Saviour. 》 g.d.

22; Keep Calm

It was the day of my birthday.

I had three days off from working around the resort, starting today. So, I'd made good use of it and set my alarm at 7 am. I had a kickbox training at 7.30, to kick off the day.. pun intended.

I woke up in my own room, like I have every day for the past 2 months, only this time it felt different. It felt like things were changing from today on. The early morning sun hit my room just right, so the sun beamed through the glass windows and onto my bed. I opened my eyes as my alarm went off, and got out of bed right away. I grabbed my Phone and my earbuds off my nightstand and started to walk down the hallway of our house, which was located down a cliff, right below our hotel, which was located on the edge of that cliff. The hallway flowed into a large living space, with glass windows all around. No one was up yet, so the house was very quiet. I crossed the living room and pushed open one of the slide doors, leading onto the balcony. My ears welcomed the sound of waves. I leaned over the railing and looked down, watching the waves crash into the rocks below us.

I did a quick 15-minute meditation on the deck, so it was 7.20 when I finished. David, my trainer, would be waiting in the park, in the center of the resort.

So maybe I should explain a little bit about my family's business. Basically, my parents own a hotel chain, with resorts all over the world, one in Thailand, one in the Maldives and one in France... and then one in Sydney, obviously, which is where my family lives and where we are right now. The brand is called Cora Hotels & Resorts, named after my grandmother Cora. Her husband, my grandfather, started the hotel in Sydney back in 1945. It's located in Dover Heights, ranked as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Sydney. If you drive down the road from the resort, you'll see real estate worth millions and millions of Australian Dollars.

This resort, therefore, is one of the most expensive resorts in Sydney. Hotelroom prices starting at about 600 per night, and bungalows easily costing a whopping 3,000 a night. The level of service, on the other hand, is on a completely other level.

I walked back to my room, changed into some workout clothes, grabbed my boxing gloves, and left the house. I walked up the cliff, entered the gate with our passcode, and followed the path to the park. There was a small park in the midst of all the bungalows, that consisted of a pond and a grass field, surrounded by some trees. A path led through the middle. As I entered the park, I could see David setting up our training space near a tree. We were the only ones up, at least on this side of the resort. I hadn't seen anyone other than us yet.

I greeted him from a distance and walked towards him. He had a grin on his face and spread his arms for a hug. I smiled and hugged him back. 'Happy birthday, Shailene.' He said, patting me harshly on the back. I laughed and thanked him. I tossed my phone and my bag in the grass and tied my hair up, into a ponytail. We both geared up David putting on his boxing pads and I put on my gloves.

David was a super broad, African-American guy and had been a professional boxer. He had his arms and chest covered in tattoos, most of them about boxing or his family. He was married to a successful real estate agent named Dennis, and they'd been married for eleven years already. David had had a very successful boxing career himself until he got into a car accident a few years ago and broke both his arms and wrists. He decided to focus on giving trainings instead.

'What are you up to today?' David asked me as we got ready opposite each other and did a quick warming up. 'I don't have any specific activities planned. I'm going to the spa with Caroline and Hailey, and going out in the city tonight. Legally.' I grinned as David laughed. 'Finally.' He said as we did some lunges. 'Yeah, finally.' I said.

'If there are any annoying guys, you know how to knock 'em down.' He said, winking. 'Situps.' I laughed and got on the floor to do thirty situps.

We got on with the training, which went very well. The temperature was perfect in the shade, despite it rising quickly as the sun climbed higher in the sky. To cool down, we did some stretches together for about 15 minutes. At this point, my muscles were aching and the shadow that the sun was casting over us, was moving very quickly.

 When the training ended, I made sure to thank David, grabbed my stuff, and walked back to my house. My legs felt like jelly as I descended the stairs, and I had to work hard to prevent myself from just tumbling down. I didn't know how I was going to last a full night at the club. The spa would have to revive me, I guess. 

I entered the house, threw my keys on the table beside the door, and made my way down the hallway. The kitchen was on my left, as I entered the living room. My brother and sister were sitting at the table, eating pancakes.

They both stood up when they noticed me, and I started to giggle as they walked towards me, to hug me. 'Happy birthday, little sister!' Bryson said, hugging me extra tightly and nearly suffocating me. 'Damn,' I coughed, adjusting my PJ's. When he pulled away, he grimaced. 'You're very sweaty.' He said, making me laugh. Charlotte gave me a lighter hug, punching Bryson in the shoulder. 'Do you want some pancakes?' She asked, already walking towards the stove. I nodded, joining my brother at the table. 'Yes please.' I said. Charlotte poured some batter into the pan and waited for the pancake to cook.

'What do you have planned for today?' Bryson asked me curiously, Charlotte listening in. I picked at my nails and felt my mouth water at the sight of Bryson's pancake. 'We're going to the spa this afternoon, and then going out tonight.' I said, placing my elbows on the table. 'Oooh,' She giggled, making me smile. 'Yeah, I can't wait.' I said.

We ate breakfast, I showered, relaxed for a while, and did some reading, and then when the clock hit 3, made my way to the spa. 

My friends were waiting inside, chatting when I walked in. They stood up and gave me a hug. 'Let's go in!' Caroline squealed, grasping her white robe tightly. 

* * *

'It was bloody absurd. What was he even thinking?' I scolded, feeling my insides start to boil again as I thought back to our phone call. 'I just never expected it from him. He's so patient, so down to earth, you know? But he was so irrational on the phone.' I said, biting down on my lip. 

Hailey, Caroline, and I were laying on massage tables, facing downwards while three masseuses dug their fingers into our spines. 'Do you know when they'll be arriving?' Hailey asked. 'No, they didn't say precisely.' I said. We stayed silent for a few moments.

'It was just the oddest phone call I'd ever gotten.' I said, sighing. 'Totally. And the way he accused you, that's not okay at all.' Caroline agreed. I hummed in content as my shoulders got molded. 'I'm going to give him a bunch of shit for it. He better prepare.' I said calmly. 'I just wonder when they'll be arriving. Probably at the moment I least expect it.' I sighed, the peaceful meditation music filling the room after that.

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END