The Seaside Retreat

Chapter 19

Violet's POV

This was real. This wasn't a dream. I was really being offered what I'd most desired. How was it even possible? The Westerfelds had only known me for two days and yet they were already giving me this amazing oppertunity! Wow. This was a lot to handle.

I took a deep breath, and was embarassed when I realized my mouth was open. I quickly closed it, swallowing. I tried to absorb everything unsuccessfully. Everyone at the table was staring at me. My parents expressions were one of shock and excitement, Mr. and Mrs. Westerfeld looked serious but were smiling at me, and when I looked at Seth his chocolate brown eyes were boring into mine. They shone with excitement, and in them I saw pure joy and happiness revealed in them. 

I smiled nervously at Seth, and he nodded encouragingly at me. I turned back towards our parents. I took a deep, steadying breath and began. "I am so happy that you offered me this internship. You have no idea how much this means to me! I've been wanting to go into the hotel  business my whole life." I laughed, remembering when I was little how I used to always tell my mom about what my future hotel would look like. "You know that, mom." She nodded, laughing with me. "Mommy, when I have my own hotel, it's gonna have a chocolate fountain and an olympic size pool!" My mom imitated my voice. 

I blushed and nodded. "No words can thank you enough for this oppertunity. But would it be okay if I could think about if for a couple of days?" I asked them. I honestly didn't know what they would say. I knew these openings didn't come along often, and when they did, they were almost always instantly gone. 

But, to my relief, they agreed. "That's fine." Mr. Westerfeld assured me. "I'm sorry" I gushed, "I just need some time to think it through..." Mrs. Westerfeld shook her head. "That's fine, dear, we understand it's a big decision to make." She looked at me with understanding, for which I felt grateful. 

"So, Violet would be an intern at your Santa Barbara hotel," dad stated, all business now. "That's correct." Mr. Westerfeld nodded his head. "And what jobs exactly would she be doing as an intern at your hotel?" He asked seriously. "Well, she would be doing a variety of jobs. For example," Mrs. Westerfeld said, "she would learn the important skills of managing a hotel. The school she would be attending prides itself in it's excellence in math. She would learn a lot about managing money. Plus she would help out at the check in area." Mrs. Westerfeld included. "Will she have one teacher or will a couple of different people be teaching her?" My mom asked them. Mr. Westerfeld answered this time. "She will have a main teacher but there will be various employees that will give her advice and help her learn the trade."

My parents nodded their heads seeming satisfied at the answers they recieved. But they hadn't asked an important question. "Mr. and Mrs. Westerfeld?" I asked, "would I be able to bring my car with me?" They smiled at me, replying," of course! You can bring all your pocessions if  you want to but the rooms will already be furnished." They informed me. Really? Furnished rooms? That was pretty awesome! While I was thinking this through, I realized with a start that they were still talking, and I forced myself to listen.

"And that includes school supplies and wardrobe." What? Did I hear them right? Did they just say wardrobe? "You would provide a wardrobe?" I asked incredously. I realized shock and disbelief must have been written on my face because Seth chuckled. I looked over sheepishly at him before turning my attention back to Mr. and Mrs. Westerfeld.

 Mrs. Westerfeld nodded, smiling. "Yes." "But, I mean, I can bring my own clothes." I wasn't sure how to respond. If I took the internship, I didn't want them  to have to spend too much money on me. They would already be providing me with a place to stay and a highly regarded school. 

Mrs. Westerfeld said, "Well, you can bring your own clothes if you want, but it's not really necessary. We provide all our interns with clothes." Wow. That was.... generous. I didn't know what to say. "Thank you again so much for giving me this oppertunity! And thanks for letting me take the time to think it over." I added graciously. "It's no problem at all." Mr. Westerfeld told me. "And you seem like a bright, intelligent young lady. Those are the qualities we want our interns to have." He smiled at me and I blushed at his compliment. I seemed to be blushing a lot lately. 

We started to eat dessert, chocolate cheesecake. It was amazing. I ate it slowly to make it last longer. Soon dinner was over. My parents and Mr. and Mrs. Westerfeld were waiting for the tickets when my mom suggested to me, "Hey Violet, why don't you and Seth wait outside. We'll meet you out there when we're done." She winked at him. I was happy that she was allowing me and Seth to have our alone time. I replied, "okay, thanks mom," before mouthing the words thank you.

I took Seth's hand in mine, and we walked to the front of the restaurant. Once outside, we stopped walking and sat at a bench outside of the restaurant. For a moment, we just sat there, side by side, holding hands. Then Seth looked over at me, smiling mischeviously, and scooted even closer to me than he was before. He was literally on top of me. "Close enough yet, Seth?" I teased him, laughing. He laughed with me, shrugging his shoulders. "I can never be too close to you, Violet." He responded seriously, staring into my eyes.

I smiled and snuggled up to him, putting my head on his strong, muscular chest. I could feel his heart beating through his tux and his chest was warm. Everything was perfect. I sighed contendedly, smiling, and closed my eyes. I felt Seth's hands on my hair, stroking it. In response, I snuggeled closer to him and looked up at him. 

He was looking at me with what could only be described with love in his eyes. I knew that as he was looking in mine he saw the same thing. I loved Seth so much. I know our relationship started pretty quickly, but it wasn't rashly. I was sure about that now. I really loved Seth, and I hoped that he loved me with the same passion I loved him with. 

I smied up at him, studying the stars. He continued to stroke my hair. His lips started to kiss my cheeks, and then my neck. I shivered with pleasure at his touch. His warm, gentle lips felt so right. "Look, it's the big dipper!" I said, pointing up the stars. He looked up at it. "Where?" He asked, confused. "Right there?" I said, pointing. "Oh." He said. "You don't see it do you?" I asked, laughing. He shook his head and got an embarrased look on his face. 

I repositioned my body so I was sitting on Seth's lap. "Do you mind?" I asked him. He looked at me like I was crazy. "Are you kidding?" He asked me. "I don't ever want you to move again!" I laughed at his comment and kissed his cheek. He pulled me closer and our lips met. Our lips moved together perfectly, like we had been kissing forever. Eventually, we had to pull back to breathe. 

I noticed Seth pulling something out of his tux pocket. I stared curiously, a quesioning look on my face. He looked at me, hopefully. "Will you accept this rose?" He asked me, hope entering his voice. He had gotten me flowers?! I had the sweetest boyfriend ever! No boy had ever given me flowers before. I eagerly nodded my head up and down. Seth smiled at my eager reaction. He handed the flower over to me. I held it in my hands and smelled it. 

I loved the smell of flowers. They always made me smile. I looked up at Seth again, and moved towards him. For the second time that night, we kissed. Everything was perfect.

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Thanks for reading! I added this chapter to explain how Violet's internship would work. I'll go into more details as the story goes on.