“Twelve bedrooms?”
“Yes. They were going to make it into a bed and breakfast but decided to use it as a vacation home. The owner has a large family,” Kemara said.
“Sounds amazing. Channing is lucky to work with people with long pockets like that.” I imagined the mansion having top of the line furniture, fancy decorations, and sleek carpet I could sink my feet into.
Kemara nodded as if she were validating my visions of the place. Taking a deep breath, she said, “So—” She paused, and anxiety settled on her light brown features.
“Yeah?” I nudged her. “What’s on your mind?”
“There’s something I have to tell you.”
“Well, did somebody die? Because the way you’re looking is scaring me.”
“No, no. It’s nothing like that,” she assured me by touching my hand.
“Good. Stop looking like we’re about to have to plan a funeral then.”
“It’s about Je—” Kemara paused when the stewardess came over the loudspeaker, directing everyone to put their seatbelts on as it was time to land. I buckled my seatbelt and looked at Kemara who was securing hers. “It can wait,” she said and smiled.
We were about to land at my dream vacation spot, and I wanted to experience every second, including the landing. I looked out the open window with child-like joy. I was about to explore a new country!
***
I sat in the backseat of the rental on the way to
the mansion. The blue skies, sandy beaches, and gorgeous landscape were heaven’s paradise. It felt as if the other cars were passing by in slow motion.
Channing pulled up to a humongous castle and drove around a semi-circular driveway. I stepped out of the car and gasped at the palace before us. It was jaw-droppingly gorgeous, an absolute fantasy. Pristine white stairs led to the front door. Perfectly shaped bushes were in line with the stairs, and not one leaf was out of place. With the outside’s appearance of elegance, I couldn’t begin to imagine what awaited us inside.
“Come on, ladies,” Channing motioned for Kemara and me to walk up the stairs. He removed the keys from his pocket and opened the door.
We were greeted by marble floors that spanned across an open foyer and into the great room. The great room was in the center of the mansion. On both sides of the foyer were stairs I assumed led to different living quarters.
“I did the virtual tour, so let me show you ladies around,” Channing said.
Every room had a crystal chandelier that accented either modern cream-colored or light pastel pink furnishings. The beds felt like fluffy cotton. I knew because I plopped down on the bed in each room to test them out. There were hot tubs in four of the bathrooms, and the bathrooms looked comfortable enough to sleep in, as well.
My room had a fireplace in the center wall, a King size bed, and a mini living room sitting off to the side. “This is royalty,” I mumbled, tossing my suitcase onto the bed. Rifling through my things, I found a two-piece bikini and dressed for the beach. I grabbed my phone and dialed Eva’s number. After a few rings, the call was answered, but it wasn’t Eva’s voice.
“Hello?” Rodney answered.
I was still reeling off being in Aruba, so I asked in a pleasant tone, “Hey, is Eva around?”
“Nope, and why are you so happy?” he asked, sounding salty.
“You’re on her phone. Where is she?” I asked, ignoring his question.
“She’s at a friend’s house,” he said.
“If she’s with a friend, then she needs to have her phone. That’s the point of me buying it so that she could phone home if she has an emergency. Who is she with?” I asked.
There was hesitation on the line, before he responded, “Fine. She isn’t at a friend’s house, but she’s in the middle of her chores.”
What kind of games was Rodney playing? What chores could Eva have to do that would keep her away from her phone?
“What about Kevin? Is he also working on chores?” I asked.
“Yep!” he replied quickly.