" You can go back, " he added after a while as they neared the resort where the family had decided to spend the vacation.
" O..Okay." David quickly nodded and sighed in relief. Thankful that his boss was finally willing to rest and he would also get to spend time with his wife as the hotel's construction had already started and not much work was needed from his side again.
When they finally arrived at the resort, Carl went inside then David took his car and drove back to the city.
_____
walking along the hallway toward his suite, Carl frowned as an email notification suddenly popped up on his phone's screen.
He stopped in his footsteps and just as he was about to tap it open, Vivian suddenly appeared before him from the adjacent door.
" Big bro, you're back"? She smiled coyly and looked down at her feet. " I was waiting for you so we could visit where Zach's baby was buried. The rest have already left, " she said softly while tugging at the purple blouse she was wearing atop red jeans.
" Mm," Carl replied curtly with a nod then turned to his right and entered his room. Vivian giggled behind him and also went inside her room to pick up her bag.
After coming out, she looked down at the time with a frown and wondered why he hadn't come out then sighed and decided to knock on his door.
She knocked for a while, and hearing no response from the inside, turned the handle and slowly peaked inside the room which was empty. She walked inside with a slight smile, after guessing that he was in the bathroom.
Hearing the rushing of water still coming from the bathroom, she sat down on the couch and sighed happily while taking in his scent which had engulfed the whole room. Then a call suddenly came inside her phone.
' Ugh,' She groaned inside, looking down at the contact's name then quickly stood up and left the room.
" Father," she greeted, immediately after answering the call. Then a grumpy voice came from the other end.
" You insolent child, what are you still doing up till now, why haven't I heard any progress!!!"
" Father__"
" Shut up!. You're just as useless as your mother. why couldn't you grab his attention!"
Vivian's eyes dimmed and she sighed helplessly. She was just as eager as him, if not, more. " Don't worry father, I'll try__"
" Try your best! that's all you always say. and why are you stopping from coming to the house to talk about your engagement and get everything over with!!!? and that boy__"
" Father please, I can handle it. You know how much I love him...right? do you think I'll ever let him go, " she said softly with a sigh and hoped her father would stop already with the outburst as Carl could come out at any second.
" If anything is getting in your way you have to tell me. and your auntie, what is she doing, why couldn't she convince that preposterous boy?" The man softened his voice from the other end but anger was still evident in his voice.
" It's okay Father, I can handle it, " she repeated softly and the call was then cut off from the other end after hearing his scoff and she sighed again and went toward the door.
______
When Carl came out of the bathroom, he changed into jeans trousers and a t-shirt then picked up his shades. his phone's screen suddenly lit up and he frowned at the sight of the strange number then picked up the call.
After hearing the voice from the other end, his frown deepened and his thoughts drifted back to the email he had received earlier.
He tapped into it and after reading its contents, his expression changed then a chuckle escaped his lips.
His hand scrolled through his contact list then stopped at a number and strode out of the room leaving the flabbergasted Vivian behind.
" Big bro, wait." She quickly followed behind him and even though she was half-running, couldn't keep us with his large strides.
" What is wrong? Big bro, Big bro." Vivian watched helplessly as he entered his car then zoomed off toward the city.
' what just happen?' Her gaze followed the car which had left a pile of dust behind until it was out of sight and she looked down at her now dusty clothes and sighed again as her grip tightened on the bag. She stood there for a while then strolled back to the resort.
********
' Hmmm, I wonder when he'll come.' Clara sighed inside while looking down at her phone. and even Maya's call could not get through as the network kept hijacking.
She got down from her bed then glanced at her sister who was reading silently on her bed. " Lily, do you want to go with me to Maya's house?. Ken would arrive at any moment."
The girl looked up from her book with a soft smile and slowly shook her head. " You can go alone Big Sis, I'll be slightly busy later, " she replied softly and put down the book then stood up.
" Where are you off to?" Clara frowned and instantly remembered that she was tutoring the kids.
" Lily, do you want me to take you to the clinic?" she glanced down at her sister's frail body and sighed, knowing that she was going to get the same answer again from the stubborn girl who had already shaken her head.
" Ehm, Big Sis. What did you say is that guy's name again?" the girl suddenly asked after wearing a maroon coat and picked up her bag.
" Huh? you mean Carl?" Clara replied then sighed as her expression turned gloomy and Lily nodded again.
" I'll be off now, please take care and tell Sis Maya to be careful. Also make sure you hide in case grandma comes today, " The girl instructed softly and sauntered out of the room.
Clara stared at the closed door with a frown then shrugged. Maybe she was just overthinking it because that's how her sister usually acts so mysteriously.