The Montclair! What time is it?
I throw the covers aside and, stumbling out of bed, am rewarded with a throb of the head. I fumble for my cellphone. 10:48! I was supposed to be at work over an hour ago! With shaky hands, I quickly dial the hotel.
“Mrs. Ruiz,” I greet when the operator transfers me. “I am so, so sorry. I meant to call earlier that I can’t make it in today.”
“I know,” she responds.
“You...?”
“I saw the note when I came in this morning that you weren’t coming in. You’re not feeling well?”
“I’m not feeling well,” I confirm, puzzled.
“We have a wedding party coming in at the end of the week. Hopefully you’ll be better by then?”
“I—I hope so.”
After hanging up, I head to Sierra’s room. Maybe she called the hotel. But Sierra’s bed doesn’t look like it’s been slept in.
Back in my own room, I brush my teeth, remember Tony’s point to stay hydrated and drink two cups of water, and decide to run a bath. The bathroom Talia and I share only has a shower, so a bath is a rare treat. This tub even has jets. I snuggle into the hot water and consider what I’m going to do with myself.
Except for staring at my legs for a few seconds, Tony hadn’t shown any real interest in doing anything with me last night. Was I that unappealing? But then why did he choose me in the first place? Was it because I was drunk? Is he shy himself? That seems implausible. He seems the kind of man who knows what he wants, goes after it, and gets it.
If he has buyer’s remorse and decided he doesn’t want me anymore, then nothing gained, nothing lost. I should just get myself back home as soon as possible so I don’t miss any more days of work or class.
If he still wants to...do I still want to as well?
The answer comes back even stronger than before: yes.
Yesterday I had reasoned that I should jump in with both feet. I had recounted all the benefits of making twenty thousand dollars. And while he still makes me a little uneasy, I’m also drawn to him. Given how my body came to life at his touch, I can’t deny it. I wasn’t fully ready to go all the way last night, but I had wanted him to stay.
I envy Sierra her lack of timidity. Maybe that’s another plus that Talia alluded to when she talked about getting virginity out of the way. After you lose it, you can relax.
After the bath, I drink another cup of water and try to make myself as presentable as possible. I wear my skinny jeans and a black camisole. I consider wearing a sweater but decide against it. I blow-dry my hair, which I don’t usually do unless I have to, and apply my lip gloss and mascara. By the time I’m done, my headache has settled into a dull instead of throbbing ache.
My stomach growls, and I head downstairs in search of breakfast. The house seems empty again, but I come across a maid in the kitchen.
“Good morning,” I greet.
She looks up from wiping the counter to give me a quick smile before returning quietly to her work. Like me at The Montclair, we’re just ghosts moving in the background.
“I’m Virginia.”
“Luciana,” she replies with a heavy accent.
“Do you think anyone would mind if I help myself to a banana and a glass of milk?”
She looks confused.
“I’m just a guest,” I explain.
“I think okay?”
I get the banana and milk, not wanting to cook without the host’s permission or mess up the kitchen while it’s being cleaned. My usual breakfast isn’t fancy anyway, consisting mostly of a bowl of cereal and coffee. I miss Lila’s grits.
After eating, I wander into the living room and stare out the windows at the view. A gorgeous, cloudless sky of blue stretches from the hills of Marin County to the city skyline. California has more than its fair share of days like this, I marvel.
I make my way down to the den where I remember seeing bookshelves. The clothes Sierra and Eric removed last night, including Sierra’s bra and panties and Eric’s boxers, are neatly folded on the sofa. Probably Luciana’s doing. I wonder if she’s had to pick up and fold a lot of underwear in her line of work. I’ve come across the occasional forgotten clothing item at the hotel, but we usually just toss it unless we think it’s something the guest will contact the hotel to get back.