Chapter 38
<Chapter>Chapter Thirty-Eight: Braving the Storm </Chapter>
The following day, Gianna's phone pinged with a call from Natalie Clinton.
"Gianna, an old friend, invited me to spend this weekend at the resort. You free? They've got horseback riding, and there's even an amusement park."
Natalie hadn't been keen on going, but the thought of taking Gianna for a relaxing time and possibly getting Felix to join for a shot at mending their relationship was too good to pass up.
Surprised, Gianna mulled it over. She had no plans for the weekend after all and agreed to join.
"Sounds lovely! Should I pick you up, or shall we meet there?"
"I'll swing by your villa."
There was a brief pause before Gianna confessed, "Grandma, I'm actually staying in North Town now."
Natalie's brow furrowed. "Are you and Felix separated?!"
As their relationship remained uncertain, Gianna found it difficult to express herself. She downplayed the situation, trying to minimize it, "Not exactly. It's just closer to my new job, so I'm staying here for now."
"That's nonsense! Couples shouldn't live apart! And with Bella back in town, what if she stirs up trouble while you're away?!"
Gianna bit her lip gently, her voice soft but firm. "Grandma, please let it be. We'll handle it."
"If you were handling it, you wouldn't be living apart. I'm calling Felix — he'd better move you back in, or I'll have words with him!"
"Grandma..."
Before she could finish, Natalie had ended the call. Redialing only confirmed that Natalie had moved on to calling Felix.
Exhaling in resignation, Gianna set the phone aside to freshen up.
As she was about to head out, she noticed several urgent messages from Felix.
"Gianna, what on earth did you tell Grandma about Bella?!"
Originally, Grandma had a less-than-favorable impression of Belle. When you spilled the beans about moving out, she just threatened me—if I don't bring you back to Grand View, she won't let Belle off the hook!
What on earth did you whisper in Grandma's ear that made her take your side, no questions asked? I told her it was your own decision to move out, and she didn't believe a word!
Gianna read the message defending Bella with an unreadable expression in her eyes, then deleted the text and headed out to work without further ado.
The weekend rolled around quickly, and Gianna got everything in order at home early, waiting for Natalie Clinton to drop by.
Imagine her surprise when Felix's car pulled up in front of the villa. Hesitating briefly, she finally opened the rear passenger door, planning to hop in.
"Sit up front!"
Gianna eyed Felix in the driver's seat and, with a nonchalant tone, said, "I'll sit in the back. It'll be easier to chat with Grandma."
Natalie Clinton, keen on mending their relationship, quickly interjected, "Gianna, an old friend of mine, will sit in the back later. It'll be a bit cramped with three. You'd better take the front seat."
With no choice, Gianna moved to sit shotgun, although now regretting not declining Natalie's invitation, knowing Felix was involved.
Upon entering the car, Felix abruptly leaned toward her, catching Gianna off guard. Startled, she instinctively recoiled, inadvertently knocking her forehead against the window with a dull thud.
She furrowed her brow and looked at Felix defensively. "What are you doing?!"
"Calm down, just helping you with your seatbelt," Felix responded, his expression icy.
"I've got it, thanks," she retorted, fastening it herself.
Seeing Gianna buckled in, Felix said no more, though his face grew colder by the second.
Natalie watched from the back with concern. The tension between them was palpable—certainly not like the old days when, even in a spat, Gianna was never this cold toward Felix.
The drive to the resort was eerily quiet until Gianna found out that Natalie's talk of picking up an old friend was just a ruse.
At that moment, Gianna understood Natalie's intentions, but she also realized that any hopes of reconciliation were futile. There was no possibility of repairing her relationship with Felix.
Their marriage was like a house on the verge of collapse, ready to crumble at any moment.
Gianna had always been the one trying desperately to patch it up, but eventually, she realized that a house riddled with flaws is beyond repair, no matter the effort.
Exiting the vehicle, they were quickly greeted by the staff.
The resort's grand opening was slated for the 10th of next month, and currently, it was practically devoid of any guests.
Gianna had been hearing about the resort ever since construction began. It was the Uriah family's most significant investment in recent years. With thousands of rooms, hundreds of conference halls, swimming pools, restaurants, and entertainment facilities, it spanned nearly 2.5 million square feet, making it the largest resort in Dawnridge.
The group hopped onto the resort's private tour cart for the hotel, which took just over half an hour to navigate through the sprawling property.
Uriah was already waiting at the entrance, her face lighting up with a smile at the sight of Natalie Clinton. "There you are, Natalie! We've all been waiting for you.”
"Sorry, we got held up on the way. Felix, Gianna, come say hi to your Grandma Uriah."
"Hi, Grandma Uriah!"
Uriah's eyes twinkled with mirth as she looked at Gianna and Felix. "Go have fun. Your rooms are ready for you. If you'd like to rest in the hotel first, that’s fine too. I'm going to take a stroll with your Grandma first."
After the elder two left, Felix turned to Gianna, "Do you want to rest for a bit or explore around?"
"Let's rest first."
As they entered the hotel and learned that Uriah had booked only one room for both of them, Gianna frowned.
She handed her ID to the receptionist. "Hello, could I trouble you to book another room for me, please?"
Just as the receptionist was about to take the ID, a hand with well-defined joints snatched it away from Gianna.
Gianna turned to Felix with a frown, "Give me back my ID!"
Felix glanced at her with indifference, "Have you ever seen a married couple sleep in separate rooms?"
Gianna tightened her lips, emphasizing each word carefully, "Felix, I don't want to argue with you here. Give me my ID back before I lose my patience!"
Ignoring her, Felix simply instructed the receptionist, "Hand me the room key."
Maybe it was Felix's commanding presence that startled the receptionist, who, after a moment's hesitation, quickly bent down to retrieve the key card.
With the key card in hand, Felix reached for Gianna.
She stepped back immediately, her eyes cold, "I told you, I'm not staying in the same room as you."
Felix’s patience was wearing thin. He stepped forward, scooping Gianna up in his arms and heading for the elevator.
Gianna, startled, instinctively clutched at Felix's collar.
Noticing the glances from onlookers, her face turned a color that could have been from embarrassment or anger.
"Felix put me down now!"
Seeing her ears turn red, Felix murmured, "If you'd just come with me without fuss, this wouldn't have happened."
Gianna let out a scornful laugh, "So you’re saying I should blame myself?"
"You got it."
Gianna stood silently next to Felix as they approached the elevator. Her patience was wearing thin. "Can you put me down now?" she snapped.
Felix remained silent, his face expressionless as he waited for the elevator to arrive.
Gianna's brow furrowed in frustration, and just as she was about to speak again, the elevator doors slid open.
The occupants inside glanced at them, their expressions instantly souring.
