Then almost as fast as things had escalated, he was gone. Jerome sat there, unmoving, daring not to look at his sister. But her eyes burned deep into his soul as everything within her came crashing out.
Chapter10
Charles hadn’t given her much warning, or much time to prepare, as a matter of fact. One moment she was taking her first bubble bath in her new home and then she was on a plane to the Polynesian islands. “Why?” was a question she recently found herself asking a lot. She didn’t even get to spend her first night with him before he had ordered his private jet to fly them out. And in no time at all, they had left the state of New York and were on their way to Bora Bora.
His immediate family all liked to take vacations at their beach house when the weather permitted. The climate was perfect this time of year. He wanted her to meet them prior to the wedding, which seemed a practical idea. However, the thought of going to see her billionaire fiancé’s family brought her nerves to the brink of insanity.
It also didn’t help that she was stressing over the past day’s event, wondering how to handle her own little family issue. Her brother had always been stupid but to get involved in drugs was something else entirely. It wasn’t the same situation she had been in during her teen years. Yes, she may have tripped on acid a few times, snorted some crack, and smoked some pot, but she never got into dealing the stuff. That was something she absolutely refused to do. But the fact that she had gotten involved with Devon in her later teen years and early twenties had placed her into many dangerous predicaments. She just hadn’t cared at the time or she was too naïve to really notice.
Fortunately for her, it had never quite turned around to bite her in the ass like it had just done to Jerome. Fucking a drug dealer and partaking in the sales were two different things.
Flipping mindlessly through a magazine as they rode in the limo the last few miles to the grand Livingston Estate, Amber caught the edge of the page perfectly. Wincing from the paper cut, she sucked on it, and then pinched to see if the blood made it to the surface. Momentarily disappointed that it hadn’t, she looked over at Charles who sat next to her.
He was scanning his phone apps to keep himself updated with life back home. Not once had he gotten off of it which made her curious as to what exactly was going on. In a way it honestly wasn’t her business either.
“Babe,” she complained, annoyed that the electronic device was taking all his attention.
“What?” He grunted, looking up.
He was blunt and slightly aggravated to be interrupted or so she gathered from his tone.
Deciding not to tread on the subject, she shrugged. “Nothing.” Instead she pulled out the little mirror from her pink hand bag and fixed the loose ends of her hair. She had never felt so in place, and at the same time, so awkward and out of place.
Lately he had been very distant. Looking over, she couldn’t help but notice his serious mood. He was unusually off.
As the limo arrived at their destination, the driver opened the large gate. It was magnificent, covered in vines and flowers. A large driveway that curved around a fountain came into view, leading up towards a set of grand steps. It was amazing what money could do for a home. In this case, it was a series of exquisite bungalows oozing with the touch of money.
Pulling up to the entrance of the bungalow, Amber stepped out, followed by a distracted Charles. He put the phone back in his pocket and straightened out his shirt.
She stood uncomfortably taking the huge scene in. Everything was beyond beautiful here. It was breathtaking.
Her feet were on crystal sands overlooking blue clear waters. She could see it some distance away from the two story luxurious bungalow that extended out into the shallows.
Palm trees adorned everything, giving the tropical private island adequate shade from the hot beating sun.
Excitement riveted through her as she realized the potential of this place. “Babe,” she nudged Charles as he put an arm around her. “I want to get married here,” she beamed. It seemed the makings of a dream, causing her to inadvertently spiral into the little girl she was inside.
He laughed a little dryly. “It is definitely a nice place,” he agreed.
“Probably too much money,” she thought aloud, her head working the number of expenses.
Hugging her softly, he brushed his fingers through her hair. “My love, money is never going to be a problem. I want to give you everything your heart desires.” Kissing her softly, he grabbed her hand and began to lead her towards the steps.
Willingly letting him take control, she followed him to the front double doors.
“This will be our place to stay,” he said while producing the key. “My parents are staying in the one across the way,” he motioned to the winding wooden ramp leading to several similar looking places. They were planted much further out on the water.