Chapter 12: A Moment of Solace
David gently closed the door of his suite, the day’s events weighing heavily on his mind. None of it made sense, and the sudden changes in his circumstances were unnerving.
He walked over to the large floor-to-ceiling windows and looked over the city below him, a world so far removed from the one he had known. He felt like a stranger in his own life.
David sank into the cozy seating area by the window, his mind a whirlwind of incredulity. The luxury suite, the free meals, the new phone—it was all too much, too sudden. It was almost as if he had stepped into a dream that was too good to be true.
And then there was Mr. Atlas, the hotel manager. The man was a mystery, an enigma wrapped in a professional demeanor. Despite his initial suspicion, David couldn’t shake off the feeling that Mr. Atlas was genuine. His concern seemed real. There was a warmth in his gaze, a sincerity in his words that spoke of a man who cared about David’s well-being.
But why? Why would a hotel manager go out of his way to help a stranger? Why would he offer a luxury suite for free, provide meals, and even gift a new phone?
The questions were endless, and the answers elusive.
Yet, David felt strangely calm. He was alone in a city he barely knew, in circumstances he couldn’t fully comprehend. But for the first time in a long time, he felt safe; safe in the confines of his suite and safe from the harsh realities of his past. For now, he was content to relish the unexpected generosity he had stumbled upon.
He pulled out the old phone that Shiela had given him years ago. This was the last vestige of power she had over him, the last reminder of her control over his life. As much as he appreciated Shiela giving him a phone when he was still just a child, he also knew that the gesture was only so she could order him around and send him instructions for errands or groceries.
He’d done his best to keep it in decent condition, but it had already been pretty banged up by the time he received it. And after years of wear, the ink on the remaining rubber buttons had completely faded.
I doubt this is still worth anything now…
At the very least, he could bring it to a cell phone store to credit Shiela for however much it was worth and cancel the phone line. But that could wait for another day.
Tomorrow, he would try to find Melanie at work. He needed to let her know that he was safe, that he was okay. He owed her that much. Then, he finally drifted off to sleep.
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