Chapter 228 097
THE morning sun streamed through the boutique, casting a golden glow over the polished displays. Ryan was carefully adjusting a hat on a mannequin, making sure it sat just right, when a familiar voice called out behind him.
“Ryan!”
He spun around sharply, a small smile forming as he recognized the voice. It was Clara. Relief and surprise mingled in his expression— relief because he had heard her approach, surprise because he hadn’t expected her to be here.
“Clara! Hey, what are you doing here?” he asked, straightening up and brushing imaginary dust from his hands.
Clara laughed, shaking her head in mild exasperation.
“Seriously? I came to see my friend of course. Stopped by at her office to drop off some designs and… guess what? One of the sales reps told me she is not on her seat. Not here. Not a word to anyone!”
Ryan raised his eyebrows, glancing around as if checking that Amelia hadn’t suddenly appeared behind a corner.
“She… didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what? Is she okay?” Clara asked, her voice tinged with worry.
Ryan noticed and smiled to free tension.
“Oh! Yes, yes. She is fine. She went on a vacation. I thought she told you,” he said.
Clara shook her head.
“Nope. Not a word,” she said, crossing her arms and mock frowning. “Can you believe that? Amelia went off on a whole vacation without telling her best friend. I could sue her for emotional trauma, you know that?” She laughed, shaking her head again.
Ryan grinned, feeling a mix of amusement and concern.
“Wow… she really kept this from you, huh?”
“I mean… I knew she was planning something,” Clara admitted, “but I didn’t think she would just vanish like that. Ryan, I came here hoping to see her, and now I’m left standing here like a fool.”
“You are not a fool,” Ryan said quickly. “I guess… she wanted to keep it a surprise?”
Clara tilted her head, smirking.
“A surprise for me? Really? She could have at least sent a text. Or a quick call. I walked all the way here thinking she would be on her seat, and nothing.” She shook her head, feigning indignation. “I swear, Ryan, Amelia is lucky I adore her. Otherwise, I would have raised heaven and earth over this.”
Ryan chuckled.
“So… you want to know where she is?”
Clara nodded.
“Of course. Spill it.”
Ryan hesitated, then leaned slightly closer.
“She went on a little vacation. Bahamas. She left a couple of days ago. She is… busy doing some personal projects there.”
Clara’s eyes widened.
“The Bahamas? Seriously? Ryan! Why didn’t she call me? Or at least text?”
Ryan shrugged.
“I don’t know. Maybe she wanted it to be a break, completely unplugged. Maybe she didn’t want to worry anyone. You know her.”
Clara laughed softly, shaking her head in disbelief.
“I should have guessed. She is always full of surprises. But still… she could have warned me. Honestly, I wanted to see her face, not just hear from someone else.”
Ryan raised a brow.
“So… you came here on purpose to find her?”
“Exactly. I wanted to see her face-to-face. Not just some message or email. Nothing beats that,” Clara said firmly. “Anyway, I guess I will leave her to enjoy her vacation.” She glanced at the boutique displays, her eyes softening. “But tell me, when is she coming back? I need to plan my welcome drama.”
Ryan laughed.
“I… I’m not sure. But I know for sure that this is a one week vacation.”
Clara nodded, giving him a playful salute.
“Alright then. I will see you later, Ryan. I might probably give her a call.”
As she walked out, the faint jingle of the boutique door followed her, leaving the air lighter yet somehow more urgent. Ryan watched her go, then quickly pulled his phone from his pocket.
“Time to call the boss,” he muttered under his breath, dialing Amelia’s number with practiced urgency, his mind already racing ahead to the conversation that was about to unfold.
Amelia had just set her phone down after speaking with Ryan when it began buzzing again. She glanced at the screen, already knowing who it was. A small smile tugged at her lips, and she picked up.
“Hi girlieee!” she sang into the phone, letting her voice carry a playful lilt, almost a little scream of excitement.
On the other end, Clara’s voice came through, sharp and teasing, tinged with mock exasperation.
“Oh please. Who leaves for a vacation and doesn’t even tell her best friend, huh?”
Amelia laughed softly, tilting her head back against the headrest.
“Guilty as charged. I should have told you. I know, I know. I’m terrible.”
“Terrible? Girl, you nearly gave me a heart attack! I walked into your office at the boutique this morning and no one could tell me a thing. I swear, Amelia, I was ready to storm the resort myself!” Clara huffed, her laughter breaking through her frustration.
Amelia’s laughter matched hers, a bright, easy sound.
“Okay, okay! You don’t need to storm the Bahamas for me. I apologize. Really, I didn’t mean to keep you out of the loop.”
“You better! I should get a formal apology in writing too,” Clara joked, and they both laughed again.
“So… tell me everything! How is the trip?” Clara demanded, a mix of curiosity and teasing in her tone.
Amelia settled more comfortably on her lounge chair, letting the sun warm her shoulders.
“It has been amazing, honestly. The weather is perfect, the resort is beautiful, and the people… well, the people are interesting. I have been keeping busy, doing some work here and there, and just… enjoying the calm. It has been really refreshing.”
“Refreshing, huh? Are you relaxing enough to forget the world back home?” Clara teased.
“I’m trying,” Amelia admitted, a small smile playing on her lips. “It is harder than I thought, but it has been good. Really good.”
Clara chuckled, then her tone shifted slightly, teasing but curious.
“And how is your fiancé?”
“He is fine,” Amelia replied shortly, her tone guarded but light.
There was a pause on the line before Clara spoke again, slower this time, with a hint of mischief.
“Hmm… I don’t know how you are going to take what I’m about to say.”
Amelia straightened in her seat, a flicker of alertness in her eyes.
“What is it, Clara? Spill.”
The air on the line seemed to thrum with anticipation, the warm laughter of moments ago now tempered by curiosity. She waited, poised, sensing that whatever Clara was about to say would require her full attention.