The
S.N.A.K.ES.
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CHAPTER 1:
First Encounter
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The usual everyday chatter of the hotel residents ceased into dumbfounded silence as they gaped in disbelief towards the reception desk when three youths casually strode in through the front main doors of the elegant hotel, where the manager stared in aghast when they halted before him, not knowing whether to be friendly and welcome them or signal for security to escort them out of the building.
Dressed in ordinary faded jeans and shirts, the newcomers did look a sight too different than the immaculately and distinguishably clad residents present in the hotel. Even attired in simple shorts or skirts, one could note the type of distinguished materials of the clothes. Anyone would have mistaken the newcomers to be list crashers or roughnecks out looking for some bit of fun. Especially now that one was starting an argument with the front desk manager, their voices rising at some disagreement over reservations, drawing more attention from interested audiences.
One in particular was a girl seated comfortably at the lobby couch, holding a half-open newspaper in one hand while the other hand was trying to smother the laugh that threatened to burst from her. She was looking extremely amused at the scene played before her twinkling gray eyes. Her auburn hair, held high in a ponytail, was a contrast to the pale blue sleeveless sundress she wore over a light blue bikini she wore for a later dip in the pool or in the ocean, the noodle thin straps peeking out from the neck of her dress and matched with a comfortable-looking pair of beige sandals that she wore unclasped on her feet.
The hotheaded one, wearing cut-off jeans in which his shins were showing and a yellow shirt with the sleeves torn off displaying muscular biceps and his hair hidden underneath a bull cap, was at the brink of reaching over the counter for the manager’s neck. His two companions ignored his behavior.
There was a series of startled gasps from the watching ladies at the lobby and at the reception room when the hotheaded young man slammed a hard palm on the desk, demanding to see the list of reservations. So intent were everyone on the spectacle that none noticed another young man come in pulling a suitcase and wheeling it behind him. His attire was entirely different than that of the three, a purplish gray silk vest over white silk shirt, khaki slacks and a pair of fine leather sandals suitable for a beach. Sun-kissed blonde hair was groomed neatly over his forehead where wayward strands fell over charming baby blue eyes that looked in confusion at the spectacle before him that had been obviously going on for some time.
“May I ask what is going on here?” Asked the blonde young man at the manager who was busy glaring at the person in front of him to pay any notice to the other newcomer.
“Are these men with you, young sir?” Asked the elderly manager.
“Yes, they are with me and my father has made reservations here a week ago.” Was his answer, coming forward.
“And who is your father, young sir—“ the manager suddenly stopped when he finally looked up to the more seemingly civilized of the four, his face going several shades paler when he saw who it was that stood there.
Ignoring the abrupt stop of the question asked he went on to answer, “Khalid Shahriyar.” Confirming the identity the manager had, in embarrassment, knew the moment he laid eyes on the light golden hair and blue-eyes.
Another series of collected gasps came from the listening residents, their shock more clear this time, as they gaped in awe at the golden young man before them. He, however, was oblivious to their presence as he faced the manager after preening his companion away.
“Y-your Excellency!” Gasped the manager, his dark eyes as wide as saucers. “I-I didn’t recognize it to be you! Forgive my blunderings…”
Davin Ferruci watched them warily. After being sure that the blonde man had everything handled, he glanced around at the still present residents who whispered behind their palms and fans. The reaction was only too familiar for him to find anything different. Always, the presence of the blonde young prince stirred interest among the social circles of the world.
Memorizing features and discarding unimportant faces, he went to observe those at the lobby, his attention caught by the girl who seemed to have found amusement in all of these rather than the disgust or disapproval revealed on the faces of the others. Red-brown hair stood out from among the dark heads that populated most of the hotel’s ground floor. There was an unusual sight, a different one. She had a half-opened newspaper over her mouth, trying to hide her wide smile.
“I’m sorry to hear that your father couldn’t come, your Excellency. He must be a very proud man to have a very responsible son.” The manager commented, trying to gain back a piece of his dignity.
The flawless face turned to a slight frown. “Well… ah, yes—”
“Let’s go, Chayal.” Davin interjected, having heard enough of the same speech everyday from over eager zealots almost all the time.
“Yes, a moment, Davin.” He called over his shoulder at the taller man, turning back to sign his name on the record.
“Are they your… bodyguards, your Excellency?” Asked the manager in a stage whisper, giving the three rugged young men a strange and distasteful look.
“In a way…”
Davin heard the barely audible conversation and, once glance at his other two companions, told him that they had heard too but showed nothing and ignored it. He went back to observe the lobby and saw the single couch empty where the girl had been only a moment ago. In her place was a neatly folded newspaper.
“Man! I’m beat.” Stretched out Zachary Adams before he dropped himself on the well-made bed of the hotel room.
He had his eyes closed for a moment when the front door opened and their solitary friend came in, lifting a black duffel bag over one shoulder and a small leather pouch in one hand.
“Yo! Khan! Where ya been?” He asked, sitting up bouncily on the soft bed and reached for his own bag.
“Did you take care of everything?” Asked Higetsu Rio, closing the curtain after he looked out. There was nothing to see outside but the vast ocean.
“All done.” Was the reply of their Chinese comrade, Khan Fang Lao, with a nod, running a hand over his tightly held ponytail that bound his silky ebony hair at the nape. He glanced behind him when the door slid open and Chayal walked in, locking the door behind him.
The room was filled with the sound of rustling and shuffling as they set up equipment immediately. Rio checked everything thoroughly for any malfunctions, the scanners and speakers were all working just perfectly. With everything in place, Davin retrieved his laptop from his own cases and plugged into their equipment, immediately hooking into the hotel’s tight system, Chayal watching from over his shoulder.
Not long, the laptop blinked. With a few taps at the keys, Davin was reading through the hotel’s resident records.
“There, that’s him.” Chayal said, pointing at one of the names on the list.
Davin nodded. “Third floor, east wing. He’s at room three-one-seven.” He read aloud for the benefit of his other comrades. Then scanning for the hotel’s blueprints, Davin turned the laptop around for all to see. “These are our rooms. Ambassador Kieran Wu is located right here,” he pointed at the blinking square. “He has six bodyguards with him, three on each room—left and right. There are two rooms that are unoccupied as of now and room four-one-seven will be empty the day before the convention. That’s located at the top of the Chinese Ambassador’s room. Three-one-five is occupied.”
“Anyone we should know about?” Zach asked, zipping his bag open.
Davin watched the names zoom by, and then he shook his head. “No. No one we should know about.”
Seventeen-year-old Essi Roccelli let out a bored sigh as she stretched her arms above her dark head, her skin brushing against the brown streaks as she stifled back a yawn. Dropping them behind her, she leaned back and let her head fall backwards.
Her friends were unusually quiet today, Naia’s silence was explainable and Sybil was in the bathroom changing into her swimwear, but was taking awfully long. So there was their outspoken friend, Aki Heinz, who always had a comment or two to add into anything but she was too busy sticking half of herself out one of the windows.
“I feel as if I’ve been here for a week.” Essi groaned.
Finally, Aki let out a laugh, getting back in, her curly auburn hair in wild disarray from the ocean breeze outside, her gray eyes had a hidden twinkle in them from the salty air. “Look at Naia. She’s been in that condition for a week. Right, sis?” She said, poking at her sister’s bare foot, the only part of not hidden under the thick covers.
She groaned and whatever she was saying was muffled by the bulky pillow she had over her head.
Both girls sighed.
Naia Heinz, the eldest of the Heinz’s sisters as well as of the group, had been under the cold weather for over a week now and just when she was finally showing signs of getting well, they were sent off to that place where the climate didn’t quite agree with her condition. Now she was back in bed again like she had been from day one.
“You should be alright by tonight, if not, tomorrow, after you took those pills this morning.” Aki said, giving her sister’s leg a reassuring pat.
“Somehow I think those pills did more damage than fixing her.” Essi commented. “Sybil, are you going to take long?” she called.
“Coming, I’m coming.”
The two girls turned in the direction of the bathroom doorway where their other friend, Sybil Nyssa, finally appeared in a simple black one piece swimsuit that hugged her slender body like second skin and a sheer black and purple wrap was knotted around her waist, showing off the slimness of her curves. Stygian black hair, which came loose of her loosely held mane, fell in silky strands beside her face, near midnight blue eyes that tilted at a rather broodingly sharp tips.
Aki and Essi raised a brow at her.
“Well? I hope I wouldn’t attract attention this time.” Sybil declared.
“Sybil, even if you wear a clown costume you’d still attract attention.” Aki pointed out with a dry drawl.
Essi broke out laughing.
The younger population of the hotel residents mostly occupied the pool area by mid-afternoon that day. With nothing to do for most of the time that afternoon, Zach Adams reclined comfortably on one of the lounging chairs at the pool side and grinning sheepishly at his friend, Chayal who had accompanied him. The blonde young man hadn’t stopped returning greetings since they came down from their rooms, the news of the Shahriyar heir having gone around already.
Finally, Chayal leaned back, releasing a sigh. The others had decided to stay upstairs to keep security. Unlike Zach who knew how to relax once in a while, the others always took their jobs seriously, much to their American comrade’s chagrin, being carefree and happy-go-lucky in nature.
A couple of minutes later, Davin and Khan appeared from the pool entrance, their casual clothes from earlier now replaced by more lighter and cooler attire of pastel green and yellow cotton shorts and open beach shirt over sleeveless white muscle shirt. They didn’t attract attention this time.
Zach waved a hand at them and Davin nodded back before going to one of the tables with the small umbrella over it as Khan walked over to the poolside bar.