by D. Griffith
“I say the same thing to him all the time, he just doesn’t listen. Maybe hearing it from someone else’s mouth will knock some sense into him.” Julie mocks, following Jared into the hotel. Once I’m inside I’m even more blown away with the interior. It is golden throughout, opulent decor and furnishing, floral centerpiece, floating clouds and angels for the ceiling.
We head straight for the counter, with me nearly tripping over my own feet, spinning around checking the place out.
Upon walking further into the room, there is a harpist playing on a raised platform in one corner, which sent shivers down my spine, as the tune is sweet and innocent. The desk manned by the most, perfect woman I have ever seen, not a hair was out of place and her suit sat perfectly on her slender frame.
As she looked at our party, she smiled sweetly at Jared before giving me a cursory glance and shaking her head slightly. I turn to Jared and ask.
“So, do I get my own room this time? Or is this another trick to get me in your room?” He lets of his beautiful smile.
“No! Although, every inch of me wanted you in my room, I thought I’d save myself from an earache and got you, your own. I learned my lesson from last time.”
“I appreciate that, thank you!”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m hoping you’ll change your mind and join me. Mine is the manager suite at the top. You all are on the floor below. Christmas eve, the kids are going to come and stay in the manger suite with me, so when they get up, they can see all their presents, and then once they’re in bed, we’re all going to have Christmas eve drinks.”
“Sounds like a plan! Well we’re here till after New Year’s right? Therefore, we have two weeks to explore and have some fun. I’m looking forward to it. Are you going to show us to our rooms then?” He looks at me, deplorable.
“Are you insane? I have people here who will escort you to your rooms, but for you. I’ll personally take you.” Adam hauls out a laugh,
“Wow dude, you’re such a female, getting lackeys to do your dirty work.” Jared rolls his eyes towards Adam, and before he is able to come back with a comment, Julie butts in.
“He’s right, bro, lame.”
“What can I say; I can afford to get people to do the work for me! You’re all just jealous.”
“You’re a pretentious prick, dude.” Adam snarls, Jared shrugs of that remark and turns to the rest of the crowd.
“These guys here will show you all to your room.” He turns to me and says, “Come on, the porters will bring up our luggage in a while, I’ll escort you to your room.” Jared holds his arm out for me to link, I thread my arm through his and we start to head towards the elevator and scramble in. “Would you like to come and see where I’m staying? Just encase you need me.”
“It’s ok, I’m sure I’ll find it. You did say you’re on the top floor above us.”
“Ok! Fair enough. Here we are room 3010. This floor is where you’ll all be staying. These are the best suite, next to mine in this whole place.” He opens the door for me and I walk in. It’s massive! There is a large luxury four-poster bed with a canopy, gold and white. A glass vanity table with lights in the far corner, to the left of me is the en suite bathroom and on the far right is another door.
“What’s that door for?”
“That takes you to room 3011”
“Who is in that other room? Some freak who can come into my room at any time? Are you crazy?”
“You’re going to have Phillip and Tye outside your room at all time, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Plus, it’s not freaks. Go see! I walk towards the large pine door and walk straight through. It’s a room similar to mine and I see Darla and Carl making out on the bed.
“Oh my god, sorry guys!” Darla lets out a high pitched scream and pushes Carl of her.”
“Our rooms attach? That is amazing. I’m going to have to play the tricks.” I turn to Jared and smile.
“Thank you”
“You’re welcome, I’ll see you later.” Darla and I jump up and down in excitement, then run towards the bed and dive on top of Carl and all lay there talking.”
“This is going to be an amazing two weeks, baby girl! We’ve always wanted to do New York and now we’re here.”
“I know, Carl, it’s going to be great. I have everyone I love around me; this is going to be the best Christmas ever. Yes, I know, I sound like a big kid, but it’s also very true.” They both laugh and Darla spits out.
“Hey, we’re not going to lie. Where right up your street. Inside we’re screaming and jumping like little kids. It’s what makes us three unique. We think and feel the same and we’re awesome.” Carl and I agree. He looks at me, then Darla and says,
“Shall we say it, for old time sake?” Darla and I smile, as we know what he is implying and we nod yes. “After three, girls.” We put our hands out on top of each other and we all say in unison.
“One, two, three! All for one, and one for all.” And we throw our hands up in the air and giggle.
“We’re so lame!” I joke,
“Limited edition, I like to think.” Darla smirks.
“Well, it Christmas eve tomorrow, so I fancy hitting the shops and going to see that massive tree they have. I remember seeing that in home alone two and I have wanted to see it since. Well, we all have. So I think I’ll do that tomorrow, you guys game? Or are you going today? What is it here? Around three? I’m too tired and jet lagged to do anything, so I fancy chilling. I might go the hotel bar.”
“We’ll join you today.” Darla says, I jump up of the bed and head towards the door to my room.
“Ok guys, I’ll catch you both later; I’m going to lie down.” I salute them and leave them be.
*****
The next day, we’re all in the cafe, that’s on the bottom floor, eating breakfast. It is just as beautiful in here as it is everywhere in this place. Everyone is shopping today. They want to hit the shops just to experience what it’s like and see if it is like it is in the movies. It’s pretty fun to be fair. Jared nudges me and I turn to him.
“What’s up?”
“We’re not shopping with them today.”
“You can’t tell me who to shop with.”
“Why do you always think the worse? I was not implying that. I mean, I am taking you out for the day. Come on, do you really think I would bring you to New York and not plan for us to have a date.”
“You’ve got to get me to say yes first.” I wink,
“Don’t play hard to get, you know I always win. I’ve already cleared it all with them.”
“Will you stop making plans without me knowing, you know it drives me insane.”
“Ok, sorry! But I’ve already made the arrangements now, so you cannot back down.” He smirks,
“I hate you!”
“Aww, I love you too, Danni.” Sarcastic shit, I hate that I love him.
“You’re a douche; I need to go shopping though. I can’t come here and not shop.”
“Yes you can, anyway, you’re here for another week, and you’ve got plenty of time to shop. Christmas is magical here, on this day. Trust me when I say, you’d want to experience the whole day.”
“Ok, Fine! It best be worth it, or I’ll simply spank your ass.”
“Oh, that sounds exciting. You know I love it when you speak dirty to me.” He smirks, that makes me burst out laughing and the whole table is glaring at Jared.
“Dude, that’s my little sister, I don’t want to hear that. “ Adam snaps, and the rest of the table is giggling to themselves. I turn back towards Jared and notice his face blooming red.
“Sorry, I thought I said that so only she could hear. Dude, you can’t grill me, what are you doing to my sister? Which I can’t say anything because there is little ones in the room.”
“Valid point, as you were.” He turns back to me and smirks,
“Sorry about that.” Jared whispers,
“It’s ok; it can’t be as bad as Andi, Darla and Alex walking in on us last year.”
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“True! Shall we get going?”
“Sure!” We stand up and turn to the rest of them. “Catch you all later, have fun. Jared grabs my hand and pulls me straight towards the entrance and of into the car.
Anticipation fills me, as we drive off and I have no idea what today will bring and the fact that I’m spending it in New York, is one of my dreams. “So do you fancy sharing with me, what we’re actually doing today?”
“We’re heading to the statue of liberty and then get something to eat as we take a walk around. So, it’ll be like a hotdog or burger from a van, which by the way, are best you’ll have ever tasted. Then we’ll do a bit of shopping, and when it starts getting a little dark, I’m taking you to the ice skating rink.” Before he can finish, I can’t help but interrupt in excitement
“Oh my god, the one you see in all the movies? I could totally kiss you right now.” I articulate, slipping my arm out from the seat belt and wrapping my arms around him. He smirks at me.
“Feel free to, I’ve been yeaning for those soft lips to touch mine once again.” I move back, at his conceited remark.
“I said I could, not that I will.”
“You know by the end of the night, your lips will be where they belong, so why even wait?” Before I could reply, we stop and scramble out. “We’ve pulled up at Battery Park. I link Jared and we take a stroll around to get to the building, were we get our tickets. “Danni, if you look to your right, you see that building over there, that was used for the men in black headquarters. How amazing is that? I loved the men in black movies. Will Smith is a legend.”
“That’s pretty awesome, them films where hilarious.” As we carry on walking ahead, we approach a building to buy our tickets. Jared, points to the right again, to show me the everlasting flame, for the 9/11 attacks. I slightly bow my head to show my respect.
Once we’ve received our tickets, we head under the archway where we come to security and wait for our boat to turn up. As we board, the boat is an open view, so we can see great views. I choose to sit at the back so I can see the skyline of all the buildings and that’s including the freedom tower, which is the tallest building, I find it astounding.
As the boat is moving along, my teeth start to chatter its that cold, I even wrapped up today. My hair is blowing everywhere, as the cold air caress across my face. Jared, wraps his arm around me and brings me closer towards his body, and strokes his hand up and down my arm in an attempt to try warming me up. It’s not working but I appreciate the kindness, so I won’t ruin this moment, and we’re on this boat for half an hour, so I’d rather be held in his embrace while I can.
Once we dock, it's a very short walk to the bottom of the statue. On the right, you can go and view the gift shop and there is also a cafe. To your left, is an information centre. As we walk further up, we come to the American flagpole.
As we come to the stairs, we come to a sign. Its three hundred, and seventy-seven stairs to the crown and two hundred and fifteen, to the pedestal. My jaw drops.
“Are you kidding me? Are you trying to wear me out to get out of clothes and Christmas shopping with me? My poor legs are going to collapse, with that many stairs.”
“Well, that was the plan, you’re horrid to shop with, but no. This is a must see, you cannot come to New York and not come up here.”
“Fine, but once we’ve finished here; you’re giving me a piggy back, while we walk around shopping. I’d like to save my legs for ice skating.” He nods his head, knowing he will not win this fight.
“Fine, agreed! Now quit moaning and let’s move our ass, come on.” I stick my tongue out at him and walk ahead, knowing that if I keep gazing at him, my urges will come alive and I will give in to them all, which I am trying so hard to suppress.
*****
What a day, my legs are killing me, but this won’t stop me from ice skating. We’re heading there now. It’s getting on in the evening, so the sky is starting to dim, which is even more magical. The way New York lights up, is perfection.
As we turn up at the ice rink, I’m speechless. I am witnessing the most beautiful place I have ever been. The ice rink is massive, its full of people watching people skate. In the centre there is a statue, and above the statue is the biggest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen, its surrounded by the tall towers, which are lit up like the tree, they’re full of different colours. This may sound ridiculous, but I feel like a princess about to attend her first ball. I turn to Jared.
“Jared, this is stunning. This is more than I could have ever imagined, it’s so pretty. Come on, I don’t want to wait another second.” I grab his hand, and entwine our fingers and drag him to the entrance.
Once we’re on the ice, I start to glide with Jared strolling next to me. I notice he is finding it hard to balance himself. With him being so tall, it makes it look funnier, as his long arms are all over the place. “Jared, I take it you’re not the best skater? When did you last skate?”
“Well, I’ve not skated ever. I just thought this would be nice for you.” Soon as he says that, he falls flat on his ass. I cup my mouth trying badly not to laugh.” I skate closer towards him and hold my hand out to help him up. Instead of him grabbing it for help, he grabs my hand and pulls me down with him, leaving me to fall on top of him, which was an epic fail. As I landed on him, my elbow went into his chest and winded him, which causes me to laugh, as I can’t keep it in anymore.
“Oh my god, Jared! Are you ok? I want to give you sympathy, but then if you think about it, it was your own fault for pulling me down.”
“That looks so much more romantic in the movies.” Wait, he tricked me.
“You dirty little sneak, you can skate can’t you?”
“Obviously, it was a bad attempt to get you close to me.” I smack him on the chest in a sulk and get up without helping him.
“You’re terrible, you didn’t have to fake looking like a fool with your arms everywhere, you idiot. Get up; let’s have a few more goes around, before we head back to the hotel.” I grin because although it was sneaky, for some twisted reason, I find that absolutely adorable.”How about you just hold my hand going around, see, you can still do romance with honesty. Now don’t hold back.”
“Ok, I won’t, but I’ll warn you I’m a pro and I’ll make you look bad.”
“I think I can live with that.” He nods and as he grabs my hand, he pulls me towards him and slowly tries to turn me around in a swirl to dance.
“See, I told you!” He’s pulled me close to his chest and places his hand around my lower back and with his free hand he pushes back a piece of my loose hair, behind my ear. As his knuckles flows across my cheekbone, shivers flow through my body. Everyone around us has now disappeared and it’s just Jared and I left in our own little world. I know where this is going. We’re being pulled towards each other’s lips. I inhale a deep breath, because I feel as if I can’t breathe. Do I take the step back and fight? Or shall I give in to every needs that’s screaming through my body. His bottom lip presses against mine, I can’t think, someone help me away from his lure. He grips the back of my hair and tugs it back and before I can pull away, our lips are already touching. I feel like we are rising from the floor and flying. A part of me wants to stop, but the other half wants more. We’re knocked from our trance by flashing shots and wolf whistles. We part and look ahead and see many people taken pictures and videos. Oh, crap. He looks back at me.
“We best go, this will probably be plastered everywhere in seconds. Oh and by the way, I told you so.”
“Jared, this is no time to gloat, shut up, lets head back.”
Damn, I hate that he was right. As we rush back to the car and jump in. I notice Jared can’t take that silly grin of his face, knowing he’s won. He sits close to me with his arm wrapped around me.
“So, does this mean I’ve won you back? In all seriousness, what do you say? I promise you this time, I will give you my hundred percent and nothing less. All of our secrets are out on the table
and we can start fresh. It kills me not being with you. My life is pointless, my work and money, everything is nothing without you by my side. I’d give it all away to be with you. That’s how much I want us to be together. I understand how hard it’ll be for you to trust me again, but I accept that, as I know that’s my fault, but every day from now, I will prove to you that you can.” I face him to make sure our eyes are meeting, they draw me in, and you can see the depth of his soul and you can tell he means every word.
“Why not, are you sure there is nothing else you need to tell me? No more secrets or surprises like another crazy ex, is the?” He chuckles,
“No! None, Sabrina is my only crazy. So you’re safe.”
“Good, let’s do this then. Our siblings will not be too happy. Adam, is going to flip.”
“It’s ok, I can work your brother, plus, he is screwing my sister after all.”
“Eww, I don’t want to think of that. Well if we’re starting on a no secrets policy, I best tell you this. I replied back to Sabrina’s email, even though you told me not too.”
“I kind of guessed that you would, you never listen, so why would you have listened that time.”
“True! I just know it’s not the end of her and this is just the beginning. There is a storm coming Jared, with her, and you and I, are the centre of it. She planning something big, I can feel it in my gut. It’s kind of scary, but I’m glad I’ve got to enjoy a few more weeks before it happens.”
“I know, Danni. We will sort it somehow. She won’t get away with what she has done. She has to come out of hiding some time and when she does, she’ll regret ever coming back. But for now, let’s not worry about this, let’s enjoy being together again and enjoy the New York experience. Plus, it’s Christmas tomorrow and new years in a week, we’ve got one hell of a week planned. So forget about it and enjoy the now, everything else can be put on hold till it’s over.” I agree, and curl my head into is arms, trying to forget what’s to come and enjoy being with my love once again.
Chapter Ten
“Baby girl, come on, wake up. It’s New Years eve, so you know what that means. Thanks to your man, we get to see Bon Jovi tonight.” Carl jumps on the bed next to me until I start to move.
