17. Time to Shake Off the Tension

Ashley called the waiter to ask for the bill after Bella had finished her meal. Both of their faces were still glowing from the lively conversation they'd shared.

"Wait," Bella squealed, quickly taking out her wallet as she noticed Ashley slipping her card into the bill holder.

"No, no. Keep it. I'll take it. You're my guest here," Ashley said.

Bella's lips curled into a gentle smile as she tilted her head, "Thank you," replying with a cute, playful tone and facial expression.

Ashley couldn't help but laugh.

"This is the least I can do. I feel bad for not spending more time with you while you were here."

She let out a sigh, "I should have just gone out with you and Mike instead of handling all the wedding stuff that—" she sighed again as she realized she shouldn't say so many things that could cause prejudice.

Bella gave her a reassuring grin. "Hey, don't say that. You did us a favor by sending a tour guide. It was nice to walk around on our own like real tourists on vacation."

Ashley smiled, her heart a little lighter.

They left the restaurant after the waiter returned the card and handed over the receipt

As they stepped outside, Ashley hesitated to part ways, not wanting their meeting to end so soon.

"Do you want to come to the spa with me? We can talk for a bit more before you head back to Auckland."

"That sounds nice. Yeah, it would be great to spend some more time with you, but, I think I'll just go back to the hotel," Bella let out a small, tired sigh, "I need to get some sleep so I don't feel cranky like a zombie. Or I'll be a total nightmare and make Mike my punching bag. Okay?”

Ashley Ashley forced a smile, felt sad about Bella's rejection.

"Alright. Just make sure you’re well-rested before the long flight."

Bella hummed in agreement. "And you really don't have to drive us to the airport."

"Why?" Ashley's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and stubbornness, "Why not? Of course I have to come to see you off. I really don't know when I'll be able to see you guys again."

Bella waved her hand dismissively. "Just video call me. It’s not like we’re in the Stone Age. We’ll be okay. You just focus on being with your husband, alright? Newlyweds shouldn’t spend so much time apart."

Ashley huffed, annoyed, "I'm just going to the airport. You act like I'm planning to run away."

A fleeting thought then crossed her mind. 'If I could, I would have run away to the end of the world long ago.’

Unfortunately, she was bound by many things to her family. So she could only endure and obey the game of life controlled by others.

Bella laughed.

"Please, just listen to me for once. Let me be right. You don’t need to drive us. I promise I’ll text you as soon as I get home tomorrow. How’s that? Deal?"

A taxi pulled up beside them, and Bella quickly wrapped her arms around Ashley in a tight hug. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

Ashley nodded, forced to agree to her best friend's request. She hugged her again for one last time.

"You too. Get some rest and be careful," Ashley advised.

Bella nodded, smiling as the taxi door closed. She waved through the open window, and Ashley waved back.

After the taxi carrying Bella disappeared from sight, Ashley took a deep breath and stepped across to the building in front of the restaurant.

As soon as she arrived, she stepped forward. Pushing the door open to find herself greeted by a smiling receptionist.

"Good afternoon," the woman greeted, her voice pleasant and welcoming. "How can I help you today?"

Then she asked about the services Ashley wanted.

Ashley hesitated for a moment, gathering herself. "Do you have the most comprehensive selection of therapies?"

The employee smiled brightly. She nodded eagerly,  "Of course. What would you like, ma'am? We have a lot to choose from," and handed Ashley a neatly bound menu of services. 

Ashley took it and skimmed through the pages.

“I...” Ashley's mouth uttered something without her fully realizing it. Although it was more like  murmuring to herself, the maid could still hear it clearly. “I feel like I got hit by an apocalypse yesterday."

While her eyes and focus were still tracing the various writings and images printed on the menu book, she continued her mumbling that kept coming out of nowhere. The words spilled out before she even realized it, a raw confession wrapped in tired humor. Driven out like lava begging to be released, she could no longer contain it.

“The great apocalypse.”

A long, soft, exhausted laugh followed, "Yes, a huge apocalypse. Until my body and mind were completely made into a mess, shattered. After the apocalypse crushed me, I was drowned in a flood. Not just any water, but muddy water full of rotten fish. Disgusting. Something like that."

Ashley paused and raised her head to look at the employee in front of her who was just quietly waiting for her while keeping a polite smile. She blinked and felt the need to correct her own words.

"Yeah… not that I'm that messed up and need to see a doctor or anything, no," she forced out a dry laugh again, "I just need something that can relax me. Something that can take away the pain in all my body—especially here," She raised a hand to touch the sides of her neck and shoulders in turn. Then pressing lightly as if to ease the tension.

"I also slept in the wrong position last night."

"Of course," the receptionist replied without missing a beat,” as if she understood perfectly and knew what her guest needed. She then pointed out several premium full-body treatments that include both relaxation and deep tissue massage, “Would that be suitable?"

"Do you have any recommendations? Can you choose the most complete one? Besides needing a massage, I really feel very dirty and need to clean my whole body."

"Of course, ma'am. Then we will prepare the best service for you. Please come with me."

The receptionist guided her into one of the serene, private rooms within the building, where Ashley hoped to find at least a sliver of peace.