Page 61 of His Secret Gift

“After checking in, you’ll have the discretion to do whatever you want. Just please, travel together and keep an eye out for one another.”

We then divide ourselves into groups of four before hailing our own cabs.

“Izza hotel, please,” I ask the bald man behind the wheel or ours.

He nods.

“Great. Thank you.”

On the way, I take full advantage to take in the cites. There’s greenery all around and donkeys carting food and clothing.

The traffic, however, is a bit frantic.

Our driver consistently honks as we sit idly.

So, to say that all of this is a bit of a culture shock would be an understatement.

“I wonder if this is common?” I whisper to Callie.

“From what I was reading it is.”

Jeez.I can’t imagine dealing with the chaos and stress every day. I get nervous enough driving around Aurora sometimes.

“Do you see how a lot of the buildings are red?” the driver asks us.

After looking around, I confirm that that’s true.

“That’s why we’re called the red city.”

“Oh, really?” I didn’t know that.

“The beaten clay used to build the structures during the residency of the Almohad Empire is what gives everything it’s color.”

Almohad.I make sure to take note of that. I want to learn as much as I can while I’m here.

“Wow. That’s really interesting.”

When we get to the hotel, everyone, except Callie, takes turns razzing me.

“What?”

“Oh, wow. That’s so interesting,” Gwen mimics me.

“It was!”

Once again, Callie puts her arm around my shoulders. “Don’t listen to them. They’re just seasoned travelers, so they don’t appreciate little things like that anymore.”

Despite her words, a still feel a pit in my stomach. I didn’t mean to sound naïve.

Upon checking in, we’re told that we’re going to stay in the Brion room.

Before walking away, I hear Jack talk about he, Captain Bryant, and Jenkins, the engineer, will be staying in the apartment on site.

“Oh, my god!” I exclaim when we locate and open our door.

It’s absolutely gorgeous, with plenty of draped curtains, engraved keyhole arches, and an overall sense of tranquility.

After setting down my luggage and plopping down onto the bed, I roll over on my side and watch as my friend more carefully puts her belongings away in drawers.

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