Chapter 225

Adrianna and Margaret got out of Cedric's car. Cedric helped his wife and kissed her on the lips.

"Don't you want to sleep next to me? Won't you feel cold?" Cedric tenderly asked his wife.

"Don't be so clingy Cedric." Adrianna teased. "It's not like we'll be here long, and you're right next door, I can even walk to your villa." Adrianna told her husband.

"No, don't walk. I'll pick you up." Cedric said. "Also it's not my villa, it's our villa." As Cedric said this he placed a gentle kiss on his wife's lips.

"Why do the two of you always act like a newly married couple?" Ayanna asked as she got out of Ray's car.

"You're just jealous." Cedric said with a laugh.

"Of course she isn't, she's got me." Ray said with a laugh as he pulled Ayanna to him. Ayanna quickly reacted and slapped his hand.

"I think Ayanna feels awkward showing emotions in front of you." Katerina teased as she, Veronica, and Natalia got out of their car.

"Well it is slightly awkward being with your friend's older brother." Veronica said with a nervous laugh.

"Where's Nicole and Ian?" Cedric asked as he saw Miguel and Eric's car arrive.

"They'll probably show up in a while." Katerina teased with a grin. "You've been keeping him busy at work too much Cedric. So it's your fault."

"Anyway, you boys should leave. We're gonna have our vacation without you now." Ayanna said, sending her brother and his friends away.

"Won't you miss me?" Ray said as he pulled Ayanna close to him.

"I'm looking away!" Cedric said playfully as he turned his back on the couple.

Adrianna, who was next to him, laughed and elbowed him in the ribs. He knew he deserved that, he teased his sister too much sometimes.

After making sure that the girls were fine, Cedric and the other boys decided to hangout in Ray's house on the island. Ray's place had the best view on the island, it was a three story glass house whose windows could become opaque at the click of a button. The whole top floor had one long balcony and the rooftop had an infinity pool.

The house itself was right at the beach's edge so it's inhabitants could just run up to greet the waves. When Ray built the house he envisioned having a large family with the woman he loved, whoever it may be.

As Ray, Cedric, Miguel, and Eric walked in, a maid informed them that Alexi and Ram were already at the rooftop relaxing from a long day's work.

"Prepare the cabana by the beach, well have lunch there." Ray instructed the maid.

As the boys climbed the stairs Ray sighed.

"Do you guys think I need to change all my female staff?" Ray asked.

"What kind of a stupid question is that?" Miguel said with a puzzled look.

"Who's being stupid?" Alexi had heard Miguel's reaction as they entered the rooftop.

"Ray's thinking of replacing all of his female help." Miguel said, rolling his eyes.

"It's not my fault if you're clueless when it comes to women." Ray told the younger Chan brother.

"Why replace them? Some of them are hot!" Alexi said with a laugh.

"I swear Alexi if you get any of them pregnant!" Ray complained.

"Wait, you want to change your help from female to male just because you think my sister will get jealous?" Cedric asked as he walked over to the rooftop bar to make them some drinks. He worked for a while as a bartender so he had some experience. It was one of his many part-time jobs in the past.

"I think she'll find it suspicious if you do that." Ram said as he joined Cedric at the bar.

"Really?" Ray asked.

After giving his friends the drinks they all walked over to the poolside lounge that overlooked the beach and the sea beyond it.

"You're getting married anyway. So she'll be around 24/7." Eric added. "Plus why fire someone just because of their gender? If they do a good job and are professional with their work, it shouldn't be an issue."

"You're right. You're right." Ray said with a nod as they continued to drink.

"So, ummm… Veronica knows now." Ram told his friends.

"Was I right?" Miguel asked.

"Yeah. She took it well." Ram said with a nod. "I got a few wins for you." Ram smiled.

"Like what?" Miguel took a sip of his drink as he listened intently to his friend.

"She'll be more public about your relationship, she's even willing to step into the spotlight a little bit more as Veronica Abad - Chan." Ram told his brother-in-law.

"She truly deserves to be in the spotlight." Miguel grinned as he looked into the distance.

At Nicole's Villa, Ian was passionately kissing his girlfriend on the lips as he held her tightly.

"I'm really mad at Cedric for keeping you busy at work." Nicole said in between kisses.

"Don't be mad at my boss. There's really a lot of work to be done." Ian said as he kissed Nicole on the neck. She made a funny moaning sound as he kissed her all over. "Ticklish babe?" Ian asked.

"You know I hate that." Despite what she said she didn't do anything to push Ian away.

"Which, the ticklish kissing or the babe part?" Ian said with a laugh.

"Both." Nicole said, rolling her eyes.

"Mmmm, enough talk, I missed you too much." Ian said as he took off his shirt.

The sun was already setting when Nicole woke up. She groaned as she remembered what she and Ian had just done. She never expected things to go so wildly with her first boyfriend. She sat up and grabbed a robe Ian had placed on a nearby chair.

As she looked out the large bay windows of her room Ian entered with food and a cup of tea. She turned and smiled at him, he knew her so well.

"I knew you'd be hungry, so I cooked." Ian said as he showed her the food on the tray. He placed it on the bedside table and picked up the cup of tea.

Ian walked over to Nicole and gave the cup to her. She smiled gently and thanked him.

"What's bothering you?" Ian asked.

"I was wondering why you had to cook. This place comes with a chef and maids." Nicole said with a laugh.

"I know that isn't it, but I wanted to cook for you." Ian replied as he gently kissed the top of her head.

"I was thinking about uncle Miguel, and how things ended for him." Nicole confessed with a sigh.

"I promise, you won't end up like him." Ian attempted to comfort her as he wrapped her in his arms.

"Careful, I might spill the tea." Nicole gasped as his movements made the liquid rock in her hands.

"You're deflecting." Ian complained. "Nicole, whether or not you came into my life, this is still my goal. My family will reach the top again. I promise. And when that day arrives, I will be acceptable to your family."

"We should go join the others. They're probably wondering where we are." Nicole said as she placed the tea down and walked to the bathroom to take a shower.

"I'm pretty sure they know what we're doing." Ian said with a laugh as he followed her in.