Jade

Chapter 4

“What do you want to eat Jade?” someone asked me.  “Apple pie and chocolate,” I grumbled, annoyed that someone was interrupting my good dream.  Dreams about puppies are the best.  “I don't know if they serve that here.”  “Get her a cheeseburger and french fries,” Yaris ordered.  I opened my eyes just a little.  We were in a McDonald's drive thru.  “They have apple pies,” I stated, “get me two of them.  Oh, and the cheeseburger and fries.”

The clock on the radio said 7:43  I had slept for about ten hours.  I was sort of laying down in the backseat with my head on Yaris' lap.  I shot straight up, wide awake.  I don't usually wake up in such a close and comfortable proximity to a man.  “Welcome back to the living,” goaded Theo, who was driving.  Ripley sat in the front passenger seat.  “We are going to stay at a hotel,” Yaris informed me.  “Where are we?  Have we been driving for ten hours?”  I inquired, incredulous.  “Yes,” Ripley answered this time, “there was also a flight in there.”  “A flight?  So, where are we?”  “We will discuss it at the hotel,” Yaris answered. 

Once we got the food, we went straight to the hotel.  A posh hotel.  I couldn't read the name as it was in a foreign language, but it was obvious that it was dripping with money.  These guys like to travel in style.  Yaris handed me my coat and told me to cover my hair.  I put it on and made sure the hood was pulled snug around my face.  He did the same.  We exited the vehicle and Theo handed the keys to the valet, who in turn handed Theo a ticket.  “No luggage,” Theo told him and we all turned to go inside.

The twins were waiting for us at the concierge desk.  “Your usual suite Mr. Brown?” the attendant inquired, with a big smile, in broken English.  “That would be wonderful, if it is available George,” Theo replied.  “For you anything,” George praised, “would you like an escort?” “No, we know the way,” Theo answered as George handed him the key card.  “Have a wonderful stay with us.”  “Thank you.” 

“This place is huge,” I looked at the lobby in wonder.  Yaris intertwined his fingers with mine probably to keep me with them.  I wasn't exactly paying attention.  There was just too much to look at.  The lobby was decorated in mostly blues and greens and was bigger than my whole house.  In the center was a giant water feature that donned a fountain and numerous statues.  “Not quite,” Yaris said, “your house is pretty big.”  I didn't say that out loud, did I?  My attention immediately went from looking around to studying him.  Does he do Jedi mind tricks?  He shook his head, no, with a smile.  “How?”  He just shook his head no.  We entered an elevator that took us to the top floor.  The penthouse suite, impressive.  The elevator opened to a small deserted vestibule with one door and another elevator door at the other end of the hall.  Theo stuck the key card in the lock and the door clicked.

The door opened up to a living room with a loveseat, sofa and chaise lounge all in black leather set to surround the large flat panel television hanging on the wall.  There was a small black coffee table in front of the sofa.  They all sat on a large blue and green striped rug on a dark stained hard wood floor.  The art hanging on the walls even screamed of money.  I unfastened my coat and took it off.  I hung it up in the entryway closet as did the others.

“We will eat then we will give you a tour,” Theo said walking through a door to the right.  I followed him as did the others.  It opened into a kitchen/dining room.  The kitchen had custom light wood cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.  An island separated the kitchen from the dining room.  The dining room contained dark cherry wood  cabinets that displayed various swords and knives.  The dining room table boasted the same dark wood as the cabinets and was long enough to seat twelve.  Ripley and Antony both sat food on the table.  Kale followed with the drinks.  I grabbed the only Diet Coke and sat down.  I was famished, having not ate since my apple this morning.  I dug into my cheeseburger and fries.  Finished with those I grabbed the two apple pies.  “Girl has an appetite,”  Kale commented, “are you going to share?”  “No,” I answered, “ you snooze, you lose.”  They all just stared at me.  “Fine, would anyone like one of my hot apple pies?” I asked in a tone dripping with honey.  No one answered, so I ate them fast, before anyone could change their mind.  They were so delicious I closed my eyes to savor them even more.  I can’t remember apple pies tasting so good, but it had been a long time since I had ate any.  I honestly can’t wait to taste chocolate.