Chapter 24: XXIV

Chapter 24: Fun

Riley stretched as she woke up the next morning, blinking against the soft sunlight that streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the mansion’s master bedroom. The cool sheets slid off her skin as she sat up, taking in the quiet of the house. The calm was a contrast to the excitement of the previous day, which had been filled with adventure, games, and laughter.

Glancing at the clock, Riley saw it was still early. She’d woken up before the others, and it seemed like the whole house was still asleep. Despite the luxury of the mansion, the quiet felt comforting. It was moments like this that made Riley reflect on how far she had come, the people she’d met, and the way her relationships had blossomed, especially with Elena.

Her mind wandered back to their walk around the property yesterday, their easy conversation, and the chemistry that felt undeniable. It wasn’t anything she had expected when they first started working on the project together, but now, being here with her, it was impossible to ignore. Elena had become so much more than just a project partner.

Riley smiled softly, the thought of Elena bringing a warmth to her chest. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand, unlocking it with a quick swipe of her thumb. As usual, there was a message from Elena.

Elena: Good morning, sleepyhead. Ready for day two in paradise?

Riley chuckled, her thumb hovering over the screen as she typed her reply.

Riley: I’m always ready for a new day, especially here. I’ll meet you downstairs in a bit.

She quickly sent the message, and after a moment of contemplation, Riley slid out of bed, pulling on some comfortable clothes before making her way downstairs. The house was eerily quiet again, but it felt peaceful in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time. The endless hallways, the polished floors, and the open spaces were almost overwhelming, but she had already grown used to the quiet grandeur of it all.

As she reached the kitchen, she found Elena sitting at the counter, a steaming mug of coffee in her hand. She looked up with a smile, and Riley felt that same warmth spread through her.

“Morning,” Riley said, walking over to grab a glass of water. “How’d you sleep?”

“Good, better than expected for a first night in a new place,” Elena replied. “You?”

Riley nodded, taking a sip of her water before leaning against the counter. “Yeah, I’m good. Just needed to adjust a little. This house is so... big.”

“I know, right? It’s a little surreal,” Elena agreed with a soft laugh. “It’s like being in a hotel, but way more... homey?”

Riley chuckled, glancing around the kitchen. “Yeah. It’s like a mansion that’s pretending to be a home.”

As they spoke, the rest of the group started trickling in. Maya was the next one to appear, followed by Danny and Jordan. Sam, the last to wake up, entered a few minutes later, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

“Morning,” Sam mumbled as he grabbed a coffee. “You guys planning anything today?”

Riley shrugged, not really having anything in mind yet. “Not sure. Maybe another walk around the property, or we could try something new. Anyone want to take a dip in the pool?”

“Sure, sounds good,” Maya replied. “We could also do something active, like a game or something.”

Riley looked over at Elena. “What do you think?”

Elena smiled, her eyes bright with excitement. “I’m always down for something active. Maybe we could play a match on the tennis court?”

“Perfect,” Riley said with a grin. “We’ll start with tennis, and then who knows what we’ll do after.”

After a bit of casual chatter and some light breakfast, everyone gathered their things, headed outside, and made their way to the tennis court. The morning was warm, the sun already high in the sky as it bathed the grounds in golden light. Riley felt a rush of excitement. This was what it was all about—spending time with people who didn’t judge her, who accepted her. And there was Elena, always by her side, making everything feel lighter, easier.

As they started warming up on the court, Riley couldn’t help but notice the way Elena moved. There was an ease to her that was almost magnetic, a natural grace that made Riley’s heart skip a beat. When their eyes met, Elena winked playfully, making Riley laugh despite herself.

“I hope you’re ready to lose,” Elena teased as they positioned themselves across from one another.

Riley raised an eyebrow, gripping her tennis racket. “I don’t lose,” she said confidently, her tone teasing but serious. “You’ll be regretting that wink soon enough.”

Elena laughed, shaking her head. “We’ll see about that.”

The game began, and the competition was fierce. The two of them traded shots back and forth, each trying to outdo the other. Sam and Maya were on the sidelines, cheering them on, while Jordan and Danny were busy taking videos of the match.

The sound of the ball bouncing off the court filled the air, along with the occasional burst of laughter or playful taunting. Riley could feel the heat of the sun on her skin, the thrill of the game making her pulse quicken. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about the way everything felt so right when Elena was around.

After a long, competitive match, Elena managed to score the final point, winning the game with a triumphant smile.

“I told you,” she teased, panting from the exertion. “You should’ve taken me more seriously.”

Riley, slightly out of breath but grinning nonetheless, extended a hand for a shake. “Good game. You deserve that win.”

Elena shook her hand with a wide grin, her eyes sparkling. “I’ll take it.”

The group continued to hang out, enjoying the day as it unfolded. They spent time by the pool, indulging in some light-hearted fun and lounging around in the hot tub. Riley kept glancing at Elena, stealing moments where their eyes met, but she didn’t make a big deal of it. She didn’t need to. There was no pressure.

As the afternoon wore on, the group made their way back to the mansion, tired but content. They’d made the most of their first full day in the house, and Riley was grateful for it. It wasn’t just about the place they were staying or the activities they were doing. It was about being surrounded by people she could trust—people who were there for her.

Later that evening, after dinner, the group found themselves gathered in the spacious living room, talking about their plans for the next day. Some of them were suggesting ideas for excursions, others were talking about exploring the rest of the property. But for Riley, the evening felt quiet in a way she hadn’t expected. As much as she loved the energy of the group, she found herself seeking out Elena’s presence.

Elena was leaning back on the couch, her legs stretched out across the cushions, her eyes fixed on her phone. Riley hesitated for a moment before joining her, sitting beside her but not too close. They didn’t need to be close all the time. It felt comfortable this way—just sitting together, the silence easy between them.

Riley wasn’t sure what was happening between them. She wasn’t sure if Elena felt the same way, or if it was just her own heart that was starting to race whenever their hands brushed or their eyes met. But it was something she wanted to explore. She had time now—six whole weeks in this place, surrounded by her friends and with Elena by her side.

She could feel the weight of the unspoken words hanging between them, and as the night went on, she found herself wondering if maybe this summer, as the sun dipped low over the horizon, would be the beginning of something new.