The group of seven enjoyed the pool for a couple of hours before exploring the vendor stalls and booths.
The resort was called "Blue Haven Escape," and truly, it really was an escape.
Additionally, the ambiance was warm and tropical. Palm trees lined the pathways, soft lighting creating a cozy, relaxing atmosphere.
It felt like they had been transported to a summer paradise, far removed from the harsh winter outside.
The scent of grilled food filled the air as they explored vendor stalls. Raven munched on a skewer, eyes glancing around.
"Hard to believe it's freezing out there—"
Munch. Munch.
On the other hand, somewhere not so far, Brandon leaned against a palm tree, watching the others browse the stalls.
Then, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
Turning around, he found Amelia standing there, a playful smirk on her face.
She was holding two drinks, her bikini-clad figure catching his eye momentarily before his gaze shifted on the drinks.
How could he not?
It was his girlfriend.
"Thirsty?"
She asked, offering the drink in her hand.
"Yep, thanks."
Brandon graciously accepted the drink and took a sip.
It was good. Not too sweet, nor too bland.
Staring at his friends enjoying the heated pool, Brandon recalled what happened two days ago.
Claire had given them invitations for Blue Haven Escape's grand opening—telling them they can bring whoever they want, as long as they informed them beforehand.
Initially, Belle was excited.
Really excited.
To the point where; the moment Brandon mentioned "Blue Hav—", Belle immediately headed to the mall and picked out a bunch of swimwear.
—Which one do you think looks good, Amelia?
—You think I might find a boyfriend there?
—Is this my color?
Brandon could practically hear their conversation coming all the way to the living room.
And in the end....
—You're burning hot, Belle!
—You mean me in my bikini.... right?
Brandon could practically hear his dear sister's hoarse and exhausted voice as she spoke with Amelia.
'She coped so much....'
—No.... 40°C. Your fever's really high!
Belle suffered from a fever just the day before the entire thing.
But in any case, it was for the best.
The air around Belle and Raven seemed kind of awkward for the time being, despite the fact that she had already apologized to him.
Amelia, too, had apologized. Raven was kind enough to forgive the both of them of course, telling them, "There's no need, it was my fault in the first place."
In any case.
"Want to explore the stalls?"
Amelia asked.
"Sure."
Brandon and Amelia strolled through the vendor stalls.
Amelia's attire caught the attention of several men, who could only gawk at her before Brandon would turn his head and shoot them a piercing cold glare.
It was as if his eyes were saying, "Fuck off."
"What's wrong?"
Amelia paused and glanced at him as the two continued walking.
"N–Nothing...."
Then, she spotted a booth selling funny hats and immediately dragged Brandon over.
"Try this one."
She said, holding up a huge sombrero.
Brandon put it on, the brim almost covering his entire face.
"Here, complete the look."
Brandon put on the fake mustache she handed him, looking like a cartoon character.
"How do I look?"
He asked, his voice muffled under the hat's brim.
"Pfft.... Like an uncle."
"...."
Brandon tilted his head with an incredulous expression.
"Your turn."
Then, a lightbulb lit up.
"Close your eyes."
"Ah?"
Brandon grinned mischievously as Amelia obediently closed her eyes.
He quietly picked up a few items from the vendor stall: a red nose, bright face paint, and a rainbow wig.
"Hold still."
Raven exclaimed, wiping his face.
The four of them splashed water back and forth, drawing attention from others in the pool who laughed at the chaos.
Brandon and Amelia, watching from the sidelines, chuckled.
"Do you think we should join the—"
Splash—!
He blinked, turning to her slowly as water trickled down his face.
"Really?"
Amelia gave an innocent smile.
"Payback."
Brandon smirked and then suddenly, with one swift motion, pulled her into the pool.
"Brandon!"
***
Inside Blue Haven Escape, a large, cozy hut stood at the far side of the resort. Unlike the vendor stalls, this place was different.
It was a casino.
Rachel entered with her usual cool demeanor, her eyes scanning the room. The faint sound of cards shuffling, chips clinking, and low murmurs of old men filled the air.
One particular table caught her attention—a blackjack game surrounded by shady characters.
With a casual smirk, she walked over and sat down. The dealer gave her a nod as she joined the round.
One of the older men glanced at her, his wrinkled face twisting into a sneer.
"Little girl, you sure you know how to play blackjack?"
Rachel's eyebrow twitched, but she remained calm.
She was used to this.
Due to the anime she had watched in the past which focused on gambling.... What was its name again?
'Kake.... Something....'
She couldn't remember.
In any case, Rachel put on a smug expression.
"Better than you."
In places like these, one must put on a confident facade.
Or rather, a wise old man aura.
The old man snorted, clearly not taking her seriously.
"Let's see about that."
The game began. Cards were dealt, and the tension rose.
Rachel kept a calm expression as she glanced at her cards. 17.
The old man beside her, still sneering, stood with a 16.
"Hit me."
Rachel said, her voice confident.
The dealer slid her a card. It was a 4. 21.
She smirked.
The old man blinked, his sneer faltering.
"You're just lucky."
Round after round, Rachel wiped the floor with the men at the table. Each time, her pile of chips grew while theirs dwindled.
The same old man, now sweating, stared in disbelief.
"How...?"
Rachel cooly leaned back.
"Like I said. I'm just better."
One of the other men grumbled,
"You must be cheating."
"In a place like this? If I'm cheating, what does that say about you?"
The men around the table exchanged nervous glances.
Another round started, and once again, Rachel played flawlessly.
She beat them in blackjack, poker, even roulette. One by one, the old men got up and left with empty pockets.
Rachel collected her winnings, standing up with a smug smile, wearing a bunch of jewelry as she donned a pair of shades.
"Pleasure doing business, gentlemen."
She had immersed herself in the part too much, to the point she unknowingly deepened her voice.
Even her voice sounded like that of an old man.
"Next time, bring more money."
With that, she walked away, her pockets full of chips.
As she exited the hut, she ran into Raven and Reinhard both drenched and dripping, and for some reason, the liquid was a translucent white-ish color.
The hell happened to these two?
She wasn't sure if Raven swung the other way. But after a year, not once had he made a move on her sister, Amy.
No, she was sure of it.
The way Raven looked at Reinhard and Brandon....
"You guys look.... wet."
But unbeknownst to Rachel, they had been splashed with coconut milk accidentally.
For that reason....
"Why are you looking at us like that?"
Her imagination ran wild.