Chapter 14 - Sudden Move

Aila felt exhausted from the long flight. Even though they rode first class, it didn't diminish how far they had to travel to get to Greece.

Why can't these people learn to barbeque on the backyard? that could be fun for a birthday too.

She sighed. Thankfully there are full-service staff around to take care of the luggage. She felt like she'd pass out if she lugged her own stuff as well.

Aila looked around and found Calvin talking on the phone some distance away. He looked quite serious at the moment. She ended up gazing at him absentmindedly. She thought if he shed that playboy aura he could pass off as one of those domineering CEOs in the novels she read. Funnily enough, he seemed to be the more mature one out of the 4 main male leads.

"Madam, please come this way. We have the suite set up for you. The young Master asked you to rest up there for now."

A man, who seemed to be a butler disrupted Aila's thoughts.

"Alright, please lead the way."

She turned her eyes towards Calvin who is now looking at her while still on the phone. He smiled and mouthed 'wait for me' to her.

Aila nodded & followed the butler.

*****

Aila sighed contentedly as she lay on the bed. It's so much better than a reclining chair on the plane. She had been feeling quite sleepy & tired all the time lately, she thought it must be the fast-paced events that had happened just last week.

After the banquet her mother had shuffled her with one acquaintance after the other. Seeming to show her off to her friends. Being the good daughter that she is, she obliged but her weariness seems apparent, and she finds herself dozing off on weird places. Her mother finally stopped for now the relentless outings noticing her daughter's state.

Aila glanced around the room of the presidential suite, it has white walls, vaulted ceilings & blue accents. The bed is a four poster one with white curtains. Its complete with its own mini kitchen, a living room and bathroom with a jacuzzi in it. The best part of all is the floor to ceiling windows in front of the bed which shows the magnificent view of the Aegean Sea.

Aila could feel the fresh breeze coming in from the sea, she was not able to visit any beaches back in her old world as those places are mostly prohibited. A miasma has formed in a lot of places & it can poison you once you inhale it. Her eyelashes flickered and she caught her breathe at the dazzling sight of the sunset.

Aila felt indescribably calm & peaceful. The ocean breeze, the sound of the waves and this sight to behold. Her tightly strung nerves loosening. She hoped that this world could remain this beautiful.

I'm glad I came...

Her eyes slowly drooped, and she finally fell asleep.

*****

Calvin took a while to deal with his businesses over the phone. When he arrived at the suite, he found Aila sleeping peacefully on the bed. The sunlight streaming through the windows, bathing her in a warm light.

As if bewitched, he moved closer to her & sat at the edge of the bed. She looked quite tired, unable to stop himself he caressed the dark circle under her eyes.

She must be really tired...

"Hmmm...Calvin? did I doze off?"

"Yeah, you must be really tired. I'm sorry it took a while for me to get to you. Do you want to have dinner?"

"Is it late? what time is it?

it's almost 5 pm."

Aila looked out the window and find that it was starting to get dark. Suddenly her stomach made a growling sound.

Calvin chuckled.

"I always find you hungry honey, I wonder when you'll be hungry for me too?"

Embarrassed, Aila smack Calvin's arm.

"I can't help it! it was a long day! Let's go already."

"Alright, darlin.'"

*****

Aila & Calvin are seated at the restaurant with a view of the coast. They were in the middle of the meal when they were spotted by the protagonists' crew.

Aila was munching on a chicken souvlaki & eyeing the 4 people approaching. Calvin is also eating & just waited for his friends to come closer.

here we go again...

"Hey there guys! glad to see you Aila. How was your flight?" Dalton the ever-friendly guy greeted them with a smile.

"It was ok Dalton. By the way, happy birthday! thanks for the invitation. Greece is quite lovely. Are you guys having dinner here too?" Aila responded.

"Yeah, we got ourselves some seats a little bit over there." Dalton pointed to a round table a little way off from theirs but still has a great view.

"Did you guys arrive at the same time?"

"Yeah, we arrived yesterday. Thanks for coming for my birthday."

Are they staying on the same place too? don't they have their own villa? is this novel logic?

Aila eyed the others & noticed that Hanna has actually started her own conversation with Calvin. She didn't hear they're conversation but judging from their expression it seems to be a little serious.

"Aila, you got something over here."

"Where?"

"Here."

Without warning Bryson jumped in & wiped with his fingers some sauce from Aila's mouth then actually proceeded to lick it.

Is he crazy?! oh right...he is a little...

Aila didn't know how to react & just stared at him.

"Oh...uhm...thanks Bryson."

The conversation seemed to stop abruptly on the other side of the table as well. Dalton & Markus gave Bryson a warning glance.

She looked at Calvin & Hanna. Calvin's expression is quite dark, Hanna on the other hand seemed confused.

"Anytime Aila, do you want me to show you around the area after dinner?" Bryson asked, as if what he did was nothing out of the ordinary.

"That won't be necessary Bryson. Aila is tired as we just arrived here today. I believe she needs rest." Calvin said coldly.

Bryson laughed awkwardly.

"Yeah, I'm sorry to startle you Aila. I couldn't help myself." Bryson said with a sheepish grin.

"Well, we will be going then. See you at the party." Markus took it upon himself to stop the awkward interaction & held Hanna's hand to usher her towards their dinner table.

"Yeah, see you at the party guys. Aila, don't mind Bryson. He acts out of character sometimes." Dalton said but, in his mind, he thought Bryson was acting strange towards Aila. He hopes he doesn't have any inappropriate thoughts towards their friend's fiancée.

As the four left, Aila turned to Calvin again. Seeing him just looking at her she asked what was wrong.

"You...don't let your guard down so easily."

Aila was annoyed, she doesn't have the power to read others mind so how would she know Bryson would pull that stunt.

"I wasn't aware that you have such great friends around." Aila responded sarcastically.

"Eat, it's late." Calvin just ignored her barbed words.

She continued eating her food & found it quite refreshing & tasted great. The Mediterranean meal seemed to be focused on freshness with fruits & vegetables on their dishes.

Calvin thought about Bryson's behavior while eating. They weren't the closest to begin with, but he didn't think he'd do that in front of him. He found it annoying that other men tried to touch Aila. His chest felt hot when he saw what he did.

He looked at Aila again closely without her noticing. She seemed radiant & quite beautiful under the chandelier lights. She just woke up a while ago & her rosy cheeks & cherry lips are quite alluring. He then proceeded to surreptitiously looked around him and found a number of men glanced quite often at her.

I had to be careful. Her charm seems to work internationally too.

*****

Back at their room, Aila was preparing for the night & went to get her things to take a shower. She was shocked to find that none of the clothes she packed are in her luggage!

!!!

After going through everything she found a note from her mother on top of a big red box under one of the luggage's.

Dearest Aila, why didn't you tell me you are leaving for Greece? it makes me sad that you don't tell your mother these things anymore. As a token of my love, I have put it upon myself to organize your luggage. Those clothes you packed are not suited for your dear. The ones in this box were specially ordered & handcrafted for you.

I hope you have a lovely time with your future husband.

Lots of love, Mom.

Aila unwrapped the box with some trepidation. She found pairs of nightdresses of delicate silk & satin that leave little to the imagination. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry at her mother's meddling.

"What are those?"

Startled, Aila turned around and found Calvin looking at her direction.