Chapter73All Pink Bubbles
Damian was leisurely adjusting his clothing. "You've known Christian long enough," he said, "He acts on a whim, not based on who you are. Today he's in a good mood and sorts things out for you; tomorrow, he might be in a foul mood and mess everything up again. Do you think he's incapable of such a thing?"Just like that, Ashley found her loyalties had flipped.She sighed heavily, a sound filled with discontent. "Blue Star again?" she mumbled.These rich folks were pitiable in their own way, bound by concerns over privacy and luxury. The places they frequented were limited, and while Ashley was almost sick of it, they seemed to relish it relentlessly.This time, however, was an exception."Christian has arranged for a few of us to go camping," Damian said."You mean, not coming back tonight?" Ashley asked, a night out with the guys and gals was uncharted territory for her.Checking his watch, Damian figured there was enough time. "Change into something casual and sporty. Grab whatever you want and meet me in the underground garage in half an hour."After packing what she needed, Ashley headed straight to Level B1, where a luxurious Mercedes G65 awaited her.Damian rolled down the window. "Get in," he instructed.Ashley tossed her gear into the back seat, circled to the passenger side, and buckled up. She was relieved that Damian hadn't insisted she drive. Managing such a beast wasn't exactly her forte.No sooner had she fastened her seatbelt than a gust of wind whooshed past as Damian floored the accelerator, ready to pilot the vehicle like a plane.Her body was thrust back by the force, her spine aching from the impact. "Are we in a hurry?" she asked, otherwise, why rush like chasing a rocket?Damian replied coolly, "No rush."Ashley smirked. "And here I thought you made a bet to arrive within a minute."He responded, "I don't need a bet to push the speed. I haven't driven this in a while; it feels a bit unfamiliar."Inside, Ashley wanted to curse. Damian, a former professional racing champion, talking about being out of practice? He might as well say he’d forgotten how to use forks after not eating for a while.Chuckling, she nodded. "Where are we meeting?""Sunset Peak," he replied.Damian's conversing didn't affect his driving skill; he maintained a steady 80 mph along the highway, racing as if it were Speed versus Death.Sunset Peak was a top-rated scenic location in Rochester City, and its highest mountain, crowned by a castle known as Full Moon Castle, was an upscale hotel owned by KM Road.Half of the winding road up Sunset Hill was funded by KM Roadworks, so every time Ashley paid the toll, she'd quip, "I built this road; pay the toll if you want to proceed.""Just camping, nothing else planned? That's not Christian's style," she mused, half-expecting some twist.Damian replied calmly, "He can do whatever he wants."Clutching the seatbelt, afraid she might get tossed out, Ashley remarked, "Easy for you to say; his schemes never land on your head."But did Damian know about Christian's bold claim of having a thing for her? Would he confront him in a one-on-one fight?She'd relish seeing that show.Imagining Christian on his knees begging for mercy brought a smirk to Ashley's face.Damian frowned, "What's so funny? You hoping he'd come after me?"Ashley shook her head. "Not in this lifetime, but I'm curious. You guys are so tight-knit. Could anything ever turn you against each other?"His scoff was evident, "Trying to break us up from the inside? You wish."Ashley rolled up the window, turning to look at Damian, who was focused on driving, "Ever all fallen for the same person? Given your similar tastes, it wouldn't be surprising if you liked the same girl."
With a speed that was nothing short of breakneck, Damian still found the time to roll his eyes at Ashley. "You should cut back on the soap operas, they're making you dull," he suggested with a hint of exasperation.In response, Ashley merely laughed. The reality, she believed, often outdid even the most dramatic of soap operas. She had a hunch that this wasn't the first time something like this had happened. However, their conversation soon derailed, and the remainder of the drive was filled with a silence that was almost tangible.The car's path was a zigzagging one, causing a sense of nausea to settle in, but they eventually reached the summit. What was supposed to be a simple camping trip had somehow been transformed into a luxurious experience, courtesy of Christian.At the heart of the setup was a massive tent, reminiscent of an igloo in its structure. It was so sturdy that it seemed capable of wi thstanding a forceful gale without so much as a tremor. Flanking this igloo-like tent were two barbecues. One was roasting a whole lamb, while the other was laden with an assortment of meats and vegetables.The site was also equipped with darts, an archery target complete with bows, and a variety of board games. A couple of hammocks were slung between trees, not too far off. An open-air table, laden with neatly arranged fruits, was adorned with lamps that intermingled with the white tablecloth. Spotlights dotted the ground, adding to the ambiance. It was a scene that seemed ready for a carnival wedding, needing only the addition of some string lights and a floral archway. It was a testament to the wealthy's knack for enjoying life to the fullest.Christian, dressed in a red tracksuit with sunglasses perched on his forehead, greeted them. His hair was pulled back, revealing a confident brow and lively eyes. "Hey, Damian, looking sharp today!" he called out.It was only then that Ashley noticed Damian's attire. He was dressed from head to toe in sleek black sportswear, which made his figure appear strikingly tall and powerful. The top's zipper was pulled up to his neck, revealing a chiseled jawline. The tapered hem accentuated his sculpted backside, and his legs seemed to go on for miles. It was a stark contrast to the commanding presence he had held in his suit earlier that afternoon. Both styles, however, suited him in their unique ways.However, Ashley quickly diverted her gaze to the whole roasted lamb on the spit. She firmly believed that good looks were the greatest deception, and she refused to be fooled. Much to her annoyance, she realized that she, too, had chosen to wear black for the day. It was a coincidence that couldn't have been untimelier.With his hands tucked into his pockets, Damian stretched out his legs. "What's with the big production? Planning on getting hitched?" he asked.In response, Christian retrieved a bottle of fine wine from a crate. "Why not? All the boys are here. They might as well witness the vows," he said, popping open the expensive wine with the nonchalance of pouring a five-dollar soda and letting it aerate in the decanter.Damian pulled up a chair and leaned back. "Where's Hayden?" he asked.Christian replied, "Should be here in about ten. That guy's always stuck on night shifts at the hospital, risking his fertility if you ask me. Who knows if he'll be able to father kids in the future."Lighting a cigarette, Damian warned, "Don't razz him about it. That's his calling."Christian poured himself a glass and settled down on a stool to tend to the grilling, his legs sprawled out. If not for the flashy watch, he could easily pass for an easygoing food stand owner. "It's more like an unresolved issue. How many years has it been?" he asked."A problem fixed isn't an unresolved issue," Damian remarked.Meanwhile, Ashley had been wandering nearby, eavesdropping on their entire conversation without missing a beat. Hayden became a doctor because of some unresolved issue? She wondered what that issue could be.Christian finished grilling a set of skewers, seasoned them, and tossed one to Damian. "Here's yours, no spice," he said.Catching it, Damian placed it on a tray. "Has Stephen not returned yet?" he asked.A smirk played on Ashley's lips as she increasingly suspected that Christian had a soft spot for Damian – evident by the proverbial rose-colored bubbles floating around him.Christian scoffed, "Without Stephen here, do you think I'd go to all this trouble? He complained that Blue Star was getting dull, with no new thrills. That's why I went to the ends of the earth to bring something special just for him."At this, Ashley's eyes lit up instantly.
Stephen was back! This was fantastic news!
