Chapter 136: Sixteen Million for Ashes
Emma's POV:
The morning after my showdown at the police station, I settled comfortably in Alexander's lap, watching with satisfaction as moving trucks streamed in and out of the neighborhood.
Property manager approached us, clipboard in hand.
"Mrs. Sterling, all five families have officially vacated the premises," he reported.
I sipped my coffee with a self-satisfied smile. "Good. I meant what I said—if I see them in this neighborhood again, they'll get the same treatment."
Gabriel, who had come by to say goodbye before heading back to his military post, shook his head in amazement. "Emma, truly nothing is off-limits to you. You'll start fights anywhere."
"Why waste time on reasoning when people don't listen?" I shrugged, leaning back against Alexander's chest. His warmth felt comforting against my back.
"These people only learn their lesson when they face consequences," Jasmine added fiercely, still indignant about the audacity of those parents.
"And I made damn sure they understood the consequences," I declared, feeling anger flare up again at the memory.
Nick, lounging nearby with a mimosa in hand, grinned. "Speaking of consequences, don't you and Alexander have a honeymoon to get to?"
"Oh shit, that's right!" I straightened up, suddenly remembering our plans. "But my apartment..."
Alexander's fingers threaded through my hair, his touch instantly soothing. "Don't worry about the apartment. I've already arranged for a renovation team to handle everything while we're away."
"Why keep an apartment that's been through a fire? Wouldn't it be easier to buy a new one?" Megan asked curiously, then added thoughtfully, "Although, there's something almost artistic about the charred walls and exposed beams."
"Emma, what if you sold that apartment to me?" Jackson suggested suddenly, his eyes lighting up at Megan's description.
"To you?" I stared at him, puzzled. "What would you even do with a burned-out apartment?"
"Eight million," Jackson said firmly, pulling out his checkbook.
"No deal," I replied without hesitation. This could be fun.
"Nine million."
"Not happening."
"Ten million."
"Still no."
Jackson's jaw tightened with determination. "Eleven million."
"Not a chance," I sang out, reaching for my wine glass. I had to hide my smile behind the rim.
"Twelve million," Jackson countered, his voice rising slightly.
I shook my head firmly. "Not interested."
The table had gone silent, everyone's heads swiveling between us like they were watching a tennis match.
"Sixteen million," Jackson finally said, his voice cracking slightly.
I slapped my palm on the table. "Deal!"
I heard Alexander turn to Nick with a look of astonishment. "Warren only paid seven million for that apartment. Emma never even lived there, it caught fire, and she just flipped it for sixteen million."
I accepted the check from Jackson, examining it carefully before passing it to Bill. "Bill, please have someone deposit this into Alexander's account."
I turned to Alexander with what I hoped was my sweetest smile, batting my eyelashes. "Look honey, I just solved our honeymoon budget!"
---
After lunch, the mood shifted as we began saying our goodbyes. Jackson announced he needed to return to Africa for urgent business matters. Gabriel explained his leave was ending, and he needed to report back to his special forces unit. The Bennett brothers, Archer and Lionel, mentioned their own work commitments.
Megan stood up, smoothing her dress. "I need to get back to my hospital internship. Being away for the wedding was already pushing it."
Then Jasmine rose, her cheeks flushed pink. "I... I have some good news to share..."
Gabriel took her hand, his face breaking into a proud smile. "Jasmine and I are getting married."
The table erupted in cheers and congratulations. I felt my heart swell with happiness for them.
Gabriel turned to me with special gratitude in his eyes. "Emma, thank you. I've submitted my marriage application to the military and received approval. Soon, I'll be marrying Jasmine."
I remembered Gabriel's promise from his hospital bed and clapped my hands excitedly. "That's fantastic! I'm going to be a bridesmaid!"
---
Two hours later, Alexander and I stood in the private airport's VIP lounge. Behind us, a procession of twenty security personnel and attendants managed our extensive luggage—including my ten suitcases filled with summer clothes and surfing gear.
"First stop: Maldives!" I exclaimed, studying the honeymoon itinerary with delight. Each page detailed a different exotic location we would visit over the next two months.
Alexander's gleaming private jet waited on the tarmac, flight crew standing at attention beside it.
The engines hummed to life as we settled into plush leather seats. I nestled against Alexander's shoulder, excitement bubbling through me.
"Ready for our adventure, Mrs. Sterling?" he murmured against my hair.
"Absolutely," I replied, kissing his jaw. "Though fair warning—I plan to eat everything in sight."
---
When we finally landed in the Maldives, I was the first one down the stairs, practically bouncing onto the tarmac. The warm tropical air embraced me, heavy with salt and sweet floral scents.
"YES!" I threw my arms up triumphantly. "Finally!"
I spun around to see Alexander following at a more measured pace, clearly amused by my enthusiasm.
My eyes caught sight of the overwater bungalows in the distance, crystal blue water surrounding them. "Oh my god! Those water villas are gorgeous!" Without waiting for Alexander, I dashed toward the waiting speedboat.
---
I claimed the largest lounge chair on our villa's deck, stretching out like a contented cat. "I need the biggest, coldest coconut cocktails you have," I told the attendant. "Three of them!"
The drinks arrived promptly—enormous coconuts filled with rum, pineapple, and cream. I drained the first two quickly, then found myself struggling with the third. I held it out to Alexander, who had been watching me from the railing.
"Honey, finish this for me?"
Alexander accepted the coconut, drinking the last sip.
---
Our food exploration took us along the shore, where restaurant after restaurant offered local specialties. Over two hours, I sampled twenty-three different seafood dishes, taking just a few bites of each before passing the rest to Alexander.
"Here, finish this," I said, handing him yet another plate of grilled fish.
Alexander dutifully ate everything I passed him, not wasting a single morsel. I noticed him discreetly swallowing digestive pills when he thought I wasn't looking.
"Well prepared, I see," I teased. "You learned your lesson after the street food incident."
"Following you requires anticipating the unexpected," he replied with a resigned smile. "Always."
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in vibrant oranges and pinks, we strolled along a wooden walkway that curved above the shallow lagoon. After twenty minutes, I stopped suddenly, my feet aching in my new sandals.
"Alexander, I can't walk anymore," I announced, looking up at him with what I hoped were sufficiently pleading eyes. "Carry me?"
Without hesitation, Alexander crouched down. "Climb on."
I happily jumped onto his back, wrapping my arms around his neck.