We finally arrived at our destination, Pearl Shore Beach.

We had come through the back, through a tunnel of sorts, and when we emerged, the scenery was nothing short of stunning. Even though the buildings blocked most of the view of the sea, I was still in awe. We were surrounded by greenery and hills. The destination itself seemed to be surrounded by hills, forming a large semi-circle of sorts around the destination. I could see hills on all sides in the distance other than where the sea met land.

Most, if not all of the buildings brought out an aspect of nature. They were made with different types of wood and brought out a variety of different shades of brown. They were simple yet gorgeous and I had no doubt this destination made lots of money a year, though I wondered why I had never heard of or seen it until now.

I assumed that this was where we would part with the guys, that they would go to their hotel and we would go to ours, but fate had it that they were not only spending the weekend here like we were, but they had booked the same all-inclusive package as us. This meant we would not only be staying in the same hotel, but we would be doing the same activities too, and who knew what else.

Serena was elated to hear this, but I wasn't. Probably not as elated as I would have been if, say, the guy I found attractive wasn't engaged.

Faizah pulled up in the car park of the hotel and the guys parked beside us. The hotel, like most of the buildings here, was made of wood, but unlike most of the buildings, it was huge. It was large enough to obscure the sight of the sea and I wondered what exactly was in there. It definitely wasn't just the usual bedrooms and restaurants, there had to be much, much more in that building. I wondered how I afforded the trip even with the discount.

"Whoever can afford a trip like this with no need for a discount must be loaded," Serena breathed, mirroring my earlier thought.

"So what, like your friends in the convertible?" Ally asked soft enough for only us to hear. "Your friends are attractive and rich? Would it be so bad if you got to know them a little bit more?"

"Just because they're probably rich?" I asked.

"Because they're rich and hot," Ally emphasised.

"Well, Serena does nothing more than flirt," I pointed out. "And the other guy is kinda engaged."

"There's nothing wrong if you go after him," Ally said softly as I handed her her suitcase. "He hasn't said his vows yet."

"Ally, are you mad?" I questioned.

"I think we've all established that yes, she is mad," Faizah chimed in beside her.

"But if I were you," Ally continued, "I would so go after him."

"Then please, go ahead and do the honours."

"Nah, he's cute but he's not my type personality-wise."

"Why? Cause he doesn't seem toxic?" Serena remarked, jumping out of the rear of the truck and onto the ground before grabbing her suitcase.

She had obviously meant it as a joke, but Ally being Ally responded, "Precisely," and then walked off with her suitcase.

"That child needs help," Faizah sighed.

"Nah, Faiz, she needs a lot more than just help," I said as I made to grab her suitcase from the rear of the pickup truck, but I failed to lift it high enough for Faizah to grab it.

"Oh come on, it can't be that heavy," Faizah said.

"With what you packed, I wouldn't be surprised if it's heavy," Serena observed.

"Here," Elliot offered before he flawlessly jumped into the truck without using the leverage of the wheel. "I'll help."

He approached me and effortlessly picked up the suitcase, his muscles flexing with the action. It was then that I noticed just how well-built was. Broad shoulders, strong chest and biceps and—

Oh my gosh, I was being like Ally who studied every feature of a guy's build. Unlike her, I wasn't obsessed with muscles, but I couldn't help but notice them. Elliot wasn't big and brawny or anything, but he sure was in great shape. Excellent shape.

I mumbled a thank you and stepped to the side as Elliot handled the suitcase. Reed appeared to receive the bag from him.

"Whoa," Reed groaned as he placed the bag on the ground. "Aren't you ladies only staying for two days?"

"Don't ask," Serena said with a pointed glance at Faizah.

"You can never be over-prepared," Faizah claimed before taking and pulling her suitcase along the gravel of the car park towards the hotel.

"That suitcase is the definition of over-prepared," Serena said as she grabbed her suitcase and walked off, Reed following in tow.

Suddenly fully aware that Elliot and I were left behind, I jumped out of the truck and made to grab my suitcase but he handed it to me before jumping out himself.

"Why didn't you just open the tailgate?" Elliot asked. "It would have been far easier that way."

"If you haven't noticed, we don't tend to go for easy."

"Because you like a challenge?"

"Because we only think of the easier way after the task has been completed," I corrected.

Elliot softly chuckled, and I didn't like the way the sound of his laugh made me feel.

****

It was an effort to keep my mouth clamped shut when I entered the hotel. We were only in the reception but the reception itself was magnificent. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high roof, there was a water fountain on either side of the large expanse, and leather chairs were placed around the mini rock formations which acted as tables. I could see my reflection in the white tiles and in the large mirrors that were subtly placed all around the room.

Beyond the reception desk were two large glass doors which led to the sea beyond and I felt inclined to go there when a hand suddenly took my hand and stopped me in my tracks.

"Let's first get checked in and put our bags down before exploring, alright?" Faizah advised.

"Oh, right."

"Hello!" The receptionist chirped with what sounded to be a strong French accent when we arrived at the desk. She wore a blue and white uniform and had a tag with the name 'Marinette' pinned on it. I had to say that she was the prettiest and cheeriest receptionist I had ever seen in my life. But then again, if I were a receptionist here I would be nothing short of cheery. "Have you already booked? Please may I have your names?"

We gave her our full names and she typed at her keyboard before handing us four identical keycards and four yellow wristbands with golden streaks.

"The key cards are for obvious functions," Marinette said with a friendly smile. "But the wristbands are for identification so that the staff know you've paid for an all-inclusive trip. It will be scanned before every activity you do and every meal you eat to keep track. There is also $50 in each band to purchase whatever souvenirs you want," she added with a wink. "Enjoy your stay!"

Just then, five staff members dressed in blue and white uniforms approached us. Four took our bags and one instructed us to follow them. He led us into an elevator which was walled with mirrors before pressing the button for the fourth floor, but just before the doors closed a hand reached through, forcing the doors to open again.

"Hope you've got room for two more," Reed said as he and Elliot stepped into the elevator and it so happened that Elliot ended up beside me.

I tried to ignore his closeness and cursed myself when I failed to. It wasn't a big deal, and I was 23 for crying out loud, it wasn't like I'd never stood next to a man in an elevator before. I'd done much more than just standing next to a man, so why was I so aware of his presence?

"He's affecting you, isn't he?" Ally suddenly whispered into my ear and I shot her a look before looking around the elevator in a panic to make sure no one had heard her.

"Ally!" I silently seethed.

"What?" She said innocently. "They can't hear me. I'm speaking lower the elevator music," she pointed out. "Plus, I would be affected too if I were beside someone as hot as him."

And with that, she hit my hip with hers, hard enough to make mine hit against Elliot's.

"Sorry," I blurted out and I was so glad I wasn't white because I knew for a fact that I would have been blushing like crazy and turning into a cherry right about now.

Thankfully, the elevator stopped, and before things got any more awkward I exited the doors as soon as they opened.

"Someone's excited," I heard Ally say from behind me. "But this isn't our floor, love."

I stopped in my tracks and looked back. Ally pointed up and I saw the number above the elevator was 3. I could have sworn the man escorting us had pressed 4, but I must not have noticed him press 3 because I was too distracted by Elliot.

Curses.

The man was engaged for goodness' sake. Why was I getting distracted by a taken man?

I spun on my heels and walked back toward the elevator, but as fate had it, just before I walked past Elliot, I tripped, but before Elliot could extend his hand to help me up, I leapt up from the ground on my own and exclaimed, "I did that on purpose," before entering the elevator, but I didn't turn around, keeping my back to the doors.

"Smooth," Ally coughed, and I only rolled my eyes in response.

When I heard the elevator doors closing I turned around again and caught a glimpse of Elliot's smile before the doors closed.

"Looks like you amuse him," Ally breathed.

I could only gape at her. She was such a bad influence.