Chapter 96

The next morning, Hansel casually scrolled through social media in the airport's VIP lounge. Boarding was still half an hour away, but time crawled. He hoped his flight would depart soon.

Suddenly, he sat up straight. Sam had posted something the previous day: a beach photo—blue sea and sky, glorious sunset. The caption read, “Nice weather here in Marvedis, but it matters more that I’ll meet the person I’ve been wanting to see.”

A comment asked, “Vacation to hook up with someone, Sam?”

Sam replied, “Too general. I have a specific target.”

Another comment: “Sounds like romance!”

Sam responded with a smiling emoji.

Hansel scowled, scrolling further. He and Sam shared many mutual friends; countless comments speculated about Sam's new relationship.

That bastard, he thought. He’s misleading me while I fly to Marvedis to find Miranda.

A boarding announcement for the Marvedis flight jolted him. He pocketed his phone, grabbed his coat, and left the lounge.

Ingrid was entering as he opened the door. Their eyes met; instead of entering, she hugged him. He froze as she threw herself at him.

“You’re so sweet, dear! I didn’t think you’d take my ‘never been to Marvedis’ seriously,” she said, holding up her phone’s boarding pass. “I heard the overwater villas have direct ocean access. Waves lull you to sleep; sunrise wakes you. Pretty sandbanks—”

A throb pulsed in Hansel’s temple. “I need the restroom,” he replied curtly, and strode away. In a corner, he grimly called Joe.

“Mr. Johnson? Shouldn’t you be on the plane?” Joe asked, sounding flustered.

“Joe, tell me straight—do you want to keep your job?” Hansel snapped.

“Mr. Johnson, what makes you say that?” Joe stammered.

“Yesterday, I asked for a one-way ticket. Why did you book two, and give the other to Ingrid? You need your hearing checked!”

Joe immediately realized Annie had made a mistake, but instead of excuses, he admitted, “I’m sorry, Mr. Johnson. My instructions were unclear, and I didn't verify they were followed correctly.”

Hansel’s tone softened. “I hope there won’t be a next time.”

Ingrid approached as he emerged from the restroom. “Dear, what took you so long? They’re almost closing the gates!”

“Let’s go,” Hansel replied, resigned.

Ingrid was ecstatic. “I’m so excited! This is my first time abroad…” Knowing she was going to Marvedis, she’d applied light makeup and packed several sexy bikinis.

Since their accidental intimate encounter during Hansel’s drunken stupor, he’d ignored her advances. Perhaps Marvedis offered an opportunity…

They took a seaplane to the island after landing. Ingrid, seeing Marvedis for the first time, constantly photographed everything.

Then she paused. She hadn’t taken a photo with Hansel. Her roommates knew of her trip. A mischievous glint entered her eyes as she aimed her phone at them both.

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