Secrets

Chapter Seventeen

We head up to the penthouse suite and I am desperately trying to hide my excitement. I imagine that the guys stay at places like this all the time but I've never had the pleasure. And I've certainly never even stepped foot in a penthouse, let alone stayed in one.

"You okay, Anya? You're quiet." Jackson asks. We've at the back of the elevator, behind the others. His smile is warm and it takes away a lot of the awkwardness that remained from last Friday night.

"I'm fine." I smile back. It's all just so overwhelming and I really feel like I don't belong. I didn't do anything to deserve my place here. What makes me so special that I get to spend the week in a penthouse apartment in a six star luxury resort in Hawaii? Absolutely nothing.

I feel even worse as we step into the suite. The lounge area and kitchen centred the room with a dining area to the right, featuring a beautiful mahogany carved table and chairs. Several doors went off the main room in corridors that led to the left and right. 

The suite is designed in a circular style, twisting around the top of the hotel in almost an arch. Everything screams luxury, from the heavy drapes to the huge fireplace, and the beautiful couches to the marble tops in the kitchen.

"Wow." Is all I can say. I have no more coherent thoughts. I trail my hand along the back of one of the couches as I walk to the glass wall facing the sea. It leads out onto a beautiful decking area which features a massive jacuzzi and private swimming pool. The area is decorated with wooden furniture and an assortment of flowers to match the rest of the resort.

Josh's laugh breaks my train of thought and he spins me around. "I know, I know, it's nice." Nice? Is that all he thinks. I didn't even know places like this existed! "You're room is through that door there." He points to the first door on the left., "And the rest of us will be in the others." 

I nod quickly and notice the guys have all disappeared. I assume to their rooms to freshen up, which is what I do.

My bedroom is made up of creams, browns and oranges and is bright and refreshing, yet elegant and sophisticated all at the same time. The large bed occupies the middle of the room and two couches and a couple of chairs make up a seating area to the left. A beautiful floral arrangement sits elegantly on the dresser. A huge walk in closest is to the right with a door next to it which leads to the bathroom. I can't believe how much marble is in this hotel!

Eventually I strip off and take an amazing shower. I want to stay in there forever but a knock at the door disrupts me. "Anya!"

"Yes?" I shout back to who I think is Sam.

"We're all heading down to the beach bar. Want us to wait?"

"No it's fine. I'll meet you there."

"Okay cool." He pauses and I think he's gone. "Do you need a hand showering?" I laugh. Sam's suggestive comments always make me smile, even though I should probably be offended.

"I think I've got it, Sam, but thank you."

"Your loss!" He shouts back, snickering before he leaves.

I finish up my shower and dig out a pair of denim shorts and a white tank top. I put Suzy's white bikini underneath, just in case, and slip on some sandals before leaving the room.

I wander through the gardens towards the beach and hear the guys before I see them. Ricky catches my eye and waves me over and I pull up the only spare seat, which is in between Josh and Devan. Devan turns and smiles at me before continuing with his conversation.

It's only then that I notice an young man sat the other side of Josh, with his feet up on the table. Gosh, I hate that. It's so rude.

"Hey Tom, this is Anya." Josh introduces and I lean forward to say hi but am shocked to see the bright blue eyes of the Tom I also know.