Chapter 23
Chapter 23
“You’re here,” I said into the phone, speaking to Max.
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He had insisted on bringing my things himself, even though I had told him to stay back with Helen. But of course, he didn’t listen.
“Yes,” he responded from the other end.
I crossed one leg over the other, staring at my nails and tilting my head, wondering if I should get them done before I left.
“Okay, just wait at the receptionist’s desk. Tell them you are coming up to see me? I’ll give them permission to let you in. My room number is 1311.”
“Okay.”
With that, he hung up the call.
I laid flat on my back, wondering what we were going to do on an empty island. My mind was still drowning in thoughts when I got a call from room service.
“Yes, he is my guest,” I informed them.
Within seconds, the doorbell rang.
I sprang to my feet and opened the door.
“Max,” I smiled, then my eyes widened when I looked down and saw Helen beside him.
“What? Oh my God.” I quickly scooped her into my arms, wrapping her tightly in a hug. “I didn’t think you were going to bring her with you.”
“She insisted on coming,” he said.
“But we already spoke on the phone.” I was astonished.
“My love,” I whispered, not letting go of the hug.
“Yes, but you’re going away for a while. I wanted to see you,” she said.
Max walked into the room. “So this is where you slept last night?”
“Yup,” I told him, running my fingers through Helen’s hair.
“Do you really have to go?” Max placed my bag on the bed and began organizing it neatly.
I unzipped it, checking the items inside, pulling them out one by one to see if he had forgotten anything essential.
“You know I have to,” I told him with a shrug. “I’ve already come this far. Tomorrow is the last step.”
“Mr. Bandy is such a weird character,” I continued. “He enjoys these random things, watching rich people experience life from the eyes of the poor. But honestly, it sounds kind of fun to me. I mean, it’s a break from all the tension I’ve been feeling.”
“But an island far away from here where I can’t really protect you,” Max said, lowering his voice as Helen started looking around the room.
“Oh, nice hotel, Mommy,” she chimed in.
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Chapter 23
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“Thank you, sweetheart,” I said, smiling at her. Then I turned back to Max. “Don’t worry, I’m fine. Stop being so paranoid.
“Okay,” he sighed. “But if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me.”
His words trailed off as the door suddenly swung open.
He froze in place.
Neil had just walked into the room.
Max instantly put his hand on mine, held it firmly, and pulled me behind him.
“What is he doing here?” he asked. “What are you doing here? How did you gain access?”
Neil stared between Helen, Max, and me, then raised his arms in defeat. A playful smirk appeared on his face.
“Seems like you didn’t tell your husband that we spent the night together here,” he said.
Max turned to me sharply. “What is he talking about?”
“It’s nothing,” I quickly reassured him. “He was just being a pest and stayed over. We’re fine.”
Max exhaled but didn’t look convinced.
“Anyway, I think the bags are packed,” I said, trying to change the subject. “We’ll leave for the trip very soon. I really want you to take Helen home. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”
“What? Are you just going to act like nothing serious happened?” Max asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
“What are you talking about?”
Max looked like he had a lot to say, but then he turned to Neil. Through gritted teeth and a tight–lipped expression, he -finally nodded.
“I’ll be waiting for your call when you get there,” he said, forcing a smile at me.
I pulled Helen into a tight hug. “Mama will see you soon, okay? I love you so much.”
I kissed her forehead and watched them leave.
When I returned to the room, Neil was staring at the bed. “Looks like you packed excessively for this trip.”
I ignored him. “I’m not going to have any conversation with you just because of these past few days. So I’d appreciate it if you leave me alone.”
Just then, my phone beeped in my hand.
“Okay, that’s it. The bus is here. Let’s go.”
I checked out of the hotel, not caring if Neil followed behind me, and joined the bus where the other elites were already seated. Many of them were already fanning themselves, uncomfortable with the lack of air conditioning, and I almost smiled. This was definitely going to be more fun than I expected.
I sat by the window, staring outside. And, of course, Neil just had to take the seat beside me.
“I don’t know what your problem is or why you’re stalking me, but can you not?” I snapped.
“The other seats are full,” he said.
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I glanced around. Unfortunately, he was right.
I sighed and ignored him, turning back to the window.
The drive went on for hours, and I was grateful I had asked Max to pack plenty of snacks for me. As we got closer to the island, further away from civilization, the air grew colder from the sea breeze.
As soon as we arrived, Neil immediately took off his suit jacket and placed it around my shoulders.
I tossed it off. “I don’t need it.”
The guide continued leading us through the dark part of the beach, where we would be staying in a large, rustic cabin. I was already exhausted from the ride.
Pulling out my phone, I texted Max. “Hey, I got here safely,” I informed him, then turned my phone off before the battery could die.
We continued toward the cabin. I barely listened to a word the tour guide was saying. All I needed was a comfortable bed and a good night’s rest after that long journey.
The only part I heard from the guide was when he said, “And this is where you’ll be staying.”
My eyes
widened as I looked around. It was a long, stretched room made of old, failing wood.
“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.
Murmurs erupted around me, and a few people stepped forward.
“Are you trying to say everybody will sleep here? Both male and female?” someone finally spoke up.
