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I slowly started to believe that I was actually in paradise. I have had never, in my life, imagined I would spend time somewhere like that. Every morning I woke up to the sound of the sea wave breaking gently on the shore, unfamiliar birds calling to each other from the trees.

I gazed up at the ceiling, watching the sunlight make beautiful patterns between the leaves. I woke up and dressed in sarongs and swimsuits. Enjoying the feeling of the warm sun on my skin and hair.

I could smell warmness around me. My pale skin grew freckled, my nails bleached, and I began to get rare happiness from the simple everything from there. Like walking on the beach, eating fresh and unfamiliar foods. Drinking fresh coconut water. Swimming in warm, clear water where colourful fishes shyly touched me or watching the fiery red sun sink into the blue horizon. Slowly the past few weeks began to slip away. To my shame, I hardly miss my family.

But we can't stay there forever, no matter how beautiful that was. I only had a few months before the exam. And I had so much to catch up. Last two months my life has been on a roller coaster. I couldn't concentrate on studying. I had lots to do.

"How long are we going to stay here?" I asked Ron attentively while eating our breakfast, pork dumplings and clear chicken meatball soup.

"Why?" Ron looked surprised.

"What do you mean by, why?" I looked at him with a more surprised expression. "We can't stay here forever. You have a job to do and in case you forgot I am still a college student. I have exams to take."

"Right." Ron nodded his head understandingly. "So, when do you want to return?"

"Tomorrow," I said promptly. "And we need to do some shopping on the mainland before heading to the airport.

"Fine with me." Ron agreed.

**********

After settling on the plane, I double-checked the gifts I bought for everyone. After checking everything I scrambled the receipts and about to throw them.

"Wait!" Ron stopped me quickly. "Don't throw them away. Give them to me."

I handed over those receipts to him with a questioning look. He took them and smoothed them flat on his thigh.

"What are you doing?" I asked him curiously. Is he up to making them into origami?!

Ron looked at me with a little shy expression. "My grandfather used to tell me that we should always keep every piece of paper. We don't know when we might need them."

"So, you always keep them?" I asked curiously. "Even KFC and McDonald's?"

"Even KFC and McDonald's." He confirmed.

"You are weird." I stared at him. Ron scratched the non-scratchy backside of his head. "But I like that." I added with a small smile on my lips. He smiled shyly.

*********

Lucy sent a luxury car with a driver to pick us up. And if I was not mistaken, it was a Limo. The inside of the Limo was spacious and luxurious. I never saw a Limo outside of the TV and then I was riding one. Soon we pulled up to Ron's penthouse in no time. Ryder and Ian both climbed out quickly and opened the door for us dutifully.

We climbed up a few stairs to the entrance of that glass-covered high building. There were five private security guards at the main entrance with uniforms.

"Welcome back, Mr. Ryan." One of them greeted Ron respectfully.

"Thank you, Jack." Ron smiled at him amiably and turned to me. "Meet my wife Mona Lisa. Liza, this is Jack, the head of our security."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Ryan." Jack smiled warmly at me. "This is my team. Greg, Chase, Mack and Lee." Jack introduced me to the remaining of them. They all smiled politely at me. I smiled back at them.

Jack tipped his hat to us politely and walked ahead of us to open the door for us carefully. We walked to the elevator. Ryder and Ian in tow, with our luggage. Ron entered a code in the Keypad next to the elevator.

The vast stainless steel door opened and a large, spacious elevator interior with Italian marble flooring and mirrored wall covering all sides appeared. Some soothing music started to play softly from an invisible speaker.

"You have to enter the code, or you can use the key card. The key card will grant you access to the elevator that takes you to our house." He showed me the place to insert the key card into the slot machine underneath the glass buttons. Ron held out two metallic platinum key cards in front of me. "I issued two for you. Keep one on your person at all times and keep one somewhere safe."

When the heavy steel door opened we stepped into a spacious hall with two dark chocolate doors. Ryder opened one door for us and we entered a foyer with a dark maroon U shaped leather sofa surrounding a dark mahogany wooden table.

"The elevator is the main door. No one can enter without the code or the key-card. Well, there is an emergency key card. Only Jack can use that. But you don't have to worry about that."

So, the elevator was the main door.

"But, When I came last time at your birthday party, we didn't use any of them," I asked him curiously.

"That day I set up security to enter my guests with a face identity system," He answered smilingly.

That penthouse looked different from the last time I visited. There was a beautiful old-style fireplace with a modern touch. Two recliner chairs were facing them. A giant flat-screen television hangs on the wall above the fireplace. A marble top bar complete with matching cigar brown leather counter stools. That bar was organised with rare collections of alcohol.

As usual magnificent pictures covered up those high stark white walls, with beautiful photo frames. That place was massive and too big for one person. The floors were covered with dark polished wood. Bedroom floors were covered with expensive soft carpet. The maximum area was surrounded with large floor to ceiling windows, draped with dark maroon silk curtains.

On the left beside us, there was a spacious kitchen area. The kitchen was built with snow-white marble flooring. The countertops and cabinet doors were black. They looked beautiful with white surroundings. There was one massive refrigerator and one massive freezer with the same blacktop coverings. Next part of the kitchen has a glass wall, which I assumed was the dining area. A huge dining table was placed with twelve chairs.

But I was surprised when I saw a large terrace which was covered with glasses to turn it into a greenhouse. The terrace was decorated with many seasonal flowers. I can get a great view of the busy London City from there.

Picturesque.

"Welcome home, Mr Ryan." A beautiful lady in her thirties greeted us with a warm smile on her face. She was wearing a dark blue dress with a white sash. She was only wearing socks.

"Thanks, Stacy." Ron smiled back and kissed her glowing cheek gently. Stacy looked at me keenly. Her smile touched her eyes. I liked her instantly.

"Liza, she is Stacy. She took care of me and the house. Stacy, this is my wife Mona Lisa."

"It's really a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Ryan." Stacy extended her hand to me graciously.

"Same here." I smiled at her amiably as I took her hand.

"Would you like to have some tea or coffee?" She offered us gently. Ron looked at me.

"Nah, I am fine." I declined her offer politely as I shook my head.

"Anything to eat?" She asked again.

"No, thanks." And I shook my head again.

"It was a long journey. Why don't you freshen up and take some rest."

"That's a great idea." I smiled gratefully.

Ryder and Ian were waiting for us at the door humbly.

"Can you please, put those luggage in the master bedroom," Stacy asked them gently. Ryder and Ian lifted up our luggage and followed Stacy.

"Ron." I hesitated a little before calling Ron. Ron looked at me wonderingly.

"If you don't mind, can I ask you for something?" I chewed my inner gum lightly.

"Sure, anything." He smiled reassuringly.

"It's....just...I...think, I mean....?" I picked on my nails as I looked down on my feet timidly.

"You can just take the master bedroom," Ron answered me calmly before I could form a sentence. I looked up quickly at him. I stared at him for a few moments. A relieved smile slowly took over my expression.

"Thanks," I said. "And no, I will take any other room. It will be difficult for you to shift your things in another room." I smiled contentedly.

"It's totally...."

"Please, don't make me feel worse than I am feeling right now," I said positively.

"Okay, fine." He agreed at last. "But you are very welcome to use that room at any time. Alright?"

"Alright." I smiled gaily.

***********

"How was your trip?" Oli asked me as soon as I sat beside them in botany class.

"It was beautiful," I told them as I took out all those local souvenirs I bought for them. "That place was amazing. We should definitely go there together."

"Will you bring Ian with you?" Rose asked with a serious tone.

"Umm, he is my bodyguard. Of course, he will come with me." I stated the fact.

"Fine with me," Rose answered promptly. I shook my head while laughing. Oli rolled her eyes.

"Then, let's make a plan for our next vacation," Oli announced excitedly.

**********

"Hey, did you fill out the form?" Mia, my lab partner, asked me after our two hours of nervous system dissection on the octopus.

"What form?" I asked as I pressed hard on my nose bridge. I was getting a headache by searching for those fine lines of the nervous system for hours, under that strong light.

"ZSL is requiring some interns. Today is the last day to fill-up the form." Mia informed me.

"How long?" I forgot my terrific headache instantly.

"For almost one month."

Shit!

"Thanks for letting me know," I said and walked out of the class in a hurry. Actually ran out.

I was too busy with the wedding and all that shit. I hoped I was not too late. I couldn't miss that opportunity. I almost ran towards my car. I threw my car keys to Ian.

"Drive fast," I ordered him firmly.

Ian quickly took charge. I opened my phone as soon as I settled on my seat. I tried to open the site. But thanks to the bad network it wasn't opening.

"Welcome back, Mrs Ryan. Do you need..." Stacy came to me as soon as I entered through the door

"No, I am fine. Thank you, Stacy." I smiled at her as I walked to my room hurriedly.

I entered my room and opened my laptop hastily. But it seemed everything was against me. My laptop started to update everything automatically. I walked back and forth but it was still updating. I came out of the room.

"Stacy, do we have a PC or any laptop here?" I found Stacy in the kitchen.

"Mr Ryan has one in his room." She informed me.

"Thanks." I quickly dashed to Ron's room. I hesitated a little before entering the room. I guess it was okay. Ron gave me the permission to use that room if I needed to.

The room was almost the same as the last time I saw it. I found the latest model of the Apple MacBook on his study table. I quickly turn it on. It opened without any password. And to my surprise, the site opened very easily. I started to fill out the form. I started to feel not only my headache but my back pain slowly getting worse. I carefully carried the laptop and went to bed. I made myself comfortable at his bed and leaned back a little to the headrest. I went to the next requirement.

Why the heck did they want to know about my sexual orientation? It was not like I am going to have sex with....

"I double-checked those necessary documents and sent them to Mr Karl." I was sitting on the bed and filling up the form, when Ron walked in, talking seriously on his phone.

"And I sent one set to you also. I want you to send them to Daniel to make sure he will take them with him to the meeting." He threw his Armani suit on the bed without looking in my direction. He loosened his dark brown tie and threw it at the small couch. He took off his white shirt and threw it beside his tie. I slowly got up from my sitting position and stood there awkwardly. Ron didn't notice my presence in his room. He was facing his study table. He tilted his head a little and held the phone in between his right shoulder and head to free his hands...to undo his trousers.

I was frozen on my spot, totally clueless what to do.

He slowly started to turn towards me.

"JESUS CHRIST!" He got startled and let go of the phone from his shoulder trap when he saw me.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry." I started to apologise instantly. "I was just using the laptop. Mine is updating."

"No, no, It's okay." He picked up his phone. "I was just a little surprised, I guess." He went back to the call. "Jess, I'll call you later."

"You carry on. I'll take a shower." He went to his attached bathroom.

It has been a while since I saw Ron shirtless. And as far as I tried to ignore the fact, still, it was....sexy. His toned chest, his ripped abdomen, his prominent V-line, his....

I shook my head vigorously to throw out those weird thoughts.

Concentrate Liza. Concentrate.

"Do you need any help?" Ron asked me as he got out of the shower and took the next seat beside me. He was wearing a half sleeved black t-shirt and a pair of grey trousers.

I took a sharp breath.

His fresh citrus scented shower gel was not helping me in that situation. I started to lose my mind.

It was too close. So, I moved slightly away from Ron. But I totally forgot that I was at the very edge of the bed. So, I lost my balance and was ready to fall from the bed.

But, I didn't.

Ron caught me in my waist right before I could fall from the bed. He was holding on to the headboard with his right hand while his left arm was holding me. I trailed my eyes on those prominent blue veins which popped up with his muscle stretch.

I blinked. My hair swept lightly to the floor but still, I was safe thanks to Ron's reflex.

Ron chuckled under his breath.

"Are you all right?" I felt my throat dry. I nodded my head.

Ron slowly pulled me to get back to the bed, but he didn't let me go. I gulped hard. I put both palms on Ron's hard chest. And I immediately regret that, because I could feel his body warmth and raced heartbeats.

"Between the days we've been together..." Ron said in a soft whisper. "Is there a day when I can finally grow something on you?"

I blinked nervously and bit my lower lip. I slowly looked at his blue eyes.

"Not yet?" Ron asked while smiling sadly.

I avoided his eyes and gazed at my palms on his chest.

"My work is done," I said with a dry throat.

Ron chuckled and let me go slowly. I got up from the bed and was ready to leave. I paused and looked at him.

"I didn't say, though, I won't." I quickly left the room after finishing my sentence. I couldn't wait to see Ron's reaction.

I entered my room and closed the door quickly. I banged my head on the closed door again and again.

Damn you, stupid heart.

**********

Author's Note:

Yeah, I also agree this chapter sucks.

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