Morning harsh light

Chapter five

Cécile Garnier

I slowly opened my eyes, sluggishly taking in my surroundings. I was in my hotel suite lying on the bed

“What happened?” I muttered, my dry mouth trying to form words as I tried to sit up, a sharp pain shot through my head and I winced in pain. My muscles were aching.

I looked around my suite,My clouded mind struggled to recall what happened the previous night especially how I got to my room.

Suddenly the events came flooding back, the robbery, the men who tried to molest me and then Luca!

I remember him saving me from those men, dragging me to his car and bringing me back to the hotel.

“ Did he bring me up to this place?” I asked under my breath, rubbing my temple.

I tossed off the blanket and got out of bed, stumbling towards the dresser. My legs felt like jelly. I caught a glimpse of myself in the dressing mirror. And I recoiled in horror! My eyes looked sunken, my skin pale and I was still putting on my dress and sandals from yesterday.

God! I look like a ghost” I shuddered

Taking a deep breath and retreating from the dresser, I needed to use the bathroom. But something on the dresser caught my attention. has it been there or I hadn't noticed it in the first place?.

“ my phone!” I exclaimed approaching the dresser again cautiously,as if my stuff might disappear again.

I picked my phone, feeling it in my hands, No broken screen. Everything seemed to be working just fine. My wallet and keys were intact too.I had a few missed calls from my mom and of course Chloe.

They definitely would be so worried sick about me. I couldn't wait to tell Chloe about what had happened to me but of course, I also knew she would freak out and tell my mom. Then she would panic and talk non stop about how she was against my trip but I'm too stubborn to listen.

“Maybe mom was right about how bad stubbornness could get “ I thought, shaking my head, still staring at the phone in my hands in disbelief.

I never believed I was going to see it again.

“How on earth did he even manage to get this back?” I asked. My eyes danced around like it searched for answers until it fell to my view, my favorite part of the room. The ocean beneath my window was at low tide,calm and peaceful.

I felt a flutter In my chest, a mix of emotions swirled inside of me. I wanted to thank Luca so badly. To show my genuine appreciation for saving me from those men.

“ But how?” I bit my lips. Just then an idea struck me.

“ if I get to see him,I could offer to buy him a coffee.just a small gesture to show my thanks”

I let out a sign, I Knew it might be a long shot, but I had to try.

My stomach had started to send an SOS signal to me as I dragged myself back to sit on the bed still feeling very exhausted and weak. I haven't had anything decent since yesterday. I needed something to eat. A Cup of coffee was just what I needed to start.

I picked up the hotel phone and dialed.

“ Bonjour, I'd like to order some breakfast, please” I said my voice struggling to be clear enough.

“ Bonjour mademoiselle, of course what would you like?” The cheerful male voice on the other end replied.

“I'll have an continental breakfast with a cup of coffee please. And also may I ask if a guest named Luca Crovetto is still in the hotel?”

“ I'm sorry Ma'am, but we can't give out information about our Top guest” the voice answered apologetically

“ I know” I winced, my head still ached terribly “ it's just very important to me, I just wanted to thank him In person for retrieving my phone and keys, I lost them yesterday”

“ I see,you must be the lady from yesterday night…”

“ That should be me.” I nodded, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

“Ah, zut! He's already checked out, I'm afraid. But I'll Make sure your petit dèjeuner is sent up right away. You look like you need a little bit rest”

My heart sank,and my face fell in disappointment

“Oh,Thank you.” I replied, suppressing a sigh.

I hung up the phone

Luca has checked out, how was I supposed to thank him now? I slumped back onto the bed in thoughts. Maybe he didn't want my appreciation but I was glad everything was over and I could begin the peaceful holiday I had imagined.

The breakfast came quicker than I expected after I got out of shower. A friendly staff walked in with a tray laden filled with meals that smelt really good that it made my mouth water.

“For you mademoiselle, would you like me to bring it over to your bed?”he asked.

“ sí, Mercí” I replied and he nodded, placing the tray carefully on the bed.

My eyes didn't leave the tray, I was ready to devour every content on those plates, but I noticed the staff was still standing ,a smile on his face and his two hands placed on each other in front of him , like he was waiting for something.

“ oh sorry” I apologized remembering I needed to pay for my meal.

I reached out for my wallet to take out my card. My hand closed up in the empty air, I frowned. Thinking I misplaced the cards. I vividly recalled not taking it out again after I paid for the suit. It had been in my wallet before I was robbed. I looked closely and I noticed not only was my card missing, my ID too!

My spirit left my body. And my appetite vanished. I had been so excited about my phone that I had forgotten to check the most important things.

Could it have been that Luca took my card? And Why?

My mind raced back to the encounter with those men, he had seemed so confident with his approach, so in control. What if he was involved with them than he let on?

“Mum was right” I sulked my teeth.

this whole vacation was a bad idea. I never should have made this trip. I should have just stayed back, in a hospital bed surrounded by the few people I love. How can so many bad things happen to me at a time?

I was visibly breaking down but it was as if the staff understood what was going on

He looked at me sympathetically.

“Don't worry mademoiselle, you’ve likely just mislaid it. take your time searching and don’t concern yourself with the bills just yet. I’m sure you’ll locate it. I hope you do, indeed.” He said, his smile never left his face as he excited my room.

my family came to my mind. should I inform them what is going on?

I was unsure if I was ready to involve them in my mess.

I should go to the police. but this is Monaco, I'm not even familiar with the legal system here. Should I even trust them for help if Luca is involved?

I needed to find Luca.