She is beautiful. Never in my life have I seen a woman so gorgeous. I stare at her like I'm in a trance. I must be, because it's impossible to look away. Her red lips. Her soft closed eyes. He long blonde hair. Her hips. Her hands in the red sparkly...
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The room is wooden and has two beds against a wall. The windows are on the opposite side of the room. The window side is Ashley's side I guess since all her things are over there. A makeup table, a mannequin with the red dress, drawers and a mirror.
Ashley sits with her back to me just like she did in the club. "Welcome" she says before turning around. "You have got to be kidding me" she says looking at me tired.
I stand frozen in the doorway, the tension in the room palpable. "I didn't expect this either," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
Ashley sighs, rubbing her temples as if warding off a headache. "Well, it's not like we have much choice. Just... let's make the best of it, alright?"
"Agreed," I reply, setting my bag down on the bed opposite hers. "I'll stay out of your way."
She nods curtly and turns back to her makeup table, her reflection in the mirror giving nothing away. I unpack my things, trying to focus on the mundane task instead of the whirlwind of thoughts in my head. The silence stretches between us, heavy and awkward.
After a while, Ashley stands up and walks to the window, staring out at the quiet street below. The soft glow of the streetlights casts a gentle light on her face, highlighting her thoughtful expression. I can't help but wonder what she's thinking, what brought her here.
"Why are you really here, Ashley?" I ask, breaking the silence.
She glances over her shoulder at me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I could ask you the same thing."
"I'm a soldier. It's my duty," I reply simply. "But you... you're different. You're not just here for a performance, are you?"
She turns fully to face me, crossing her arms. "You don't miss a thing, do you, Michael?"
I shrug. "I just want to understand."
She sighs, leaning against the windowsill. "I've lived here many years Michael. I did not move here to perform. I learned it here. I did not come here for some... purpose. I learned it all here". She says looking out the window.
Her words surprise me. "You've lived in a hotel for many years?" I ask. "Yeah" she says looking back at me. "There was not room anywhere else. But they let me stay here. If I pay rent and allow other guests to live with me, I can treat it like my own home."
I look at her. Her soft lips. Her curious eyes. What a beautiful woman. Her presence makes meweak. "Where did you come from?" I ask. "What?" she asks looking back at me. "You said you've moved here". She looks down at the floor. "I know what I said solider. Maybe I came from here and just wanted another place to stay than with my parents" she says opening the window. "Maybe, but you're not from, here are you?" I ask her. She sits down in her chair. "What makes you think that?" she tilts her head. "Your accent" I say. "it's very easy to miss but if you listen closely you will find that Ashley says the s sound differently from the locals. Which indicates that you are not from this town. Heck you may not even be from the north" I tell her.
She looks back at me. Its impossible to tell what she is thinking. For a second, I think she is mad. But then one word comes out of her mouth. "Touché".
