The Elite (Editting)

Chapter 20: Stealth Mission Gone Wrong

I walked the hallway leading to the elevator very slowly, peeking around each corner as if there were people waiting to kidnap me. When I made it to the elevator without incident, I stopped being so paranoid and on my mission to find something to do in this hotel.

As the golden elevator doors slid open, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy; Gabriel had specifically asked me to stay put until he came back. 'Too late to feel guilty now, I've already left the room, I might as well keep going.'

"Is there something I can help you with?" a blonde receptionist asked.

"Uh, yeah, is there anything to do here?" I asked. My eyes kept flitting around the lobby to check for Gabriel's tousled brown mop of hair.

"Yes there is plenty to do here at Hermes' Hotel," she replied. Her deep purple eyes followed my hazel ones around the lobby. "There is a spa on the second floor, a gym on the third and a rather expansive shopping area just around that corner." The receptionist pointed her finger in the proper direction.

"Thank you," I said. I was still distracted but I decided to go to the second floor and indulge in the spa services.

'Ahh, I needed this.' As I lay on the massaging table enjoying being pampered ─ a masseuse was working out the kinks from sleeping on the ground for all those days─ I couldn't help but think about Gabriel. I didn't know why I couldn't leave the room but I had a feeling it was for a good reason.

"Is there anything else we can do for you?" my masseuse, Salvatore asked.

"No Sal, you've done more than I could have hoped or asked," I thanked him.

"It is no problem," Sal said, backing out the room. I allowed myself another moment to enjoy the feeling the spa left behind before I got up and redressed. "Just leave the robe on the table," Sal called from another room. I threw the robe on the table and walked to closed door. I put my hand on the door knob but it wouldn't turn; I was locked in and that meant everyone else was locked out.

'Gabriel is going to be so mad!' I thought to myself. I had used up quite a bit of energy trying to breakdown the door of my prison.

'Yes, I am fairly upset with you, Donatella.' I heard Gabriel's voice say. I turned around, expecting to see him behind me. But there was no one there with me; I was alone.

'This is so horrible; I'm missing Gabe so much that I'm imagining him here with me. Sad, sad, sad.'

'You miss me? I knew you would. However, this wouldn't have happened if you would have just stayed in the room like I told you.'

Again, I looked around the room. Gabriel's presence was so clear and certain; I could almost see him smirking at my stupidity. "Are you here Gabriel?" silence was my reply. "Well, whatever, be like that. See if I care." I folded my arms and slid down to a seated position near the door.

'You care, Donatella, that's why you keep letting me in.' Gabriel's voice said.

"Letting you in? I don't know how you 'got in' in the first place!" I yelled.

'Don't be angry at me, I'm sorry. Where are you? I'm coming to find you.'

"I'm in the spa, second floor. The door to my room is locked."

'I'm coming to get you, stay strong.'

'Stay strong? That's easier said than done.'