Chapter 236
"Everyone!" Bryce's dad yelled out through the open glass door, "Gather in the living room!"
I put my pen down and obeyed. Oma was already in the living room and Cynthia came out of her bedroom. One by one, we gathered in the living room. We were missing Zenon, so Bryce went down to the gym to get him.
I watched Axel sit next to Bianca on the couch. She exclaimed, "Ugh, you're so wet, Axel!"
He smirked, "That's what she said."
That's when Lara walked in, sucking a lollipop. She didn't have a change of clothes here, but she'd borrowed a boy's shirt. I had a feeling it was Axel's.
"She's killing that look," Cynthia muttered, pointing out the obvious.
The white button-down shirt was large on her. She'd rolled the sleeves up to her elbows and left the first few buttons undone, revealing her gold necklace. She may have been wearing shorts under the shirt, but they weren't visible. She'd even borrowed Oma's brown belt which she'd wrapped around her waist, to bring shape to the shirt.
Zenon and Bryce joined a few seconds later, so Bryce's father could begin his announcement.
"I'm glad to see you had a fun night last night," Sir Chadwick Senior said, "As you can tell, the staff are working again today. However, I am not done with your punishment."
"I know your flight home is today, but I've arranged for one more activity once we get back," he announced, "Something that will toughen you up."
My expression was so blank that I looked like my college application essay.
Empty.
I packed my duffel bag, taking extra attention to fold Nicole's clothes carefully. She had been kind to lend them to me. It's been a whirlwind week in Bryce's villa and a total escape from reality. All my worries had melted away in the Dubai heat.
We piled ourselves and our baggage into two cars and drove to an art museum.
"Sorry, where did you say we were going?" I asked Bryce, "Because it sounded nothing like the airport."
"We're visiting an art museum on the way to the airport," he answered, "I promised Axel a cultural visit."
I sat back in the seat with the biggest smile plastered over my face.
Axel was keeping his promise to Cynthia's mom, back when he pretended to be the Swedish Roland Chadwick Senior. Adorable.
I caught Zenon glance at me with a look I couldn't place.
A few minutes later I had another question: "OK, but since you said art museum, why are we stopping at the marina?" I asked, staring at all the boats lining up on the pier.
"Because of her," Bryce said, pointing at Lara stepping out of the other car.
She waved goodbye to us and walked towards a speedboat docked at the marina.
Two guys in the exact same nautical themed outfits were waiting in the speedboat. I guess that was their uniform. One was at the steering wheel while the other extended a hand to help her hop in. She stepped onto the boat easily and without any hesitation.
"Nice boat," Oma commented as the engine started and the boat weaved out of the marina, picking up speed.
"Boat?" Bryce asked, "You mean yacht."
We looked out at the direction the speedboat was traveling in. A massive white yacht was in the open water, glimmering above the royal blue sea.
Oma asked, "Who is she?"
Seriously, I feel like we've been asking this question since we met her.
"Her family is mega influential. They're practically a dynasty," Bryce said and checked his phone, "OK. Museum."
We arrived at the museum and were given a guided tour of the modern art.
Oma took some very artsy photos and Bryce adored the artwork. He was up front with the guide, exclaiming oohs and ahs at every piece.
Zenon and I trailed behind with our hands intertwined. I liked admiring the art, but I couldn't quite understand it the way the art lovers could.
We stopped at an interesting piece of art that covered an entire wall and even part of the floor. It went for its own dimensions, that I wasn't entirely sure where the art ended. Maybe that was the point.
"The fish's journey takes on a life of its own, amplified by the changing color scheme of the river," the tour guide explained, "But look deeper at the symbols. The artist has placed modern day symbols to convey-"
"the timelessness of our worries," Bryce nodded, obnoxiously finishing the guide's phrase for him.
"And that apple," Oma pointed to a round, red apple on the wall, "That shows temptation?"
"Yes," the guide agreed, "Very astute."
"And is that toilet sign a modern symbol of urgency?" I asked, pointing to a sign at the corner of the wall.
"No," the guide answered, "That's a toilet sign."
"So can I go to the toilet?" Axel asked.
Bryce sighed, disappointed by how the conversation had devolved. Axel told him to lighten up on his way.
We were running out of time. The plan was for us to leave the museum in a few minutes to head to the airport. It felt like the final countdown to an amazing experience.
Slowly, Zenon and I separated from the others. We walked by some artwork, throwing out guesses on what they represented. The further we walked, the closer I got to him. My hand was wrapped around his waist and I leaned against him.
"Candy," Zenon said, taking my attention away from the artwork, "There's something I didn't want to tell you."
"What is it?" I asked, feeling a wave of dread spread over me.
He exhaled and he didn't look comfortable admitting this, "I'm not into big romantic gestures, but I got carried away on this trip. I planned something for you, the same night we had that fight."