Melanie

The train rumbles into the station, its brakes screeching as it slows down. My heart pounds with excitement as I gather my duffel bag and the lime green satin dress from the overhead compartment. This weekend promises to be a memorable one – meeting Daniel's family, attending a wedding, and just being with him. I can hardly contain my anticipation.

As the train comes to a halt, I join the throng of passengers making their way to the door. The station is a hive of activity, people bustling about with a sense of purpose. I step off the train, my eyes scanning the area for Daniel. There's a slight worry tugging at me – did I get off at the wrong station? I quickly pull out my phone and scroll through Daniel's messages, confirming that I'm indeed at the right place, and I'm on time.

I look around again, expecting to see Daniel's familiar figure. But he's nowhere in sight. The excitement starts to wane, replaced by a twinge of concern. Where is he? Without wasting a moment, I dial Daniel's number, the phone ringing endlessly before he finally picks up. His voice sounds strange, as if he'd rather not talk. "Hey, where are you?" I ask, my excitement now tinged with concern.

Daniel's response is curt, "I'm on my way. Be there in five minutes."

"Okay," I reply, trying to mask the unease in my voice. "I love you."

"Yeah, me too," he mumbles before hanging up abruptly.

I sit on one of the station's cold metal seats, uncertainty gnawing at me. Ten minutes pass, and Daniel is still nowhere to be seen. The bustling station loses its charm as impatience sets in. Maybe he got caught in traffic or ran into some unexpected delay. I contemplate calling him, but the last thing I want is to add pressure or frustration to his day. He said he's on his way, and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Another ten minutes trickle away, and he was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago. Doubt creeps in, and I can't shake the feeling that something is amiss. The weight of uncertainty presses on me as I fumble with my phone in my hands. Should I call him? My thumb hovers over the screen, but I hesitate.

As another train arrives on the next platform, I watch the flurry of activity. People pour out, some hastily walking towards the exit, while others warmly greet loved ones who have been waiting for them. The scene is a stark contrast to my own predicament, and a sense of isolation creeps in.

The crowd clears out, leaving me alone once more. I check my phone again – it's been half an hour, and Daniel is still nowhere in sight. An uneasy feeling takes hold of me, and my mind races with worry. Just as I decide to call him again, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn, and there he is – Daniel, finally approaching me.

My relief is palpable as I stand up to greet him. "Daniel, what took you so long? I was getting worried," I admit, a mix of frustration and concern in my voice.

He avoids eye contact, his expression unreadable. "Sorry, got held up. Let's go," he replies curtly, sidestepping any explanation. Confusion swirls in my mind, but I decide to let it go for now.

The awkward tension lingers as Daniel leads me to his car. We both climb in, and he starts driving, the same unreadable expression etched on his face. The silence between us becomes almost suffocating, and I find myself wringing my hands in front of me, desperately trying to come up with something to say. But my mind is frustratingly blank.

Glancing at Daniel, I notice his eyes fixed on the road, his jaw clenching every now and then. The atmosphere in the car is heavy, and I can't shake the discomfort settling over me. I turn my gaze to the passing scenery outside the window, hoping the change in view might alleviate the tension.

Finally, Daniel breaks the silence, his voice cutting through the uneasy quiet. "How was your trip?" he asks, and I snap my head in his direction. His demeanor seems slightly more relaxed now.

"It was fine," I reply, trying to keep my tone light. "I love traveling by train. It's so peaceful."

"That's good to hear," he says, his tone softer. However, before I can fully absorb the momentary ease, he drops a bombshell. "Because something came up, and you'll have to leave by train on Sunday too."

I tilt my head, processing his words. "What came up?" I inquire, a sense of confusion settling in.

Daniel shakes his head dismissively. "Just have to drive back with some relatives, and there isn't enough space in my car for you."

I'm taken aback by the sudden change in plans. "Oh," is all I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. I turn my gaze back to the passing scenery outside, a heavy silence settling in the car once again.

If only I had known, I would have driven here with my own car. No early wake-up calls to catch a train, no waiting at the station for Daniel to arrive half an hour late. The truth stings a bit, and I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. Perhaps he didn't know about this change in plans either. Maybe he found out at the last minute, and that's the reason for his tardiness and foul mood.

I open my eyes, looking at Daniel with a newfound understanding. The tension in the car eases as I consider the possibility that this wasn't intentional. Maybe it's just as surprising for him as it is for me. I relax a bit, my gaze returning to Daniel.

He's great, and I love him so much. As if sensing my thoughts, Daniel glances at me and catches me looking. A warm smile graces his lips, and he turns his eyes back to the road. Taking my hand, he brings it to his lips, planting a soft kiss on it. My heart swells at the gesture, and I return his smile. He releases my hand, focusing on the steering wheel with both hands.

After about half an hour of driving, the car comes to a stop in front of a charming, old but well-preserved hotel. Its façade boasts intricate detailing, and the architecture exudes a timeless elegance that adds a touch of nostalgia to the surroundings. Vines of ivy crawl up the sides of the building, casting a shadow on the well-manicured garden that graces the entrance. A quaint sign proudly declares the establishment's name – The Grand Manor Hotel.

I open the door of the back seat, retrieving my dress, while Daniel opens the trunk and takes my duffel bag. He walks over, handing it to me with a slight smile. I take it, and he gestures for me to follow him. We embark on a short walk to the entrance, with Daniel leading the way.

The hotel lobby unfolds before us – a quiet space with an air of nostalgia. Only the receptionist is present, sitting behind a polished wooden desk. As we approach, she greets us with a warm smile, asking, "How may I assist you?"

Daniel steps forward, saying, "I have a room reservation under the name Winston."

I can't help but feel a pang of confusion. Doesn't Daniel already have a room? The receptionist checks her computer, and after a few seconds, she says, "Here it is, a room for one under the name Daniel Winston."

My eyebrows furrow in surprise. "Room for one?" I ask, turning to Daniel for clarification.

He gives me a reassuring smile and says, "I'll explain in a minute."

The receptionist hands him the room key, sharing, "Your room number is 305."

Daniel thanks her, and he makes his way towards the elevator.

I hurry to catch up with him, and as the elevator doors close, I can't contain my curiosity any longer.

"What's going on, Daniel?" I ask, my voice tinged with unease.

He pushes the button for the third floor and responds, "Be patient, Mel."

An uneasy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach, and a wave of nausea washes over me. The elevator doors open, and we step out, making our way down the hallway towards room 305. As the door opens, I take in the surroundings of the hotel room.

The room has an old-world charm with its vintage furniture and floral wallpaper. A large, comfortable bed dominates the space, flanked by bedside tables adorned with quaint lamps. The window boasts billowy curtains, allowing a soft glow of sunlight to filter through.

I turn to Daniel, ready to ask more questions, but his words catch me off guard. "I'm not staying in this hotel," he reveals, his gaze focused on mine.

My eyes widen, and I stammer, "What do you mean, you're not staying here?"

He takes a deep breath before explaining, "I thought about it more. It was impulsive to ask you to come here, but I didn't want to tell you not to come. So, I booked you a room in a hotel far away from where my family is staying."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. What the fuck? The excitement of meeting his family, taking that significant step in our relationship, suddenly shatters. Daniel's revelation that I won't be meeting his family leaves me bewildered and hurt. "Are you joking?" I manage to voice the question, desperately hoping for a different answer.

Daniel walks towards me, his fingertips gently stroking my arms, his eyes searching mine. "I'm sorry," he says, sincerity etched across his face. "I just wanted to see you. I missed you."

I shake my head, unable to meet his gaze, my eyes fixed on the floor. Daniel cups my cheek, tilting my head to face him. "Please don't leave," he implores, vulnerability evident in his eyes.

A deep breath is all I can manage. I can't say no to him, especially not when he's looking at me like that. He seems so vulnerable, so sincere. "Okay," I whisper, my response barely audible.

A smile breaks across Daniel's face, and he crushes his lips onto mine. The intensity of the kiss momentarily distracts me from the confusing turn of events. He breaks the kiss, trailing kisses down my neck, mumbling promises to make it up to me. I close my eyes, succumbing to the pleasure as his hands explore my body.