SHARING EMMA [18+]

18. Glimmer of Joy

|EMMA|

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" I asked, unsure, as Ryker guided me towards the villa he had been occupying. I wasn't surprised that he wasn't staying in the same villa as his father, Carlos, or the one where Carlos had arranged for my stay.

Ryker didn't answer me, but instead flashed me a reassuring smile. As we walked, I couldn't help but admire the beautiful scenery around us. The island was a paradise, and I felt lucky to be there.

Finally, we arrived at his villa, and Ryker opened the door, gesturing for me to enter first. The interior was just as beautiful as the outside, with large windows offering a stunning view of the beach.

"Damn, this place is gorgeous," I said, turning to Ryker.

He shrugged. "It's okay, I guess."

His reaction left me unsure of how to interpret it, but I had to remind myself that being around anything involving his father was a struggle for him. After all, the entire island was being developed using nothing but his father's money and hard work. It made me wonder why Ryker had even agreed to come here in the first place. How had Carlos convinced his son to be on the same island as both him and me?

Ryker led me to the living room, which was spacious and elegantly decorated. The walls were adorned with beautiful artwork, and the furniture looked expensive and comfortable. As we walked through the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty and luxury of the villa.

He then showed me the bedroom, which was just as stunning as the rest of the villa. The king-sized bed was adorned with soft, fluffy pillows and a plush comforter. The room was bright and airy, with large windows that looked out onto the ocean.

But the real treat was at the back of the villa. Ryker led me outside to the pool, which was surrounded by lush greenery and overlooked the ocean. The water was crystal clear and shimmered in the sunlight. It was the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun.

I turned to Ryker, a smile spreading across my face. "This is amazing, Ryker. Thank you for bringing me here."

He gave me a small smile, but his eyes were guarded. I knew there was something he wasn't telling me, but I didn't want to push him. For now, I was content to enjoy the beautiful villa and forget about my problems.

As Ryker went to fetch us some drinks, the staff began to arrive, introducing themselves one by one with their names and positions. This was their way of ensuring that we could reach out to them if there was anything we needed during our stay.

Once the staff finished their introductions and left to resume their duties, Ryker turned to me with a gentle smile on his face. "You should stay here," he suggested, and I couldn't help but consider what Carlos would think. I knew he wouldn't be entirely against it, but it only seemed fair to let him know. Plus, I wanted to be there for Ryker. He was carrying so much pain on his shoulders, and I wanted to be a supportive presence for him.

"I would like that," I replied, and a glimmer of joy appeared in his eyes. However, I knew that what I was going to say next would upset him once again. But it had to be said; there was no way around it. "But I think I should talk to your dad about this."

As expected, Ryker's expression turned into a frown. "You don't need his approval, Emma. Forget him and come stay with me. I'll make sure you're taken care of and forget all about him," he urged, his grip on my hand tightening.

In an attempt to placate him, I held his hand firmly, offering him a small, reassuring smile. "I appreciate your concern, Ryker, but your dad is also my boss. He's the one who invited me here, and I owe it to him to inform him of my whereabouts. It's only fair, don't you think?"