CHAPTER 41

OPHELIA'S POV

We weren't gonna make it. I was pretty sure we were gonna die on this trip. I haven't been in a windstorm since I was 12, and even that wasn't an actual windstorm. It was just some really strong wind.

My parents were away on a business trip. Their client had committed a crime in Melbourne and they wanted my dad to defend him. I'd come home early as the wind started getting too cold.

But I had to do this for Xavier. I had to be there for him and if this was the only way, then so be it.

I read the ratings for Moody Moon and came across one particular review. It talked about their honeymoon and how it was the best romantic spot for a new couple. It's probably just their personal experience. I don't think a romantic motel would be named 'Moody Moon'.

I looked out and I couldn't see a thing. The fog had gotten so thick that we had to squint our eyes to see the car next to us. I don't know how Xavier was still driving. Based on the rate, the fog was thickening, we should have died in an accident minutes ago.

"Take a left turn in 100 meters and you will reach your destination."

I started gathering all the things we might need when we get a room. There were a few hoodies in the back seat. I took two of them along with my phone and his charger. I even took my earphones.

"Ophelia, we're almost there. Anything you might need from the car, take it now. I don't know if we'll be allowed to come out during the storm."

"Yeah, I already took everything. A few hoodies, chargers, earphones and phones."

Xavier nodded as we entered the motel premises. It didn't really look like a motel. It was more of a 3-star hotel. The building was quite huge and it was surrounded by a few pools and play areas for the kids. The gates closed immediately after we entered, indicating no more guests were allowed.

We really were lucky. If we had been a minute late, we would be stranded in the streets of an unfamiliar city during a windstorm. Xavier parked the car in the parking lot and he turned the ignition off.

"Listen, hold my hand tight, okay? The wind's really strong. It could actually push us really hard."

The fear within me was growing like a wildfire. The wind looked so strong that it could uproot trees too. I nodded my head slowly and Xavier opened the car's door at the same time as I did. The wind was chilly and the temperature had dropped really low. It was probably 5 degrees Celsius. With all the things I'd gathered in one hand, I held Xavier's in my other hand.

The motel entrance was a few steps away. But the wind was pushing us as we tried to walk. It felt like friction had come to life in the form of this wind.

"Hold on tight, Lia."

Xavier screamed, because nothing could be heard except the wind's howling.

After struggling for almost ten minutes to walk less than 10 steps, we finally reached the hotel entrance. Xavier pushed the door open and we entered inside, We let the warmth engulf us, as the people on the ground floor stared at us.

"Are you okay?"

Xavier hugged me tight, passing all his warmth to me. I had worn an old t-shirt over my jeans. My legs were still warm but my arms were covered with goosebumps. I hugged him tighter as we both took shriveled breaths.

"Yeah, I'm okay. You?"

He nodded and replied with a yes. I touched his arms and they were cold. Not the good kind. The one that made you run towards warmth. Hugging him right now, ignited a memory, I thought I had forgotten. Or at least tried to. His cold, lifeless body that lied in the casket. I couldn't get that out of my mind. I hugged him even tighter as tears brimmed my eyes.

"Hey, hey, I'm here. I'm okay, my spitfire."

I know you are, but I don't think I'll be able to keep it that way, Xavier.

I realized that I was suffocating him and decided to let go. I took my arms away and tried to move back. But he didn't let me. He kept holding on. He knew, I needed it and he didn't let go.

I savored this moment like it was my last breath. Time was a funny thing. One minute it holds your hand and makes you feel like it's on your side. And, the next, it has stabbed you in the back.

Truth be told, time was a comedian that only knew dark humor.

So as long as I had Xavier, and he had me, I wanted to be happy. I wanted to feel complete.

"You okay, now?"

I nodded my head against his chest. It barely moved but he understood. He leaned towards me and lowered his head. I could feel his warm breath on my forehead. His soft lips fluttered above my forehead and finally touched.

Skin to skin.

It lingered for a few seconds before he lifted his head. I let go of him but I couldn't let go of the smile that grew on my face.

We walked to the reception hand in hand. A young man in his twenties sat in front of a computer. He shot a professional smile at us as we approached.

"Good morning! Thank you for choosing Moody Moon as your shelter today. How may I assist you?"

Shelter? What are we, farm animals?

I smiled back and spoke with a calm and collected voice.

"A room under the name White for today."

"Okay, you guys will be staying in the room 807. Here is your room key, Mr. and Mrs. White. Hope you enjoy the night."

"Umm, you have got the wro-"

"Thank you for the room key, Mr. Williams. Mrs. White is really exhausted right now. I think we'll head upstairs, right now, to get her more tired."

More tired? What did he mea-

Oh god, no. Fuck no. God, I'm gonna punch him. I was going to correct this Mr. Williams on his blunder when Xavier goes around insinuating that we had sex.

Xavier started walking towards the elevator leaving me behind with my mouth wide open.

Okay, that sounded bad.

I started walking up to him and see his stupid smirk on his even more stupid face. I stamp my foot over his as a grunt escapes his mouth.

Good, he deserved it.

As I smiled to myself with pure evil burning in my head, something crosses my mind.

If, what he said, disgusted me so much, why did it make me smile from ear to ear?

Whatever, he was just messing with my head.