Changing Tides

Six

I heard a thudding on the door but I can't make myself get up. I was still dazed when I opened the door. It was the room service.

"But I didn't call for that." I told the room service staff.

"Mr. McAvoy sent it for you Ms. I would just leave it here. Enjoy your breakfast." I was about to get my purse for a tip but the guy went out immediately. Maybe, James even covered the tip. I smiled to myself. All I can think of is how thoughtful he is for doing this. The smell of bacon is wafting inside the room, it was enough to make my stomach growl. There was a note beside the coffee cup. I read it:

You must be famished. Try not to choke yourself (kidding!) 

-James

I almost laughed. I started devouring everything on the plate. I thought of how I could thank him; maybe I would just drop by his room to personally thank him. 

I instantly felt much better. My limbs still ached but it was bearable. I took a long bath and relaxed on the tub. It was almost noon when I decided to pick up a book I intended to read in the plane. I decided to read in the balcony. The warm, salty sea breeze was calming. As if it was carrying me in its arms and lulling me to sleep. I was about to close my eyes when someone knocked. I was startled and at the same time annoyed. I walk to the door to find James leaning on the side of the door frame holding two brochures. He handed me one so I took it. He went inside and I followed him to the balcony. 

"I figured you wanted to relax so I made a reservation for you in the hotel spa." He sat down to where I was seated earlier. "You didn't have to do that. I owe you breakfast already. By the way, thanks for that as well."I know my thank you seemed insufficient but I would find a way to repay him for sure. 

"You're still reading Freud's Interpretation of dreams?" He sounded incredulous. "Yeah, that's one of his first works. I also need to read that for my thesis." I explained. He looked at me like I just said something stupid. "Hey, you don't have to be mean about it. Getting a master's degree is like getting an Oscar nomination, you know. You have your awards ceremony, I have my graduation." I felt defensive because I really take pride in what I do. 

"It's not what I mean. Why are you so defensive? What I actually mean is you're on vacation and still, you think about your thesis." 

"Well, don't tell me you don't think about your next movie?" I retort. 

He looked like he was thinking about it, then he said, "Honestly, no." He stood up and leaned on the rail of the balcony. "I just don't want to think about anything right now." I was thinking of saying something but he blurted, "Maybe except for getting a massage or going to the gym." He beamed. "Let's go."

We went to the hotel spa for me to get a massage while James hit the gym. It was everything I never knew I needed. After the massage, I felt like I could do anything. 

"I never imagined a massage can do a miracle. You looked so much better now." He said to me. "I actually feel so much better. Thanks." 

"What do you feel like doing now?" he asked. "Hmm.. I hadn't thought of it. I just really wanted to stay in my room today. Maybe watch a movie. How about you?"

"That actually sounds like a good idea. Let's order room service at my place." He turned and walked towards the elevator. I couldn't protest because it would look like I was expecting something else to happen, which I'm totally not. But thinking about going to James' room felt disconcerting. I tried to reason in my head that we're just going to watch a movie, eat popcorn, nothing else. 

It was huge. His room, nay, suite was posh in every possible way. We settled on the couch and called for room service. We ordered coke, popcorn and chips. I took the remote and shuffle through the cable channels. I stopped when I saw his film Atonement was actually on TV. 

"Oh, come on! Don't make me watch myself." he protested. I chuckled, "You're amazing here; got yourself a Golden Globes nomination and several Oscars nominations for the film. Are you sure you don't want to watch this?" He snatched the remote from my hands and turned the TV off. "What? Why did you do that? That's a few moments before the Library scene." He looked at me and was dead serious. He stood and disappeared to the master's bedroom. He came back with the dove key chain and sat beside me. 

"What do you think is my most rubbish film?" he asked. "We're really doing this now?" I replied. Without any hesitation he said "Yes." I thought for a second. "I honestly don't think you have a rubbish film because your performance manages to save the film from becoming rubbish." I took a hold of the dove from his hands. "Why do you need to ask me that?" He sighed and looked away. I thought he wouldn't answer my question. "Ever since, I wanted to tell stories, to convey truths even lies. It's not about the awards or fame. I just wanted to know if what I'm doing is relevant, you know what I mean." I didn't expect his answer but I was glad that he told me that. He excused himself and went to his room. I picked up the phone beside me. I ordered three movies and charged it on me. After a few minutes, the room service arrived. I opened the door and called for James. He reappeared from his room and sat on the other end of the couch. I nested the bowl of popcorn between us. 

"What do you want to see first? The Goonies, Back to the Future, or My Name is Joe?" I asked him. A smile crept on his face. "You do watch my interviews eh?" he said "Probably." I replied. We decided to watch The Goonies first. It's quite amusing to see how engrossed he is with the movie even if he probably watched it tons of times. I would try to peek at him whenever he's not looking and I would smile to myself. 

We managed to finish three movies. I got up from the couch as soon as the credits started rolling. James offered to walk me to my room. We stopped in front of my door. 

"I'm going inside. Thank you for today. Good night, James." I turned the door knob but his hand stopped me. I turned around and his face was inches from mine. My heart was pounding. He leaned closer, our lips almost touched when he suddenly stepped back and looked at me and said "Good night, Carly." he turned and walk, leaving me in utter shock.