When you tell the world you're mine

Chapter 21: Continua lindo

Carol had two weeks to cry, watch girly movies with her best friend and mom, eat lots of ice cream and chocolates and feel miserable for the end of her relationship. She did her best to get over the 'i'm moving on' part of a break up. She had jumped right in. She had very low days, but now it was time to climb back. She was done suffering for him. She was done crying. He wasn't worth a single tear she shed. She was way past the phase that she only wanted to stay in. But now she just wanted to not think about it. She packed her bag, she choose the best outfits and she was decided to make this trip count.

She arrived at Santos Dumont Airport in a sunny day in late April. She was glad Rio had been faithful to it's nickname (Hell de Janeiro) and stayed warm even in the fall. She quickly got a taxi and was on her way to her hotel. She had chosen the Marina Palace hotel in Leblon, close to the beach and near the Two Brothers Mountain . She was the first of the group to arrive and checked in before heading to her bedroom. She received a text from Harry saying they were on their way to the hotel just when she was opening her door.

Carol took a shower and put her bikini and a coverall. She didn't want to lose any time. She wanted to go to the beach and enjoy what Rio offered best: sun, water and natural beauty to see. She heard when her friends arrived because they were loud and cheering on the corridor. She ran to the door and opened it to greet them.

Carol and Lara greeted each other on the corridor to their rooms (they had an exclusive floor just for them and Carol was hoping no one would spot Harry, otherwise their vacation would be ruined). They hugged each other and both of them were saying it had been a long time.

"What about me? Have you missed me?" Skippy asked with open arms and a big smile.

"OF COURSE!!!" she hugged Harry's friends not caring that they weren't used to this kind of greetings.

She also greeted Bill, the ever faithful personal bodyguard of Harry's. That's when they spotted each other and their smirk turned into a full smile, he went to her and hugged her a bit more tighter than the others and they held the embrace for more time than they really needed to. Skippy only blinked at his wife.

"Carol, let me introduce you to my friends. This is Arthur and this is his wife, Alessandra." the prince said after parting their hug but still being pretty close to her.

She was a bit more reserved with them, but she greeted them politely.

"Ok, you all have exactly ten minutes to change to more appropriate clothes. I want to go to the beach soon."

"Always so bossy..." Harry said under his breath.

"What did you say?" she asked him putting her hands on her hips.

"Nothing. I'm going to get changed."

"Good." she answered. "You have exactly ten minutes, Wales."

She waited for them and was surprised to see that the girls changed faster than the boys. They were knocking on their doors every now and then until they left and they were all headed to the beach. Carol knew that Bill was probably on a nightmare trip, but as long as no one spotted Harry there, he'd be fine. No one in Brazil really paid attention to the British Royal Family unless it was a big event or announcement. So they'd be fine. She led the way but they really only had to cross the street. She went to the nearby kiosk and rented chairs, a table and sun umbrellas. She advised them to really apply sunscreen because even in fall, Rio's temperature was something they weren't used to. 

Alessandra and Arthur soon warmed up to Carol and they all took pictures together. She spread a beach towel on the sand and put her hair a bun. She took off her coverall. Harry was drinking the first of many caipirinha drinks (which was just sugar, vodka, lemon juice and ice) and was thankful for his sunglasses. He was literally checking her out. She had an amazing body and her curves only made her even more beautiful, she didn't have any scars or bruises from the incident and he was glad for it, nothing should be left for her to remember those days and her smooth skin should stay as perfect as it was right now. She asked Lara to apply sunscreen on her back and he had to bit his tongue to not ask to do it himself. Skippy was observing his friend and threw a sea shell at him.