Chapter 17 - The resort.

"Do you really have to go?"

Malory asked Cara as she packed the last of her things. The suitcase was already looking filled up and she still had to pack some more things.

Cara nodded her head.

"This is a very important convention and Mr Kurosaki is a long time investor."

Malory shrugged.

"I just thought that since Alex is the CEO he'd want to go instead of you."

Cara nodded.

"Yes. But I told him I wanted to go in his place. And he's desperately trying to get on my good side so he agreed."

"Besides. I really need a huge break."

She sighed as she pulled strands of her hair away from her face.

She put her hands on her waist as she looked at everything, her bedroom was a complete mess.

She had spent hours picking out what she was going to wear and making sure everything matched.
There was a big pool at the resort and Cara could already imagine soaking up the sun while at the pool.

She had packed a couple of swimsuits too, she was so relieved Alex wasn't coming with her.

She didn't really want to see him. Spending a few days alone would be good for her.

"Mr Kurosaki owns this gorgeous spring resort in New Jersey and a few days alone to myself actually sounds like a splendid idea."

Malory nodded.

"Yea. I guess you're right. You must be super stressed about all the wedding stuff going on. You deserve a break."

"Yes. I know you're going to miss me but I'm trusting you on the wedding arrangements. I know you'll do good."

Cara patted Malory on her back as she finished packing her suitcase

She didn't need so many things, but she couldn't help it, if only she could stay in the resort forever and never come back to New York.

That of course would be splendid.

And she was also really looking forward to the convention. Mr Kurosaki had taken a huge liking to her and she felt like she could use that to her advantage.

She was dragging her suitcase to the living room with the help of Malory when Alex walked in as usual.

He had an habit of not knocking, something that always infuriated Care.

"Hey! Hello."

Malory gave him a slight wave while Cara was content with ignoring his presence.

"Do you need anything else?"

He asked.

"No."

Cara replied sharply while also avoiding his gaze.

It's been almost four days since what happened at the office and he and Cara had not been able to smooth things out without getting into a screaming match.

It was exhausting.

The first day he had come over to her place to apologise she wasn't home and somehow that had infuriated him, especially when he could smell alcohol on her when she walked in.

He knew she was upset, but he had not expected her to be so upset about it.

That was why he agreed for her to go to the convention. Perhaps a few days at the resort will calm her down and then they could continue on like nothing ever happened.

"I'll be driving you to New Jersey."

Cara shook her head quickly.

"No. You're not. I don't want you anywhere near me. What are you even doing here?"

Alex shrugged.

"I came to say goodbye."

Cara stopped and waved a little at him.

"Well, that's your goodbye."

"You can leave now."

Alex turned to Malory.

"Hey Malory. Can you give us a moment please."

Malory nodded as she dropped the suitcase.

"Yes, no problem."

Alex walked up to Cara.

She was dressed in mini denim shorts and a dark grey midriff top.

Her hair was in a high ponytail and there was an oily sheen of sweat on her tired face.

She must have been packing or doing something else for a while.

"It's been three days Cara! I'm so sick and tired of your antics."

Cara folded her arms and ignored Alex as he paced around the room.

"I already apologised but it seems like you're mad at me for something else. Which I frankly don't understand."

Cara scoffed.

"Oh you know very well what's going on. If you think an apology will suddenly make what you did go away then you must be joking."

"Cara, you know I don't make the decisions here..."

"Alex I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"I just want to go to New Jersey, attend the convention and have a few days to myself without you breathing down on my neck every damn minute."

Alex nodded.

"Okay. I'll be here when you're back."

"And hopefully we'll be able to talk out everything that's going on with us."

Cara resisted the urge to roll her eyes."

"I mean... We're going to be getting married soon. I wouldn't want us to start on the wrong foot."

He added and Cara shrugged.

"Honestly I could care less. Now, will you please leave so I can at least concentrate on what I'm doing?"

She asked and Alex sighed.

He opened his mouth to say something but he quickly decided not to.

"Alright then. Call me when you're in New Jersey."

"Sure."

With that he left her apartment just as quickly as he walked in and Malory walked out of Cara's bedroom with a frown on her face.

"Listen, I know you're really upset about the company stuff and all, but like he said, it's not his fault."

"It doesn't hurt to forgive him a little bit. You're not making it very easy for him."

Cara raised an eyebrow.

"Whose side are you on? The best friend you've known for years or the fiancé she's being forced to marry?"

Malory chuckled.

"You of course. I just want you to know that if you're at least going to marry Alex, the two of you should be nice to each other."

"Noted Malory. I'll be taking that into consideration at the resort."

"I think I have everything packed and ready to go."

She said with a big smile on her face after she got around packing her stuff.

"Great! I'll get these in your car. Have anything else in mind to carry along?"

Cara shook her head.

"No, I'm good. Will you be fine with my wedding planner and Mrs Greene?"

She asked with slight anxiety in her voice. She knew Malory had agreed to help her plan the wedding but she didn't know if she would be willing to work with Mrs Greene and get a wedding planner.

Malory shrugged.

"Sure! I will be. It's the least I can do."

"Great!"

"I'll call you the minute I get to the resort."




Nicholas logged in the resort as soon as he arrived. He had planned to say hello to Mr Kurosaki, his host before he went up to his room but he was way too tired.

He had met up with a couple of his friends the night before. They had spent an ungodly amount of time in clubs, drinking, drinking and more drinking. He had almost forgot about the convention.

Luckily his assistant had reminded him and he had tried his best to ward off the huge hangover he was having.

The only reason he had a hangover was because of Cara. He had not been able to get her off his mind for the last few days after their last meeting and he couldn't stop thinking about seeing her again.

He thought a few drinks and night out with the guys would cure it. He had even tried to talk to a girl, but that felt very bland to him.

He just really couldn't do it.

At least he'd have a few days to himself, a sort of distraction at the resort.

He looked forward to that.

His room was beautiful, it had a nice view of the grassy green garden of the resort and the enormous pool that a few people were in.

He had not taken a tour of the place yet but he couldn't wait to, that was right after his nap.

There was a brochure on the coffee table and he couldn't help looking through it.

There was a game room, in fact there were two. The large over the top pool Nicholas could see outside his window, about two or three lounges, a bar, a restaurant, there was a football court and a mini park with a petting zoo.

It was pretty enough, on it's busiest days like late summer and holidays he assumed it would be swarming with people but it was still very early in June.


After taking a quick cold shower, Nicholas had a change of clothes and decided to take a tour of the resort.

He would nap later, besides Mr Kurosaki would be expecting him. And he hoped to make a very good impression on him as the man had taken a liking to his company.

Besides, he also wanted to check out the resort.

He was on his way down the stairs when he spotted a very familiar face and he paused.

It was Cara.

She was wearing a short yellow summer dress and she had a suitcase in her hand.

She was smiling at the receptionist while handing over her invitation to him for him to see.

Her hair was blowing with the wind.

She looked so happy, so relieved.

There was wonder in her hazel eyes as she looked around the resort, till her eyes landed on him and the wonder disappeared and her smile turned into something else.

She didn't say a word as she saw him and Nicholas waved at her.

She gave him a small smile as she started walking towards him.

"Don't tell me, you're here for the convention?"

He nodded.

"I had no idea you were invited."

"Me neither... How do you know Mr Kurosaki?"

She asked with a frown on her face and Nicholas shrugged.

"I don't really know him, but he gave me an invitation and I'm very excited about the prospects of me doing business with him."

"Let me help you with that."

Nicholas took her suitcase from her hand and Cara followed slowly behind him.

She was not expecting such a different turn of events.

Nicholas was going to be at the convention.

That meant that for the four days that she was going to be staying at the resort, he was going to be there.

The two of them, together, alone.

It was going to be a complete disaster.