Chapter 201 070
AMELIA was now sitting cross-legged on the plush rug near the floor-to-ceiling window, the city skyline of the Bahamas stretching endlessly before her. The late afternoon sun filtered in softly, casting a golden sheen across her silky overall that draped lightly over her lace undies. Her laptop rested on the low table in front of her, spreadsheets and design notes for her businesses as she worked.
A half-empty bowl of potato chips sat by her side.
Her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and smirked.
Charles.
She picked up a few remaining chips, tossed them into her mouth, dusted her fingers lightly, and answered.
“Hmm. You finally remembered you sent your fiancée out for a relaxation trip, huh,” she teased, chewing casually.
On the other end, Charles chuckled lightly.
“Oh no, my love, it’s not like that. I have been very, very busy.”
“Busy?” she echoed dramatically. “Too busy to check if I arrived alive?”
“Ah! Don’t talk like that. I knew you arrived safely. You are not someone that will get missing.”
She laughed.
“So you just assumed I landed, checked in, and settled without so much as a ‘did you reach?’”
“I was going to call earlier,” he said quickly. “But you know how work is. Back-to-back meetings. My head has been hot since morning.”
Amelia rolled her eyes though he couldn’t see her.
“Mhm. I will let it slide this once, Charles.”
He froze.
Charles?
So, she now addresses him with his first name?
Anyways…
“Thank you,” he replied playfully. “So tell me, how is the place? Do you like it?”
Her gaze drifted around the massive pent suite.
“Like it?” she repeated, standing up and walking toward the balcony doors. “Charles, this place is stunning.”
“Oh?” His voice brightened slightly.
“Yes. The room alone is bigger than my entire first apartment after university.”
He laughed.
“That big?”
“Floor-to-ceiling windows. Private balcony. The view?” She pushed the glass door open and stepped outside, the breeze brushing against her skin. “You can literally see the whole skyline from here. It is breathtaking.”
“I told you,” he said proudly. “Only the best for my woman.”
She smiled faintly.
“Well, Ryan really did his research. He outdid himself with this booking.”
There was a tiny pause before Charles responded.
“Yeah… Ryan. Good guy.”
She leaned against the railing.
“I have already started taking notes.”
“Notes?” he asked.
“Yes. You think I came here to only relax? I have been studying their layout, their hospitality structure, the room aesthetics. There are a few things I can implement at my own resort.”
Charles chuckled.
“See a businesswoman.”
“Always,” she replied. “The restroom alone? Marble finishing, automated lighting, heated mirrors. I stood there for five minutes just admiring it.”
“You are unbelievable,” he said, laughing.
“I’m serious! Even their scent branding, you know that subtle fragrance in hotels? It is consistent everywhere. From the lobby to the hallway. That is intentional.”
“Hmm. So instead of relaxing, you are doing inspection.”
“I can multitask,” she shot back lightly. “Relaxation with observation.”
“I’m glad you like it though,” he said more softly.
She nodded to herself.
“I do. It’s peaceful here.”
There was a small silence between them.
“So what have you done today?” he asked.
“I unpacked. Took a shower. Did a little work. I might head downstairs later, maybe check out the bar or the café.”
“Don’t stress yourself too much,” he said. “The whole point is for you to unwind.”
“I know. I will.”
“And the weather?”
“Perfect. Warm breeze, not too humid. You would like it.”
“I’m sure I would,” he murmured.
She tilted her head slightly.
“Everything okay over there?” she asked casually.
“Yeah, yeah,” he said quickly. “Just work pressure. Nothing I can’t handle.”
“You and pressure are five and six,” she teased. “Just don’t collapse.”
“I won’t. I have to be strong for my woman enjoying luxury abroad.”
She laughed.
“Please. Don’t come and start sounding romantic because you feel guilty for not calling earlier.”
“Yo! Who said I feel guilty?”
“You,” she replied calmly. “Your tone.”
He chuckled softly.
“Okay fine. Maybe a little.”
She smiled, her voice softening.
“I’m fine, Charles. Truly.”
“I’m glad,” he said. “Just… enjoy yourself. Clear your head. You deserve it.”
“Thank you,” she replied sincerely.
“And send me pictures later,” he added.
“Oh, now you remember?”
“I have remembered fully now,” he said, and they both laughed.
“I will send,” she promised. “But don’t complain when you start wishing you were here.”
“Trust me, I already am.”
She shook her head lightly, amused.
“Alright, I will let you go. I still have a few emails to reply.”
“Okay. Rest well.”
“I will.”
“And Amelia?”
“Yes?”
“Take care of yourself.”
She paused briefly before answering.
“I always do.”
They lingered for half a second longer before she ended the call.
The room fell quiet again, the city stretching before her, calm and glittering under the fading sun.
The car rolled through the tall iron gates and into the expansive compound, gravel crunching beneath the tires. It slowed as it approached the grand entrance of the mansion and finally came to a smooth halt.
The chauffeur stepped out first, adjusting his jacket before walking around to the other side. Even before he could fully open the rear door, the sound of excited chatter filled the air from inside the car.
The chauffeur opened the door, and Gaddiel jumped out first, landing with dramatic flair.
“Thank you,” he said brightly before darting forward toward the house.
The chauffeur smiled.
Gabriel followed more calmly, stepping down carefully.
“Thank you,” he echoed politely before walking after his brother.
The elderly chauffeur nodded warmly as he retrieved their bags and lunchboxes from the trunk.
At the entrance, Gabriel nearly bumped into George, who stood waiting just inside the open doors.
“Ah, you must be Gabriel,” George said with a pleasant smile.
Gabriel paused, studying him briefly.
“Yes,” he replied, slightly cautious but curious.
Before George could say more, Gaddiel ran past them into the house.
“Race you upstairs!” Gaddiel shouted.
Gabriel didn’t need further invitation. He dashed in after him.
Outside, George met the chauffeur and relieved him of the luggage.
“They are energetic,” the chauffeur said with a chuckle.
“That is a refined description,” George replied dryly, though amusement danced in his eyes. “Last time they visited, I heard one of them attempted to turn the garden hose into a fountain experiment.”
The chauffeur laughed.
“Best of luck.”
“Thank you,” George replied, lifting the bags. “I shall require it.”
Upstairs, the twins had already claimed their room. Their bags lay unopened near the door as they stood in the center of the space, looking around.
“Do you think that was the butler Dad told us about?” Gabriel asked.
Gaddiel climbed onto one of the beds and bounced once.
“He looks like one.”
“What does a butler look like?” Gabriel countered.
“Like that,” Gaddiel said confidently. “Formal. Calm. Old.”
“He is not that old,” Gabriel argued. “Maybe… fifty?”
“That is old.”
“It’s not.”
“It is.”
Gabriel folded his arms.
“Well, if he is the butler, do you think he is strict?”
Gaddiel’s eyes widened.
“What if he tells Dad everything?”
Gabriel gasped softly.
“You mean… everything?”
Before either could elaborate, there was a knock on the door.
They froze mid-conversation.
The door opened gently, and George stepped inside, carrying their bags.
For a moment, they simply stared at each other.
George offered a polite nod.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen.”
“Hi,” Gabriel said first.
“Hello,” Gaddiel followed, tilting his head slightly as though assessing him.
“My name is George,” he said warmly. “Your father informed me you would be staying for the week. It is a pleasure to finally meet you properly.”
“You are the butler, right?” Gaddiel asked bluntly.
George’s lips twitched.
“I am, yes.”
“I knew it,” Gaddiel whispered to his brother.
Gabriel stepped forward.
“Dad said you take care of everything.”
“I do my best,” George replied modestly. “And I look forward to taking care of you both as well.”
“We are not difficult,” Gabriel said.
George raised a brow slightly.
Gaddiel nodded enthusiastically.
“We are very easy.”
“I see,” George said diplomatically. “Well, perhaps we shall test that theory.”
The boys grinned.
“Now,” George continued gently, setting their bags down neatly, “why don’t you take off your uniforms and place them on the bed? I will return shortly to collect them for washing.”
“Already?” Gabriel asked.
“Yes. You will want to freshen up after the drive. Once you are done, come downstairs for lunch. Your father is waiting.”
That caught their attention.
“Lunch?” Gaddiel asked.
“Yes.”
“With dessert?” Gabriel added quickly.
George allowed himself a small smile.
“That depends entirely on your behavior.”
The twins exchanged a glance.
“We will be perfect,” Gabriel said solemnly.
“Impeccable,” Gaddiel added.
“I shall hold you to that,” George replied.
With a courteous nod, he turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
The second it clicked shut, Gabriel spun toward his brother.
“We are done with nanny,” he declared dramatically, “now manny.”
Gaddiel burst into laughter as he began tugging off his blazer.
“Manny George,” he said between giggles.