Chapter 78: Fijian Spices.


    When by woke up, she felt a lot better. The jetg, frustration, and anger had all seeped out of her body


    She stood up from the bed and finally took in the room. It was huge and beautifully decorated-modern, exquisite


    Ivy walked over to the huge window and pulled the curtains aside. Below was the most magnificent view she had ever seen The crystal clear water stretched endlessly under the sun, and she felt herself drawn to it


    Her stomach groaned with hunger causing her to move away from the window She walked to the bathroom, admired its design, before dabbing her face with cold water.


    She left the room to get food, but was surprised to find Bud standing outside.


    "Bud? When did you get here?" she asked, her voiceced with surprise


    Bud smiled. It was the first time she was seeing his teeth. "Not long after you did


    Ivy gathered her hair into a loose ponytail. "Why didn''t you just fly with us on the jet?"


    "Mr. Stone didn''t want the media to detect your presence, Bud exined


    "Oh, she muttered, her stomach twisting


    She had momentanly forgotten about the calcted nature of this honeymoon. But as her thoughts spiraled, anger tightened her chest. The memory of Kim''s name spelled on the bed came rushing back.


    She stered a smile on her face to hide her anger as she faced Bud. "Where''s Ss, by the way?"


    "He had something to handle," Bud replied, his expression suddenly unreadable Her irritation deepened, and her fake smile widened. "Cool"


    "He also asked me to inform you that dinner is at eight, and you''re to wear beige. And, ma''am, he wants you to eat." Bud''s expression was back to its usual stoic mask.


    So, the honeymoon was even worse than she had imagined.


    "Alright,” she said with a frown, not hiding her disappointment. She turned back into the room and shut the door gently behind her. There was no point in taking her anger out on an innocent piece of wood.


    She groaned, pacing the room.


    She was furious-for a lot of reasons-but mostly because Ss had disappeared afterying down a set of stupid rules. Her stomach groaned again, and that moment she made her decision. She walked to the closet relieved to find her luggage neatly arranged. She sorted through the first box of clothes and found a red swimsuit, she paired it with a red chiffon robe, and added some pair of slippers.


    If she was going to be trapped on her own honeymoon, she might as well do some sightseeing.


    Quickly she took a shower, got dressed up and left the room.


    "Going somewhere, ma''am?" Bud asked, raising a brow as she stepped into the hallway.


    "Yes," she smiled. "I''m going to bask in the evening sun and swim in that gorgeous water-preferably with champagne or something stronger."


    Bud''s expression twisted. "But ma''am, Mr. Stone said—"


    "More reason why I''m leaving," she said firmly, annoyed that Ss had given Bud rules to leash her down like a dog. "It''s my honeymoon for heaven''s sake! Since everything is so organized. I want to do something spontaneous" she snapped.


    Bud nodded, then averted his gaze. That small gesture gave her the confidence to walk away.


    She found the nearest elevator and headed downstairs. As she rounded a corner, she spotted the beach. The sun was bright yet warm, and she found herself itching to lounge under it.


    "Mrs. Stone."


    Ivy turned at the sound of Bud''s voice, confusion settling in. "Yes?"


    "The private beach is that way" Bud said, gesturing toward another entrance. The public one isn''t secure."


    Ivy hesitated. As much as it annoyed her to admit it, she knew he had a point. "Fine. Take me there," she sighed.


    Bud led the way to a smaller door, unlocking it Sessfully unlocked!


    As Ivy stepped forward, she was blown away by any unit was exclusive and untouched. She took off her sandals, ced them in her hand, and ran through the sand. The warm grains tickled her feet


    She ran until she got to the water, giggling as the water touched her feet. She kicked the water, sending yful sshes into the air.


    Her stomach grumbled again, pulling her out of he


    the waved Bud over" need food


    "What would you like, maar?" Bud asked as be approached


    ked her brain, but nothing came to mind "Anything nice"


    "Alright, ma''am Tilbe back noon" Hud gave a slight bow before hurrying off.


    Ivy turned back to the ocean, running along the shoreline, letting the water cool her feet


    Some timeter, Bud returned "Your food is ready, ma''am"


    She followed him to a secluded section of the beach, where arge table with food was disyed. There was a at the centre with lounge chairs scattered amund


    A waitress in white approached her "Good evening, Mrs Stone. Would you like to begin with a ss of wine?"


    Ivy nodded and watched as the waitress popped open a bottle of red wine. She poured it into a crystal ss and passed it to ly


    "Thank you," Ivy smiled wildly, unable to contain her excitement.


    If there was any constion to this honeymoon, it was that it was exotic and private. She loved it. She settled in one of the lounge chairs and sipped her drink "Ready for your meal, ma''am?" The waitress asked with a smile


    "Yes," she replied "What do you have on the menu?"


    The waitress''s smile widened as she gestured towards the table. "We have a seafood tter with fresh lobster, some traditional meat and vegetables. There''s also rice with some slow-cookedmb shank, barbecue, marinated with top Figan


    spices-


    At the mention ofmb, Ivy''s stomach growled, and she interrupted the waitress. I''ll take themb shank."


    The waitress nodded. Tor dessert, we have banana cake-one hundred percent Fijian."


    "Oh, I love it already!" Ivy pped her hands excitedly. "I''ll definitely try itter."


    The waitress smiled and served Ivy. Themb shank was huge and it smelled delicious. Ivy dug in, savoring the rich vor. Some momentster, after finishing her meal, she requested for the banana cake.


    She was munching on the cake when Bud appeared beside her.


    "Mr Stone is back and has requested your presence for dinner."


    "Oh God. Why so formal Bud," Ivy teased as she swallowed a forkful of cake. Tell him I''ll join him soon."


    Bud hesitated before leaving. She had barely taken another bite when Ss appeared beside her.


    He was dressed in a vibrant, open-cored shirt, a frown on his face. "I expected you to be ready"


    Without looking at him, Ivy took another bite. "I didn''t know I was a prisoner here."


    He sighed. "You''re not a prisoner, Ivy. But we''re on a schedule, and if dinner doesn''t start by eight, the photographer- "I''m eating," she snapped. "When I''m done, I''ll leave."


    She knew she didn''t have to shout at him like that, but she couldn''t help it. She was still mad at him


    Instead of getting angry, Ss surprised her by taking a seat beside her. "I know you''re angry," he admitted. "I didn''t want it like this."


    Something in his voice made her chest tighten, but she refused to give in to the feeling


    "Of course," she huffed. "But you''re still working


    She saw the hesitation in his eyes. 7 wasn''t just working. Something came up."


    The change of his tone startled her, as a bad feeling settled in her stomach, "What happened?"


    Ss looked away. "Mason is here in Fij Somehow, he found this hotel"


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