Destined by Chance

Chapter 8

It was the best holiday ever. Not only did Simi find books from her favorite authors, she even found a couple of new ones. And she was set for the next five days. She ordered coffee to be brought up to the room and went back. She hadn't noticed all the decorations and lights that were arranged in the lobby earlier. She had been too cold and nervous. But now that that she was back to being herself and it was evening and with darkness gathering outside everything looked even more beautiful and eye catching inside. The resort was packed. She now saw several families, couples and youngsters dressed up for the occasion moving around. She should visit one of the restaurants the resort boasted of to be the best in the area. But not today. She was tired. And so she wanted to have her dinner in peace and quiet.

As she opened the door she realized Neil wasn't there. She walked slowly inside. And peeped in the bedroom. Nope, wasn't there either. But his laptop was placed on the couch. Maybe he was in the bathroom. And she rolled her eyes. She just didn't want to share that space with a man she didn't know. She wasn't a prude. She had friends who were male. Only she was a private person. She had stayed with roommates before when she had been doing her bachelors. Only her roommates had been girls. This was the first time she was in such close proximity with a man who wasn't a relative. As far as living conditions went. She cautiously went inside only to realize the door to the bathroom was open and it was empty. He had said he would keep out of her way. She drew in a deep breath. Then placed her precious packet on the nightstand. Then decided to change into more comfortable clothes. Taking out her warm fleece lined pajamas and a sweatshirt she went to the bathroom and changed. She tied her long hair on top of her head in a casual bun. Then picked a book and walked out into the living space again when the bell to the suite rang. She peeped through the hole in the door and then opened it. Her coffee had arrived. She had already spotted the assortment of mini pastries in the bedroom and they looked delicious. Though the champagne and the two flute glasses had made her squirm on the inside a little. Had it been her honeymoon she would have enjoyed it but since it wasn't...its presence was making her feel a little strange. It would be great to just sit by the fireside with a cup of coffee, a pastry or two and read her book. What an evening. Once the server left she quickly lit the fire in the hearth and dragged a side table next to the big wing chair placed next to the fireplace. She filled her coffee mug and stirred sugar in it then popping a pastry in her mouth settled down on the chair with her book.

She must have read a couple of pages when she heard the door to the balcony slide open. And she froze for a second before realizing that her suite was located on the top floor of the resort and had security too. She stared as Neil stepped in and shook his head to dislodge tiny flecks of snow from his hair. Then he brushed off the remaining snow from his shoulders. Simi couldn't look away. Why was he so handsome? He had no right. And she almost swallowed. She had thought he wasn't there. And that he must have gone out. Apparently she was wrong. As he looked up, she saw surprise in his gaze too. He hadn't heard her come in. Oh well, she did share the suite with him. Even if he had gone out somewhere he would have returned at some point.

"Hi," she greeted softly.

"Hey," Neil said and smiled, "I see you are back from your excursion," he said as he padded back towards the couch where his laptop was kept, "how was it?" he asked.

"Good," Simi replied as she pulled her legs away from dangling in the air and straightened her posture, "I thought you weren't here," she said.

"I was on the balcony," Neil replied as he opened the screen of his laptop, "needed to take an important call, there was a lot of disturbance inside, funny," he said and looked at something on his screen.

"Why funny?" Simi asked confused.

"Because, I should be able to hear people clearly here and not outside with the snow falling and wind starting to pick up," he told her.