SS Iridescent (P19 - UPDATE 06/06) [Virman/Virika] - Page 4

"Hi. My name is Jeevika Choudhary, I'm here from India for the World Expo."

The prim and proper receptionist looked over Jeevika from behind the counter, meticulously analysing the casual blazer and skinny jean combo. "We have a strict policy in terms of identification ma'am."

Jeevika smiled cordially at the middle aged woman as she rummaged through her handbag in search of her passport. She handed the little black book over, rhythmically tapping her stiletto heeled shoes against the ground as the woman checked her in. She glanced around the lobby area, a large white and airy space greeting her eyes. She looked around towards the wicker chairs padded in white cotton under the various sized canopies around the open air reception area, as her thoughts began to fixate on just how much she longed to soothe her aching feet. 'Damn Jeevika, you really couldn't find another day to wear your Jimmy Choo stilettos, now could you?'

"Welcome to Genova Miss. Choudhary. I hope your experience in Italia is a pleasant one. In regards to the World Expo, there will be an information package awaiting you in your suite. Here is your key to your room which is down the Roma corridor, and please do not hesitate to call down if you need anything at all." The woman plastered an overly fake smile across her lips as she ushered towards a bell hop eagerly waiting to take Jeevika's luggage.

Jeevika took the key card from the woman, smiling one last time before turning towards the endless lane of lifts positioned through a hallway clearly labelled 'Roma'. She glanced around, inwardly amused as she noticed the names of the other corridors going in various different directions: Verona, Milano, Napoli, Torino, and Venezia.

The lift ride was short, as was the journey to her large and spacious suite. After tipping the bell hop, Jeevika retired towards the open balcony sitting area, seating herself on one of the hammock style swings. She rejoiced as the dratted heels were released from her throbbing feet; she stretched them out to their tips, basking in the Mediterranean sun. As the heat began to rise with the sun slowly moving across the azure sky, she stirred to her feat, slowly shrugging off the black blazer and retreating to the large en-suite bathroom adjoining the humungous bedroom. Staring at the reflection through the mirror, Jeevika lightly traced the growing bags beneath her eyelids before deciding a long hot shower to be the perfect way in which to rejuvenate her body. Taking off her clothes, she stepped into the steamy shower, rejoicing straight away as her body immediately relaxed, as the last few hours of journeying seeped away from her limbs and into the water.

She opened her eyes slowly, blinking away any excess water that streamed down her face. She gazed down at her arms as a thought hit her. 'Stupid! I forgot my toiletry bag and my towel… This is supposed to be a hotel; I mean they should have some complimentary shampoo and shower gel somewhere…' She spied the small little bottles, embossed with the hotel signature. She grinned, squeezing the contents out into her palm as she continued with her unintended shower.

After a while, she turned the shower head off as she slowly opened the glass shower cubicle door thankful that a set of towels had been placed on the sink counter top. Wrapping herself up within the white cotton towel, Jeevika ventured out within the bedroom of the suite, happily greeted by the sight of the Genoese landscape behind the pristinely made bed. She flopped herself on to the layers of fluffy duvets and pillows, careless of the array of wet hair sprayed out on the clean sheets. Distracted by the ring of her phone, she leaned over towards the bed side table, answering the hand held device with a lazy smile.

"Hello? Jeevika? How are you dear?"

She sighed contentedly, gazing up at the intricately designed ceiling. "Fine Pappa; it's so nice here, the weather, the hotel, the city... bar the receptionist. She was a total moody cow, but apart from that it's an amazing place Dad."

She could hear the shifting of crockery through the phone as well as distant voices. "I'm glad you're enjoying it darling. Remember to call me if you need anything at all, and the rest of the team will be flying out in three days' time so have fun until then. Mannu and your mother want to talk hunny, I'll pass you over to your Mom." She could hear slight static in the background as the phone shifted hands.

"Jeevika, I hope you're well dear. You're in a foreign city alone for the next three days so please take care of yourself. Don't talk to shady people and be wary of people trying to spike drinks. I was just reading that there's this weird craze of stabbing bottoms in Italy, so be really careful."

Jeevika laughed at her mother's words, slowly closing her eyes as the sun's rays extended over the bed. "Mummy, firstly that's in Rome and its only football hooligans, and secondly, are you forgetting that gap year I did when I went backpacking around the world? I've had far worse done to me than a spiked drink…" She sighed as her gaze fell on the distant horizon where she could spy a glint of the sea. "I'll be fine Mummy, it's only a matter of three days in what I have to say it the most gorgeous city in the world. I'm sure I'll survive."

She heard the steady sigh of her mother. "Just take care of yourself dear... You know how anxious I get, especially after what happened. I love you baby. Mannu wanted to talk to you, and speak of the devil, she's here. Here Mannu…"

"Hey Di! Or should I say ciao? How is Italia? I'm guessing the weather is great so be sure to take plenty of pictures. You forgot your camera so I stuffed it into the side of the holdall. So tell me, any cute Italian guys around?" She chuckled softly at Manvi's hyper behaviour, slowly sitting up.

"Mannu, it's great here. It's absolutely beautiful and don't worry, I'll take plenty of pictures. And about Italian guys, Manvi it's like I'm walking through an Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue, oh, and the accent is just so unbelievably hot! Mannu, I really wish you were here, it's like heaven."

"Di don't rub it in! You have fun for the next three weeks while I'll suffer through finals, but just don't screw every guy you meet. You don't know who's bed they were in the night before. And definitely don't come home pregnant; I'm too young to be an auntie."

Jeevika felt her mouth fall open as a small chuckle escaped from Manvi's lips. "Mannu! What exactly did you think I was going to be doing? I'm on a business trip, not one of your girly 'sun, sex and alcohol' holidays. That Aleesha girl would screw anything that could walk!"

"Di! Come on, she's one of my close friends! Although I do have to admit that it's true. But come on Di, a hot country with hot guys with lottsa alcohol... I wouldn't be too surprised if I'm a dear auntie by the week. Oh, and one of my holidays? Do you not remember that year you went to Ibiza and pounced like four different guys?"

Jeevika cringed at the memories as she slowly ran her hand across her face, softly smiling through the phone. "Don't remind me... I was young, drunk and completely brainless, but that's not going to happen here. There'll be no pouncing, strictly business and only business. After the disaster with the London accounts, you really think I want to even consider messing this up?"

"I guess not... but still, you've got three days just to kick back and relax. Let everything that happened stay in the past, you just have fun and we'll talk tomorrow. Love you Di, and miss you." Manvi hung up the phone soon after allowing Jeevika to lose herself into her thoughts before it dawned on her that she still adorned a slightly wet towel.

Shrugging out of the towel, she pulled on a knee length floral summer dress, matched with some pink flats as she slowly began to transfer her clothes from the luggage to the cupboards and wardrobes around the room. She stowed the empty suitcases into the storage cupboard before heading over to the large vanity dresser. Sitting herself down on the padded stool, she mused at her make-up and perfumes already scattered around the dresser top just like her dresser at home. Applying the lightest of make-up, Jeevika pulled out a long thin white cardigan and a small side bag. She took out a few notes from her purse, stashing them into her bra just in case of an emergency.

Opening the bedroom door, her eyes skimmed over the 'Welcome Package' that lay untouched on the horse shoe shaped sofa in the main entrance area of her large suite. 'I'll deal with that later.' She stepped into one of the lifts, journeying down to the hotel lobby. Walking the few steps toward the reception desk, she found an unexpected force pushing against her shoulder. Turning around, she spied the back of an angry guy with spiky black hair ranting into his phone, who, moments previously had walked into her. She narrowed her eyes, slowly rubbing her slightly painful shoulder. Turning again, this time she faced the moody receptionist who she looked on bored.

"Erm, I was wondering if you had any information about Genoa and the places to go and see around here." The woman disappeared under the counter, only to reappear shortly after with a handful of leaflets which she deposited on the counter top. Jeevika took them, smiling her thanks as she went to sit on one of the wicker chairs nestled under the countless canopies. She rummaged through the leaflets, trying to find something to fit her muse; engrossed in her leaflets, she failed to notice the stranger sitting across from her with his steady gaze fixed on her.

"Do you have an iPhone?" She looked up towards the man, his slightly bearded face and unruly spiky hair indicating some sense of friendliness. He motioned towards the phone in his hands, as Jeevika nodded cautiously. "Well there's an app for Genoa. It'll tell you everything you need to know, so no need of leaflets or maps. Everything's in it." He smiled cheerfully as she muttered a small thank you to him.

"Virat!" He looked up towards the sound, his eyes searching out the direction from which it came. He looked back towards her as he pointed towards the direction of the voice, all the while smiling apologetically before he disappeared through one of the corridors coming off of the lobby area.

Jeevika shook her head amusedly as she took out her phone in search of the app, smiling softly as she left the leaflets on the table. "Thanks… Virat."