Chapter 3

Neil hadn't been expecting a call from the reception.

He had checked in an hour ago and was still in the process of understanding exactly why he had come. He hadn't wanted to. That was the truth. He had wanted for once to not do what his friend had asked him to do as a favor. Just to give him the message that he wasn't around to clean up his messes. Only he knew he couldn't have. And all because Robbie had done the same for him. A few times. And he owed his friend that. He had damned himself for being so considerate only he wasn't one to squelch one's conscience. He was the kind who listened to it. A lot more than others.

The bellboy had shown him to the suite, of course and Neil had tipped him too. He had been asked by an enthusiastic receptionist about his wife and he had told her very casually she was coming in later as her flight was delayed. If the girl had been curious she hadn't even batted an eyelid. Instead she had taken the details from him and had given him the key cards to the suite along with a few pamphlets for local sightseeing and interesting events.

The room had been booked in the name of Robbie's aunt as she had paid for it and all he had to do was give the confirmation number to them. There was no mention of Robbie Singh or Preet Siddhu anywhere. Something Neil had been really relieved about. He had given his driver's license as a proof of identity and that was that. Then he had presented her with his most charming smile and left with the bellboy.

How was he going to stay here for five days? He would be bored to death. This wasn't his first visit to the region. He had been here before. Several times. He had of course, brought his favorite pastime with him. Work. He just hoped a 'Do Not Disturb' sign outside would deter anyone from coming and disturbing him with unwanted questions or anything else.

The problem was with the holidays already here most of his staff and fellow workers worldwide would be taking an off. Most of the Asian offices had a mandatory shutdown. He had damned Robbie again for the nth time. And himself too for coming. He could have easily stayed home, worked from there and maybe caught up with a few things long overdue. But no, he was here.

The suite was...exactly how it should be. Big. With a personal Christmas tree with all the trimmings and decorations, a huge fireplace, television, internet connection, plush leather couches, a kitchen area with well stocked fridge and wine bar, a balcony complete with the hot tub. A master bedroom and an attached master bath. On the side table in the bedroom he found a bottle of champagne, two flute glasses and an assortment of dessert pastries. His lips had twisted in a wry smile. Robbie would have enjoyed the champagne and the pastries the most. He had a sweet tooth. It was such a waste Neil wasn't fond of sweets.

He had moved the curtains away from the windows. They were big bay windows. Best part of the suite was that it was on the top floor of the resort and the balcony which also had the hot tub had two sides covered with concrete wall maintaining the privacy. The whole suite, no matter which window you peeped out of gave a beautiful view of snow covered mountains, a frozen lake, and several fir and pine trees planted all around. It did give the feel of being in winter wonderland.

A very romantic place, only Neil had no time for it. Neither the beauty that surrounded him nor the romance the place inspired. He was happy with his life just the way it was. '...as for commitment issues, dude that is more your problem than mine', Neil had recalled Rob's words. And he knew the truth of it. He did have commitment issues. But was it really his fault? Everywhere he looked, all he saw was a string of broken relationships, angry people or just plain those who were frustrated and didn't know what they could do with it. Who was really committed? All he had to do was look at his own parents. But they were still better...maybe. Better than a lot of those who despite pretending to be committed were not. Look at Rob, the latest example to add to his ever growing list. He had been committed to Preet and then suddenly realized he wasn't. The bitterness his friend's one decision left behind would last a lifetime. Neil shook his head as he released a deep drawn breath. He had always thought Preet was the right girl for Rob. That with Preet by his side his friend could prove everyone wrong. Only that hadn't happened. Neil wondered if there was something called a 'right girl' after all. If there was someone who one could stay content with all his life and never consider letting her go. He had shaken his head and smiled faintly. His work was the best companion ever. At least it gave him pleasure and not angst, not all the time at least. He had just finished unpacking when the phone had rung. The call had left him stunned.

His wife was here. He was told. For a second he had wondered if they had the right room but that was before he had remembered he was in a honeymoon suite and pretending to be married. After all, he had told the receptionist his wife was delayed. But...the problem was there was supposed to be no wife. He wasn't married. And last he knew Robbie wasn't either. Was it Preet? Maybe she had come in order to salvage the situation. Damn. Neil almost groaned out loud. But what if it wasn't Preet? Did Robbie ask someone else for help too? Damn. Maybe he had taken Neil's word seriously, that he wasn't helping this time. What was he going to do now? Well, he couldn't do anything standing here. He had to go and see for himself what the confusion was and how best it could be taken care of. If it was Preet then he was out of here. If it wasn't then...he will first have to go and meet, his supposed wife, err, the girl who was waiting for him at the reception.

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