"You're taking your time!" exclaimed Elie.
Elsa jumped, startled by Elie's presence. "Wow! You scared me!" she said, straightening up.
"But what's wrong?" asked Elie, intrigued.
"Actually, when you said that everything is possible for the rich, can we still try that word?" proposed Elsa with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
Elie, puzzled, replied, "What do you mean?"
"I mean... We could change hotels and find another room over there?" she suggested enthusiastically.
"I thought you really liked this one?" retorted Elie, surprised by this turn of events.
Elsa shrugged. "I changed my mind! Just staying here is suffocating me already. So, can we leave?"
Elie sighed but nodded. "Alright! Let's change hotels!"
"My husband is so cool! Wait, I'll help you!" she exclaimed as she gently pushed her chair.
"Thanks!" replied Elie with a grateful smile.
"What? Did I hear correctly? Mr. Elie said thank you to me? Why? For helping you? That's a first! Usually, you always say: 'I can do it myself' in that tone!" joked Elsa while teasing him.
Elie couldn't find the words and remained silent.
Elsa continued: "You're not responding? Looks like I'm really right! But anyway, we need to leave here as soon as possible."
"But why are you in such a hurry?" asked Elie, a bit worried.
"I told you, didn't I? This place suffocates me."
A few minutes later, they found themselves in front of a small hotel that didn't seem very welcoming and had only one room available. Elsa sighed: "All I can say is... sorry!"
"Why? I like this place!" protested Elie.
Elsa let out an inward sigh. *To think that because of this crazy girl I missed my chance to enjoy a beautiful view and cozy beds to sleep in. Life seems to be mocking me again.*
"But we have a nice view here and we can enjoy the beach," objected Elie with a convinced look.
"Oh, did I say something?" asked Elsa feigning innocence.
"What did you say? I didn't hear anything!" he replied.
"Nothing, nothing! You're right; a beautiful beach as a view is wonderful, isn't it?" she said while opening the curtain with a radiant smile. Her hair danced in the wind as her face lit up under the sun's rays.
Elie stared at her and nodded: "Yes, it's a beautiful view!"
After taking her bath, Elsa stood in the bathroom wrapped in a towel. She sighed while reflecting on the delicate situation she was in. It was the first time she shared a room with Elie, and the fact that they only had one bed made her nervous. In her mind, she was thinking: "Is everything alright?"
"I've finished my bath; do you want to...?" she started but stopped when she saw the tender look Elie was giving to a photo in his hand. As she approached, she couldn't help but mumble: "That bitch!"
Elie, surprised, replied: "Sorry?"
"She's beautiful! I finally understand why you're so crazy about her," Elsa shot back sarcastically.
Elie, with a blissful smile on his lips, replied: "You think so? But how did you know it was her?"
Elsa rolled her eyes. "Given your face when looking at that photo, anyone would know!"
"I love her so much!" confessed Elie, his eyes lighting up.
In her head, Elsa thought, "What an idiot! A total fool." She tried to hide her true feelings behind a smile. "I'm sure she loves you back the same way. But aren't you tired? Rest a bit and... wait, you forgot to dry your hair. Let me do that for you!"
Elie watched Elsa with curiosity. "(thinks) She doesn't know how to hide her feelings!"
"There you go, all done! You can go to sleep now. You can use the bed; I'll sleep on the couch," she said, trying to keep a distance.
"You can sleep with me; I don't mind!" Elie innocently offered.
Elsa's eyes widened: "Excuse me?"
"We're friends, right?" he retorted with a disarming smile.
In her head, Elsa wondered, "But does he not realize there are certain things friends can't do?"
"Or don't you trust me?" Elie insisted.
"Not at all, I...," she started before being interrupted.
"Then sleep on the bed. And just so you won't worry, I don't see you as a woman, so it's all good."
Elsa sighed in agreement: "Okay! You better keep your word!" And she made her way to the bed, her heart racing at the thought of sharing such an intimate space with him.