Chapter 21

"Holy shit!" Soriya exclaimed in excitement the moment they stepped into the presidential suite of the Harrington. "You're staying in this room? Awesome!"

Alex laughed. "It is nice, isn't it? The view is breathtaking. Oh, and I heard they have a five-star restaurant as well as a very flashy bar and club on the ground floor."

"We should totally go there for drinks tonight after dinner," Dara said, nodding.

"Agreed," Soriya added.

Chan and Alex looked at each other and then laughed. The two liked to argue but also liked to agree on a lot of things.

Chan's eyes widened in delight as she looked around. The place was classically decorated with modern furnishings of sofas and armchairs, a large crystal chandelier, and granite and marble floors and wall columns. There was a panoramic view of the city to the west side of the room. It was simply beautiful.

"Oh my gosh!" Dara said, throwing herself onto the sofa.

Soriya collapsed beside her sister and rested her head on Dara's shoulder. "I'm in heaven."

The sisters stayed there for a moment, soaking in the coziness of the sofa and the feeling of being surrounded with luxury.

Chan dropped her bags onto the floor by her feet and walked to the window. "It's beautiful."

"Yeah, it's a beautiful view and a beautiful city," Alex said, folding her arms across her chest.

"Mrs. McCartney, you're back." Margaret, the nanny, appeared at the door of a bedroom with a bundle of a very cute toddler in her arms. "And you've got friends."

The moment they saw Andy, both Dara and Soriya rushed off the sofa and came over to the baby with smiley faces.

"Hi, Margaret, how's Andy doing?"

Soriya said, "Oh my God, he's even cuter in real life. Look at his chubby face and chubby little body."

"Look at the blue eyes. He has very blue, blue eyes."

"Like his father," Alex said. "I thought the color would change. But it's been a year now, and it hasn't. Actually, it's even bluer than when he was born."

"Alex," Soriya said, "you're so lucky to have such a cute baby with such beautiful blue eyes. Oh, I want to kiss you, darling. I just want to eat you up."

Alex laughed. "Then kiss him, but you're not allowed to eat him up."

Dara laughed at that remark. Soriya accepted the offer by gently taking the baby into her arms and kissing him on the cheek, on the forehead, on the nose, and again on the nose, and again on the nose.

"That's enough," Dara muttered in annoyance. "Let me kiss him, too." That said, she gave little Andy tiny kisses everywhere on the little boy's face.

It was a full hour later when Chan managed to have her turn at holding the baby. And when she did, little Andy started giggling and jumping on her lap with joy.

Dara looked heavenward. "There she goes again. What does she have that we don't?" she muttered, seeing how happy Andy was in Chan's arms.

It was one o'clock by the time they—Chan, her sisters, Alex, and her little son Andy—headed out for lunch. They met with Georgina Price, known to them simply as Georgie, in a café across the road from the hotel.

Georgie was, as usual, lovely in her summer dress, tanned skin, and pale-blond hair. Every inch of her shouted beautiful Scandinavian. Her gray eyes were twinkling when she greeted them with, "Guess what?"

"Georgie!" Chan rushed up and gave her friend a hug.

"Happy belated birthday," Georgie said. "I got you a present."

"You know you didn't have to," Chan said.

"Don't be silly," Georgie stated. "Here you go." She gave Chan a tiny box that was beautifully wrapped in pale pink and purple ribbons.

"Thanks," Chan said.

Georgie moved over to Alex and gave her a tight hug, too. "Andy," she said sweetly. "Cute little Andy. I have to hold him."

She eagerly took Andy from Soriya's arms and cuddled him. "He's the cutest baby in the world."

Georgie looked up and said, "I just graduated."

"Oh my God! Congratulations!" This came from Alex and Chan in unison.

"Hurray! Does that mean you're going to continue your PhD?" Soriya asked.

Georgie shook her head. "I'm done with studies. A master's is enough for me." She sighed. "Now I need to find a job."

"Good luck," Chan said. "And work hard."

"Thanks," Georgie replied, smiling.

Soriya cleared her throat and asked, "Did you know Chan went out on a date last Sunday?"

Georgie shook her head in the negative.

Chan looked heavenward. "That's not important, Soriya."

"But Jeremy is a hunk," Soriya protested. Turning back to Georgie, she asked, "Any advice for our dear Chan?"

Georgie laughed uncomfortably. "You're asking me? I'm still a bloody virgin and haven't even gotten myself my first boyfriend yet."

Dara looked shock. "Seriously?"

Chan said, "But you're so beautiful. What guy wouldn't want to date you?"

Georgie sighed. "I don't think I'm beautiful, Chan. You and your sisters are the gorgeous ones. That long, glossy hair and flawless skin."