Ten

Alice, ever considerate, took the initiative to alleviate the situation.

"That's okay, Eloise. You take the room, and I'll just sleep alone. I'm really tired," she offered, her voice filled with understanding.

Eloise hesitated for a moment before accepting Alice's kind gesture.

"Alright, no problem, sir. We'll take the room," she replied, her voice appreciative.

The handed them the key to the room, his gaze sympathetic.

"Very well, here's the key," he said, his voice carrying a hint of empathy.

Eloise took the key with gratitude, offering a polite "Thank you."

The continued, providing them with additional information.

"Your dinner will be served in two hours," he informed them, his voice helpful.

With the logistics settled, Eloise and Alice made their way to their assigned room, the weariness of their journey etched on their faces. Inside the room, a mix of exhaustion and anticipation filled the air.

"Well, I'll take my shower first. I hope you don't mind," Eloise stated, her voice polite yet filled with a touch of vulnerability.

Alice reassured her, her voice tinged with warmth.

"No, don't worry. I'll go after you," she replied, her tone comforting.

Eloise proceeded to the bathroom, finding solace in the warm water cascading over her fatigued body. The refreshing shower revitalized her senses, easing the strain of their arduous journey.

After some time, Eloise emerged from the bathroom, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders, dressed in a bra and a towel wrapped around her waist. It was a moment of vulnerability, but also a testament to the trust between her and Alice.

"I'm done. You can go now, Alice," she announced, her voice filled with a mix of relief and anticipation.

Alice, caught off guard by the sight before her, blushed slightly, her gaze briefly drawn to Eloise's well-defined abs.

"Wait, hurry up and get dressed," Alice stammered, her voice betraying a hint of embarrassment.

Eloise, playfully teasing, couldn't resist making a lighthearted comment.

"Is it me that bothers you, or is it my magnificent abs?" she quipped, her voice filled with amusement.

Alice blushed further, her cheeks tinged with a delicate shade of pink.

"No, don't say that, Eloise," Alice replied, her voice carrying a mixture of bashfulness and protest.

Eloise, ever the provocateur, decided to push the boundaries playfully.

"Well, if they don't bother you, you can touch them, and then I'll know the truth," she challenged, her voice playful yet filled with curiosity.

Alice, flustered and caught off guard, found herself torn between amusement and discomfort.

"But what are you saying, Eloïse? I can't do that," she stammered, her voice betraying a mix of emotions.

Eloise, satisfied with the reaction she elicited, decided to bring the banter to an end.

"So, I conclude that's what bothers you. Well, in that case, I'll get dressed," she stated, her voice laced with amusement.

Before the conversation could continue, the door swung open abruptly, interrupting the playful exchange. The sudden intrusion startled both Eloïse and Alice, their eyes widening in surprise.

Jade, standing at the threshold, voiced her disapproval, her tone tinged with disbelief.

"What are you two doing? And Eloise, where are your clothes? Don't tell me you were about to do it," Jade exclaimed, her voice filled with shock and accusation.

Eloise, her face flushed crimson, hastily tried to clarify the situation.

"No, that's not what you think, Jade. Stop thinking nonsense," she protested, her voice laden with embarrassment.

Alice, quick to defend their innocence, chimed in.

"Yes, please stop saying nonsense," Alice added, her voice filled with indignation.

However, Jade's gaze lingered on Eloise's abs, her blush betraying her own inner thoughts.

"Well, based on what I've seen, it confirms what I'm thinking," Jade murmured, her voice barely audible.

Eloise, somewhat exasperated by Jade's fixation, couldn't help but question her.

"Jade, can you tell me why you're staring like that?" Eloise asked, her voice laced with confusion.

Jade, flustered and caught off guard, attempted to deflect the attention away.

"Nothing, I assure you. Well, it's time for me to leave. I just got the wrong room. Goodbye," Jade hurriedly responded, her voice tinged with a mix of embarrassment and haste.

With Jade's abrupt departure, the room fell into an awkward silence. Eloïse and Alice exchanged glances, their cheeks still flushed with embarrassment.

"Well, now I'll take my shower,"

Alice announced, her voice carrying a mix of relief and apprehension, breaking the tension in the room.

Eloise, still recovering from the unexpected encounter, mustered a smile.

"Wait, you didn't touch my abs, so I win," she playfully declared, her voice laced with a touch of triumph.

Alice, realizing the game wasn't over yet, couldn't resist accepting the challenge.

Alice returned to Eloise's side, her hand cautiously reaching out to touch her abs.

"No, it's a victory for me," Alice stated, her voice filled with a mixture of amusement and playful defiance.

Satisfied with the outcome, Eloise smiled, acknowledging Alice's daring.

Alice, her curiosity satisfied, finally made her way towards the bathroom, leaving Eloïse to revel in the unexpected yet delightful bond they shared.

Eloise reflected inwardly, her thoughts brimming with admiration for Alice's willingness to participate in the playful banter. It was in moments like these that she felt a deep connection with her fellow adventurer, realizing that their journey held not only the pursuit of a mission but also the blossoming of a unique friendship.

Jade's Point of View:

Maria's sudden appearance caught Jade off guard, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity mixed with a hint of suspicion. As Maria questioned her whereabouts, Jade struggled to come up with a believable explanation.

"I got lost, and I also ended up in the wrong room. I saw Eloise and Alice; they're right next door," Jade responded, her voice carrying a touch of embarrassment.

Upon hearing that Eloise and Alice were also present, Maria swiftly changed her plans, claiming she would go to the reception. But instead, she veered towards Eloïse and Alice's room, her actions shrouded in mystery. Jade watched as Maria entered the room, closing the door behind her.

Inside, Eloise, still undressed, confronted Maria with a hint of annoyance.

"What are you doing here, Maria?" Eloise questioned, her voice laced with suspicion.

Maria, attempting to downplay the situation, feigned innocence.

"Sorry, I just got the wrong room," Maria responded, her voice tinged with a hint of deception.

Eloise, not convinced by Maria's explanation, urged her to leave.

"Well, you can leave now," Eloise insisted, her voice holding a touch of firmness.

Maria, however, wasn't ready to depart just yet and inquired about Alice's presence.

"Wait, isn't Alice here?" Maria asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Eloise, feeling a slight unease, revealed that Alice was currently in the shower. The memory of Maria's stolen kisses resurfaced, causing Eloise to blush.

Maria, taking advantage of the situation, carefully observed Eloise's physique.

"Well, you're quite well-built, I must say," Maria commented, her voice carrying a mixture of intrigue and admiration as she moved closer to Eloise.

Eloise, sensing Maria's intentions, became guarded.

"What are you doing, Maria?" Eloise questioned, her voice filled with a mix of caution and wariness.

Maria, instead of touching Eloïse's abs as she initially proposed, surprised her with a kiss, leaving a mark of lipstick on her well-defined muscles. She then proceeded to kiss Eloïse on the lips, transferring the same lipstick onto her.

Startled by the sudden affection, Eloise pushed Maria away just as Alice emerged from the shower. Alice's eyes immediately fell upon the lipstick mark on Eloïse's abs, followed by the realization that her own lips carried the same stain.

Filled with a surge of emotion, Alice's anger overcame her, and she slapped Eloïse.

"Do you have no shame, Eloise? You disappoint me so much," Alice cried, her voice trembling with hurt and betrayal.