Six Months Later...
Alice rushed out the back door of the frozen yogurt shop. The seven-hour shift had finally come to an end. Left-over pepperoni pizza, a steamy shower and her comfy bed awaited her at home. She pulled out the ear buds from her purse and stuck the left one in. A mix between The Beatles and One Republic kept her company every step of the way.
As she approached the front door, enraged voices practically vibrated the walls from inside the house.
"You have made me feel completely worthless. Congratulations!" her mother screamed.
With words made of daggers, her father spat, "You shut me out."
"So that gives you permission to sleep with someone else?"
Alice's chest caved with anxiety. The ground rocked beneath her. All she wanted was a quiet place to rest after dealing with customers all day. Instead of letting the sadness turn to tears, she took the stress and let it fuel her. Plugging the other ear bud in, she cranked up the music and fled down the street, away from the chaos. The farther she ran, the more her tension melted away.
After a mile or so, Alice's feet slowed into an ungraceful walk. Her muscles pulled at her aching joints, urging her to sit and rest. With a quick tug on the white wires, her ears were freed from the pounding bass. She plodded forward, contemplating whether she should go to her best friend Tammy's house as she always had to escape the troubles of life. But, tonight was different. She felt different. Although she was probably overdue for a pep talk, there was a stronger need for peaceful silence.
For the first time ever, she would sneak into the Paradise Hotel. Every time she passed it on her way to UC Berkeley last year, she saw the palm trees in the back of the building and the crystal-clear pool that reminded her of vacations she used to take when she was young—back when everything was simple. The burning tears in the back of her eyes urged her to get a small taste of paradise.
Alice continued down the street with haste before she could consider the consequences of trespassing. She snuck past the entrance of the tan building and toward the palm trees. With a quick glance through the metal bars, Alice confirmed that the pool area was empty. She threw her bag over the gate, climbed up the poles that stood about ten feet tall and dropped down on the other side. When she recovered her balance and the ache in her knees subsided, she straightened out her tank top and dusted off her white shorts.
The summer breeze sent her long hair flying across her face in thick scribble-like waves. The calming lights called her to the row of lounge chairs positioned neatly along the side of the pool. Alice tiptoed to the center chair and dropped her purse to the ground. The worry of being caught surfaced, but that was something she was willing to gamble with as soon as she put up her aching feet. She stared at the moon for the next twenty minutes, enjoying the peace. The more time that passed without being caught, the more she was able to relax.
If only Seth could see her now. Breaking the law was the kind of surly behavior he would have never expected from her. No way he'd ever think to look for her here.
"If you're trying to suntan, you'll have to wait a few more hours," a male spoke, interrupting her thoughts.
Alice jumped at the sternness of his tone. "I'm sorry." She threw her feet over the side of the chair, bowing her head to let her long hair shield her face. Through the tangled tresses, she studied his bright sapphire eyes, full head of sandy hair, and high cheekbones that led to his one dimple. His jawline was defined, which paired well with his other ruggedly handsome features that she had yet to examine more closely.
"Pool's closed," he continued. "Better get back to your room."
"Okay," Alice stated with as much tenacity as she could gather. Hoping he would turn around and leave, she sunk into the chair and clenched the arm rests tight enough for her knuckles to whiten. She couldn't fake like she was going into the building because she didn't have access, and she couldn't sprint to the fence and climb it in front of him. All she could do was blink carefully at him while mulling over what to do.
"You don't look familiar," he expressed.
Alice cringed at the sound of her own nervous mumbles.
"Oh," he said as if he clued in, "you're trespassing, aren't you?"
He cautiously closed the gap between them, like she was a lost puppy and needed to establish friendliness before snatching her up and taking her to the pound. "I'm so sorry." A panicky laugh spilled over Alice's lips as reached down for her purse. "I'm leaving." She expected the man to move to either guide her out or throw her out. Instead, he stood there, arms crossed and silently observing her.
His lips parted and Alice nearly flinched, worried by what he might say after it being at a standstill for so long. "Do you intend on stealing anything?"
"What? No."
"Damage property?"
Alice raised her eyebrows in a pleading fashion. "No, I promise. I just wanted to quietly sit poolside. I'm harmless."
A sincere grin emerged onto his face. "Okay. I believe you. It's fine. Stay if you want."
That comment hit her in an odd way. A curious itch had her wondering why he would allow that.
"It's fine...really," he continued. He reached out a hand for a friendly shake, and Alice gingerly accepted the gesture. "I'm Jake by the way. I work here. Be my guest." As soon as they released hands, Jake shoved his into the front pockets of his jeans. "Just don't get in the pool. And, don't try to get into the building. Alarms will go off, and it becomes a whole thing."
Alice still couldn't get a clear read on him. He looked tough, yet the way he spoke was smooth and tame, like he chose every word he said carefully. "Why would you let me stay?" Alice questioned.
"Well, normally, I'd kick you out. I don't know what happened to you today, but you look like you've been through hell. I'd feel bad," he answered with a playful smirk and a shrug.
Maybe that was why. He pitied her.
When she didn't answer, he sat down on the chair beside hers like he was trying to hold her attention. "You know," he continued, "the raccoon eyes, hair all in disarray, makeup smeared down your cheeks."
"Are the insults punishment for trespassing?" Alice responded flatly while proceeding to wipe her hands under her eyes and all over her cheeks to get the make-up off. "Because, then I'd rather go back to hell."
"Sorry. I didn't mean it like that." Jake smirked. "I didn't catch your name."
"Oh, wow." Alice looked up, laughing in astonishment. "You're not getting my name after that," she assured.
"Oh, come on...not calling the cops on you is the kindest I've been in a while. I at least deserve my guest's name."
"Well, I—"
The bushes just outside the gate rustled, catching both of their attention. A twisting feeling crept up Alice's throat when she thought for a moment that maybe it was Seth. An impulse to shrink closer to Jake bolted through her like a freight train.
"You're jumpy," he noted.
When she couldn't mask her fearful expression, Jake got up and made his way toward the gate. She watched the curve of his back as he knelt down, observing the dirt like something was there. "Is everything okay?" Alice called.
