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"Let's just go," she added.
Apparently, I wasn't the only one who thought this was going to be a long trip. And I was sure Laura had a lot to say to me, or more like she had a lot of anger to direct at me.
As we drove along the winding roads, the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over everything around us. The trees lining the road were ablaze with color, the leaves in shades of red, orange, and yellow. It was a picturesque scene, one that would have been perfect for a romantic getaway. But the tension between us was still noticeable.
Laura had a glass of red wine in her hand, and I could see her hand shaking slightly as she brought it to her lips. She had been drinking steadily since she had bought it, and I knew it wasn't just because she was thirsty. She was getting ready for me. Her eyes were fixed on her phone, and I could tell she was avoiding me.
I kept my eyes on the road, trying to focus on driving, but I couldn't help stealing glances at her every now and then. She was a stunning woman, but right now, she looked troubled, and I was pretty sure that I was the cause of it.
"Laura," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. She turned to look at me, her eyebrow raised in question.
"I'm sorry I didn't call," I apologized, hoping she would forgive me.
She looked at me for a long moment before shaking her head.
"It's fine, Anthony," she said, her voice barely masking her irritation.
I took a deep breath, knowing I needed to tell her the truth.
"Laura, I'm being watched," I said, keeping my eyes on the road ahead. "Your dad and James, you know how they are. They don't want me around you, and I can't take any chances."
"What are you talking about?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in confusion.
"That night I gave you a ride to and from the club," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "James and his guys followed me and cornered me. He told me that he was in charge of your protection and that I shouldn’t be ‘unreasonable’."
I could feel Laura's eyes on me, and I knew she was listening intently.
"I don't know if the boss knows about it," I continued. "But it seems like it only takes one mistake to get on his bad side."
There was a long moment of silence before Laura spoke again.
"You should have told me," she said softly.
A few minutes of silence passed, and I could feel her anger dissipating. I knew that I had at least a chance of making things right with her. "I’m not meeting the investors until tomorrow," she said, trying to sound professional. "We should grab a bite to eat after we check into our rooms at the hotel”
I nodded, relieved that she speaking to me again. As we pulled into the hotel parking lot, I knew that the next few days were going to be tense, but at least for now, we were on the same page.
My luxurious hotel room was a sight to behold. The walls were painted in a soothing cream color with intricate gold accents adorning the plush cushions and curtains. The bed was fit for royalty, with crisp white linens and an array of soft pillows inviting me to sink into a deep slumber.
As I closed my eyes, I felt my body melting into the bed's softness, cocooned in a cloud of comfort. However, thoughts of my daughter tugged at my consciousness, and I roused myself from the drowsy state.
I dialed Mrs. Tom's number and waited as the phone rang. To my surprise, Amanda's cheerful voice came on the line, and I couldn't help but smile at the sound of her excitement.
"Daddy, my tooth is about to fall out," she exclaimed.
I was taken aback, not expecting such news.
"Your tooth?" I asked in shock. Had she been in another fight? Because I thought her baby teeth wouldn’t start to fall out until she was at least six years old.
"Mrs. Tom said it's loose because there’s another one growing underneath it," Amanda explained.
I breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that it indeed was just a baby tooth falling out. "Does it hurt, sweetie?" I asked, concerned.
"Yes, a little," she replied, her voice singing with excitement. She was apparently more thrilled about the prospect of losing her first tooth than any associated pain.
I instructed Amanda to tell Mrs. Tom whenever it hurt, and I bid them both goodbye. After hanging up the phone, I walked over to the mini bar and noticed the cool air conditioning unit next to it, providing a respite from the humid outside weather. I grabbed a bottle of chilled water and decided to take a stroll around the hotel.
Leaving my relaxing sanctuary, I walked down the ornate hallway, admiring the intricate details of the marble floors and gilded mirrors. The grandeur of the lobby took my breath away, with the chandelier casting a soft glow on the elegant furnishings. The lobby was bustling with people, each dressed impeccably in their finest attire. The sound of the grand piano being played by a talented pianist added to the sophisticated ambiance.
