Chapter 49 Storm Warnings
"It looks like it's going to rain," one of the emeralds muttered, squinting at the sky as the first fat raindrop splattered onto his forehead. "Great. Just what we needed. A dramatic weather shift to make this trip feel even more like a horror movie."
Dark clouds rolled overhead, thunder rumbling in the distance like nature's way of clearing its throat. The guests quickened their pace, hurrying inside as the bellboys lugged their suitcases, occasionally exchanging smirks and eye rolls at the extravagance of some of the bags.
"Who even needs this much luggage for a weekend?"
"Dude, I swear, I just lifted a bag that could legally be classified as a small horse."
"Pretty sure that lady packed an entire kitchen set."
Meanwhile, at the front desk, Sabrina leaned in with a practiced smile as the receptionist handed her a bundle of key cards. "Everything set?"
The receptionist nodded. "All good to go. And, uh... good luck."
Sabrina arched a brow but shook it off, turning to address her group. "Alright, listen up! Before we all head to our rooms, I have a few announcements."
The General Manager, a distinguished man in a suit so pressed it could cut glass, approached her and whispered something in her ear. Her eyes flickered with amusement. "Thank you," she murmured, before turning back to the group.
"Hello, everyone! I'm Daniel Whiteman, the General Manager here. First off, apologies for the surprise weather change. Apparently, the universe likes plot twists. But don't worry—we've got plenty to keep you entertained! There's an exclusive lounge, an arcade with video games, a pool, a bar, and even karaoke. So, whether you want to unwind or embarrass yourself singing 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' we've got you covered."
A ripple of laughter and chatter spread through the group as people exchanged excited glances.
Sabrina lifted the key cards. "Now, let's get to room assignments—"
Her phone buzzed. Unknown number.
She frowned slightly but answered anyway. "Hello?"
A low, eerie female voice responded. "Are you ready for retribution?"
Sabrina's brows shot up. "Uh... I was just ready to pass out room keys, but sure, let's go with retribution."
The voice whispered something else, too soft for anyone nearby to hear. Sabrina's playful expression faded for just a moment before she responded, "Understood. Goodbye."
Then, as if nothing had happened, she flashed an innocent smile and resumed her task.
Reaching Hallie first, she smirked. "I have a surprise for you in your room, bestie. Don't waste it."
Hallie's eyes widened; her excitement barely contained as she practically sprinted to the elevator.
Next, Sabrina turned to Lily and Roxanne. "Hope you two don't mind sharing a room."
"Not at all!" Lily grinned, while Roxanne wiggled her brows. "As long as she doesn't snore."
Finally, Sabrina faced Jason, her smile taking on a more flirtatious edge. "Jason, you can share with me?" She threw in a wink for good measure.
Jason, without even looking at her, deadpanned, "No, I already have my own room. But thanks."
Sabrina's face barely twitched, but if disappointment were a person, it would have given her a pitying pat on the back. "Suit yourself," she said, shrugging as if she wasn't just publicly rejected in 4K.
With that, she ushered everyone toward the elevators, the distant rumble of thunder adding to the suspense. Whether it was the weather or the mysterious phone call, one thing was clear—this trip was about to get a lot more interesting.
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Hallie practically bounced on her heels as the elevator doors slid open to her floor. The excitement buzzing through her veins made her nearly trip over her own feet as she rushed down the hallway. As she neared her door, she spotted a bellboy just exiting her room. Perfect timing.
She sprinted over, flashing her most confident smirk. "All my stuff there?"
The bellboy, a fresh-faced young man who looked like he still called his mom daily, nodded kindly. "Yes, ma'am, all set."
Hallie smirked before sneering, "Good, 'cause if anything is broken, you're fired."
The boy's face turned ghostly pale. "Everything is handled with the utmost care," he assured her quickly before practically scurrying away. He didn't even dare ask for a tip.
Hallie huffed, rolling her eyes before unlocking the door. The second she stepped inside, she froze.
Sitting casually on the edge of her bed, texting on his phone like he owned the place, was Ryder.
Her smirk returned instantly. "So, you did miss me?" she asked, trying to sound smug.
Ryder glanced up, unimpressed, before rolling his eyes. "You know, for a pregnant woman, you're not very motherly."
Hallie's smirk dropped into an immediate scowl. "Excuse me?"
"Also," Ryder continued, barely looking up from his phone, "shouldn't you be keeping your feet up and resting? Aren't you, like, almost seven months along now?"
Hallie crossed her arms. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I miss the part where you became my doctor?"
"I'm just saying," he shrugged. "You waddle now."
"I do NOT waddle!"
"You kinda do."
Hallie threw a decorative pillow at him, which he dodged with the reflexes of someone who had clearly been hit with objects before. He smirked as she huffed, planting a hand on her hip.
"Why are you even here?" she demanded.
Ryder sighed, putting his phone away. "Because we need to talk this weekend. Plus, I promised Sabrina I'd make an appearance."
Hallie scoffed. "Oh, so you're doing this for Sabrina?"
Ryder just raised a brow, waiting for her tantrum to fully process. Hallie opened her mouth, ready to argue further, but then a realization hit her—oh. Oh. This was the surprise Sabrina mentioned.
Sabrina was the bestest friend ever.
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Jason stepped into the Kingsley Resort, shaking off the slight chill from the rain outside. The place was brand new, sleek, and modern, built exclusively for the Kingsley family whenever they visited Emerald Bay. The moment he walked in, he was met with the warm, familiar sounds of home—his father and brother deep in discussion and the faint clatter of pots and pans from the kitchen where Linda was already cooking up something delicious.
"No, no, we should start with the pool table," his brother argued.
Their father scoffed. "Pool table? Please, we start with drinks, then pool. It's about priorities."
Jason smirked. "Ah, I see nothing has changed."
Both men turned toward him, grinning.
"There he is!" his father declared. "Finally, someone with some sense. Tell your brother he's wrong."
"I'm always right," Jason's brother shot back, grinning. "But good to see you, man."
Jason shook his head, chuckling as he dropped his bag by the door. "Glad to see you two haven't killed each other yet."
Linda peeked her head out of the kitchen, waving a wooden spoon. "Jason! Just in time. I'm making your favorite."
"Now I really feel welcomed," he said with a grin before glancing at his father. "Did Em and Henry get here yet?"
His father shook his head. "Not yet. But knowing them, they'll make an entrance."
Jason just laughed, soaking in the warmth of home away from home.
"Why is Mom cooking?" Jason asked, setting his bag down. "There are like, five restaurants here."
Linda waved a hand dismissively. "This is going to be an intimate family dinner. It needs to be homemade."
Jason rolled his eyes. Beau clapped him on the back. "At least you're here for this one."
Then, before Jason could dodge, Beau ruffled his hair.
Jason groaned, immediately trying to fix it while his parents laughed at his suffering.
"Speaking of, have Em and Henry gotten here yet?" their father asked.
Beau shook his head. "Not yet. Probably still packing. You know how Henry is."
They all burst into laughter at that.
"Well," Linda chimed in, "dinner will be waiting when they do. Now, someone set the table before I revoke your inheritance."
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The rain poured steadily as Henry shrugged off his jacket, holding it over Emilia as they rushed toward the main building. She laughed, clutching his arm as they dodged puddles. The fresh scent of rain mixed with the salty ocean breeze, and the glow from the resort lights cast a golden hue over the wet pavement. Just inside, they were met by Daniel Whiteman, whose face lit up like a kid meeting their sports hero.
Daniel had met Henry several times before, but admiration still stirred in his chest. Henry Kingsley was the kind of man who commanded a room with ease—charismatic, sharp, and, let's be honest, incredibly wealthy. Daniel wanted his boss's visit to be nothing short of perfection.
"Mr. Kingsley! Mrs. Kingsley," Daniel greeted, shaking Henry's hand firmly. "Welcome back. I'll be personally escorting you to your private residence."
Emilia blinked, brushing raindrops from her hair. "We get our own building?"
Henry grinned, tucking a damp strand of her hair behind her ear. "Didn't want to disrupt the business. So, we built private quarters just for family."
Emilia turned to look at him, astonished. "You just built an entire house to avoid taking up space?"
Henry chuckled. "Technically, a few houses. Thought it was a smart investment."
"Of course you did," she teased, slipping her arm through his. "What do you do when you want a quiet getaway? Build an island?"
Henry smirked. "Not yet."
Daniel laughed as he led them through the resort, pointing out new features and upgrades. The main pathway opened up to a breathtaking view of Emerald Bay—lush cliffs framed the vibrant blue-green waters, and even under the moody sky, it looked like something out of a dream. Their private house sat nestled on an exclusive stretch of land, offering both seclusion and luxury. The large glass windows reflected the stormy sky, and a grand balcony overlooked the rolling waves.
Emilia took a deep breath, soaking it all in. "This is... incredible."
Henry wrapped an arm around her waist, leaning in. "Glad you like it. We'll have the whole weekend to enjoy it."
She glanced up at him, smirking. "Are you trying to romance me, Mr. Kingsley?"
"I don't have to try," he murmured, brushing a soft kiss against her temple.
Daniel cleared his throat, trying not to grin. "Well, I'll leave you both to settle in."
Emilia pulled a bill from her purse, offering it to him. "Thank you for everything."
"Oh, no need—" Daniel started, shaking his head.
"I insist," she said warmly, pressing it into his hand.
Daniel finally accepted, nodding graciously. "Enjoy your stay, Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley."
As he left, Emilia turned back to Henry with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So... private house, secluded bay, stormy weather. What are we going to do with ourselves?"
Henry grinned, pulling her closer. "I have a few ideas."
Meanwhile, as the rain continued to pour, the resort staff put the finishing touches on the evening's grand celebration. A birthday party in paradise—what could possibly go wrong?