Chapter 15: You Really Are Here
“It’s not far from here. Let me take you there.” Gianna firmly pulled Caleb, heading in a certain direction. Her strength wasn't significant, and Caleb had been a fighter. If he wanted to break free, it wouldn’t even require a third of his strength. Yet, Caleb felt as though an unseen force was compelling him to move forward. The journey was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to his time in prison.
At last, they arrived at their destination, and Gianna released him. “See, I didn’t lie to you, right? It’s a comfortable place, and it’s much safer than the one you chose.” Caleb cast a glance inside and found it to be true. “I’ll stay here tonight, then.” He pulled open the door, discovering that Gianna had absolutely no intention of entering. He held his tongue, ultimately choosing not to voice his questions.
“Thanks.” He pushed the door open and entered the building. Gianna was in disbelief, not expecting him to express his gratitude. Overwhelming joy enveloped Gianna. Her face turned red, and she was at a loss for words. Hard work does pay off!
Inside the building, the receptionist hung up the phone, welcoming Caleb with a warm smile. “Welcome to Nameless Hotel.” What a peculiar name. Caleb cut straight to the chase. “How much does a single room cost per night?”
“Since it’s your first time here, we’ll only charge you fifty.” Upon hearing those words, Caleb was taken aback. The hotel’s ambiance was surprisingly delightful, with a pleasant fragrance lingering in the air. This scent smells familiar… Whatever. Caleb dismissed the thought, swiftly scanning the code to pay. He had also considered that the place could be a shady establishment, but he had nothing, so there was no point in conning him. The wealthy were always afraid of losing something, but the poor could only be courageous because they had nothing to lose.
“This is the keycard for Room 206. Just take a left after you head upstairs,” said the receptionist. Caleb collected his keycard, hoisting his suitcase as he ascended the stairs. He turned left, inadvertently colliding with a woman. The habits he developed in prison led him to apologize reflexively. “Sorry.”
The lighting was dim, and the woman was wearing a mask and a cap, which prevented Caleb from clearly seeing her face. However, Caleb thought that the hint of her profile as she revealed was familiar. Unfortunately, he couldn’t remember anything. Caleb wasn’t in the mood to bother with other people’s affairs, so he found his room and swiped his card to enter.
Inside the room, there was a small bed similar to those found in other hotels. It was adorned with a blanket, a pillow, and a large white towel. On the small cabinet beside the bed, there was a box of contraceptives, a bottle of beverage, and a pair of headphones. A flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall, with a remote control and a laptop arranged in the television cabinet.
Driven by curiosity, Caleb took a glance at the laptop. Inside, it was empty, just like a brand-new computer. He closed his laptop, massaging his forehead. Thump. Caleb accidentally kicked something and lowered his head, noticing a medical kit. I must say, the amenities in this hotel are impressively comprehensive. The room is comfortably sized, and there’s everything I need.
It was late, so he decided to freshen up and hit the sack. He took a shower in the bathroom, and after he came out, he lightly treated his wound. Later, he had a dreamless night. He had a comfortable time staying there, so he went downstairs to extend his room reservation.
When he reached the ground floor, he saw a person he never thought he would see. “Raquel, why are you here?” Upon hearing the voice, Raquel turned around in surprise. However, her surprise quickly morphed into anger. “You really are here, just as I thought! You have no shame!”
Chapter 16: What Have You Done