Chapter 11

I run upstairs as fast as my legs can carry me. I am panting heavily as I enter our room, and Elliot looks at me with a confused expression. "Did you get the tickets?" Elliots questions. "Fabian is a private detective hired by Mina to collect evidence on us!" I said it so fast that I have to lean against the door to catch my breath. "Sorry? I didn't get that, you spoke too fast." "When I got downstairs to get the tickets, I saw Mina and Fabian. I wasn't in the mood to talk to them, so I hid behind a palm tree. I overheard their conversation...Fabian is a private detective!" I explained. "I knew it!" Elliot says. "He's been collecting information about us this whole time." Elliot clenches his jaw and balls his hands into fists. There is a fire in his eyes, and he looks scary. "I'm mad too! We should confront them!" I urged. "You're right! I've had enough of those two!" Elliot pushes the door open with such force that it slams into the wall and storms out. "Woah, I've never seen him this upset before!" I grab the keycard to our hotel room so we don't lock ourselves out, and I chase after Elliot. 15 minutes later... "I have no idea where Elliot went. I looked everywhere, but I couldn't find him. This hotel is way too big! Maybe he's in the bar?" I think to myself. I don't find Elliot there, but I do find Thea. She is sitting alone with a glass of wine and a sad look on her face. I also order a glass of wine and sit next to her. A first, neither of us says anything. We sip our wine in silence and listen to the soft piano music playing in the background. Then, Thea turns to me. "Paul asked me to go out with him." She speaks up. I hesitate. "I should be careful with my answer." I thought to myself. 'Are you not happy about that? I ask her. "I am. But I'm worried that you might be right. I AM a mess, and I'm not ready for another failed relationship." She answers. I shake my head, angry at myself. "Listen, about what I said before, forget it. It was stupid, and I'm really sorry. I've seen you and Paul together, and I think you really have real chemistry. You seem truly happy around him, and that's all I want for you." "Really? Because I really want to go out with him." "Then you should go out with him." She smiles at me, and I know that everything's been forgiven. "Isn't it funny how we're two best friends who are also dating two best friends?" She laughs. "We're like a real-life tv show, right?" "Totally! I hate fighting with you. I've missed you so much." She admits. "I've missed you too." Thea and I hug each other, but then she abruptly pulls away, her eyes widening. "I need to tell Paul that I've changed my mind about going out with him!" "Do it! I'll see you later. Good luck!" She runs out, surprisingly agile for someone wearing heels. "I should probably head back, Maybe Elliot is in our room, waiting for me." But before I can even reach our room, I see Mina, Fabian, and Elliot in the hotel lobby. Mina is screaming at the hotel receptionist and stomping her feet. "You can't do this!" Mina yells. The receptionist calmly informs her that her credit card is fake and that they have every right to kick her out of the resort. Before the situation escalates, Elliot signals to the receptionist that he will take care of it, and he turns to Mina. " You've heard them. I suggest you pack your bags and leave immediately." Elliot demands. "Who are you to order me around?!" "We know about your scheme, Mina" Her anger wavers, replaces by suspicion...and fear. "What are you talking about?" She asks. I get closer and confront her. "Fabian isn't your boyfriend. He's a private detective who's been spying on us!" I confront them. "That's a pretty big accusation. Do you have proof?" Fabian wondered. "Evie heard you two talking about it this morning." He gives us a Cheshire smile. "So, no proof then." Before Elliot can speak, Fabian and Mina notice security guards calmly approaching the two of them. "We'll leave. But only because we're tired of this place. I promise you that you haven't seen the last of me." They leave in a huff before the guards can reach them. "This is such a relief." "I guess." He doesn't look convinced. "Come one, let's go tell Thea and Paul the good news!" When we are outside their hotel room, we stop in our tracks. There is a sign saying "Do not disturb" On the door. My eyes grow wide when I hear sounds. "Do you hear that?" I ask Elliot. "Yeah, I hear it too." I laugh out loud. "Good for her. I'm glad they worked things out." I say to myself. "We shouldn't disturb them. Let's leave them a note about the good news and that we're celebrating tonight." I tell Elliot. "Good idea." I write a quick note and slide it under the door. We then go back to our room. "Too bad we missed the balloon ride. I tried to get the tickets afterward, but it was too late." Bawled Elliot. "I don't care, as long as we're together. It's the company that matters, not what we're doing." I replied. "You're so sweet" " so, what should we do now?" A smile spreads over his face. "We could still celebrate with champagne and strawberries. The day is still young, and I'm sure those two will be busy for a while" "I like the sound of that. I'm a bit hungry, after all." "Even better. Paul just texted me that they will join us, and I paid for the VIP section." He tells me. "I'm ready! I just need to get dressed." I blow him a kiss before I disappear from his sight. "I'm ready!" "Good, let's go." He gives me a long kiss before we leave the hotel. When we meet with paul and Thea, they are holding hands. "I'm so happy that Mina and Fabian left!" Thea jumps in excitement. "How did you manage to get rid of them?" Paul asks. "The idiots used a fake credit card. So naturally, the hotel threw them out." Elliot responded. Paul laughs loudly, and Thea snickers. "They should have been thrown out right away! But better late than never, right?" "Definitely. As long as they're gone, I'm happy." I commented. "Let's just hope she's done with her crazy stunts and leave us alone." Elliot hopes. "That girl has issues. I don't think she's done. But for your sake, I really hope so." "I'm done talking about that witch. What are you guys doing tomorrow?" I asked. "We're leaving." My eyes widen in shock. "What? Already?" "I know, I know, but we're out of vacation days. I can't afford to lose my job, you know?" Thea explains. "And I would have loved to stay a bit more, but duty calls." Paul adds. "I promise to text you all the time." Thea says. "I'll take your word on that." I responded. "You'll probably be too busy with Elliot, anyway." She wiggles her eyebrows. Elliot leans into my ear and whispers so that only I can hear him. "She right. I intend to keep you very busy." he whispers. "Is that so?" "Mhm" "Why don't we start right now? Let's dance." "Sounds intriguing. Convince me." Elliot teases. "I'll let you kiss me while we're dancing." "Alright, I'm convinced. Let's dance." Elliot grabs my hand and drags me to the dancefloor. I throw my arms around his neck, and his hands fall on my back. He smells amazing, so I can't help but snuggle a little tighter to him. "Evie?" 'yeah?" "Did you just sniff me?" He asks. "Uhm... maybe." His chest vibrates with a silent laugh, and his hand pulls me in a little bit closer. "Is Elliot Anderson being a... gentleman?" I thought to myself. "I give him a soft smile. "You're a really great dancer." I compliment him. "Thanks. I don't usually dance, though." "Why?" "Well, for me, it's kind of intimate. When I was little, I used to watch my parents dance. It's the only thing I remember before my dad left. Seeing them happy and in love. Ever since I've connected at dancing to something only lovers do." "You mean–" "Evie, please don't overthink this. I just want to dance with you" he kisses me on the cheek, and we continue to dance to the music. Sometime later... Thea pours the champagne into all four glasses. "Let's make a toast to our friendship!" Thea says out loud. "Good idea!" Everyone raises their glasses, except for Paul. We glance at him, and he's staring at his phone, looking white as if he's seen a ghost. "Paul... is everything okay?" I ask Paul. "No way. This is not what we need right now." Paul says. "What are you talking about?" Elliot asks. "Look at this." Paul shows something on his phone to Elliot, and he curses under his breath. "What's the matter?" I asked. 'Mina, who else." He responds. "What did she do?" I questioned. Paul hesitates for a second. "She has gone public with her claims" Paul answers. "Public how?" "She's just told some journalists she has enough material to sue Elliot."