Heaven arrived at the hotel a few minutes later than the agreed time.
The moment she stepped through the revolving doors, she came to an involuntary halt. Her eyes widened in astonishment.
The hotel was magnificent. Its soaring architecture and elegant design reminded her of the luxurious hotels she had admired only in movies. Everything about the place spoke of wealth, sophistication, and impeccable taste.
Cool, conditioned air wrapped itself around her, carrying the delicate fragrance of fresh roses that lingered pleasantly throughout the spacious lobby. Beneath her feet, the marble floor gleamed so brilliantly that it reflected her image as though she were walking across still water.
She slowly lifted her gaze.
The ceiling rose far above her, supported by massive beams of richly burnished wood carved with intricate patterns. Suspended from it were dazzling chandeliers that bathed the lobby in warm golden light.
Around the reception area stood large floral arrangements and carefully positioned works of art depicting scenes from ancient African history and culture. Every carving, mural, and sculpture seemed deliberately placed, giving the hotel a perfect balance of modern luxury and African heritage.
For a few moments, Heaven forgot why she had come. She stood motionless in the center of the lobby, turning slowly as her eyes wandered from one breathtaking detail to another.
Then her gaze met that of the receptionist. The young woman, dressed impeccably in the hotel's uniform and wearing a pair of elegant glasses, greeted her with a warm, professional smile.
Heaven smiled back and began walking toward the reception desk. As she approached, an amusing thought crossed her mind. Why do so many receptionists wear glasses? She searched for an answer but found none.
By the time the thought had faded, she was already standing before the smiling receptionist, ready to announce herself.
"This place is marvelous," she said, returning her smile.
"Thanks." Then she raised her glasses before saying, "You look amazing in that blue tea gown," with a weak grin on her lips.
Heaven blushed, grinning from ear to ear. "Thank you... I thought no one noticed."
''I certainly did. "I'm Mercy, and what can I do for you this beautiful evening?"
"I am here to see my boyfriend Peter," she smiled. It felt really good to finally call him that for the first time.
"Mr. Peter has booked a room?" Mercy asked with eyes pinned on the computer screen in search of his name.
"Yes"
"Please, what is his second name? I have more than one Mr. Peter here." She removed her stare from the computer and rested it on her. Heaven forced a smile and quickly buried her face in her handbag. It dawned on her that she doesn't know her said boyfriend's surname.
"Just a moment please," she said through her teeth. She hurriedly brought out her phone and went to the credit alert, but to her disappointment, it was just the account number of the creditor that was displayed. She was about to call him when she heard Mercy asking, "When did he book the room?"
"I really don't know, but it should be today."
"Alright, then he must be Mr. Peter Solomon. He booked online by 3 pm today."
"Yes," she said, nodding like a lizard that just fell off an Iroko tree. "Solomon is his surname."
"If he is the one, then it is room sixty-six, and this is the door card." The receptionist handed over the card to her. "It is on the last floor, the last room on your left."
"Thank you very much."
"You are welcome. And hey, he shouldn't forget this night in a hurry," she said with a raised eyebrow.
Heaven giggled. "We won't in a lifetime; I will make sure of that," she said slowly, cat-walking away. If only she knew how true those words were.
She reached the room and slid the key card through the electronic slot. A soft beep sounded, and the door glided silently to one side. The moment she stepped inside, it slid shut behind her with the same effortless grace.
She froze. For several seconds, she could do nothing but stare. The room was breathtaking.
It was far larger than the living room in her parents' house, and every inch of it exuded elegance. The décor looked as though it had been lifted from the pages of a luxury interior-design magazine. Soft earth tones blended seamlessly with rich accents, creating an atmosphere that was both sophisticated and inviting.
Dominating the room was a king-sized bed dressed in pristine white Egyptian cotton sheets. The pillows were perfectly arranged, untouched and inviting, while a thick duvet rested neatly at the foot of the bed.
Mounted above the headboard hung a striking black-and-white photograph of a beautiful nude woman seated on a simple chair. Her pose was artistic rather than provocative, with a crimson garter preserving her modesty and dark star-shaped designs covering her nipples. Her warm, welcoming eyes seemed almost alive, following anyone who entered the room.
Directly opposite the bed, a forty-inch flat-screen television was mounted neatly against the wall.
Near the floor-to-ceiling windows sat a sprawling leather sofa, accompanied by a polished glass coffee table whose burnished surface reflected the soft ambient lighting. Arranged neatly upon it was a selection of fine wines and champagne, accompanied by two elegant crystal wine glasses, suggesting that the room had been prepared with romance in mind.
The room was immaculately clean—so spotless that it bordered on sterile. Snow-white linen curtains hung in perfect folds, free from even the slightest trace of dust. Beneath her feet, the dark polished tiles gleamed under the warm lighting, their flawless surface undisturbed by a single speck of dirt or clutter.
Softly, almost like a whisper, Marc Anthony's You Sang to Me drifted through hidden speakers, filling the room with gentle romance. The cool air carried a subtle herbal fragrance, with faint notes of cilantro mingling with the crisp scent of fresh linen.
Heaven slowly turned in a circle, taking it all in. A room like this belonged to another world.
She couldn't help wondering how much it cost to spend just one night there, and the thought alone made her shudder.