Charlie

Nick showed me back to the kitchen that was situated behind reception and alongside the dining room. I pulled out a small stool from the side and got Nick to sit down while I went across to the freezer to get some ice. After first opening a couple of doors that turned out to be fridges instead, they all look the same in these commercial kitchens. After finding the right door, I got a few ice cubes and wrapped a dish towel around them to carry them back across for Nick’s knuckles to hopefully prevent them from bruising.

I couldn’t look him in the eye, “I’m so sorry Nick, I’ll pack my things and leave. I’m sorry Ben came here and starting causing so much chaos.”

“Char, look at me,” Nick’s gentle voice felt so soothing but I just felt so bad that I couldn’t bare to see the hurt that must be in his eyes. Hurt I caused by bringing my relationship drama to his hotel, his Mum’s hotel.

Using a finger from his unbruised hand, Nick tilted my chin up so I had to see his face for the first time, there wasn’t any hurt there, just concern? Concern for me? How could he be concerned for me after everything I’ve caused.

“Char, none of this is your fault. You didn’t bring Ben here, you didn’t cause him to say all those horrible things. If anything, I should be the one apologising. I know it was wrong for me to punch him but when I heard him call you…that…I just snapped. I’m sorry.”

“I kinda liked it when you punched him,” I blushed.

“Ha,” Nick blurted out, as surprised by my openness as I was.

“I don’t know how he found me here. I never told him about the honeymoon, it was going to be a surprise,” I tried to think back, could Ben track my phone? No I don’t think so, I suggested it once, but he accused me of not trusting him. Clearly, I shouldn’t have trusted him after all.

The door from reception opened and a member of staff called through to Nick, “Nick, there’s a call at the desk for a Mr Charlie Spring but we don’t seem to have anyone in the system by that time, should I tell them there’s no one staying here with that name?”

“I’m Charlie Spring,” I replied, confused as to why there was a call for me, the only person who knew I was here was Tori and she always called my mobile. I felt my pockets and realised I didn’t have my phone with me. I remember now, I left it on charge in the room.

“Keep that ice on there, I’ll be right back,” I said to Nick before following the other man out to the desk.

I picked up the phone that was lying on its side on the desk, “Hello?”

“Charlie?”

“Tori, what’s happened, is it Mum and Dad, Olly?”

“No, their fine, I’ve been trying to ring you for hours.”

“Sorry, I left my phone on charge in the villa and then things got a bit…complicated.”

“I need to warn you that Ben might be on his way there, when you weren’t at the registry office he came to our parents house. Jane answered the door and he explained to her that he was your roommate and that he needed to get in touch with you but wasn’t sure where you’d gone. Made out like you’d disappeared, which of course made her panic. She made me show him where you were. I’m so sorry Charlie, you need to get out of there.”

“Tori, it’s ok.”

“Look, I can’t really talk right now but Ben has already been here and now he’s gone.”

“Are you ok?” Tori’s emotions showing through more than usual, clearly worried I might be hurt.

“I’m fine, he was really horrible but I stood up to him and then when he got really bad, Nick, he’s the guy who owns the hotel. Well, when thing’s got bad, Nick may have…punched Ben in the face,” I rushed out that last part as if feeling a weight lift off my chest.

“Well done then,” Tori replied.

“I promise, I’ll call you later ok,”

“Ok, take care Charlie.”

“You too.”

I went back to the kitchen to check on Nick.