Disguise

Compete with a Chameleon

For the sixth time, I checked to see if the corridor was empty. Nobody there. Make a move already! I silently shut my room door, creeping out like a criminal in the middle of a crime. With my credit card and room keys in hand I ran towards the elevator hoping that when it came, no one would be in it. The wait at the doors was strenuous. I kept moving around, unable to stay still, my only focus was on the sole intention of sneaking away undetected. My eyes kept shifting to every corner, every shadow.

Xena had been supportive over the phone. She was surprised at the sudden phone call because back in Greece it was nearly midnight, but she spoke to me long enough for me to calm down. I really needed to appreciate her more, nobody else could keep up with me. I eventually decided that it would be best if I checked out. I didn't know why I was sneaking around like it was something I wasn't allowed to do, but I knew for a fact that if I met Reece again he would convince me to stay in a heartbeat.

There, that was what my problem was. My inability to put up any resistance whatsoever when it came to my ex.

20, 21, 22..the lift seemed to be moving at a slower pace than usual right now. A room door far at the end of the corridor opened and two gentlemen stepped out. They immediately caught my attention and I subconsciously moved closer to the button panel. Who were they? They didn't look like anybody I knew. But then again, I couldn't believe anyone after Atticus.

They walked closer to me, seemingly engaged in their own conversation and I felt a little at ease. I was just fine with not getting any attention right now. One of them was thinner, less built than the other. He had blonde hair and was taller to the muscular one, who had a darker complexion and light brown eyes. They looked at me once in acknowledgement and I nodded politely as well, hoping that my nervousness didn't show. Hoping that they were tourists here, just like I was.

The 'ping!' of the lift's arrival brought my attention back to my mission. We stepped in and the blonde guy pressed the button for us all, giving me a small smile. The three of us stood in complete silence as we crossed various floors.

25,24,23...

The lift halted at the 20th floor and two more people entered, both men, both considerably muscular. One of them glanced at the button panel to check if we had indeed pressed 'G'. The other one was hunched over his phone, his messy locks falling forwards as he looked down into the handheld device. The steady tune of the elevator continued to play as we once again moved down.

18,17,16..

It was obvious that my behavior was cowardly. His words rang in my head like a song on repeat. He was never letting me go? I wasn't his. The delicate yet powerful feeling of hope rose in my chest and I squashed it. I couldn't be his, not after everything. I couldn't even be friends, because I knew how I still felt about him.

He was like junk food, delicious but not good for you.

Which is why it made perfect sense to sneak away undetected. Have no further exposure. I shook my head roughly, trying to dispel the thoughts away. I had to stay away from him, how else was I going to remain sane?

The young man looked up from his phone, locking the cell and putting it in his pocket. He glanced at his friend once and I felt a shiver run down my spine. Were they Reece's men? Was I being too paranoid? I mean, he wasn't some high profile celebrity or something, but...

I wouldn't put it past Reece to try and stop me. Once he set his eyes on something he always found a way to get it.

13,12,11...

"Can you push the button for the 8th floor please?" I spoke with as much innocence as I could muster, hoping they didn't see past my facade. My voice was smooth, hesitation free, and I even managed to plaster a polite smile on my face. The only way anyone could tell that I was nervous was if they could hear my racing pulse. So imagine my surprise when the four of them turned away from the elevator doors to face me instead, forming a barricade between me and my escape. They didn't say anything, and kept as much distance possible between themselves and me. It was freaky.