“No, you’re welcome to join me!” Marcella smiled and spread the wet towel over the bed before lying down.
“Eliza, a very pretty name.” She stretched one long tanned leg out in front of her.
“Thank you.” Eliza turned her head to look at Marcella.
“I like your name much more.” Marcella looked over at Eliza.
“You are very sweet. You are from America, no?” Eliza nodded.
“Yes, I’m from Massachusetts.” Marcella looked at her blankly and Eliza laughed. “Umm, it’s at the top, near the ocean?” Marcella nodded.
“Ah, okay, I understand. I am from Monte Carlo.” Eliza wondered what it must be like to be from Monte Carlo. She thought that Marcella, or at least her family, must be quite wealthy.
“It must be nice to live here!” Eliza said. Marcella tilted her head to the side and shrugged her shoulders.
“It is nice sometimes, but very busy also.”
“Do you live close?” Eliza asked, smiling over at the approaching waiter.
“I live ici…umm…here.” Marcella said. Eliza was sure she was misunderstanding her.
“Here? You live in the hotel?” She asked. Marcella nodded.
“Oui, I live in the hotel.”
“Ah! Bonjour Madame Auclair!” The waiter smiled at Marcella as he slid between the two sunbeds and put a rather large pineapple on the table between them.
“Bonjour, Guy.” Marcella said before closing her eyes and basking in the sun.
“Wow!” Eliza reached over and picked up the pineapple. “Is this my drink?!” She asked Guy as she pulled one of the straws sticking from the pineapple to her mouth and took a sip.
“Oui, mademoiselle! It is good?” He asked. Eliza nodded as she sucked on the straw.
“Oh yes, it’s amazing! I’m not sure that I’m going to be able to walk back to my room later though!” Eliza laughed and Guy joined her.
“We can get you an escort to your room if you need it mademoiselle.” He placed a napkin on the table. “May I get you ladies anything else?” He asked.
“No, thank you, I’m just fine.” Eliza said. He looked over at Marcella who shook her head without opening her eyes.
“Very well, I will come and check on you again later.”
Eliza watched as Guy walked away and after glancing over at Marcella once again, she began reading her book.
Chapter 2
When Eliza returned to her room she jumped in to the shower to wash off the suntan lotion. She wasn’t sure about the technicalities of dining in a fancy restaurant, but she was pretty sure that it wasn’t generally accepted to smell like sweat and suntan lotion.
The restaurant of the hotel had three Michelin stars and as part of her prize package, Eliza was given a free nightly meal there. At first the idea of dining alone in such a fancy restaurant had made her anxious, but watching Marcella down at the pool had given her a little more confidence. Everything Marcella had done was done with grace and poise. She was the type of woman who didn’t care if she ate alone and Eliza wanted to be like that too.
After a long hot shower, Eliza wrapped herself in a big fluffy robe and walked out in to the bedroom. There, lying on the bed was a beautiful red dress along with a small card.
Thank you for being our guest,
The Hotel Auclair
Eliza stared at the card for a moment, why did that name sound so familiar? She couldn’t place it. Picking up the dress, she spun it around. There was a large cut out in the back and the whole thing glistened with delicate sparkles. Eliza had never had a dress that looked so expensive before. Taking it with her in to the bathroom she began to get herself ready for an evening of good food.
When she got to the large glass doors of the Restaurant Auclair, Eliza was greeted by a tuxedoed French man with his hair clicked back.
“Bienvenue, Mademoiselle!” He pulled the door open and held it for her.
“Umm…bienvenue?” Eliza stuttered. The man holding the door chuckled and Eliza smiled at him, slightly embarrassed.
“Good evening Mademoiselle Day.” Another man in an identical tuxedo to the first walked over to her.
“Good evening!” Eliza said, surprised that he had known her last name.
“Allow me to take you to your table?” He said, offering her the crook of his arm. Eliza slid her arm through it and followed him as he led her to a large table in the center of the room.
“Oh…” Eliza paused. “There must be some kind of mistake…I’m dining alone. I’m afraid that this table is much too large.” She smiled trying to hide her embarrassment.
“No mademoiselle, Mr. and Mrs. Auclair have requested that you join them and their guests for dinner tonight.” The young man released Eliza’s arm and pulled out one of the chairs for her. Eliza sat down and he pushed her chair closer to the table. “They will be down shortly.” He added. “May I fetch you a glass of wine while you wait?”
“No, thank you. I would like a glass of water though, please.” She said. He nodded and disappeared in the direction of the kitchen.
As Eliza waited for the waiter to come back with her water, she looked around the dining room. Despite being close to capacity, the place was almost silent. She fidgeted in her chair. She wondered exactly what was in store for her.
“Eliza!” A female voice called across the restaurant. When she turned to see who was calling her, she was met with Marcella’s smiling face.
“Marcella!” Eliza stood up from the table to greet her. It was then that she remembered the waiter by the pool calling her Madame Auclair. It was Marcella!
“Sit down, please!” Marcella said as her husband pulled out a chair for her and she sat down. “I hope you do not mind having dinner with us?” Eliza shook her head.
“No, no! Thank you for inviting me!” Eliza smiled over at Eliza.
“This is my husband, Monsieur Auclair…Beaufort…Beau.” Eliza stood up again and offered him her hand. Rather than shake it, Beau took it in his and kissed it. Eliza blushed.
“It is very nice to meet you.” Eliza wasn’t sure what she should call him so she cut her sentence short.
“The pleasure is all mine.” Beau released her hand and waited for her to sit back down before sitting down himself.
The waiter brought over Eliza’s water and headed straight to Beau’s side after dropping it off. Marcella nervously peered at the door as Beau ordered some kind of wine.
“Is everything okay?” Eliza asked her as she looked over to the door as well. Marcella looked at her expectantly.
“Moi?” She asked. Eliza nodded. “Oh! Yes, thank you. I am just waiting for my brother. I hope you do not mind, but I thought that you two would make very good...umm…friends.”
“Oh? I look forward to meeting him then!” Eliza lied. She hated being set up, even when the person doing the setting up was a rich hotel owner from Monte Carlo.
“We call him the prince of Monte Carlo.” Marcella grinned.
“Why?” Eliza asked.
“He is quite famous in the casinos around here. He has what you say, a lucky streak?” Eliza nodded. “Yes, a lucky streak. So we joke he is famous like the prince of Monte Carlo.” Marcella giggled.
As the waiter scurried away from the table once again, Marcella stood up and smiled towards the entrance of the restaurant. Eliza followed her gaze. There, walking towards their table was the most incredible looking man that she had ever seen.
“Eliza, this is my brother, Sebastian.”
Chapter 3
Sebastian pulled his sister in to a tight hug before shaking hands firmly with Beau.
“Sebastian, this is the girl I was telling you about.” Marcella said as she gestured to Eliza. Eliza smiled at him as he walked over to her offering his hand. Eliza placed her hand in his and he pulled it to his lips.
“My pleasure mademoiselle.” He said in a deep rich voice.
“Please, call me Eliza.” Eliza said, withdrawing her hand as he released it.
“And please, call me Sebastian.” He offered as he sat in the empty chair beside Eliza.
“Sebastian, what have you been up to?” Beau asked. Eliza giggled again.
“I can tell you that, my love. If I know my brother, he has been in the casino all day.” Sebastian shrugged innocently.
“What can I say? At least I have been winning.” He said.
“You always win! You are very lucky.” Marcella said with a smile.
“I do believe that luck runs in the family.” Sebastian said as he peered around the room. Beau shook his head vehemently.
“There is no luck in running The Hotel Auclair, it is hard work that makes our fortune.” Marcella glared at Beau. He and Sebastian had always had a tense relationship. While money came easily to Sebastian through the casino tables, Beau was not so fortunate. Despite having a privileged upbringing and a particularly fat bank account, Beau had had to work hard for his fortune.
“So, Eliza…have you enjoyed your stay in Monte Carlo so far?” Marcella asked in an effort to divert the conversation. Eliza smiled awkwardly, unsure as to whether she wanted to be the diversion to such a private argument.
“Yes. Thank you. I have only been in the hotel so far, but I hope to see more of the neighborhood tomorrow.” Marcella’s eyes widened.
“You should show her around Sebastian!” She said excitedly. Eliza rubbed her neck nervously. Despite the fact that Sebastian was incredibly good looking, she wasn’t entirely sure about spending a whole day with someone she didn’t really know.
“Eliza?” Sebastian turned, his pale blue eyes to her. “Would you like me for to show you around tomorrow?” He asked. Eliza picked up her water and took a sip. What could she say? She had hoped to be able to explore on her own, but it would be quite blatantly rude if she refused Sebastian’s offer.
“Of course she would!” Marcella butted in. Sebastian turned to look at Marcella and then returned his gaze to Eliza.
“I will not have my feelings hurt if you would rather be alone.” He said. “Monte Carlo is a very safe destination.” He added with a genuine smile.
“No, it would be lovely if you could show me around.” Eliza said. Sebastian’s smile broadened.
“Then I shall look forward to it.” He said, picking up the menu in front of him.
Eliza managed to navigate dinner without being roped in to any other activities, although she started to fixate on spending the day with Sebastian. What if he turned out to be as big of a jerk as Beau? By the time she got back up to her room, the excessive worry and her afternoon in the sun had left her completely exhausted. Stripping down to her bra and panties she headed in to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. She had no idea how socialites kept up with the constant social demands, just one dinner with the Auclair’s and she was barely able to keep her eyes open.
Just as she threw back the bedcovers completely and set the small mint off the pillow on the night stand, there came a knock on the door. Eliza’s shoulders dropped in defeat. She was too tired to find out who it was and with a feeling of guilt she sat on the bed. Before she could swing her legs up under the covers, there was another knock and this time it was followed by a voice.
“Eliza?” Whoever it was had their mouth pressed up against the door so she couldn’t recognize their voice. With a sigh she stood up and went to fetch the bathrobe. “Eliza?” The voice came again as she tied the robe around her slender waist.
“I’m coming!” she said, a tone of frustration in her voice. She pulled her long hair out of the collar of the robe and flicked it behind her. Standing on tiptoes she looked through the peephole and saw what looked like Sebastian standing in the hall. “One second.” She slid the latch over and opened the door.
“Oh!” Sebastian said, taking one look at Eliza standing there in her bathrobe. “I am sorry to have been a bother. I did not realize you would be sleeping.”
“I was just getting ready for bed, that’s all.” Eliza said with a smile. “Is everything okay?” She asked. Sebastian’s cheeks grew pink.
“I…” A chunk of his blonde hair flopped down on his forehead. “Well, I wanted to ask if you would like a drink, but I see my timing is not so right.” Eliza smiled at him softly.
“Why don’t you come in?” She said, standing back a little further and opening the door wider.
“No, I wouldn’t want to bother you. I will make up to you tomorrow.” He said.
“Don’t be silly.” Eliza said. Although she was exhausted, she felt guilty about sending him away. “Come in.” Sebastian hesitated for a moment before stepping in to the room. “I’m afraid I don’t much feel like drinking, but I could definitely drink a hot cocoa…” She sat on the bed, tugging her robe to cover herself as much as possible.
“Hot cocoa?” Sebastian asked. Eliza nodded. “I will call downstairs, they will bring some.” He laughed quietly. “I have never had cocoa for a nightcap.” Picking up the phone he smiled at Eliza.
Eliza had gulped down a full mug of hot cocoa in record time and was regretting her choice. She had never had to pee so badly in her life, but for some reason she didn’t want to go while Sebastian was still in her room. Finally the need became so great that she had to jump off the bed and run to the bathroom.
“I’ll be right back!” She shouted as she slammed the door shut.
“You are okay?” Sebastian shouted back, concerned that she had become sick. Eliza giggled as she began to pee.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
When she came out of the bathroom a few minutes later Eliza found Sebastian waiting for her. She looked up at him awkwardly.
“I was worried you might have been...ill?” He questioned his word choice.
“Oh, no, I’m fine! I just had to…umm…” Eliza looked at him hoping he would catch on to what she meant to say. He looked back expectantly. Rather than say the word out loud she crossed her legs as though she had to go again. Sebastian burst out laughing.
“Oh! Too much cocoa.” He said. Eliza nodded.
“It was such good cocoa though!” She added. Sebastian agreed.
“They always have good chocolate here, even when you drink it!” Sebastian walked over to the tray on the table and set the empty cocoa mugs on it. “It’s getting late, you should go to bed. I will put this outside for you.” He picked up the tray.
“Sebastian?” Eliza walked ahead of him to open the door.
“Yes?” He said.
“Thank you.” He frowned at her.
“Why?”
“For coming to see me, for the cocoa.” Eliza said. Sebastian smiled.
“I would bring cocoa every night for a pretty lady like you.”
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Prince-Novella-Mystery-Suspense-ebook/dp/B016ON2X2E
Sample from Mina More
http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Cyborg-Story-Fantasy-Adventure-ebook/dp/B00IOMHKFE
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Chapter 1
Okay, so you want everything. Right from the beginning? This could take a while.
Well, to get to the very beginning you probably have to go back about fourteen years. I was twenty-four and, weirdly enough, working for a subsidiary of Cyberlife Systems called Microsoft. Yeah, they dealt with most of the software side of a lot of CyberV.
I was just one of many ‘system technicians’ working on the base line systems of the Oceania Architecture. That doesn’t mean I was in Oceania, of course, all the server sites are held here in the UK. Not that it really mattered where the servers were being held for the sort of update work we were do-
…You’re really not too interested in those sorts of details, are you?
So, it was this great open-plan office which I’m pretty sure they had model
led on a prison sweatshop. Cyberlife like to paint themselves as some sort of radical freeing force for humanity, always did, but as you know existence inside the Cyberlife fold is all about boundaries and conformity.
My boundaries were about twenty centimetres beyond my right elbow, the same beyond my left and about a metre forward of my nose. Sometimes I’d go to stretch and accidentally rap the knuckles of both hands against either side of my little cell.
I really was in the Cyberlife fold back then, too. I didn’t have this place and I’d finally made the jump out of living at home, the easiest way to do that being a Cyberlife apartment on site. Oh yeah, no shit, I was one of the drones filing down the super nerd highways of the Clyst St. Mary complex from one kind of cell to another.
Huh…? Yeah, yeah it was here in ‘Sector 9G’ as most people call it, I’ve lived here all my life – I’m sure I must have told you that. Well… never mind.
So where was I? Right… so there I was being a good little worker bee, working away hard in my own little cell of the great honeycomb. To my left sat Antony, the goddamn biggest guy you’ve ever seen in your life. I swear, two-ten if he was a centimetre, and broad with it as well. And the poor guy got the same size cubicle as everyone else. I really don’t know how he did it – I spent every day feeling so claustrophobic in mine. Of course, it probably wasn’t just the size of my work space which caused that.
Antony was a real nice guy and we sort of shared a sense of humour – or, at least a bit of a one – so we were work buddies in that way that you almost feel close to that person at work every day, but when you take it out of the workplace you take away all the reasons that friendship had to exist. Of course, I suppose you’ve never had the chance to experience that; don’t worry, these convenient friendships are not the worst thing in life you could miss out on.
To my right was Wendy, possibly the most masculine woman ever to have existed. Honestly, I’m amazed that scientists didn’t try and study her – see if they could isolate the tomboy gene.
Then again, maybe they did, because one Monday morning me and Antony came in to find Wendy gone. No warning at all, and all we could find out was that she had transferred to the research complex up in Sector 1B. How fucking weird is that? I mean, as if she’s going to suddenly change her job and move three-hundred and fifty odd kilometres away without telling the people she sat next to at work. Boy, that’s always creeped me out to this day.
The Love I Found: Contemporary Romance Mystery (Ariadne Silver Romance Mystery #3) Page 12