Page 71 of Paparazzi Perfect
Screw it, why not?
I peeled off my shoes and slipped out of my clothes, running into the shallows and then jumping in. “It’s likeice,” I said with a scream. Squeezing my eyes shut, I dived beneath the surface.
We swam to the other side, ducking under the spray of the waterfall, laughing and splashing each other as we shivered.
“Okay, I’m way too cold now,” Miki said, hugging herself as she hurried out of the water.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I answered, my teeth chattering as I followed her out of the water, wrapping myself in my fluffy towel.
“Spectacular. It was totally worth it!” she said, pulling on her clothes as she took in the surroundings in wonder.
“It is pretty special.” Taking in the endless maze of green before us, my heart ached as I remembered how much Karson had loved it.
“We’d better get out of here if we’re going out tonight,” Miki said with a grin. “I can’t wait!”
“Me neither! It’s going to be heaps of fun. Great idea to come here today. I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
“Aww, bring it in, girl.” She gave me a quick hug as a cold, wet drop hit me in the face, followed by a splatter on my nose.
I looked up as the clear blue sky transformed into thunderous gray. The black clouds were ripe to erupt.
“Run!” Miki laughed as a crack of thunder split the air and it started bucketing down, soaking us in seconds.
Screaming and laughing, we bolted toward the track for the long trek back to the Honda.
***
KARSON
Reluctantly, I tore myself away from the hot cascade of water flowing from the oversized rain shower.
After rubbing the fluffy towel over my wet skin, I pulled one of the navy Polo Ralph Lauren bathrobes from the stack, slipped my arms into it, then went straight to the kitchen to make myself a hot chocolate.
Gus was stretched back on a chair with his feet resting on the table, the flat-screen TV mounted on the wall blared as he munched away at his dinner.
“Jeez, Gus, are you going deaf?” I raised an eyebrow at him. “Turn it down a bit, will you?” I smirked.
“Righto, smart-ass. Wait until you get to my age.” But he picked up the remote and adjusted the volume. “There’ll probably be bionic ears by the time you’re my age, so you won’t need to worry. And you’ll probably own the bloody company thatmakes them, if I know you.” He chuckled as I grinned back at him.
My attention shifted to the screen. “Turn it up!” I cried, straining to hear.
“New kids on the block, BioBuild, founded by Dyson Khan, has seen unprecedented growth this month. From tech to e-commerce, this is by far the fastest-growing venture right now. It’s unquestionably one to watch, folks, but you’ll have to get in line if you want to put your money up. In other news…”
A buzz crackled through me, but I kept my face still and forced my hands to stay at my sides. Gus could not know that I was involved with Dyson’s company and risk my father finding out during one of his regular interrogations. That would be a disaster—for all of us.
“That Dyson hey? It doesn’t surprise me at all.” Gus shook his head, clearly proud.
“That’s him all right.” I shrugged, trying to remain calm. “Always has a new startup in the pipeline. Well, I’m off to bed,” I said as I walked away. “Night Gus.”
“Night, mate,” he called out.
I hurried to my bedroom, locking the door behind me and leaning against it. My head was spinning. If BioBuild continued in this direction, it would solve my cash flow problems and take me closer to my goal of escaping my father.
And closer to being with Ivy.
***
I could have sworn my head had barely hit the pillow when my phone buzzed on the nightstand beside me. But the sun shone brightly through my window; it was morning already.
