A Part of My Memory

Zara

"Here," Elliot offered before he flawlessly jumped into the truck without using the leverage of the wheel. "I'll help."

He approached me and effortlessly picked up the suitcase, his muscles flexing with the action. It was then that I noticed just how well-built was. Broad shoulders, strong chest and biceps and—

Oh my gosh, I was being like Ally who studied every feature of a guy's build. Unlike her, I wasn't obsessed with muscles, but I couldn't help but notice them. Elliot wasn't big and brawny or anything, but he sure was in great shape. Excellent shape.

I mumbled a thank you and stepped to the side as Elliot handled the suitcase. Reed appeared to receive the bag from him.

"Whoa," Reed groaned as he placed the bag on the ground. "Aren't you ladies only staying for two days?"

"Don't ask," Serena said with a pointed glance at Faizah.

"You can never be over-prepared," Faizah claimed before taking and pulling her suitcase along the gravel of the car park towards the hotel.

"That suitcase is the definition of over-prepared," Serena said as she grabbed her suitcase and walked off, Reed following in tow.

Suddenly fully aware that Elliot and I were left behind, I jumped out of the truck and made to grab my suitcase but he handed it to me before jumping out himself.

"Why didn't you just open the tailgate?" Elliot asked. "It would have been far easier that way."

"If you haven't noticed, we don't tend to go for easy."

"Because you like a challenge?"

"Because we only think of the easier way after the task has been completed," I corrected.

Elliot softly chuckled, and I didn't like the way the sound of his laugh made me feel.

****

It was an effort to keep my mouth clamped shut when I entered the hotel. We were only in the reception but the reception itself was magnificent. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high roof, there was a water fountain on either side of the large expanse, and leather chairs were placed around the mini rock formations which acted as tables. I could see my reflection in the white tiles and in the large mirrors that were subtly placed all around the room.

Beyond the reception desk were two large glass doors which led to the sea beyond and I felt inclined to go there when a hand suddenly took my hand and stopped me in my tracks.

"Let's first get checked in and put our bags down before exploring, alright?" Faizah advised.

"Oh, right."

"Hello!" The receptionist chirped with what sounded to be a strong French accent when we arrived at the desk. She wore a blue and white uniform and had a tag with the name 'Marinette' pinned on it. I had to say that she was the prettiest and cheeriest receptionist I had ever seen in my life. But then again, if I were a receptionist here I would be nothing short of cheery. "Have you already booked? Please may I have your names?"

We gave her our full names and she typed at her keyboard before handing us four identical keycards and four yellow wristbands with golden streaks.

"The key cards are for obvious functions," Marinette said with a friendly smile. "But the wristbands are for identification so that the staff know you've paid for an all-inclusive trip. It will be scanned before every activity you do and every meal you eat to keep track. There is also $50 in each band to purchase whatever souvenirs you want," she added with a wink. "Enjoy your stay!"

Just then, five staff members dressed in blue and white uniforms approached us. Four took our bags and one instructed us to follow them. He led us into an elevator which was walled with mirrors before pressing the button for the fourth floor, but just before the doors closed a hand reached through, forcing the doors to open again.

"Hope you've got room for two more," Reed said as he and Elliot stepped into the elevator and it so happened that Elliot ended up beside me.

I tried to ignore his closeness and cursed myself when I failed to. It wasn't a big deal, and I was 23 for crying out loud, it wasn't like I'd never stood next to a man in an elevator before. I'd done much more than just standing next to a man, so why was I so aware of his presence?

"He's affecting you, isn't he?" Ally suddenly whispered into my ear and I shot her a look before looking around the elevator in a panic to make sure no one had heard her.

"Ally!" I silently seethed.

"What?" She said innocently. "They can't hear me. I'm speaking lower the elevator music," she pointed out. "Plus, I would be affected too if I were beside someone as hot as him."

And with that, she hit my hip with hers, hard enough to make mine hit against Elliot's.

"Sorry," I blurted out and I was so glad I wasn't white because I knew for a fact that I would have been blushing like crazy and turning into a cherry right about now.

Thankfully, the elevator stopped, and before things got any more awkward I exited the doors as soon as they opened.

"Someone's excited," I heard Ally say from behind me. "But this isn't our floor, love."

I stopped in my tracks and looked back. Ally pointed up and I saw the number above the elevator was 3. I could have sworn the man escorting us had pressed 4, but I must not have noticed him press 3 because I was too distracted by Elliot.

Curses.

The man was engaged for goodness' sake. Why was I getting distracted by a taken man?

I spun on my heels and walked back toward the elevator, but as fate had it, just before I walked past Elliot, I tripped, but before Elliot could extend his hand to help me up, I leapt up from the ground on my own and exclaimed, "I did that on purpose," before entering the elevator, but I didn't turn around, keeping my back to the doors.

"Smooth," Ally coughed, and I only rolled my eyes in response.

When I heard the elevator doors closing I turned around again and caught a glimpse of Elliot's smile before the doors closed.

"Looks like you amuse him," Ally breathed.

I could only gape at her. She was such a bad influence.