Eternal temptation

Chapter 12

The sun had already disappeared behind the horizon when I stood next to the jeep, clutching the handle of the suitcase containing my belongings. The gray shades of the sky seemed to mirror my mixed feelings - the excitement of the upcoming journey and the bitterness of what lay ahead. Paul, my boyfriend, was smiling at me, unaware of the true reason for my trip.

Esme came out of the house, her kind face expressing concern. "Are you sure you want to leave? Edward and Bella's wedding is the day after tomorrow. I would be glad if you stayed."

I nodded, trying to convince her of my certainty. "Yes, Esme, I really need some time away from all this hustle. I want to rest and recharge."

She nodded, but I could see the lingering doubt in her eyes. "I understand. Just be careful and come back soon."

Paul came over to me, and I smiled at him, attempting to hide my true feelings. He hugged me and kissed my hair. "I promise I'll wait for you. Call me if you need anything."

We said goodbye to Esme and headed towards the car. I placed the suitcase on the back seat, and we started moving. Paul was behind the wheel, his head slightly tilted, his gaze fixed ahead.

We drove in silence on the way to Seattle. Soft, soothing music played from the radio, and Paul occasionally glanced at me, as if wanting to say something about my mood, but he remained quiet, as if sensing that silence might be the best way to understand. I could feel his gaze on me, but I didn't dare turn around, thoughts swirling in my head about how to tell him the truth, how to share my emotions. But words felt so futile, unable to express the complexity of my feelings. And so, we reached the airport, allowing us time for contemplation and thoughts.

***

The final minutes on the plane as we approached Athens were filled with a lively atmosphere and anticipation. I had been wearing headphones the entire time, immersed in a book, trying to distract myself from heavy thoughts. The headphones enveloped me in their world of sound, and during this time, I tried to forget about what was troubling me. Paul seemed to be in need of rest, as he was sleeping peacefully, enjoying the calm and forgetting worldly concerns. A screen in front of him played a movie, and he appeared to be in his own world.

When the plane landed, I carefully put away the book and removed my headphones. Paul woke up and yawned heavily, stretching. We approached the exit, and the moment the doors opened, enveloping us in new scents and sounds, added excitement to our anticipation.

Leaving the plane, we headed towards the airport exit, where a taxi was waiting for us. A luxurious taxi with dark windows and comfortable seats stood at the entrance, and the driver, with a polite bow, opened the door. "Welcome, madam and sir," the driver greeted us, emphasizing our high status. "Thank you," I replied, feeling the stares of people on us and realizing the impression we were making. We settled into the plush seats, and the taxi headed towards the hotel.

The journey to the hotel was smooth and comfortable. The view from the window captivated with its beauty, and I savored the moment, feeling that the world was arranged splendidly. With each kilometer, the vibrant colors of the city, the ancient buildings, and the exquisite restaurants drew closer.

We finally arrived at the hotel and were ready to check in. We were given the most luxurious room, making our stay even more special. I felt the tiredness from the journey and the internal tension related to what awaited. Opening the door to the room, we stepped into an atmosphere of luxury and coziness.

"Here we are," I said, admiring the room. "This is probably one of the best rooms I've ever stayed in."

Paul also looked around, his expression of approval impossible to miss. "Yes, it's really impressive."