---
The plane touched down smoothly at Lutoll International Airport, and as the passengers began to gather their belongings, Geraldine felt an unexpected pang of sadness. She glanced at Liam, who was busy trying to stuff his headphones back into their case.
"Well, this is it," Liam said, turning toward her with a sheepish smile. "The end of our journey. Unless, of course, you're planning on stalking me while I handle billion-dollar business deals."
"Don't tempt me," Geraldine quipped, though her voice carried a playful edge. She stood and pulled her bag down from the overhead compartment, pretending not to notice the way Liam watched her with a mix of amusement and reluctance.
As they stepped into the terminal together, the noise and chaos of travelers rushing past made it harder for either to find the right words. Geraldine could feel Liam's hesitation as he fell into step beside her. He wasn't ready to let her go yet—but she wasn't going to make it easy for him either.
"So," Liam began, scratching the back of his neck, "if I wanted to commission that art piece for my apartment, how would I go about contacting you?"
Geraldine smirked, shifting her bag onto her shoulder. "Oh, you'll figure it out. You seem resourceful enough."
Liam blinked, momentarily thrown by her response. "That's it? No number, no email, nothing?"
"Exactly," Geraldine replied with a wink. "Consider it a challenge."
Before Liam could respond, she turned on her heel and walked briskly toward her sisters, leaving him standing in the middle of the terminal, baffled but intrigued.
---
By the time Geraldine reached Carla and Frances, they were already deep in yet another ridiculous argument. Carla was gesturing dramatically at a coffee cup, while Frances looked like she was about to throw her tablet at her sister.
"I'm telling you, the foam art was a heart," Carla insisted. "Clearly, the barista was flirting with me."
"It was a blob," Frances snapped. "And even if it was a heart, it's not a declaration of eternal love, Carla. Get over yourself."
"You're just jealous because my coffee gets more attention than you do," Carla teased, dodging Frances's swat.
Geraldine rolled her eyes as she joined them. "Can we not argue about coffee for once? What's next, a debate on the morality of latte foam?"
Carla grinned. "Maybe. Depends on how much Frances overanalyzes it."
Frances sighed but turned her attention to Geraldine. "Fine. Let's talk about something more interesting—like why you were practically glued to that guy on the plane."
"Who, Liam?" Geraldine asked nonchalantly, though her cheeks betrayed her with a faint blush.
"Yes, Liam," Carla said, her grin widening. "You two looked like you were plotting to take over the world together."
"Oh, please," Geraldine said, brushing them off. "He's just a guy. A very funny, surprisingly sweet guy, but still just a guy."
"Uh-huh," Frances said skeptically. "So what did he say to make you blush like that?"
"He didn't make me blush," Geraldine retorted. "And for your information, I left him with a little mystery. You know, keep him guessing."
Carla gasped dramatically. "You pulled the elusive artist move? I'm so proud of you!"
"Don't encourage her," Frances groaned.
"I don't need encouragement," Geraldine said with a smirk. "I've got this under control."
---
Meanwhile, Liam was walking beside his brothers, his thoughts entirely consumed by Geraldine's parting words.
"She just walked away," Liam said, for the third time in as many minutes.
"Yes, Liam, we heard you the first time," Kellan replied, his tone dry.
"But she didn't give me anything—not a number, not an email. Nothing," Liam continued, oblivious to Kellan's exasperation.
"Maybe she doesn't want you to contact her," Perce suggested, though there was a teasing glint in his eye.
"She does," Liam said firmly. "She called it a challenge. That's basically an invitation."
"Or it's a polite way of saying she's not interested," Kellan said, smirking.
Liam glared at his older brother. "You're supposed to be supportive."
"I am," Kellan replied. "Supportive of you focusing on the Lutoll deal instead of some random girl."
"She's not random," Liam said, his voice defensive.
Perce chuckled. "You met a week ago. I think that qualifies as random."
Liam crossed his arms but said nothing, his mind already racing with ways to find Geraldine again.
"Look," Kellan said, his tone softening slightly, "if she's really that interested, she'll find a way to get in touch with you. But for now, can we please focus on the billion-dollar deal we're about to close?"
Liam sighed. "Fine. But don't think for a second I'm giving up."
"We never doubted that," Perce said with a rare smile.
---
Back with the Rivera sisters, the conversation had shifted from Liam to their vacation plans.
"Are we all agreed on the itinerary?" Frances asked, pulling out her meticulously planned schedule.
"Do we have a choice?" Carla muttered, earning a glare from Frances.
"Yes," Geraldine said, grinning. "We can either follow Frances's plan or drive her insane by ignoring it."
"I vote for insanity," Carla said, raising her hand.
"Seconded," Geraldine added.
Frances groaned. "Why do I even bother?"
"Because you love us," Carla said sweetly, wrapping an arm around Frances.
"And because you know you'd miss us if we weren't here to drive you crazy," Geraldine added.
Frances sighed, but a small smile crept onto her face. "You two are impossible."
"And you wouldn't have it any other way," Carla said, winking.
As they headed toward their gate, Geraldine couldn't help but glance back toward where she'd left Liam. She had no doubt he'd find her again—but for now, she was content to let him sweat a little.
___