The Winter Rivals

Chapter 3| The Ski Chalet

26th September 2008
An hour of driving from the swarm of travelers and locals at the airport finally led us to Jess and Rowen's ski chalet, where Tora, Mariam, and I would be staying. The ski chalet had to be worth millions. Mountains of snow surrounding it, reached up and caressed the clouds, and from every corner sat tall forest trees. They were smothered in freezing flakes freshly fallen from the sky, and the chalet itself was fit for a princess of ice.

I'd never seen anything like it. Windows towering from ceiling to floor, textured wood paneling the color of coal, and blazing golden lights flooding the rich cobbled pathway up to the double door entrance.

"Wow," Mariam breathed.
"I never want to leave..." Tora added just as breathless.

I turned to look at Rowen as I spoke, struggling to tear my eyes away from the astonishing view before me.
"This is where we're staying?" I asked.

He allowed the expensive car to stop just as we reached the smooth driveway. His honey brown eyes locked mine, and a proud expression danced on his face as he replied, "This is it. Jess did all of this himself. I've never been more proud of him." A crooked smile played on his rosy lips as he got out and led us up to the doors.

With no time to take in our surroundings, we were immediately greeted by Mr. Azoni, the caretaker, and butler, who kindly escorted us to the second floor where our rooms were located. Each of our rooms had a mirroring layout, and Mr. Azoni explained that we were free to decide amongst ourselves who would take what room.

"I have heard wonderful things about all of you, and I hope your stay is pleasant. I shall leave you all to your peace and comforts. Once settled, you are free to go where you please, but I must make it perfectly clear that none of you are to enter the premises of the third floor unless specifically asked to. If you have any inquiries, look for a dark black buzzer located next to any door in the chalet, and I shall be of assistance." Mr. Azoni bowed his head, and we let our thank you's echo down the long marble-floored hall.

Feeling my brows furrow in deep thought, I shot Mariam and Tora a look of curiosity, "Why aren't we to enter the third floor?" I asked, knowing that neither of them knew the answer either.

"No. No. No. Don't even think about it," Mariam's voice shot out in the form of a whisper, although her tone resembled a yell.

"Oh, Mariam, she's not going to go up there; she knows better than that," Tora said convincingly.

Mariam bit down on the inside of her cheek as her big brown eyes glanced at me, asking for reassurance.

"I won't go up there. Not unless I'm asked to, okay?" The words came out of my mouth in a tone that was enough to reassure the girls but not enough to reassure myself.
We all knew we weren't to discuss any theories. All the while, we didn't know where Jess or Rowen were. For all we knew, they could've been listening, so we left it at that and went out separate ways.

My hands fumbled over the glossy round doorknob as I entered the room I had chosen. I found myself struggling to gain my composure. This place was nothing like home. As much as I cherished my downtown apartment, this room alone was enough to make even the richest of people feel as though they were royal.

The four-poster bed was draped in beautifully patterned fabrics. It was what I'd imagine somebody like Marie Antoinette to have slept on. Overcrowding the pale pink satin sheets were all kinds of throw pillows and knitted blankets. My eyes landed on the balcony view, and I couldn't help but imagine myself sitting out there sipping on a piping hot cup of fresh Colombian coffee while reading authors such as Jane Austen, Donna Tartt, and Sylvia Plath.

Too busy with my own romanticizing of the room, I hadn't even noticed Mr. Azoni slip in to light the fireplace. It was only when I heard the fire crackling low and steady that I noticed him creeping out as quick and smooth as a ghost in the night.

Moments later, Tora came knocking, "Much different from home, huh?"

"It is, isn't it?" I sighed, "I'm a little worried."

"About what?" She asked, confusion dripping from her tone.

"Meeting everybody. I don't know when we're meeting them, and I need time to prepare. First impressions are everything. Jess is going to be even more unimpressed with the idea of cooperating with us if we leave a bad impression." I barely gave myself time to breathe inbetween the raging overthinking and the sound of my own rambling.

"Rowen spoke to Mariam. He said Jess should be back later this evening. You have plenty of time to plan your first interaction," Tora spoke softly in attempts of calming my racing mind.
"Mariam's catching up on some more of her research. I need to adjust the settings on my new camera. And you? You need coffee and to go over your questions." Tora was right; we had no time to waste.