Chapter 289 - Private island (2)

Jeff walked behind JoAnna as she explored the villa enthusiastically. He enjoyed watching her lit up face as she hopped from one room to another.

It is a modern villa with a grand two-story entry which opens up to several sitting areas, dining room and a living area, connected to a stunning kitchen. Family room has a large glass doors, leading to an infinity pool. Upstairs, JoAnna counted six bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet, attached spa bathroom, and a balcony. There was one more set of stairs which leads up to a roof top lounge area with a wet bar.

Looking down from the roof top, JoAnna could see that there is another lounging area beyond the infinity pool, and what looked to be a sand beach. But it was too dark to see clearly. She told herself that she will check in the morning.

After she finished exploring, Jeff led her to the largest bedroom and pointed at the closet. "You will find clothes to change into. They should be your size."

JoAnna hopped into the closet, and few minutes later came out wearing a light-yellow summer dress which flowed after her as she walked. "It is my size! How did you know?"

"I asked Sarah." He smiled.

"Oh, Sarah, right..." Of course, that Sarah would know her clothing size.

JoAnna looked at Jeff, still in his work suit, and went back into the closet. Few seconds later she handed him a white polo t-shirt and gray shorts. "You change also. I will assume these are your size."

While Jeff changed, JoAnna got her phone to text Sarah. If she is just gone for two days, they will be worried. JoAnna was shocked to see that her phone has no signal. "No signal." JoAnna said in disbelief.

"Why do you need signal?"

"What do you mean why do I need signal? Sarah will freak out if I'm just missing. What if something happens there and they can't reach us? What if something happens here and we can't reach them?" JoAnna was panicking. "No Internet access?!!"

"Sarah will not freak out. She knows we will be out of reach for the weekend. If something happens there, they will manage. If something happens here, we will manage... What do you think can happen?" Jeff wondered what is going on in JoAnna's mind. Is she always worried about bad things that might happen?

"Well, nothing... but without phone and internet access... how can that be? What kind of a place is this?" She pouted while her expression showed clear disapproval.

Jeff was amused with her reaction, and he chuckled. "You will get a better idea in the morning. Let's go and eat. You will be less anxious with a full stomach... and in case of an emergency, we have satellite phone." He pacified her.

JoAnna was not happy knowing that there is no internet but followed Jeff to the kitchen. Her mood improved when she saw that fridge is filled to the brim with various items, neatly packed and labeled. Labels had information about what is packed and how to reheat it. Freezer was also fully stocked, even with her favorite brand of vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Pantry was also full. JoAnna saw junk food, several large bags of her favorite ribbed chips, various snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as few large containers of drinking water.

"We could stay here for a month, and not go hungry." JoAnna commented, and then went back to the fridge to pick what to have for dinner.

...

While Jeff and JoAnna enjoyed their late-night dinner... back in Los Angeles, Greg was sitting in a silver Audi parked on the street in front of the White corp. His eyes didn't leave garage entry for employees. Greg was waiting for JoAnna to come out. 'She is taking her time... there is no one except for security left in the building. What are they doing for such a long time??? Ahhh!' He didn't want to think what Jeff and JoAnna might be doing up there. The various possibilities were driving him crazy.

When he thought that Jeff might kiss JoAnna and hold her in his embrace, Greg was consumed with rage. Few times he almost left his car to go to the building and demand to see JoAnna, but he stopped himself in time. What would he say? With security there, he probably can't even enter... and where would he go? It's a large building... and JoAnna is there. Inside. He saw her coming in, and she didn't come out. She is inside.

Greg spent the night in the car, staring at the garage entrance for employees of White corp. waiting for JoAnna to come out.

…

Early next morning, JoAnna woke up next to Jeff to the light sound of the waves. Curiously, she got out of the bed and headed to the balcony. JoAnna stopped breathing when her eyes landed on a calm turquoise water stretching endlessly on three sides and greeting a white sand beach with each wave. The weather was perfect. Bright blue sky with few specs of white clouds, light breeze brought in warm air which made JoAnna's blue chemise flutter together with her hair.

Jeff put an additional pillow below his head and watched JoAnna silently. She was a dreamlike vision, standing on the balcony, barefoot, while taking in her surroundings. JoAnna looked like an ethereal being who came out of this world. Jeff thought for a moment that she might just fly away to the world where she belongs, out of his reach, and he inhaled sharply from the unexpected pain he felt in his chest.

JoAnna heard him and turned to face him.

"Are you OK?" She saw his pained expression and rushed to his side.

Jeff pulled her in his embrace and held her tightly without a word. Feeling her next to him made pain in his chest disappear, and he could breathe again.

"Everything is OK when you are next to me." He said after a long silence.