Justin's surprise 2

We stopped in front of the Grand Mirage Hotel. “Come on.” Justin said and opened the door. I stood outside just staring at the building while he and the taxi driver got our luggage out. “Marie could you pay the taxi driver? I don’t have any lose change.” Justin said. I nodded and paid him. It was after we checked in and were escorted to our room that I could speak again. “The remotes are in the left drawer and if you need anything just dial 100 on the intercom.” The valet said to me and left. The room was amazing. The bed was huge, the décor was like a delicious dessert. I couldn’t wait to see the bathroom. It was just as I imagined it, adorable. Justin put our bags in a corner and sat on the bed. “Jus, I know this is really cool and all but really what are we celebrating?” I asked, touching the orange bedside lamp. “You are so strange. You always say I’m not romantic. Now that I’m being romantic too you are complaining.” He responded. “Oh no, I’m not complaining oh.” I said and jumped onto the bed. “We thank God I will be done with my Master’s soon. Please save some of this till after June ok?” I teased.

I woke up in the middle of the night. I guess the unfamiliar environment (extremely comfortable bed, silk sheets and slit air conditioner) was the reason. I admired the room one more time and turned to look at Justin who was fast asleep. I was so grateful he didn’t snore or drool among other things lol. He was sleeping soundly. I couldn’t help believe how far we had come. We had been going out for just a bit over a year but it felt like 10 years. I remember how I used to complain to him because he put his work first all the time. There was a time we almost broke up because he just didn’t have time for me and it wasn’t that he had to work oh. He was doing his own voluntary overtime with no allowances. Justin was always far from romantic. His idea of a date was to stay indoors and talk or play video games…with his friends! But besides that and a few incidents were he totally ignored me, he was a good guy. He always makes an effort to change. 

I opened my eyes because I heard a knock at the door. I turned to the side and Justin wasn’t there. I could hear some water running. I got off the bed and walked to the door. There was a waiter with a huge tray of food. He brought it inside and put it on the table. I smiled at him (that was my tip) and he left the room. Breakfast was massive! “Justin breakfast is here and it’s huge!” I yelled. “Wow, I can’t wait.” he said and he came out of the bathroom. We spent the whole morning having breakfast in bed and watching a movie. 

“Don’t you have to go to work?” I asked, looking at the time. “Work, who said I came here to work?” Justin asked. He looked like her wasn’t joking. This was even stranger. I turned to look at him immediately. He took a deep breath and sat up, took my hand, looked straight into my eyes and said. “Marie, a lot has happened in the last couple of days and it made me realize that you deserved better. I haven’t treated you very well in the past.” “Oh Justin, I understand. Your job is stressful and everything we went through was to make us stronger so marriage won’t be that hard.” I cut in. His expression changed and I realized I mentioned the ‘M’ word. “Oops, sorry, I know I said I won’t talk about marriage right now.” I said and giggled. He pulled me closer to him. “It’s ok. I just want us to enjoy the moments we spend together.” He whispered and kissed my forehead.

In no time we both fell asleep.

It was like the hotel put Valium in our food. Maybe it wasn’t the hotels fault; we were the ones who overeat. When I opened my eyes I noticed Justin wasn’t there. I got off the bed and realized he wasn’t in the bathroom either. I picked up my phone to call him. “Hey Marie didn’t you see my note? I left one on the table telling you that I was at the pool.” He said. My eyes lit up immediately. “The pool opens at night? Aww I wish I brought my swim suit.” I said jealously. I drew the curtains and took a look at the pool. I saw Justin sitting on the side of the pool and he was alone too! I was so jealous. “Oh the hotel hasn’t been to the room yet? I ordered a swim suit for you. Maybe they brought it when you were sleeping and took it back. Call the reception and tell them you want a swim suit delivered to your room.” Justin said. “For real?” I asked, tempted to hop around. “Yea, for real. I’ll be waiting for you. Hurry up. They might close soon.” He said and hang up. I dashed to the hotel room phone and made my order. In no time the swim suit was in with a towel too. It was so hot. I knew Justin picked that particular one! 

“Hi fishy!” I teased when I got to the pool. The water was so warm and nice. I hadn’t swum in months so this was so soothing. “Hey, I don’t know what happened to make you become so romantic but I like it!” I said from across the pool. Then it occurred to me, maybe he did something terrible. Maybe he was trying to satisfy his own guilty conscience. My peaceful mind was troubled instantly. “Justin we should be getting back. I’m beginning to feel cold.” I lied. He nodded and we went back to the room. I wanted to talk to him and clear things out. I waited till we both had our showers and were cozy in bed again, eagerly waiting for dinner. “Justin, about what you said earlier, could you explain it further?” I asked. He was busy changing the channel on the TV. “Huh?” He muttered absentmindedly. “What happened in the past couple of days to make you want me so much now?” I blurted out. I should have said it another way but it already slipped out of my mouth. Justin dropped the remote and turned to me like I had committed a crime. “Why, I’m here aren’t I?” He said and looked away quickly. If there was anything I knew about Justin, it was his honesty. It was clear he was hiding something very scary. 

to be continued...