Aria Lulu lifted the duvet, wrapped herself in a bathrobe, and walked barefoot into the bathroom.
Rufus Swallow sat on the bed, watching Aria Lulu's swaying silhouette; she looked as if she hadn't fully woken up.
After a brief wash, Aria Lulu came out of the bathroom still in her bathrobe.
She bent down to open her suitcase, took out a contraceptive pill, swallowed it, and spoke to Rufus Swallow.
She smiled, said nothing more, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window with a hairdryer to blow-dry her damp hair.
The dusky blue light from outside fell on her, casting a hazy glow on her outline. Rufus Swallow sat at the head of the bed,
lighting a cigarette, squinting as he studied her figure.
It seemed to be the first time he was so intently observing her.
She looked a little different from the way he remembered.
He closed his eyes, trying to recall the original image of Aria Lulu.
