“Uh- okay, I guess we could –”
“Great!” Tom he interrupted as quickly he left the lab.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
“Beth!? Babe?!” Tom called.
Bethany Luxford had been Tommy’s girl for three years now, since the time they were both doing a minor in Drama at university .They were quite the power couple. There was absolutely nothing that they didn’t have in common; from their love of horror flicks and geckos to their hatred for allegorical novels and cheesy happily-ever-after stories.
Two dainty arms suddenly assumed a death-grip around Tom’s waist.
Bethany locked her warm brown eyes with his small blue ones and whispered, “I’m so excited!”
Tom looked at here and rather forcefully willed his lips to stretch into what vaguely resembled a smile.
“…I guess we should get going?” Tom prompted.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Tom and Bethany sat at Javier’s, a gourmet restaurant. The few lights that illuminated the hall were hung low under stained glass lamps, giving everything a red-orange glow. Below, on the table rested an antique candle holder where a small candle burned. The silverware was polished and perfectly in place. There were numerous forks and spoons which held down an elegant lace table mat. The ivory-coloured plates had delicate silver flowers embossed onto their edges.
Bethany smiled as she gazed at the black orchid she held, stroking its dark, velvety petals.
After dinner, Tom closed his eyes, sighed and reached out for Bethany’s hand.
“Beth, baby, I have loved you since the day we met in drama…since day you smiled at me in the hall. And I know it sounds cliché but you are my other half and I think; I know that I want us to spend the rest of our lives together…so Beth,” he let go of her hand, without breaking eye contact, got down on one knee, and took out a ring, “will you marry me?”
“Yes!” a tear escaped her eye as she laughed and nodded fervently.
He slid the ring onto her long, narrow finger as she watched him lovingly, her eyes dancing with joy. Suddenly she was swept off her feet as Tom carried her out of the restaurant.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
“I have a surprise for you,” Tom said, his voice lilting, “so stay here and don’t peek,” he said firmly.
“Yes sir!” Bethany teased as a soft giggle escaped her lips.
Tom’s jaw clenched and fists balled as he briskly made his way over to her and kissed her cheek. Then he went into the bathroom.
He had room service set up a bath for her before they got back. The bathroom was now radiating a deep yellow hue with all the candles he lit up. It was carpeted with pale pink mountains of bubbly froth onto which Tom sprinkled deep red rose petals. As he did this, he took out his pen, fumbled with it awkwardly, reassembled it and put it back into his jacket pocket.
“Okay, you can come in now,” he whispered softly as he led her to the bath.
She gasped, looked at him with a wide, radiant smile on her lips, her eyes thanking him silently. Tommy decided it’d be best to leave her alone to some peace.
He shut the door and immediately took off his shoes, loosened his tie and undid a few buttons of his shirt. He glanced at his watch; eight seven.
“Hello, I’m calling from room five-o’-eight, could you send some Champagne and strawberries sent over?” he spoke into the phone, “Thanks.”
After about 5 minutes, there was a knock on the door – room service. After the man had finished laying everything down on the coffee table and was about to leave, Tom stopped him to give him a generous tip. “Is there anything else, sir?” the waiter asked, slightly dazed.
“One second,” he walked over to the bathroom door and called, “Hun’, the champagne is here, do you want anything else?” rather loudly.
“No thank you,” she said.
“No, that’d be all, thanks,” Tom said to the waiter.
After he left, Tom checked his watch once more; eight fifteen. He started spot jogging ever so softly. In a few minutes he’d almost worked himself to a sweat he heard splashing and moaning from the bathroom. He ignored it; his eyes were ice as he continued to jog. Another ten minutes or so passed after which the splashing and coughing died down. Tommy was flushed and sweaty.
He swung the bathroom door open. Bethany was lying there, pale…lifeless. He unplugged the bath, letting the drain swallow the water whole then proceeded to drag the body on the floor. Then he called security and the police.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Tom had been frantic and grief-stricken for about 5 hours and the police were now finally starting to clear up. The hotel was very sympathetic and allowed him to stay for as long as he needed.
An officer stood beside Tom, who had his head in his hands and asked a few final questions.
“Sir, did your girlfriend have any history of health problems, particularly cardiac issues?” he questioned.
“Fiancé,” he corrected, “and yes, her father and grandfather both die-” Tom began to cry again, “died from a heart attack.” he managed to complete just before his face crumpled up again.
The police finally left the room. Tom closed the door behind him. Strolled over to the bathroom doorway confidently and leaned against the frame. Looked down on the bathtub, took out his pen and looked back at the tub. If you looked carefully you would be able to see the corners of his mouth curl upwards ever so slightly. Just as quickly, he turned on his heel and headed back into the suite…
