SHARING EMMA [18+]

14. Flutter of Nerves

|EMMA|

As soon as my plane landed, a well-dressed man warmly welcomed me and escorted me towards a private jet, which stood gleaming on the runway. The plane exuded luxury from every corner, with its plush seats, soft carpeting, and tasteful decor. The fully stocked bar looked enticing, with rows of wine and champagne bottles glistening under the warm lights.

As I made myself comfortable on the soft seat, I felt the plane rev up its engines and start to take off. The sound of the engines and the gentle rocking motion of the plane made me feel both exhilarated and relaxed at the same time. I reached out for a glass of champagne and took a sip, feeling the bubbles tickle my throat and the alcohol slowly calming my nerves. With a contented sigh, I leaned back and allowed myself to sink into the comfort of the moment.

After a while, the flight attendant approached me with a menu, offering a selection of gourmet meals and drinks. I perused the options, feeling almost overwhelmed by the extravagance of it all. Eventually, I settled on a glass of red wine and a decadent cheese plate, feeling myself relax even further as I indulged in the luxurious experience.

As the plane continued its journey, I gazed out the window, taking in the stunning views of the clouds and the vast expanse of the ocean below. For a moment, I forgot all about Carlos, Ryker, and my life overall, and allowed myself to simply be in the moment, enjoying the sheer opulence of it all. Eventually, the plane began to descend, and I felt a flutter of nerves return to my stomach.

As soon as I stepped off the plane, a well-dressed man greeted me with a warm smile and led me to a waiting limousine. The sleek black vehicle was waiting for us just a few steps away, its engine purring quietly. The driver opened the door for me, and I couldn't help but feel a bit like royalty as I slid into the plush leather seat.

As the car pulled away, I gazed out of the window at the stunning view. The sun was just beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the sea. The drive was smooth and quiet, the only sound the hum of the engine and the soft music playing in the background.

The limousine pulled up to a large villa, and the driver opened the door for me once again. I stepped out and was immediately greeted by the sight of Carlos himself, standing at the entrance with a smile on his face.

"Welcome to my humble abode, Emma." Carlos opened his arms wide, beckoning me to come closer. Without hesitation, I stepped into his embrace, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. It had been so long since we had seen each other, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions overwhelm me.

As we pulled back from the embrace, I looked at him closely, taking in every detail of his appearance. He looked healthy and happy, and it seemed as though he had been taking good care of himself. I wondered what he had been up to since we last spoke, but for now, I was content just to be in his company.

"I can't believe you own an entire freakin' island. How wealthy are you exactly?" I teased, poking my finger playfully at Carlos' chest.

He chuckled and wrapped his arm around me, guiding me towards the villa's entrance. "I'm just a humble billionaire." He teased back, tossing a wink in the mix.

As we walked into the villa, the air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers and the gentle sound of water from the fountain. Tall marble columns with intricate carvings flanked the entrance, and in the center of the courtyard, the grand fountain added a touch of elegance to the surroundings. Inside, I was taken aback by the sheer opulence of the place. The fixtures were gold, the sofas plush velvet, and the large windows offered breathtaking views of the ocean.

Carlos led me up the grand staircase to a bedroom fit for royalty. The balcony doors were open, letting in the sound of the ocean waves and a salty breeze that caressed my skin. The king-sized bed was a luxurious oasis of plush pillows and silk linens that beckoned me to take a nap. The en-suite bathroom was a masterpiece of marble and glass, with a Jacuzzi tub and a spacious shower that promised a relaxing soak. I stood by the balcony, gazing out at the endless expanse of turquoise water, feeling a sense of awe and wonder. The cool ocean breeze blew my hair back, and I closed my eyes, letting the peacefulness of the moment wash over me.

I felt a warm hand land on my shoulder, causing me to spin around to face Carlos. His dark, intense gaze locked onto mine, and I found myself momentarily stunned. "I hope this room meets your expectations," he said, sweeping his arm out in front of him to indicate the opulent space. "I instructed the architect to design it just the way you like it."

I stood there in disbelief, surveying the room with wide eyes. Every detail, from the color scheme to the decor, was precisely to my taste. It was as if Carlos had studied my every preference and incorporated them into the design. The sheer thoughtfulness of the gesture was overwhelming, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

"Carlos...I...I don't understand?" There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but that was all that came out of my mouth.

Carlos scratched his forehead with his index finger, his brow furrowed in thought. "Three years ago, I bought this island. I had big plans to develop it into a world-class vacation destination for families and couples alike. But the construction around here has been dragging on forever, and the stress has been building up."

He let out a deep sigh and walked over to the dressing table, picking up a perfume bottle and inspecting it absentmindedly. "Last month's incident with Ryker had me thinking. I realized that we all needed a break from our chaotic lives and have some time to ourselves."

Carlos turned towards me, his gaze warm and intense, as he reached out and took my hands in his. "Emma, I want to fix my relationship with my son, and I believe you're the only one who can help me do that," he said, his voice earnest.

Perplexed, I asked, "Help you how?"

"By answering one simple question," he said, setting down the perfume bottle on the dressing table. He walked towards me and held my hands tightly. "Do you have feelings for my son?"

His question caught me off guard and I found myself struggling to come up with an answer. I couldn't deny that Ryker had been on my mind a lot lately, but the idea of admitting my feelings to Carlos made me feel uneasy. Our arrangement was already complicated enough without adding a love triangle to the mix.

I nervously chewed on my bottom lip and avoided Carlos's gaze, feeling a lump form in my throat. He must have sensed my hesitation because he let go of my hands and stepped closer, gently cupping my face with his hands.

"Emma, please don't worry about me," he said, his voice soft and reassuring. "Whatever happened between us is in the past. Right now, all that matters is Ryker and you. So I'm going to ask you again, do you have feelings for him?"

I took a deep breath and met his gaze, feeling a rush of emotions flood through me. I couldn't lie to him, not when he was being so honest and vulnerable with me.

"Yes," I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I do have feelings for him."

He smiled, as if he knew what I was going to say.

"But what I feel doesn't matter, does it?" I groaned. "I'm pretty sure he hates me. It will be a wonder if he would want to even see me."

"Put your worries aside," he assured me. "He will want to see you, and I'm sure he'll be pleased with what he sees."

Another wave of confusion washed over me, and I furrowed my brows. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"You're just tired," he reassured me, brushing some stray curls out of my face and placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Why don't you freshen up and take a little nap? We'll reconvene for dinner, and I'll explain everything then."

I nodded, realizing that he was right. The jetlag must have been getting to me, clouding my ability to comprehend. I needed a shower and some rest to clear my head.

"Alright," I sighed, and I gave him a weak smile. "I'll see you at dinner."

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