05

She didn’t know which direction to take their conversation so she settled into the plush airline seat and focused on a spot that was anywhere but opposite of her.

She tried not staring at her father-she realized than that maybe she shouldn’t use that word so lightly, but what should she call the man? Ward? Mr. McDermott?

Strange. She thought. It sounded foreign to her and yet, overtly appropriate. She wasn’t ready to come to terms with their newfound relationship and coming to terms meant calling him something that he knew absolutely nothing about being.

She worried her bottom lip as she peered around the plane and was somewhat surprised to see a number of men boarding the plane.

She cleared her throat and her father-Ward, peered up from the paper he had been reading and followed the direction of her gaze. “They’re here to assist in my research.” He said flatly, dismissing it as easily as that as he reverted back to his article.

Lily frowned, “All of them?”

He nodded, “There will be more when we land.”

She thought it odd but decided it was best to not ask questions for he appeared in no mood to answer them and so for the remainder of the trip, she busied herself with books, stale peanuts and an occasional glass of wine to steady her nerves.

Eventually, she drifted asleep.

She stood in a dark room, vaguely aware of something watching her with an unyielding stare. She breathed in a steady breath as an uneasy feeling crept up her spine. Her fingers stretched in the dark, searching blindly for a way out.

“Lily…”

She jerked around, frightened by the voice that had been in her ear. She could feel it moving around her, circling her in the dark. She grew breathless as a breeze hissed by her and she nearly leapt from her skin.

"Whose there?” she demanded, thoroughly frightened.

“Demise.” The booming voice resonated in the darkness, drawling out any last remnants of her courage.

She turned and ran, undaunted of what may lay in her path. Her heart beat at an uncanny rate and for some odd notion, she believed him capable of hearing it. She felt him coming closer.

A large, masculine hand, with all the strength in his fingers, seized her. “Lily!”

She jumped awake in her seat and nearly released the scream jammed in her throat. Ward peered at her questionably as he released his seatbelt. “We’ve arrived.”

She nodded shakily as she unfastened herself and stood on wobbly legs. “Stale peanuts and stilled wine don’t mesh well.” She said in an attempt to deter the awkward stare. She offered a small smile and pushed past him.

As she stepped from the plane, she was baffled to notice the men who had boarded with them, gone, disappearing like vapor.

Shrugging it off for nothing, she went to retrieve her bags.

She met up with Ward outside and was surprised when he waved down a taxi. “No luxury car?” she asked with a trace of sarcasm.

He turned and cocked a silvered brow at her, “I thought you’d be pleased?”

She said nothing and slipped into the car.

The driver turned and addressed Ward in a fluent Romanian accent, “Where too, sir?”

“Carol Parc Hotel.” He responded.

Lily’s eyes widened as she turned to Ward with astonishment. “You speak Romanian?”

His face remained expressionless, “This surprises you? I have been researching here for many years; it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’ve learned their language.”

He was right. She should have guessed that one.

Romania was everything she had imagined and more. They had come to its capital, Bucharest, which in all its historical beauty, was unlike anything she had ever seen. She was growing antsy in her seat just watching the buildings pass her by. Bucharest had so much history to offer from the RoyalPalace to the Palace of Parliament, to parks and authentic museums. Her excitement was almost too much to contain that she nearly giggled like a child.

“We will be staying at the Carol Parc Hotel. It’s the best in Bucharest.” Ward said from beside her as she peered with eagerness out the window. “You will have access to all of Bucharest after I retrieve my research.”

Lily was quick to note how he emphasized the word and turned away from the window to look at him. “What sort of research are you obtaining while we’re here?”

He was silent a moment and this puzzled her. “We’ll talk more once we’ve rested and eaten.”

She sensed once that time came, he wouldn’t tell her anything.

Carol Parc Hotel was indeed the finest most lavished hotel she had ever seen, and she couldn’t have felt more so out of place standing in the lobby in a pair of worn and torn blue jeans and a plain cashmere sweater.

Shifting uncomfortably from one heel to the other, her eyes swept the lobby, marveling at how a hotel could be so beautiful.

Its ceilings stretched high above her, the walls were covered in lovely striped-patterned wallpaper, and the floors were so immaculately polished that she could almost see her reflection peering back at her.

Clearing her throat, she adjusted her grip around the strap of her luggage and followed Ward to the front desk.

As they approached, the woman sitting at the counter beamed a bright smile. “Welcome to Carol Parc Hotel, we are happy to have you, the name please?”

“McDermott.” Ward replied as he sifted through his wallet.

He turned towards her, “I have already reserved a room for you.” He motioned above her head and a bell boy came forward to take her luggage.

“Follow me, ma’am.”

“You speak English?” Lily asked surprisingly.

The boy chuckled, “Yes, ma’am.”

She followed the boy and turned half-way to find Ward gone. “Where are you from?” the boy asked curiously as he led her up a winding stairway.

“New York.” She answered quickly and than, “Are you from here?”

The boy shook his head as they came to a stop before a closed door. He turned towards her, giving her a view of the nametag clipped to his shirt. “Louis.”

“No ma’am. I’m originally from Arkansas.”

She was seemingly surprised by this, “Arkansas?”

He nodded, flashing a grin, “I’m an exchange student. I work here part-time to make a little extra money-here you go.” He unlocked the door and pushed it open.

As the door swung wide, Lily’s mouth dropped open. She would have never dreamed of such a room, let alone sleep in one as magnificent as the one before her.

The suite was made up in gold flavorful hues; beautiful dark mahogany furniture dotted the room in vintage upholstery. The bed climbed for days adorned in a thick coverlet of cream and royal blue. Pillows piled high atop it, making her suddenly aware of how very tired she was. A fireplace took up one side of the wall and floral porcelain decorated the smooth marble mantel

Lily felt extremely awkward and out of place standing there like a tourist admiring every perfection. “This is my room?”

Louis nodded, “Yes ma’am.” He pointed across the room to a door, “That is your bathroom. If you have any need of assistance, please call the front desk.” He set aside her luggage and quietly left the room.

Lily peered at the closed door that led into the bathroom. She knew already the bathroom would be as ridiculously beautiful as the room and decided to unpack before exploring that wonder.

**********