A Flame From The Past

16: Horrible Timing

The roaring engine of the plane surely would wake up Ray, but he just kept sleeping peacefully in my arms. He had fallen into a deep slumber on the plane, after takeoff.  I had shown him the clouds, and how everything looked so small from up above.

We waited in the car for the luggage to be loaded, as Renee slipped into the seat, staring at her phone. She seemed extremely busy. I wanted to ask her what was next after this, but it was like she was reading my mind.

"We can go to the hotel, if you want the little guy to sleep", she motioned to Ray, who still slept soundly as we drove away from the plane. I knew he would hate me for letting him sleep through this all, but he needed his sleep.

She looked ready to spend her energy, she had tons. I guess she was used to the traveling lifestyle but this had been the first time on an airplane for the both of us, and I felt extremely tired afterwards. I may even sleep.

"I think that's a good idea", I yawned and she agreed with me. She told the driver the directions, as he headed in that way

"I was going to go see the team's practice, if you want to come?" She asked, already expecting my crude answer. She could probably see how sleepy we both were and how we needed our rest.

"I think it'd be best if he sleeps", I told her and she nodded her head, understanding me clearly. She knew once a kid goes to sleep, it's good to let them sleep otherwise they never go to sleep again.

"Luca should be back in three hours", she told me as I looked at the time, it was already 6:00, and I was exhausted. Three hours of practice is too long, I could never do what he does everyday, it was his career, his passion. I could understand how he could do it, once you love something that much it becomes sometimes the one thing that makes you happy.

"I'll see you guys later for dinner", she waved to us, as I held Ray in my hands. Our bags were out on a trolley and one of the helpers escorted us inside. I wasn't sure how this all worked, I didn't even know if the room was under my name. But as I entered, I felt out of place.

"Hello Ma'am, how may I help you?", the concierge asked, politely and hushed trying to not wake up Ray. 

"I'm checking in for a room that should be under Carina Sorrento", I said, taking my phone out just in case there were issues.

He looked surprised as he printed the room key, and handed it over to me.

"Why don't I take you up there myself?", he said looking over at the luggage we had stored away in the trolley. I thanked him as he clicked the elevator for us.

"First time at the hotel?", he asked. He definitely knew, people just read that I'm a newbie at everything. And it was true, I couldn't help being good at people skills, I was good at children skills, no people skills.

"Yep, I'm nervous about all of this, I've never been to one of these", I told him, and I wasn't sure if I was over sharing or not. I hoped I wasn't.

"So your the new girlfriend of Manson's?" He asked, as he pushed the trolley out and I saw the whole floor was marked off for key-card members only. There was a guard waiting at the desk as he waved to us.

I nodded my head, as he pushed the trolley to the side of the hallway, and inserted the key. It opened to this large hotel room, with many rooms, like Luca's penthouse, like he was used to something like this.

"You'll be okay, I promise just avoid the paparazzi and don't leave without a guard, people do crazy things. I don't think people know who you are yet, I just heard a little rumor between some of the players that well you existed. I've known Luca for years and he has never brought anyone to his room, ever", the concierge spoke, clearly saying everything and anything I needed to know. Everyone knew Luca's business here, and they were not ashamed of sharing it.