They hurried downstairs with their bags, Alina hadn't had much time to sort herself out, so quickly rummaged through her bag in the elevator down, trying to find some tights as none had been provided. Whilst she had certainly worn some the other day, she couldn't find them now in her bag. Most of her belongings were there, including her laptop, work papers and toiletries, but her underwear, tights and more conservative clothes were missing. The sick bastards didn't want her changing. She felt uncomfortable baring her legs, usually dressing more conservatively at work. She shoved everything back in her bag, and blushed as she stepped into the blue high heels.
Looking in the elevator mirror, she barely recognised herself, but she really did look excellent. The sheer dark fabric suited her and was undoubtedly expensive, potentially designer. Despite rushing out of bed, her hair wasn't too wild, and with a dash of lipstick she would look really quite professional. Mike on the other hand looked a little disheveled and seemed to have noticed. Whilst she had been rummaging around, he had been tucking in his shirt and tidying his hair. He was also wearing a new suit, it was a pale grey-blue and it really suited him, a flattering cut that sat well on his square shoulders. It was perhaps the best dressed she had ever seen him, and her heart fluttered a little as he buttoned his shirt cuff and smoothed his suit jacket over his torso.
Reaching the ground floor, Mike stormed straight over to reception, Alina trailing shortly behind.
"Hello there sir, how can I-"
"Cut the bullshit," He said sternly, yet somehow quiet enough not to draw much attention, "What the fuck is going on here?"
The receptionist looked genuinely affronted, "Sir I'm sorry, wh-what seems to be the problem?" She was young, perhaps in her twenties, different to the person they had seen before. She was pretty, her hair a beach-blonde with striking blue eyes and flawless skin. His seething temper eased as he registered her beauty and her blank expression.
"I've been locked in a shower, my belongings stolen, drugged and god-knows what else by your hotel," His anger was palpable, but his tone managed to avoid being accusatory, "I want some goddamn answers. What the hell kind of hotel is this?"
"Sir, I'm sorry but I don't know what you're talking about."
He was angry, now not only at the hotel but at himself. What had he expected to happen? For the receptionist to reveal she was the mastermind of the operation?
"Is there a manager we can talk to?" Alina asked timidly, happy to play the role of good cop. Something about the immaculate receptionist made Alina want to be kind. She couldn't take her eyes off her, how she envied her beauty, her effortlessness. The gentle thrumming between her legs had her a little on edge, and she was still reeling from that mind-blowing orgasm that had been stolen from her grasp. She blushed, convincing herself that she hadn't desperately wanted another sweet release. One last wave of ecstasy, then perhaps another.
"Uh, she's not in at the moment, but she should be back in about an hour." The receptionist dutifully replied, forcing a pleading smile. She didn't know what to say to them and was clearly uncomfortable.
Before they could say any more, a loud voice bellowed from the entrance, "Michael! Always fashionably early!" Said a man approaching them, it was a senior member of IT that they were due to meet today, "And Alina, good to see you again!"
Mike and Alina were equally perplexed, but Mike recovered quickly, reaching out a hand and sharing a firm handshake, "And to you, how have you been?"
"Great, busy! As always," He replied warmly, "Listen I know you weren't originally going to be in town today and we switched these from calls to face-to-face last minute, so I really appreciate your quick turnaround. Great idea of Deepesh's PA to use the hotel conference rooms! Where's the room? The rest of the team will be here in five."
Alina and Mike shared a look. Their minds still felt sluggish from the drugs, and were struggling to comprehend what was happening.
"Ah hello there," Another receptionist approached from across the hall holding a clipboard, "You must be the nine o'clock. You're in the Malvagi suite, just down the hall to the left." She pointed down a nearby corridor, "I'll have the breakfast platters brought in shortly."
"Perfect!" Said the senior IT lead, smiling and heading towards the room.
Mike suddenly understood. The cogs started turning, and Alina soon followed. Somehow the meetings had been scheduled to take pl;ace here in the hotel. There was someone behind the scenes pulling strings to arrange it so the two of them stayed here even longer.
"Uh, sorry!" Mike blurted, as the senior IT guy looked at them questioningly, wondering why they weren't following him to the room. "Alina and I just need a minute to go over the actions from yesterday. We'll meet you there in a sec." Mike improvised, and appeared convincing enough that even Alina bought it, taking a moment to think about what had been agreed the day before. "I know you wanted to go home, I'm really sorry," He whispered to her, "But I didn't get to spend any time prepping last night, and I could really do with your help."
"Well I mean, he's seen me here now." Alina said with a shrug, "I kind of have to."