Motion (Sequel to "Collide")

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE

I put my pillow over my face, trying to block the sun rays peeking through the thick curtains of our hotel room. The night had been incredibly long, so long that I couldn't even tell what time or what day it was. We left Turkey right after Michael's show in Istanbul, and although Faraji managed to get some sleep on the plane, Michael and I didn't. I used that precious time to work on my follow up visits from the past three weeks, and Michael, well... He just couldn't sleep, as he was still high on adrenaline.

We made it to Gelsenkirchen, Germany around three in the morning. I was completely lost in the different time zones from the past three weeks. Going from Japan to Turkey, passing through Russia and Israel and now ending here in Germany... I started to really understand why Michael wasn't fond of touring. Traveling so much in such a short period of time is as nuts as it is enriching.

I uncovered my face slowly, turning around to get a look at the digital clock on the nightstand that read 9:43AM. I groaned under my breath. I hated to get up this late in the morning. I felt like half my day was ruined. I turned on my other side, only to see Michael still peacefully sleeping beside me. This was the first time I woke up next to my husband since the tour started, and I had to admit it felt nice. A single ray of sun was lighting up half his face, but it didn't seem to bother him. His eyes were shut, his mouth formed a slight smile, letting me think his sleep was peaceful.

On any other day, I would have kissed every inch of his face to wake him up, but I didn't. Michael needed rest. I could see his body weakening day after day.

I silently got out of bed, and put Michael's hoodie that we got in Taiwan over my head. No matter how disconnected this piece of clothing was from his wardrobe, Michael grew accustomed to it and started wearing it randomly over his pajamas. Every time I saw him in it, I couldn't help but smile at the sight and reminisce how happy our night out made him. A night he called one of the best days in his life.

I pulled my jeans up and planted my dad's baseball cap on my head and headed out of the suite to go get breakfast downstairs. Mary offered to take care of Faraji for the morning the night prior, and knowing the work I had to do, I agreed without much complaint. I had a lot of things to do, but I couldn't start my day without at least a gallon of coffee coursing through my veins.

On my way to the end of the tall corridor, I passed some of Michael's security crew that I greeted with a smile. The whole floor was destined for us and Michael's security, as it usually was. It was safer that way.

I arrived on the first floor right on time, as they were about to close the breakfast lounge. I asked one of the woman of the staff if I could take my breakfast to go, and she offered to bring it to our suite instead. I didn't want to take the risk to wake Michael up, so I asked her if I could bring my own breakfast to my room, which she didn't object to. She returned a few minutes later with a tray  that was covered with a cloche. I didn't know what was underneath it, but I couldn't wait to discover it.

I came inside the elevator with my wheeled tray and pushed the last floor button in the elevator, and the doors closed before me. When it dinged, I passed a couple and walked to the end of the long corridor. I tried to open the door once, but it didn't work. I tried another time, but still, no luck.

"What the hell," I muttered, and tried again to open my door, in vain. "You've gotta be kidding me!"

I tried one last time, but it was a lost cause. I turned back, and decided to get some help. I knocked on Matt's room, but he didn't open the door. "Come on."

I left the tray by the door, and went back to our room to try yet another time.

Still nothing.

"Ugh! Come on!" I yelled, getting slightly irritated. "For fuck's sake! What the hell is wrong with that damn door?"

I walked back to my tray, fuming at that point. I didn't know what was wrong with that door, but it was irritating me. I was tired and hungry, and all I wanted was to eat my breakfast in bed next to my husband. But it looked like the universe had some other plans for me.