Vacation

The next morning Alice felt like everything was going to be okay for the first time in a very long time as she rose up from her slumber.

Landon's apology was something she actually wanted for a very long time and when she got it,it was one of the most satisfying thing that has ever happened to her since he helped her tie her shoelace in the ninth grade—not like he would even remember anyway.

‘Good morning'.She nodded at the chef as she whose brows rose up questionably as she walked into the kitchen

‘Good morning Madam,you seem to be in a pretty good mood this morning'.He smiled warmly as he poured her a cup of coffee.

‘Yes I am, is my husband up yet??'.She replied and felt butterflies in her belly the moment she realized that she referred Landon as her husband.

‘Yes,he left for work this morning'.The chef said and the coffee bursted it's way out of her mouth and all over her night dress in shock.

‘What?!'.

‘He left for work this—

‘I heard you loud and clear alright!! I just..I just need some time to think'.She quickly got up from the kitchen stool and proceeded to leave only for her to bump into Landon.

She froze instantly and just stood there looking at him in utter confusion—more like disbelief and with a flicker of his finger she was back to reality.

‘I thought...Alvin said you left for work already so i—

‘Well you thought wrong,I might be a cold bastard as Catherine puts it but I never break a promise'.Landon's mouth curved into a little smile and her cheeks reddened with excitement.

It felt so good seeing him in a casual beach shirt instead of a perfectly tailored suit,a smile on his face instead of a rude frown,warmth instead of gloominess and distrust.

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The private flight to Hawaii was kind of a bumpy one but the moment Alice stepped down from the last flight stair,she knew she was in the right place.

The fresh wave of the sea breeze sent her flying all over her face and luckily someone was there to help her pull it back.

‘Maybe bring a hair clip next time'.Landon smirked and walked ahead leaving a bemused expression on her face.

She wanted better and the new version of her very complex husband was something she was still getting used to.

The ride to the private beach house Landon bought was a very short one and Alice quickly rushed over to the beach like a little girl rushing down the stairs for her Christmas present on Christmas morning and Landon couldn't help but smile.

Was this the reason why Catherine and Lucas bothered him so much?.

Were they just looking out for his happiness?,he thought as he went into the house and was greeted by the newly employed staffs who immediately dispersed to their duties.

When he was sure Alice was out of sight,he grabbed his laptop and placed it on his lap but before he could even click on the power button she suddenly came out of nowhere and yanked it away.

‘What the—

‘A vacation is for having fun and not working?? Can't you just drop the laptop and forget about work even if it's for a day??'.She feigned a sad face and he rolled his eyes.

Being a good husband was harder than he thought,he thought but finally gave in.

‘Okay let's have fun as you call it'.He grunted and air quoted on the emphasis ‘Fun'.

He wasn't a man of fun.

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Night finally came and Landon groaned as Alice dragged him around the bonfire with the other beach house inhabitants who he took an instant dislike to for no good cause.

All day he had to put up with the cringy and pretty much annoying things she did for fun all because he wanted to make it up to her before they finally go their separate ways.

Separate ways??.

The thought crossed his mind over and over again and he surely was taken aback due to his sudden unwillingness to get rid of her.

The moment he said the ‘I do' word,all the thought was different ways to get rid of her and keep the partnership with her family's company afloat but now—now he was having second thoughts and after a change of scenery and letting his laptop go for a while,he finally got to know more about her.

Of course they attended the same high school and their families have been close for years but he never had time for such frivolities and when he meant frivolities—he meant her.

‘Come on don't be such a wuss? Just one shot and you don't have to dance anymore'.Alice beckoned as she urged him to take the strong substance that was clearly a high dose of alcohol.

‘As long as I don't have to dance anymore then I'm fine'.He grunted and took the substance in a large gulp.

It was very strong,he noticed as he took another gulp while seating on the boulder rock and watching Alice dance like it was her last day on Earth.

’She's a keeper'.One of the neighbors muttered and he turned around sharply.

‘Excuse me??'.

‘Ohh don't take it the wrong way,I only meant that in a good way, I'm just saying she's a woman that's worth keeping that's all...I'll...I'll get going now'.

Landon sighed deeply as he finished the whole substance inside the gourd and from a distance Alice knew he was drunk.

‘I'll be with you shortly'.She said to the interior designer she just met and rushed over to help him.

She placed her hands under his shoulder and thanks to the weights she had been lifting,she was able to take him back to the house and into his room.

‘You should get some sleep'.She whispered and turned to leave but he grabbed her arm.

‘I'll sleep only if you're right next to me.Naked'.He said as-a-matter-of-factly but she just took it as a joke.

‘Ohh now I know you're really drunk'.She chuckled and still tried to leave but he was still adamant on her staying.

’You know you're very...you're very beautiful Alice and I'm...I'm the dumb one for not saying it a long time ago'.He said in a drawl.

She knew he was drunk but his words felt so true and when his hands skimmed over her waist it was like the world shattered over her feet.

‘Are you sure we should be doing this?? I mean it's not like I don't..

‘Shhh'.He placed his finger on her mouth and shut the door.