Chapter 272: Body and Mind
** Eli **
When they arrived at the spa, which was a cute wood lodge tucked into a quiet corner of the harborside, a hostess greeted them at the door and led them through a breezy walkway to their reserved spot. They made a quick stop at an incense-filled zen room, changed into bathrobes and slippers, and continued on to an inner courtyard all the way at the back of the lodge.
"Damn, obviously I should’ve known that any reservation you make at a spa isn’t going to be just a spa ..." Harper looked up as they stepped across the threshold, emerging under a glass dome that enclosed the courtyard into its own private space. The afternoon sun glowed through the tinted roof, spilling warmly over the live plants below that thrived in the mini greenhouse, turning the courtyard into a lush secret garden. Vines stirred in the gentle breeze drifting through the open windows, accompanied by the nearby sound of birds chirping. When they followed the direction of that birdsong, they found a family of parakeets perched above the flowering shrubs, peeking at them curiously.
"Here at the spa, we believe that the scenery and sound of nature play an important role in reducing stress and soothing the mind," the hostess explained, gesturing at the large bathtub that was now coming into view. "It goes hand in hand with all the natural ingredients that we use in our bath, such as fresh flower oils and therapeutic minerals."
Harper’s steps halted for a second when her eyes landed on the bathtub. "Oh ... wow, I wish I hadn’t left my phone in the lockers. This is so impossibly beautiful, it deserves all the likes on Instagram!"
Eli smiled at that reaction, satisfied with his choice of the day. She was completely right, of course — just like the brochure picture he had seen earlier, the ceramic tub was practically covered in flowers, from roses to lavenders to chamomiles and many others that he couldn’t name. They were arranged prettily into a spiral of colors, and as the heat jet stirred the bath from beneath, he could occasionally see the ivory white liquid hidden under the petals.
It would certainly look even more beautiful though, once Harper got into it.
"The beauty of this bath is far from only in its looks," the hostess continued proudly. "Milk is an excellent source of vitamins and an efficient skin exfoliator. Flower oils not only enhance the fragrance to uplift the spirit, but also come with a healthy dose of nourishing benefits: olive moisturizes the skin, honeybush reduces dryness and redness, mustard detoxes and increases blood circulation, while lavender and chamomile provide a sense of relaxation. It’s the perfect remedy for rebalancing and reenergizing both your body and mind."
She stopped when they reached the tub, offering one last professional smile. "I could go on and on about the incredible value of our baths, but I’m sure that you’d rather experience it for yourself. Please take your time and enjoy."
After a few simple instructions on the various ways to adjust basic settings, she left the two of them alone, sliding the courtyard door closed behind her.
"This place really pays a lot of attention to calming and relaxing," Harper observed. "Even her voice was so quiet! I feel like the zen is already getting to me, and I haven’t even gotten in the water yet."