Chapter 37 The wild before the return
Chapter 37: The wild before the return
The last few days at the resort moved like soft waves, gentle, healing, and exactly what Golden didn’t know she needed. She woke up lighter each morning, the ache still there, but no longer choking her.
Alex, Fabulous, and Varney had made it their mission to keep her head above water, and for once, she let them.
From playing ball in the pool, to going hiking, and skydiving. Varney managed to make sure each day was packed full with activities.
He figured the more activities they had, the less time Golden had to brood.
Alex and Fab were quite impressed with Varney. His itinerary was creative, fun, and engaging.
They thought they were having fun, but the moment Varney showed up, he gave a new definition to fun.
He managed to involve other guests at the resort and everyone looked forward to what he had planned next.
He even managed to organize a car racing contest. How he managed to pull it off, no one knew.
Golden participated in the racing and the speed at which she moved left everyone awestruck.
Only Varney knew her true capability. She was making a statement with her speed.
She was venting and releasing her anger and hurt.
The faster she went, the less angry she was.
Varney even organized a shooting range and Fabulous being a clown, printed out Linda's picture and placed on the target paper for Alex and Golden.
He printed Allan's picture and placed on Varney's and asked them to rage on.
Alex gave him an approving smile and Varney a sartistric smirk, then both Alex and Varney exchanged a knowing look and immediately opened fire.
By the time they were done, they both bursted out laughing.
Varney announced a safari trip on their second to the last day.
“Entire day. No phones, no overthinking. Just vibes,” he said, ruffling Golden’s hair the way only he dared.
Alex and Fab took “just vibes” as a license for chaos.
The safari was going just fine. Golden took time capturing the true beauty and essence of nature with her camera.
They were admiring the shots she had captured until they came upon a baboon with a fiery red bottom.
Alex commented that it's red bottom reminded her of Linda's red hair and that earned laughter from everyone.
Fab took it a step further and made fun of the baboons bottom.
“Wow! That butt looks like it sat for hours on hot coal.” Fab began.
“Imagine moving around with such a red butt. Even in the dark, no light is needed to find you.
Hey has anyone seen “RB?” Oh never mind, here he is, I found his “red butt”.” Fab continued to make his jokes unaware the baboon was looking at him.
The baboon heard him. The baboon understood him. The baboon came for him.
“Why is it running?? Why is it running???” Fab yelled, sprinting for his life as Alex and the guide doubled over laughing.
The baboon chased him through the bushes, caught up, and in a moment that would live rent free in Alex’s head and gallery forever, pressed its bright, fiery-red butt right on Fabulous’s face.
Alex was laughing too hard to breathe as she filmed it.
“For leverage,” she declared proudly.
Fab's glasses broke in the process.
The baboon only stopped then, giving him a very mischievous smile, it turned back and walked away.
Fab spent the entire evening wiping his face with a wet wipe, even after spending hours in the bathroom scrubbing his face.
Golden couldn't help but chuckle when he cleaned his face for the uptenth time.
“That will teach you not to make fun of a Red-butt African Baboon next time” she said as she took a sip of her drink.
“I'm glad that my ordeal is giving you something to smile about” he said as he trashed the wipes in his hand.
The Last Night at the Resort...
Their last night came faster than any of them wanted.
Golden sat with Varney under the soft glow of the resort’s lanterns. The pool shimmered quietly nearby, like a calm version of everything she’d been through.
Varney watched her for a moment.
“Gigi… come here.”
She moved closer.
He rested a reassuring palm on her shoulder.
“You know,” he began softly, “no one can hurt you unless you hand them the weapon.”
Golden swallowed. “I didn’t realize I handed anything over.”
“You care,” Varney said. “That’s not a flaw, Gigi. That’s your strength. But you also deserve someone who knows the worth of being cared about.”
Golden looked down, voice small.
“I don’t know what to do when we get back.”
“You don’t have to decide tonight.”
Varney squeezed her shoulder.
“I won’t interfere. Not unless you ask me to. But I’ll stand by whatever you decide.”
Golden leaned her head briefly on his shoulder.
“Thank you, V.”
“For what?”
“For being the one constant in my life.”
Varney didn’t reply, but his silence carried a thousand promises.
Morning arrived with soft sun and the low hum of the resort waking up.
They boarded Varney’s private jet, a sleek, silver bird with interiors that looked like something out of a billionaire tech fantasy.
Alex stopped short at the door.
“Varney Nixon… what exactly does your family do?” She whispered.
Varney only smirked and walked in.
“Oh honey don't sweat it, just enjoy the flight.” Fab said as he pulled Alex into the plane.
Fabulous was less shocked and more… impressed. He ran his fingers along the polished digital interfaces built into the armrests.
“Bro… the tech on this plane alone could run a small country,” he muttered, shaking his head in awe.
He wasn’t exaggerating. They took off into the sky, not the same people who had arrived at the resort days ago.
Varney immediately got to work. Alex and Fabulous hurdled together to play one of the games installed in the plane.
Golden looked out the window as the clouds drifted by, unsure of what awaited her in Florida… but aware that something inside her had shifted.