---
The conference room buzzed with energy as Perce, Kellan, and Liam entered, their tailored suits catching the light as they moved toward the long mahogany table. The Billion Dollar Deal had dominated their schedule, and today was the day to solidify the terms. However, Liam's mind was elsewhere—or rather, on someone else.
As discussions began, Liam stared at his phone, subtly downloading Instagram under the table. His brothers exchanged glances but didn't say anything—yet.
"This deal will be one for the books," Kellan said, his voice calm and deliberate. "The market projections show—"
"Do you think Geraldine uses her full name on Instagram, or just her first name?" Liam blurted out, interrupting his brother.
Perce blinked. "Are you seriously looking for her right now?"
"I need to find her!" Liam whispered, ignoring the amused smirks from his brothers.
Kellan rolled his eyes. "Focus, Liam. Billion. Dollar. Deal."
"Exactly," Liam retorted. "What's more priceless than love?"
"Market shares," Perce deadpanned.
Despite their annoyance, Liam's determination was relentless. He typed "Geraldine Rivera" into Instagram's search bar, only to be met with dozens of fan pages and random posts about her art. None of them led to the real Geraldine.
"She's not on Instagram," Liam muttered, frustrated. "Okay, maybe TikTok?"
Perce leaned over and snatched Liam's phone. "She doesn't seem like a TikTok kind of woman. Now pay attention before you blow this deal for all of us."
With a resigned sigh, Liam put his phone away, though his mind refused to let go of the mystery that was Geraldine.
---
After the meeting concluded, Liam cornered Perce near the elevator.
"You like Carla, don't you?" Liam asked, his tone conspiratorial.
"What are you talking about?" Perce replied, feigning indifference.
"Carla. The other triplet. I saw the way you looked at her at the airport."
Perce hesitated, his stoic mask faltering slightly. "She's… interesting."
"Interesting?" Liam scoffed. "You're terrible at admitting feelings. Just talk to her!"
"I don't even have her number," Perce said.
"Lucky for you," Liam grinned, "I happen to know how to make things happen."
using Perce's phone, Liam was able to find carla on Instagram, so he followed her, which she did too, and was able to call her
"Hello?" Carla's voice was as cheerful and mischievous as ever.
"Carla," Perce said, his voice low and deliberate, "this is Perce. I wanted to talk to you about something important."
"Oh?" Carla teased. "What's so important? Are you calling to admire my exceptional taste in coffee?"
Perce couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. "More like to appreciate your quick wit. And maybe…" He hesitated for half a second, "your company."
Carla laughed, a musical sound that made Perce's chest tighten. "Well, Mr. Billionaire, you'll have to catch me between beach outings and spa days. Vacation life is exhausting, you know."
"I'm sure I'll manage," Perce replied smoothly, already feeling his carefully constructed walls beginning to crumble.
---
Meanwhile, the Rivera sisters were living their best lives. Their vacation villa overlooked pristine turquoise waters, and every day was a blend of adventure and relaxation.
They went snorkeling, where Carla swore a fish gave her "judgmental side-eye." Frances documented every moment with her camera, while Geraldine created quick sketches in her travel notebook.
One afternoon, they tried parasailing, which ended in hysterics when Carla accidentally let go of her harness mid-lift. Thankfully, she only ended up face-first in the sand, leaving Geraldine and Frances howling with laughter.
"Isn't this supposed to be relaxing?" Carla grumbled, brushing sand from her hair.
"It is," Geraldine said between laughs. "For us."
Later that evening, the sisters lounged on the villa's terrace, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Geraldine's thoughts wandered back to Liam, and she couldn't help but smile at the memory of his goofy charm.
"Earth to Geraldine," Carla said, waving a hand in front of her face. "You're thinking about him, aren't you?"
"Who?" Geraldine asked innocently.
"Liam," Frances said, smirking. "You're practically glowing."
"I am not," Geraldine protested, though her blush betrayed her.
"Admit it," Carla teased. "You like him."
Geraldine sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe. But I left him hanging for a reason. Let's see if he can keep up."
---
Back in Lutoll, Liam was pacing the hotel suite, talking to his brothers about Geraldine for the umpteenth time.
"She's clever," Liam said, his eyes lighting up as he spoke. "And funny. And the way she left me with that challenge—"
"Liam," Kellan interrupted, pinching the bridge of his nose, "for the love of all things profitable, can you please focus on our strategy meeting tomorrow?"
"Let him dream," Perce said, though he couldn't resist adding, "It's refreshing to see him obsessed with something other than food."
"Speaking of obsession," Kellan said, raising an eyebrow at Perce. "You've been unusually chipper since you got Carla's number."
Perce smirked but didn't respond, which was answer enough.
The playful banter continued late into the night, but even as they joked, Liam's resolve to find Geraldine only grew stronger. He couldn't shake the image of her playful smile or the spark in her eyes.
As for Perce, his thoughts lingered on Carla, her fiery personality and sharp humor breaking through his usually impenetrable demeanor.
---
Back at the villa, Geraldine sat by the pool, her sketchbook balanced on her lap. She couldn't explain why Liam occupied her thoughts so much, but she knew one thing: she wasn't ready to let the connection fade.
With every passing day, the lines between business and romance blurred for the brothers, while the sisters reveled in the chaos they left in their wake.
The Billion Dollar Deal might have brought them to Lutoll, but it was clear that something far more valuable was at stake.
---