Page 56 of The Suite Life
I practically floated from the room, heading to the pool area where I eventually met up with Donnie, who looked almost drunk from his session. We looked over the list of other treatments – most of which we didn’t even know what they were – before deciding that chilling out and making the most of feeling so relaxed was exactly what we wanted.
We’re in the steam room, which is currently engulfing us in a cloud of warmth, the air thick with moisture. I’m wearing a bikini, while Donnie, who I’m sure must have trunks on, sits with a towel casually wrapped around his waist. As the steam swirls around us, I can’t help but notice the droplets forming on his forehead, trickling down his chiselled jawline.
A bead of sweat lingers on his chin. I notice him smile, causing the droplet to land on his toned torso, and run down his abs towards his towel. I catch myself staring, suddenly looking at Donnie through a different lens, I realise that he’s looking back at me so I quickly avert my gaze, trying to pretend I wasn’t staring in the first place, probably doing a terrible job as I examine the ceiling.
‘It’s hot in here,’ I blurt, as though that might explain why I was perving over him – it definitely doesn’t.
Donnie chuckles, the sound resonating in the steamy enclosure.
‘Well, it is a steam room, Gigi,’ he teases me, rubbing his face with his hands, probably unaware of the unexplained effect it has on me.
‘Har-har,’ I reply.
‘Maybe we should take a break,’ he suggests. ‘Grab a drink or something?’
‘Good idea,’ I say. ‘I could do with cooling off.’
The pool area is half indoors, and half outdoors – you can even swim back and forth between the two. Inside is sleek and minimal whereas outside is a tropical oasis, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers. I need to cool down so we opt to sit indoors, where daybeds are laid out, draped with soft, inviting towels. Donnie and I find a pair, settling in, our bums only just touching the seats before a hotel employee appears with two large glasses of cucumber water.
‘Here you go,’ she says, her tone somehow bright but calming – just like everything else here. ‘Is there anything else I can get for you two?’
I glance at Donnie, mischief in my eyes, before looking back to the staff member.
‘Hmm,’ I begin, as though I’m deliberating something, but my mind is made up. ‘I really fancy a mai tai.’
I look back to Donnie as his eyes light up in agreement.
‘I would love one too,’ he adds.
‘Coming right up,’ she tells us with a smile.
‘Do people usually booze in spas?’ I ask Donnie when we’re alone again.
Donnie laughs, shaking his head.
‘I’m not sure, but, seriously, is there anything this hotel won’t do for you?’ he asks.
I playfully shrug.
‘It’s the G.G. Marsden effect,’ I reply in hushed tones. ‘They’re convinced I’m this rich, influential VIP, and that catering to my every whim is beneficial to them. But, hey, I’m not complaining. I haven’t heard a single “no” yet.’
‘You should make some ridiculous requests,’ Donnie jokes. ‘See how far you can get them to go.’
I think for a moment, a grin spreading across my face.
‘I want to swim with dolphins – but I want it to be extra magical, so someone needs to follow alongside us, in a boat, playing music,’ I suggest – obviously joking.
‘Or you could ask for the most elaborate dishes, but insist they swap ingredients for pineapple, even if it doesn’t make sense,’ Donnie suggests, joining in.
‘I want my bed sheets ironing every morning, and once in the middle of the night, because I hate sleeping on wrinkled sheets – do not wake me, though,’ I continue, fully in character now.
‘What you really need is a member of staff who follows you around, and their entire job is to simply push your sunglasses back up your nose, when they slip down,’ Donnie suggests.
I laugh.
‘Do you know what though, jokes aside, I’ll bet there are people who do make ridiculous requests,’ I point out. ‘I’m all for making the most of my time here, but I would never take the piss, or make anyone do anything so pointless for me. I don’t iron my own bed sheets at home, so I certainly don’t expect anyone to do it for me here. I’m a simple woman, with simple needs. Right now, if I could have anything – absolutely anything – it would be a plate of nachos. Not just any plate, though, the biggest plate of nachos I have ever seen in my life, with absolutely everything on top of it. Oh, and pineapple, because I kind of like your idea about having it with everything. The pineapple here just hits differently.’
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Donnie says, laughing softly.
