Tempting Fate

Lucy began the repair project on her thumb nail, attaching a fake nail and hurriedly painting all her finger nails an inconspicuous skin tone shade of polish to match. Then she headed downstairs for a late, abbreviated dinner. Manuel caught her off guard, asking, "Would you care to join me for dessert, Miss? I am off duty now."

"Yes, thank you, and here is your pen. You don't give up, do you, Manuel? Please call me Lucy."

"I would not give up even if or when you are dating someone else, Lucy. In my mind, a betrothal is not sanctified, nor is being exclusive. Until a wedding ring, not merely an engagement ring, is on your finger, you are fair game in my book. You know, many men would not have the nerve to ask out such an attractive woman as you, because your beauty makes you unapproachable to them. People automatically assume you have a steady beau." He lifted her left hand and kissed it, observing, "Your thumb looks much better now. Your nail surely grew fast!"

"That will be our little secret. Right, Manuel?" He nodded. "And if I had a boyfriend back home, Manuel?"

"It wouldn't matter to me. I would ask you out on a date anyway. As I said, you are not yet married, Lucy. I live in Lindo, Spain. Have you ever been there? Would you like to see my country? I could put you up for the summer. I don't want to lose track of you, Lucy. I leave tomorrow. May I please have your phone number? Email address? I will even write you letters!"

"Level with me, Manuel! Please tell me that you have not been hired to tail me." He slowly shook his head no.

Exhibiting genuine concern for her, he inquired, "Are you serious? Are you in danger? Can I help you, Lucy?"

"As long as I am never alone, the man will not get near enough to discuss hush money.""Do you mean a bribe?"

"A 'transaction,' he called it."

Manuel protectively put his arms around her, assuring her, "Not on my watch, Lucy. I will stick to you like glue. That must be why you have an air of sadness about you. Or perhaps it is about another man."

"You are very perceptive." But she didn't want to discuss Christian and Ian. She was there to forget about her problems with them and she changed the subject. "Do you speak French, Manuel?"

"Not well yet. I am learning."

"Then how did you get a job here if you don't speak the language?"

"French will be my third language. For my short time here, I am earning French units through my university's job experience program. I have been working in another hotel until today. That is another story for another time, and I hope there will be many other times for us. Do you speak Spanish by any chance, Lucy? It is my first language."

"I took Spanish all through school. You realize I'm leaving soon to go home?"

"Yes, I do and regrettably so, Lucy. We must make every minute together count. I am leaving in the morning." The couple laughed together over silly little things. He simply made her laugh with his version of the English language! And she made him laugh with her Spanish! They were both hysterical when they tried to speak French! Lucy was charmed by Manuel. It was getting very late, but neither noticed until a clock chimed twelve.

"I must get some rest now, Manuel. Thanks for the drink."

"You are welcome. May I see you to your room, Lucy?"                      

When Manuel and Lucy arrived at her door, he placed a pendant necklace over her head, slowly pulled her close to him, gently lifted her chin upward, and did not hesitate to kiss her good night, lingering long enough to arouse more than her curiosity. When she finally opened her eyes, he was gone. Breathless from his kiss, Lucy studied the pendant, noticing a regal looking family crest engraved on it. But what were the odds that Manuel was a hot Royal working in a hotel? On the flip side of the glistening rectangle was engraved a long series of numbers.