The Night I Wasn't Meant For You

a Col

ve died six

losed my eyes, I saw it again. The violent turbulence. The screams. The terrifying mo

fe was over. Then somehow, against all odds, the plane

e revolving doors of the Vale Gra

he Vale Grand

greeted me with

ak one in retu

d in every direction, reflecting the warm golden lights above. Expensive artwork

night, I barely noticed. I was exhaus

shower and a few hours

offered to take my suitcase. "

aned against the mirrored wall and closed my eyes. The im

ately. No. I didn't want to think about it an

the employee down a quiet private hallway. The co

s softened e

expensive paintings. But I was

opped. The room was enormous. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline. A grand piano occupied one co

Then exhaustion overpowered curiosity. Maybe the hotel had upgr

, I didn

s Cole." The employee

icked shut

o a nearby chair. Then I kicked off my shoes. My e

finally catch

into th

to unpack, I climbed beneath the covers. The mattress was impos

l again. Maybe tomorrow I could stop

aded before i

. I didn't know how much time had

the sound of footsteps. Slow. Ste

as inside

I wondered if

. The room fell silent. My

at the entrance of the bedroom.bTall

cross his face. Yet somehow, he looked unreal. Like somethi

of us moved. Neither of us spoke. His dark gaze swept over me lying in his bed. Confusio

took a single

possibility. This wasn't my hotel room. Th

quietly, "and why are