Chapter 179: Island Girl Energy

“Wow, this car smells so nice,” Marita muttered, looking around the luxurious interior with wide eyes. She ran her hand over the soft leather seat, then leaned forward to sniff the air again. “Like flowers and money at the same time. How does one car smell this good?”

Leitana smiled beside her, one hand resting protectively on her small baby bump. “Ravial cars always clean and smell nice. Mi think they spray something special.”

Marita shook her head in amazement. “Everything here is special. The house, the bed, the food… and now this car taking us to your school. Mi still no believe say mi dey America with you.”

They were in one of Ravial’s sleek black vehicles, gliding smoothly toward Juilliard. Marita had refused to stay behind at the villa alone. When Leitana mentioned she was going back to her piano classes, Marita had immediately said, “Mi no wan stay alone without you.” Ravial had simply nodded and said they could go together. So here they were Leitana resuming her lessons, Marita tagging along like an excited little sister.

Marita turned to Leitana, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So tell me about this Juilliard place. Is it big like the villa? Do the teachers shout? And your friends, you say their names before. Ethan? Theo? Tell me about all of them.”

Leitana laughed softly, happy to talk about something normal. “Juilliard is a big school for music. The buildings are tall and old, but beautiful. The teachers no shout… most of them. Some are strict, like Professor Harlan. But Professor Markov is very kind. She teaches me properly.”

She paused, thinking about her friends. “Ethan is very nice. He helped me the first day when mi was lost. He is quiet but kind. Theo is the funny one, he always spinning and making jokes. Mia is strong and honest. Lila and Mikey are warm. Kai is shy but sweet. They all welcome mi like family.”

Marita’s grin grew wider with every name. “Ethan sound gentle. Theo sound like trouble in a good way. Mi can’t wait to see them. Do they know you are pregnant yet?”

Leitana shook her head. “Mi no tell them yet but I will soon.”

The car slowed as they reached Juilliard. Marita waved happily at the driver when he opened the door for them. “Thank you, sir! You drive so smooth!”

As they stepped out, Marita’s eyes widened at the three tall, huge men in dark suits who got out of the car behind them and followed at a respectful distance.

“Why dey following us?” Marita asked, leaning close to Leitana. “They look like they can carry a whole house on their shoulders.”

Leitana smiled gently. “They are our bodyguards. Ravial say it is for safety.”

Marita blinked. “Bodyguards? Whyyyy? We just going to piano class. Who wan hurt us here?”

Leitana opened her mouth to answer, but before she could, familiar voices called out.

“Leitana!”

Ethan and Theo were walking toward them from the entrance. Theo’s usual dramatic energy was on full display, but the moment his eyes landed on Marita, he stopped mid-step. His mouth fell open slightly, eyes wide and completely enamoured as he stared at her. Marita was looking around at the grand buildings, her pretty face full of wonder, curls bouncing as she turned her head.

Leitana smiled and stepped forward, pulling both boys into a quick hug. “Mi missed you two! Sorry mi no come for some days. A lot happened.”

Ethan hugged her back gently, his cheeks a little pink. “We missed you too, hope verything is okay?”

Theo was still staring at Marita, barely blinking. “Yeah… we were worried.”

Leitana noticed Theo’s gaze and turned, taking Marita’s hand. “This is Marita, my sister from the orphanage. She came to stay with me. Marita, this is Ethan and Theo.”

Marita gave a bright smile and waved. “Hello! Leitana talk about you plenty. Nice to meet you!”

Theo’s ears turned red. He managed a crooked grin. “Hi… wow. You’re… really pretty.”

Leitana giggled softly at Theo’s obvious awe while Ethan just shook his head, amused.

liffhanger

The three tall bodyguards stood a few feet away, silent and watchful, scanning the area like living shadows.

Marita glanced at them again, then back at Leitana, lowering her voice. “Bodyguards still following us inside too?”

Leitana nodded. “Ravial say it is safer this way.”

As the small group started walking toward the entrance, Theo kept stealing glances at Marita, looking completely smitten. His eyes kept drifting to her bright curls and the way she bounced with every step, like she brought her own sunshine with her.

Leitana felt a quiet warmth in her chest. For the first time in days, something felt light and normal again.

“So that means we’ll be seeing you from today?” Ethan asked, rubbing the back of his head as he looked down at Leitana. They walked side by side, and she looked up at him, gently rubbing her healing arm.

“Yes, from today mi will be punctual,” she replied with a small smile. “Though mi hurt my hand weeks ago, but it’s getting better.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Ethan stopped in his tracks and turned to face her, concern creasing his brows. He reached out instinctively, his fingers hovering near her arm.

“What? What happened to your arm?” he asked, eyes worried. “Are you okay?”

Leitana smiled softly and shook her head. “No worry, mi fine now. Doctor say not to do too much with the hand. It was just a small accident. Everything healing well.”

Before Ethan could reply, a bright voice cut through the courtyard.

“Leitana!”

“Leitana!” Lila called, waving enthusiastically. Mia, Mikey, and Kai were right behind her, all smiling.

“You’re back! We missed you so much in class. The piano room felt empty without your hymns.”

Leitana turned, her face lighting up. She stepped forward and hugged each of them quickly. “Mi missed all of you. Sorry mi no come for some days.”

Mia joined the group, smiling, but her eyes flickered briefly to Ethan’s hand that was still clutched protectively around Leitana’s arm. She didn’t say anything, but her smile tightened just a fraction.

Leitana stepped back and gently pulled Marita forward. “Everyone, this is Marita, mi best friend from Vanuatu. She come stay with me for a while. Marita, these are mi other friends from: Lila, Mikey, and Mia.”

Lila’s eyes widened. “Ooooo, she is so pretty!” She stepped closer with a warm grin. “Hi Marita! Welcome to Juilliard. Any friend of Leitana is a friend of ours.”

Marita smiled brightly, a little shy but clearly happy. “Thank you. Mi happy to meet all of you. Leitana talk about you plenty.”

Theo was still staring, completely enamoured. “Yeah… really pretty,” he muttered under his breath, earning a playful elbow from Mikey.

Mia’s gaze flickered briefly to Ethan, who was still standing close to Leitana, then back to Marita. She forced a small smile. “Nice to meet you.”

The group fell into easy chatter, questions about Vanuatu, about how Marita was adjusting to America. Ethan stayed close to Leitana, still glancing at her arm with concern, while Theo seemed unable to stop staring at Marita.

For a few minutes, everything felt warm and normal.

Then the atmosphere shifted.

Sabrina and her usual group of cronies appeared from the side path, walking straight toward them with that familiar, sharp-edged confidence. Sabrina’s eyes locked onto Leitana immediately, a cold smile curling her lips.

“Well, well,” Sabrina drawled, stopping a few feet away. “Look who decided to show her face again. The little island freak who somehow landed the richest husband in New York”

Her friends snickered behind her.

Leitana’s smile faded, but she did not reply her, no one did.

Sabrina’s then flicked to Marita with clear disdain.

“Oh? And who’s this? Another charity project from the jungle?”

Marita’s eyes narrowed instantly. She stepped forward, chin high, voice loud and unafraid.

“Jungle? Yu call Vanuatu jungle? Yu mouth big but yu brain small. Leitana mi sister. Yu talk to her like dat again, mi go show yu what real island girl can do.”

The tension crackled in the air.