby to return to the Bed and Breakfast.