Orlando felt weird with his compliment, it took him twelve seconds to apologize for the mistaken comment.
“I deeply apologize for the- I did not mean to sound like a-“ Orlando's voice sounded like a stutter but he stopped talking to look less of an idiot.
“It's okay, I don't feel offended.” Thelma said in a small voice.
“Let's get out of here before anyone comes in and find us, shall we?” He held out one of his palms for her to take. Thelma nodded in agreement and placed her hand on his feeling like a teenager again. Thelma felt something strange and weird forming in the pit of her stomach but she brushed it off.
They took the elevator quickly and stood side-by-side in silence. 
Occasionally, Thelma would check the elevator doors that reflect their images and find him looking back at her. It went on for a few more seconds until the door dinged open. Orlando was the first to step out and he took Thelma’s right hand so she was closer to him. Thelma let out a relieved breath, she was happy to be outside the elevator box.
“I have a room reserved for me in this hotel. I saw how the people made you nervous so I thought of bringing you up here. I don’t want to bother you or make you uncomfortable..., we will continue our discussion in my room, till the party’s over.” He told her.
‘in his hotel room? Thelma, why didn’t you think about that before agreeing to this?’ her brain scolds her.
“Why can’t we relax in the lounge? It is comfortable there.” She suggests to him. She wasn't afraid but cautious.
“The lounge sounds like a great idea but it will be crowded soon with guests wanting to get some air and I want us to be alone.” Orlando spoke truthfully and fear gripped Thelma in the chest.
“What about a stroll outside the hotel-” She tried convincing him but it was too late they already reached his hotel room.
“Relax Ava.” He told her and rubbed circles on the back of her hand. “Relax.”
‘I am not Ava my name is Thelma Valentine!’ she wanted to scream at him. ‘Kaycee what have you gotten me into?’ Thelma was having a mental battle and she was losing it.
Orlando opened the door as a gentleman and gestured for her to go in. Thelma felt like she was going to drop down any moment while staring inside the room. She stood there for a second thinking through her decision to impersonate Ava Sambora and she is starting to regret it. No matter what she did there was no going back, and if she compromised the plan then she would have to face the law.
“Are you alright?” She heard Orlando’s voice behind her ear which sent shivers down her spine in a good way.
“Yes.” She responded and stepped into the room slowly. Thelma absentmindedly looked around the room, it was those five-star grand hotels meant for the wealthy, everything was in white and peach, including the curtains.
“Come here.” He said and placed a hand on the small of her back. Orlando brought her to a set of chairs beside the king-size bed and motioned to them. Thelma got the memo and sat down with her back straight and tensed while Orlando sat opposite to her. “Ava.” He tested the name on his tongue but it didn’t sound too appealing.
“Yes.” She answered nervously.
“Relax and have a drink .” He said and poured some wine into two cups then stretched out to give her one.
“Thank you.” Thelma took the glass of wine and downed it fast to quench her thirst and clear her dry throat. Orlando stared at her in wonder and looked down at his cup which was still full.
“You seem thirsty, have some more.” He offered her another glass but she refused this time. The first glass he gave her did not taste as expected, it had a sour taste and was different from the regular wines she knew.
“No, I think this will do.” She gestured to her empty glass.
“Just on more I promise.” Orlando insists.
“I don’t know.” She confessed and stared at the attractive wine bottle. 
Orlando removed his sunglasses for the first time and placed them on the table. Thelma was able to see his face and she gasped. ‘he is hot! he's hot! he's hot!’ she exclaimed excitedly in her head.
"Is there something wrong?" His brows creased in confusion.
"No, no, I was just- I was just stunned by the taste of the wine." She lied and scratched the back of her head.
"I know, it's the best wine from Italy. I made a special reservation to have it. It is a scarce flavor and I wanted to drink it alone, but with you here, I want to share."
Thelma felt his words warm her heart but Kaycee's warning rang multiple bells in her head and she had to sadly deny him.
"I'm sorry, I think I will have to pass." She said.
“Please.” Orlando begged again with an adorable smile on his lips. He wasn’t the one to beg a woman to do something but this beautiful damsel made him forget who he was in one second. Orlando has had his share of women throwing themselves at him but he has not experienced a deep connection with any of them.
Thelma felt tempted and wishful that he had not removed his glasses, maybe she wouldn't fall into this sinful trap.
“Just one?” Thelma asked unsure because she knew it was a bad idea but she thinks if she can limit how she drank maybe she could control herself.
“Just one.” He promised.
The wine did taste good and sweet but a little sour at the back of the throat which made her crave for more. Wealthy people do have good taste when it comes to selecting the finest and most expensive wines. And she found this as a great opportunity to enjoy premium food and special treatment.
'Thelma, just one drink, no more' she reminds herself.
'One drink doesn’t hurt right?'
Continued in the next chapter…