Breaking the Heavens Vol 1

Taking a Chance

3 Taking a Chance

The no-smoking sign hung there, glaring down at Arryn. Often, he disregarded any smoking policies, but he didn't want to appear too arrogant in front of Castor. Standing there waiting while doing nothing felt very awkward and staring down at his phone seemed a bit too pretentious. Just as his car was coming around the corner, Castor stepped outside to join Arryn.

The valet exited the car and held the door open for Arryn and then for Castor.

Arryn smiled at Castor, getting inside the car, "I admit I was nervous that you weren't going to show."

Arryn's calming voice eased Castor's nerves, "It was touch and go there for a bit." Castor paused and then winked at Arryn.

Pulling out of the garage, Arryn chuckled under his breath, "It's not too far, just a few minutes away."

Castor tried not to seem like he was staring at Arryn, but he had a hard time looking away. Arryn didn't even notice at first since he was focused on driving.

Then, Arryn felt Castor trying to appear like he wasn't watching him and smiled.

At a stoplight, Arryn reached over and gently squeezed Castor's knee and gave Castor a sideways glance smiling slightly.

Castor gasped quietly, surprised by this gesture, and felt his cheeks flush.

Pulling up to the entrance of the towering O'Mara Hotel, Arryn stopped in front of the valet. This was not what Castor was expecting. He and his friends wanted to come to the club at this hotel. However, there was always a line, and it was hard to get in.

A valet approached the car and opened the door for Castor and then Arryn. Arryn strode around the car and placed a hand on Castor's back, leading him to the door.

Castor noticed how the valet and staff who opened the door greeted them without making eye contact.

Arryn kept a hand on Castor's mid-back as they passed the concierge to the elevators.

Once they were alone in an elevator, Arryn relaxed, not so tense anymore. Arryn removed his hand from Castor's back and reached for Castor's hand. They both looked at one another and squeezed each other's hands.

Castor began to wonder who Arryn was since the way staff snapped to attention and addressed Arryn with respect given to that of an authority figure or VIP.

The elevator climbed and climbed, then came to a stop, but the door didn't open.

Letting go of Castor's hand, "Excuse me, I need to open the doors." Arryn pressed his hand on a square pad by the door, and it opened a secret panel. Arryn quickly input a code, and the elevator doors opened.

Taking a step out, Arryn turned back, placed his hand on Castor's elbow, and led him out of the elevator. They stepped into a hall that only had a couple of doors.

At the door, with the letters A.Q. engraved on a silver plaque, Arryn slid in a security card, and it opened.

"So, this is where the company puts me up to stay when I am in town." Arryn walked in, tossed his coat on a hook on the wall, and loosened his tie. "It is basically my home away from home."

Castor looked around, trying not to appear to be awestruck. The front room was bigger than his dorm room, which he shared with a classmate. The view from all the windows was breathtaking.

"Oh, please let me take your coat and have a seat" Arryn smiled, waving to a sofa by the windows.

"Thank you, I need to be honest; I had no idea this was what you meant by a room at a hotel nearby," Castor mentioned while sitting down.