The Mystery of Us (You and Me Against the World)

Chapter Twenty Eight

It's been a week already since Nicole was discharged from the hospital.

David walks to the living room and sits on the couch.

CJ looks at her brother. "Don't be so hard on yourself, David."

David massages his temples. "She seems different. So distant and cold."

CJ sits on the couch. "You've gone through this, Dave. You know what to do."

"I can't even hold her, CJ and it's killing me. I want her, I want her so bad but I just couldn't force myself to her," David's feeling desperate.

"Are you just going to give up? Nicole didn't give up on you. Not a single moment. She may have kept a distance but she didn't give up on you." CJ tells her brother.
~~

CJ's talking with her sister Caroline over the phone and they talk about David's upcoming 30th birthday.

CJ' grins. "Okay, so just to recap... We have the villa prepared already, right? With that perfect view of the ocean?

Caroline's feeling excited. "Yes! I can just picture it now. The ocean waves crashing, everyone mingling on the patio. It's going to be incredible!"

CJ's smiling while looking at David's birthday invite. "And I'm so glad we got those world-renowned chefs on board. David is going to be blown away. There's nothing he loves more than gourmet food."

"Exactly! I mean, who else gets to eat dishes crafted by Michelin-star chefs? And speak of which, the menu... What was it again?," Caroline responded.

CJ's scrolling down on her iPad. "Oh! It's a fusion of Italian and Asian cuisine. Remember? Truffle risotto spring rolls and that to-die-for lobster bao?"

Caroline chuckles. "Yes! Absolute perfection! And I can't wait for the great variety of cocktails. The lavender mojitos from that mixologist to the strong Cuban Tequila!"

CJ agrees. "Totally, and I love that we decided on a 'Tropical Wonderland' theme for the drinks. Dinner will be so elegant, but then the cocktail hour... pure fun!"

Caroline's feeling proud of herself. "I already hired a DJ who's gonna be firing and bring out all that energy and of course, I wouldn't be forgetting those sexy girls who will be giving our brother an up close and  personal Las Vegas showgirl kind of peformance!"

"Whoa, I wasn't expecting that you would acutally do that,"says CJ.

"Ohh sissy, our brother deserves it! He needs to loosen up a bit and have fun! We all know that he has been through a lot for the past year and I guess, David needs a big break. It will be a very special night just for our dear brother?" Caroline sounded a little sad thinking of what David has gone through.

A moment of comfortable silence before CJ begins to speak again.

"Well you're right and the most special part is the gift we have for him. I know he will be jumping out for joy when he sees the car we bought for him." CJ speaks up.

"It'll be the biggest surprise ever!" Caroline smiles.
~~~

David strides out of a conference room, deep in thought. Kit, his efficient secretary, follows closely behind, jotting down notes on her tablet. Timothy, his eager assistant, trails a bit behind, flipping through a folder filled with documents.

David mutters to himself.  "Fifteen percent increase in shipping costs? This is getting out of hand."

Kit's talking to Douglas. "I have Douglas on the line."