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We’re close enough that I can see the definition of the driver’s chiseled face and wavy dark hair. The surfboard in the back of his convertible is a nice touch as well.
He’s shirtless with old fashioned ray ban sunglasses, looking every part a James Dean.
I mean, if James Dean…wait a second. Where do I recognize that face from?
The man looks eerily familiar.
He waves to Ronaldo before he peels out in front of us.
“Who’s that?” I ask.
“That is El Jefe, the boss.”
“El…jefe?”
“Se llama Jack Wellington.”
My stomach coils.
“Jack…Wellington? No. He lives here?”
“Most of the year, yes. Why? Do you know him?”
I furrow my brow, recalling Jack’s annoyance at having to ‘visit’ headquarters. So he lives full time here?
“I kinda know him. Why’d you stop for him?”
I don’t mind being polite and letting other cars pull in front, but the gesture seemed odd.
Ronaldo turns back to me.
“It’s always wise to let Mr. Wellington go first when you see him coming. He likes to drive fast.”
I can’t tell if Ronaldo thinks Mr. Wellington is just another rich, gringo asshole, or if he actually respects him.
I came here to escape assholes, so I change the subject.
After a few more minutes, we turn onto a busier road and a small strip of shops that back home my friends would laugh at the idea of calling a ‘downtown.’ But this is it.
Ronaldo pulls up to a huge hotel where I’ll be staying tonight. There’s a restaurant downstairs.
“Perfect,” he says. “We’re here.”
I smile as he takes my bags from the back and brings them to the front desk.
I give him a tip and bid him adios.
The layout of this hotel is like nothing I’ve ever seen. The check-in area is entirely outside in the open air. The floors and walls are mostly marble. It’s absolutely stunning.
I check into my five-hundred-dollar a night room and shower off. It’s expensive and out of my budget, but it was a deal I made with myself: take a more affordable red-eye, and I would get to stay at a luxury hotel for one night before I settle into the yoga retreat center for the rest of my stay.
* * *
When I wakeup from my nap, my stomach is rumbling so I head down to the hotel restaurant for lunch. I order practically the whole freaking menu, I’m so famished.
After lunch, I sunbathe for a while then find a shade-covered hammock to lounge in next to the pool.
My finger hovers over a dating app as I look at my phone.
