Chocolate Cosmos

Chapter 11

"And here's the nature inspired outdoor shower." Dan introduced with a wide grin.

My eyes widened at the piece of heaven I was standing in front of. The shower took up the whole room Dan just opened. The walls were made of real mountain rocks, placed with perfect engineering precision to withhold itself up. The floor was made up of a grass carpet that tickled playfully your toes and stones that bordered the sides all around.

Stone steps led up to a huge cavity where the shower head poured down into. On the wall beside the shower head side, a thin waterfall danced down the stones and towards the cavity, some of the water marching down a narrow path to feed the grass floor.

The room wouldn't be complete without the large gathering of leaves, flowers and vines all over the place, decorating every wall and swirling up towards the open roof. Yes, no roof except for a thin net to probably prevent any unwanted wood guests so you could literally shower under the bright sky. The sun rays competed to join in on the scenery making it all the more magical.

I was awe-struck, no words formed in my mind and it humiliated the writer in me but I couldn't care. Wouldn't. It was too beautiful to be described in words.

My eyes met Dan's and he immediately understood what I wanted to ask. His grin turned playful.

"I'll ask someone to fetch you some toiletries and other things you might need. Enjoy." He winked at me before shutting the door behind him.

I skipped from one foot to the other in excitement and quickly stripped down to nothing and hopping into the stone cavity. The base felt cold under my feet even though the sun shone over brightly.

I turned on the faucet, adjusting the temperature to my liking. I closed my eyes, feeling the sun hitting my face gently while the water soothed it down. The perfect combination. And suddenly, I had no worries weighting me down.

For a minute there I completely forgot about everything that has happened so far. There was no more Nila, no more papparazzi, no more gossips, nothing. I could breathe freely and I didn't want it to end.

I heard shuffling behind the door and waited as the person on the other side knocked.

"Miss Cardone. I got you the toiletries you need. I'll leave them here by the door." A soft female voice spoke from the other side.

"Okay, thank you so much." I called back as I climbed out the cave then down the three steps towards the grass.

I walked towards the door in quick movements, suddenly feeling conscious of just how naked I was even though I was in a room all alone. I unlocked the door and carefully opened it slightly, making sure that no part of me was showing and with a hand stretch, I grabbed the small wooden basket the girl placed in front of the door.

Opening it, I saw that it was filled to the brim with more things than I'll ever need. Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shower gel, a lofa, scented oils, bath bombs for a reason I myself didn't understand, sheet masks, a face cleanser, hair spray and a brush and several other things I didn't think I'll need.

This place sure does know how to pamper their guests.

I got back under the shower, quickly washing my hair with the shampoo and conditioning it before working on my body with the lofa to wash away last night's dirt.

I don't remember for how long I've been in here before I finally forced myself to leave. There was a bathrobe inside the basket which I used to cover my body and a small towel for my hair and slippers for my bare feet. I looked at the clothes I stripped out of and grimaced at how dirty they were and the thought about re-wearing them till I get back to my room was immediately out the window.

I grabbed them from their place on the grass and opened the door in search for anyone that can help get me my bag from my room.

"Ah, Charis!" I turned towards Dan who was walking with a wide smile towards me.

"You're finally done. I thought you'd spend the whole day there." He joked and I blushed crimson.

"Sorry. It was just so good and I really needed to shower." I replied sheepishly.

"Naah that's okay. It's your place here." Dan winked and my face reddened.

"Uhm...listen, uh...can you just help me ask someone to get my bag for me so I can change? I can't possibly walk around like this."

"Already fetched." Dan replied, sliding the backpack from his shoulders. "I knew you had no clean clothes with you so I went to get them for you."

His hazel eyes twinkled like a child who just did something good. A puppy who was waiting for the cracker and the head pat. He was genuinely caring and friendly. My lips smiled against my own will. And it wasn't like I wanted to resist.

"Thank you Dan. I can't thank you enough."

"How about lunch? With me?" His voice suddenly turned deep, husky even.

Why is my heart beating?

I smiled softly and nodded. "I'd love to."

I reentered the shower room and quickly changed into a clean shirt and some black jeans that I had packed. Unfortunately, I didn't pack anything specially nice since we were only camping. I ticked my tongue. I have way more beautiful clothes than this.

I fixed my clothes, ran the brush through my hair and patted my face for a more pink hue since I didn't have my makeup on me.

Dan was waiting by the door as I left the room and I was again met by a wide smile. He offered his elbow for me to take.

"Shall we m'lady?"

I chuckled, placing my hand onto his bent elbow. He lead us back towards the main lobby, walking towards a door that had the word 'restaurant' carved into the wood. The restaurant too didn't lose the nature themed interior. With parquet flooring, glass walls that showed the greenery outside and glass ceiling that was a live show for the sky above.

Small trees, plant pots and flowers accentuated the place beautifully.

Dan lead us to a two seat table by one of the glass walls. To my luck, there were two squirrels standing on the other side. I watched as the two of them, each holding a chestnut in hand, broke into the hard nut. Cracking it open skillfully, they then started chewing on them with full mouths.

My eyebrows furrowed. I thought squirrels saved their food in their cheeks until the get back to their homes.

"So, what do you think of the place so far?" Dan's voice brought my attention back to him.

"Amazing actually. I love it." I admitted truthfully. "I want to live here." I joked at the end with a chuckle.

"Then do." Dan surprised me with his serious tone.

"What?" My chuckles died as I mirrored Dan's seriousness.

"You can live here if with me you want and make trips back to the city when necessary. You're a writer Charis, you can do all the writing here."

I almost scoffed out loud but kept it inwardly instead. Writer? I'm no longer anything Dan. I lost it all.

"I didn't know my proposal would turn your face that sour. I'm just joking." He brushed it off with what I assumed was a forced laugh. "I know that you're life is in the city and it's not easy to come live her."

I didn't know my expression changed but I joined his fake laugher into a complimentary one of mine.

I shook my head. "No, it's not that at all Dan. You're proposal is very generous actually but it's just that..." my mind raced back to the tabloids, the hatred, the bridge, the bucket list and my promise with Karl. This might be a great opportunity to run away, but I can't hide forever. Dan too is bound to know. And maybe then he wouldn't be all smiles with me. Just like everybody else.

My eyes met Dan's and I mustered up a fake smile. "It's just that I've got a whole life back in the city that I can't just leave." I lied. I have a bucket list to finish so that I can leave for good. And I prayed to God that Dan wouldn't know about Nila till I'm gone. I'd like to leave knowing that someone is still cheering for me as a fan.

"Of course." Dan gave me a tight smile. "Just know that Camp Serene is open to you whenever you wanna come for a visit."

I smiled at his offer. That would have been a great option for me if it wasn't for the bucket list and my promise to Karl.

Speaking of Karl...

"Hey Dan, do you know where Karl?"

"Ah yes, he's sleeping in his lodge. I sent one of the staff to ask if he wanted anything to eat but no one answered so I guess he's probably still asleep since no one saw him come out at all."

I nodded my head. I didn't know that Karl was this tired. But then again, it wasn't like he was all excited about us coming here in the first place.

"Would you like to order?" A young waiter spoke, grabbing our attentions to him.

"What would you like to have Charis?" Dan asked kindly.

"What are you famous for?" I replied in a playful tone and Dan smiled widely.

He ordered the Serene special for the two of us promising me that I won't regret it. And I sure didn't.

We spent the time talking about random things here and there, none of us touching back the staying here subject and I was very grateful for that.

After we finished our food, Dan offered that we go chill by the fireplace as we had some of the camp's most ordered hot chocolate. I felt a little guilty for not paying Dan for all this but he insisted a million times that would be very disrespectful of him to take money from his own guests.

It was already dark by that time Dan and I sat by the fireplace where he excitedly listened to the new book I had drafted in my mind for almost a year and a half now and it was crazy how time flew by.

Maybe I did need this trip to recharge. To feel again some of the emotions I thought I lost. Just one more time before I leave this world. And it felt good telling someone again about one of my book ideas.

My mind suddenly wandered again towards Karl as the sky darkened another shade.

Where was he?

Dan told me that housekeeping informed him that he was still sleeping in his room but it has already been a long time. I felt a slight pang in my chest coming to the realization that I have actually forgotten about him. I was selfishly enjoying my time, completely overlooking the fact that we came on this trip together. And he was missing out on everything.

"Hey, I think I'll go check on Karl." I told Dan as I finished the last sip of my hot chocolate.

"He'll just come out when he wakes up." Dan replied with furrowed eyebrows as he held my hand to prevent my attempt to get up.

"He's been in that room for a long time now, I'll just check on him." I replied, a part of me actually feeling guilty for enjoying my day this much while he missed out on a lot. There was no denying how mad he was about coming here in the first place. He just wanted to go home but it still felt unfair.

I didn't get the chance to leave my place or have Dan leave my hand though as my eyes caught a tense-faced man coming our way. They were an extra shot of espresso now, the darkest shade I've ever seen in a cup. Not an ounce of creamer or milk.